Tips to Help You Calm Nerves Before Giving a Big Presentation

We recently wrote an article with some tips to become a better public speaker, which is very important in business. But, no matter how many times you have given a big presentation, your nerves most likely won’t go anywhere. This is a good thing. It means that you care. You want it to go well. That said, sometimes the anxiety can cause you to bomb or affect your confidence. So, how do you calm your nerves down before presenting? Here are some ways to help curb the nervousness that comes along with public speaking.

1.     Focus on deep breathing: Take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. A good 4-second count in and out as you breathe. This helps regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress. You can do this before, during, and after speaking.

2.     Stretch: Do this before the presentation. This can help with your body language to be more relaxed and natural. It can also improve posture.

3.     Visualize: See yourself in the first person giving the presentation to the group in a confident way. The first person is important here. Make sure you aren’t visualizing in the sense that you’re watching yourself from the outside like a movie. Engage the audience and see positive outcomes, such as applause. This can help curb negative emotions.

4.     Positive affirmations: These reinforce strengths and goals. Write them down and put them in places where you will see them often. We like to put them on the bathroom mirror, and in the car, and we state them aloud before bed and after waking. An example of a positive affirmation is, “I speak confidently and with conviction.”

Public speaking is never easy but you can use these tips to help manage anxiety that inherently comes along with it. Following these guidelines can help your presentations flow more naturally so that you can focus on your message. Remembering the value that you have to offer your audience is important to keep in mind as you present. If you make a mistake during the presentation, don’t freak out. You’re only human and mistakes are bound to happen. Let it go and move on to the next section. Redirect your focus and keep it organic. Practice makes permanent and the more you do it, the better you will get!

Presentation in Business: Become a Champ at Public Speaking

Did you know that, “About 77% of people have a fear of public speaking,” according to Cross River Therapy Group. Why is having good presentation skills important in business? Well, it can mean the difference between getting a new client, sharing knowledge efficiently with the team, and/or it will improve the impact of your message through a self-assured and grounded persona. Here are some reasons why it is vital in business.

1.     Time management: Inefficient presentation skills can waste unwanted amounts of time. the more efficient your skillset, the more time you will save for everyone.

2.     Leadership: Delivering a message in a confident and inspiring way makes others want to listen. If you’re a leader in the organization, you need to be able to deliver messages this way to keep the respect of your employees.

3.     PR: Good presentation skills can give you a better public image. People tend to judge those in higher positions, so give them a positive one.

4.     Business success: As we stated above, it can be the difference between landing that new client or not. Conveying your presentation with confidence and a little pizazz will increase the likelihood of your business’s success.

This skill takes practice. Trust us. But, the good news is that if you’re not great at it, it can be improved. Here are some tips on how to become a better presenter.

1.     Practice speaking in front of groups: Like anything else in life, practice makes perfect. Start small and practice in front of a mirror. Then, increase to a few friends or family members.

2.     Make eye contact: Look at different members of the audience in the eyes throughout your presentation. This will engage them by speaking more directly to them.

3.     Be you! Be your authentic self. This will automatically make the presentation feel more relaxed.  

4.     Pay attention to body language: Your body language can speak volumes for you without saying a word. Make sure to use open and friendly gestures. Don’t cross your arms. Don’t put your hands in your pockets.

5.     Big visuals: A lot of people are visual. Striking visuals will grab attention and make things easier to understand. Simple is not too distracting and will get your points across. Make sure there is a structure that flows as well.

6.     Encourage questions and comments: Make sure your audience knows that comments and questions are welcome. You want to make sure they feel comfortable doing so.

7.     Avoid awkward pauses: Try to refrain from using the word “umm” a lot. Natural pauses should happen so this is another reason why practicing will help you know where those are.

Most people don’t like getting in front of groups of people to speak and that’s ok. However, if you’re in certain fields of work it will require that you do so, whether you like it or not. The good news is, you can take steps to get better at it. They can take time to develop but just can have a very positive impact on your professional career.