Overcoming your fear

The idea for this week’s article comes from a Vincentian reader at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in St. Kitts who wanted a few tips on presentation skills. Thank you.

It’s said that people fear presenting in public more than they fear death, but presentations do not have to be intimidating if you plan ahead.{{more}}

Overcoming or managing your fear of public speaking will mean having a game plan to help you survive your next speaking engagement. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Manage the butterflies.

Imagine a positive outcome, practice your work and know that your audience wants to see you do a good job. Take the time before the presentation to calm your nerves, breath slowly or take a quick walk. Once you begin, pause if you lose your train of thought or need to regain your composure. Avoid filler words like, “arm,” or “yeah.” Silence is not a bad thing.

Know your desired outcome. Your confidence level will increase when you are clear about the goal you want to accomplish with the audience. Presentations are usually designed to inform, persuade or teach.

Plan your presentation.

Map out your introduction, the body of the speech and the conclusion. Include details such as how to transition from point to point, when to weave in stories and examples and how to strategically use humour. Become very familiar with the presentation so you are not too dependent on the notes.

Right Fit.

Make sure your presentation is the right fit for the audience. The best presentation will be ineffective if it is presented to the wrong audience.

Set up the room. The location of your presentation can make or break you. If the room is too hot, too cold from the air conditioning, in a noisy location or the seating is adequate, these are factors that can ruin your talk. Take care of these room logistics as much as possible ahead of schedule.

Manage technology. If you decide to use a PowerPoint presentation, print the presentation ahead of time and make it available to the audience in the event the computer just does not work.

Watch the time. Respect the time frame you are given. Nothing aggravates audiences more than presenters who take more time than allotted. Read the audience and let them give you the go ahead to use more time when possible. Don’t take extra time because you did not finish your presentation.

Do not read.

Do not read your presentation. It’s simply torture for your audience. Make it interactive and design your delivery so you address the three different types of learners: auditory, kinesthetic and visual.

Public speaking, like any project, is manageable if organized correctly. Overcoming the fear has more to do with elevating the confidence level of the speaker and convincing that person that they are able to do an excellent job.

Karen Hinds President/CEO – Workplace Success Group, Toll Free: 1-877-902-2775;

Tel: 1-203-757-4103

A CT Winner of the Make Mine a Million Dollar Business award!

Karen@WorkplaceSuccess.com