Tips for public speaking, how to overcome your fear

**Posts:** 19 · by **Yusuf Ozgunes** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 10:17 pm

Just a few tips for public speaking and a way to overcome your fear
from a psychologist

1. in your mind:

Imagine how a perfect presentation would be like when preparing, imagine it detailed. When you say what, when you pause, your body language, imagine your smile, imagine your entrance and exit, imagine making a mistake and no one noticing it, imagine the applause at the end. Imagine it being perfect.

2. body language

85 percent of your communication is body language. You need to look confident, reliable and calm. hard way to learn is to read a body language book, easy way is to open youtube and copy the movements of a famous show host (music awards, new iphone presentation, movie awards, game hosts...). Look how they satnd, how they look, when they pause, when they laugh...

3. Your presentation itself

KNOW what you are talking about. don"t read it out from the papers!! You need to be able to tell everything without the powerpoint presentation, repeat as much as needed.

4. Mistakes are common

It is normal to make a mistake, everybody makes a mistake, forgets something or gets a lapsus. The important part is to act normal and go on with the presentation. If you say something wrong and it is not that important ignore it, if it is crucial apologize and adjust it. Most of the times people don"t even notice a mistake. If you are very nervous at the beginning, just say that you are a little nervous, it will relief the stress.

**Posts:** 239 · by **simonr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:09 am

Good to have you on board -- and I particularly like your comment that mistakes happen and that people should forgive themselves.

I'm a professional presenter and trainer of public speakers and I'd be fascinated to know where you got the 85% figure from: can you point me at the research for it?

TIA - Simon

**Posts:** 14 · by **itsjustbrian** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:21 am

simonr wrote:Good to have you on board -- and I particularly like your comment that mistakes happen and that people should forgive themselves.

I'm a professional presenter and trainer of public speakers and I'd be fascinated to know where you got the 85% figure from: can you point me at the research for it?

TIA - Simon

85 percent is a common number that is thrown around. I've heard it before.

Yes, communication is mostly nonverbals.... your voice tone, you body movement, your posture, your gestures, your facial expressions... etc.

**Posts:** 239 · by **simonr** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:03 pm

Cheeers.... I've heard it thrown around a bit too, but I'm not able to figure out where it comes from.

I"m anxious that it's not just something based upon a myth or a misunderstanding (as in the case for the famous "only 7% of meaning coming from words" myth). Shame 'cos I was hoping you'd be able to put me out of my misery and point me to the research.

Hey ho! Thanks for taking the time to reply anyway.

S

**Posts:** 14 · by **itsjustbrian** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:14 pm

Haha, I understand your frustration. You like to know hard facts. I take it you are analytic, you like to have empirical measurement?

The reality is that a topic like this falls under the imprecise science. It is not merely a science, but borderline art.

I can tell you are a word man. Words are powerful and very important to you. And indeed, I believe they are. But IMO, words are an extension to how we communicate with our body.

You can take 2 people telling the exact same joke word for word... but as you know and i know, the effect will be different depending on the delivery. The power of nonverbal communication.

simonr wrote:Cheeers.... I've heard it thrown around a bit too, but I'm not able to figure out where it comes from.

I"m anxious that it's not just something based upon a myth or a misunderstanding (as in the case for the famous "only 7% of meaning coming from words" myth). Shame 'cos I was hoping you'd be able to put me out of my misery and point me to the research.

Hey ho! Thanks for taking the time to reply anyway.

S

**Posts:** 239 · by **simonr** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:17 pm

... it's just because, as a professional trainer I can't use material that I can't validate: I'm not suggesting for one second that you've made the number up but unless I can find the origins of the statistic for all I know someone could have done so!

It's a matter of professional etiquette and standards.

S

**Posts:** 14 · by **itsjustbrian** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:39 pm

I suppose it depends on the audience that you're speaking to... but say anything with enough conviction, they will believe it ;P

simonr wrote:... it's just because, as a professional trainer I can't use material that I can't validate: I'm not suggesting for one second that you've made the number up but unless I can find the origins of the statistic for all I know someone could have done so!

It's a matter of professional etiquette and standards.

S

**Posts:** 239 · by **simonr** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:29 am

itsjustbrian wrote:I suppose it depends on the audience that you're speaking to... but say anything

... well THAT's certainly true!

Doesn't make it right to do so though!

**Posts:** 9 · by **TheOverseer** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:57 am

good points.

id add these as well...

1. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

2. Speak up, make eye contact, and move around.

3. Remember that YOU are the expert. For the duration of the presentation, you know more about the subject in question than anyone else in the room.

4. keep a few key points on a 3x5 index card, in case you choke up for a moment.

5. Ask questions to members of the audience. put them on the spot. stimulate engagement.

credibility: military xp, business professional, and salesman.

**Posts:** 16 · by **narcissismcured** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:39 am

When you are presenting in front of an audience, you are performing as an actor is on stage. How you are being perceived is very important. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Be solemn if your topic is serious. Present the desired image to your audience. Look pleasant, enthusiastic, confident, proud, but not arrogant. Remain calm. Appear relaxed, even if you feel nervous. Speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and show appropriate emotion and feeling relating to your topic. Establish rapport with your audience. Speak to the person farthest away from you to ensure your voice is loud enough to project to the back of the room. Vary the tone of your voice and dramatize if necessary. If a microphone is available, adjust and adapt your voice accordingly.

**Posts:** 124 · by **jordan.s** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:21 pm

Another tip in preparation is to practice your speech outloud looking at the mirror. Dress, use hand motions, and notecards as if it is the actual speech. This will help you understand your body language, how much you are looking at the audience and using your hands.

**Posts:** 30 · by **George L.** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:37 pm

When I make mistakes I normally laugh about it without thinking and correct myself.

**Posts:** 2 · by **jokedoctor1** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:22 pm

Yusuf Ozgunes wrote:Just a few tips for public speaking and a way to overcome your fear
from a psychologist

1. in your mind:

Imagine how a perfect presentation would be like when preparing, imagine it detailed. When you say what, when you pause, your body language, imagine your smile, imagine your entrance and exit, imagine making a mistake and no one noticing it, imagine the applause at the end. Imagine it being perfect.

2. body language

85 percent of your communication is body language. You need to look confident, reliable and calm. hard way to learn is to read a body language book, easy way is to open youtube and copy the movements of a famous show host (music awards, new iphone presentation, movie awards, game hosts...). Look how they satnd, how they look, when they pause, when they laugh...

3. Your presentation itself

KNOW what you are talking about. don"t read it out from the papers!! You need to be able to tell everything without the powerpoint presentation, repeat as much as needed.

4. Mistakes are common

It is normal to make a mistake, everybody makes a mistake, forgets something or gets a lapsus. The important part is to act normal and go on with the presentation. If you say something wrong and it is not that important ignore it, if it is crucial apologize and adjust it. Most of the times people don"t even notice a mistake. If you are very nervous at the beginning, just say that you are a little nervous, it will relief the stress.

I like your approach. Emulating successful speakers, hosts, etc. Is a great place to learn to develop the body language. But what I find missing with a lot of clinical explanations to public speaking is this: Humans are emotional beings. We connect with one another through emotion. If you engage with your material and you allow the audience to see your genuine point of view with regard to the material, your body language begins to take care of itself.

If an audience can connect with your emotion, they now have 2-3 dynamics that they can be involved with while your speaking; your words, your body language and your feelings.

**Posts:** 11 · by **CÃ©st la vie** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:49 am

Public speaking is a liberating experience and adds to self confidence. Many People fear public speaking and usually the fear behind it is the fear of rejection and attached to this is vulnerability.
Another tip is to get on the stage before the audience is there and walk around the stage and own it! That is, feel safe as you occupy the space where you will be talking from, feel that you belong here.
Cheers

**Posts:** 11 · by **CÃ©st la vie** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:54 am

Hi Simonr
With regard to the 85%, it may be helpful to see if you feel the 85% is justified in your experience. Any study on this will be flawed as it has many subjective factors involved. Different studies will show different rates. To be accurate and correct, you can state "I believe 85% ..." or whatever figures is appropriate to you.

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