Five Nuggets to Lessen the Fear of Public Speaking

Consistently, the Fear of Public Speaking is listed as one of the most common fears people have. Many are held back from reaching their potential by this fear.

Lessen the Fear of Public Speaking

1. Assume the ‘SUPER HERO’ stance.

   1. Think Superman / Wonder Woman

   2. Stand erect with legs slightly apart.

   3. Place your hands on your hips.

   4. Thrust your chest out.

   5. Put on your game face!

   6. Research shows taking this position for only two minutes, prior to a talk, leads to positive change and makes a speaker feel more powerful and deliver a better performance.

2. PRACTICE – PRACTICE – PRACTICE

   1. Look at the best performances in: Sports – Music – Theater.

   2. I Guarantee – the best-of-the-best Practice!

   3. They Practice a Lot.

      1. Training camps for athletes.

      2. Rehearsals for musicians and Actors.

   4. Speakers should also Practice.Practice out loud looking at a mirror.

      1. Practice in front of friends, family, and your coach.

      2. Practice in front of a video camera.

      3. Practice in your ‘Mind’s eye.’

   5. The rule of thumb for practicing for Speakers is: One hour of practice for each minute of presentation.

      1. Example: Steve Jobs, considered a master presenter by many, would practice for weeks before delivering a keynote for a new apple product or service.

   6. Important: Practice the Sticky Spots.

      1. We tend to practice parts of a presentation we already do well.

      2. Practicing, and perhaps making changes to the Sticky Spots, will lessen anxiety.

3. MEET & GREET!

   1. It is amazing how much easier it is to talk to an audience after meeting attendees.

   2. Greet attendees as they arrive with a firm handshake, holding on a bit longer than ‘just shaking hands.’ (It shows you care!)

   3. Look them directly in the eye.

   4. Thank them, with sincerity, for coming to hear and see you speak.

   5. In addition to lessening the fear of speaking for you, the presenter, this activity is a ‘good stroke’ for the person receiving your greeting.

   6. Most speakers don’t do this and it immediately makes a positive impression.

   7. These individuals will probably pay more attention to you, and could become the ‘friendly face in the audience’ that gives you energy and lessens anxiety.

4. Compose, Practice, and Deliver a Presentation with – STRUCTURE.

   1. Just as a delicious pie is the result of following a specific recipe; a great presentation should follow a Specific Structure

   2. Writing your own Introduction, which the emcee will deliver, sets the stage for your presentation.

   3. In the Opening, give the roadmap your presentation will follow, including when you’ll be taking questions.

   4. The Body of your Talk should contain three to five points. Reinforce each one with a story, preferably a personal story.

      1. Knowing your own story makes it much easier to tell.

   5. Take Questions before Closing your Presentation.

      1. Telling the audience you’ll be taking questions after the Body of your talk and before Closing, eliminates interruptions and keeps you, the speaker, in control.

   6. Conclude your Presentation.First review the highlights and takeaways from your talk.

   7. Secondly, have a Strong Closing.

      1. The last thing you say and do will be the first thing your audience will remember.

5. Have Several SPARE TIRES.

   1. “Stuff Happens!”

   2. Projector bulbs burn out, computers crash, and the batteries in remote controls die.

   3. Having several ‘Spare Tires’ can reduce stress, thus lessening the Fear of Public Speaking.

      1. Example: I have a macbook pro and use Apple’s Keynote software for my slide presentations. I backup the presentation on a thumb drive and in the cloud in Keynote, PowerPoint, and PDF formats.

   4. Since I use mainly images, I also backup the presentation by printing it in Light Table View (Slide Sorter View for PPT users.)

Follow the above Five Nuggets to Lessen the Fear of Public Speaking and I Guarantee your next presentation will be – NO SWEAT!

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About the Author Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”

Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, andPresentation Skills.

They do this because they know:"Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities."

They also know:We perceive really great speakers to be Experts. We like to work with Experts.

He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver Fantastic Presentations! with – NO SWEAT!

Services:

1. Keynote Speaker

2. Workshop Facilitator

3. Breakout Sessions

4. Personal and Group Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching

Topics:

1. Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!

2. Crafting Your Elevator Speech, Floor by Floor with – NO SWEAT!

3. Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

4. We are All Self-Employed!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Podcast Channel, and connect with me on LinkedIn and Facebook.

My books can be purchased on amazon.com. “NO SWEAT Public Speaking” “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”

Audible offers “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!” as an audio book.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about this post or other posts please contact me: Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com.

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