It’s not easy to get in front of an audience to give a big presentation. The stakes can feel high and your desire to succeed can cause the anticipation to turn quickly into anxiety. It’s normal for people in this position to feel nervous and afraid. In fact, even seasoned speakers and professionals tend to feel nervous despite having given hundreds of presentations. While it’s completely normal to feel nervous before a presentation, it can also impact your ability to deliver a successful presentation. Fortunately, there are some tried and tested techniques to manage your nervousness so you can deliver an effective presentation.Â
Practice
Naturally, the more you practice your presentation, the more comfortable you will feel about delivering it. Try rehearsing your presentation in front of a mirror, so you can pay attention to your body language and eye contact. It’s also a good idea to practice in front of family or friends so you can get a feel for having an audience. Another good idea is to record yourself giving your presentation so you can play it back and evaluate which aspects of your presentation need more work.Â
Know Your Venue
You can eliminate some of your nervousness by familiarizing yourself with your speaking venue. Visit the venue ahead of time and get to know the space. Get comfortable with the stage and what it feels like standing in front of the seats. Check out the lighting and adjust it to meet your needs. Finally, test out the audio/visual equipment so you feel comfortable operating it on your presentation day.Â
Arrive Early to Meet Your Audience
It can be very intimidating to walk into a room full of strangers so arrive early and arrange for an informal meet and greet with your audience. Chatting with them beforehand will make you appear more approachable, and it will also reduce some of your anxiety about speaking in front of people you don’t know. It’s also a great way to learn a little more about your audience in case you want to work some of that information into your presentation.Â
Know Your Intro Really Well
The most difficult part of a presentation is getting started. For most people, once they get going, they find themselves calming down and sailing right along. Therefore, come up with an engaging opener and memorize it until you know it like the back of your hand. This will help you get started and find your groove. Once you get over the initial hump, the rest will follow naturally.Â
Visualize Success
When most people get nervous, they begin thinking about messing up or making a mistake. This is a natural response to fear. However, you can calm your nerves with the power of positivity. Instead of worrying about stumbling over your words, visualize yourself doing a great job and engaging your audience. Imagine your audience complimenting you on a great presentation and feeling the joy of success. Positive thinking can have a huge impact on your performance and it can help give you the confidence needed to give a great presentation.Â
Get Some Exercise
Do some sort of exercise the morning of your presentation. Go for a walk, a bike ride, do a yoga class, or hit the gym. Any exercise is fine, as long as you get your heart rate up for at least 20-30 minutes. Exercise will help to get your blood pumping and your endorphins flowing, which in turn can help relax your nerves and boost your memory. Combine exercise with mindful breathing for optimum results.Â
Deep Breathing
Oxygen is essential for optimum brain function and it also helps to relax your muscles which can tense up when you get nervous. Increase oxygen flow to your body by doing some deep breathing exercises before your presentation. Slow, deep breaths will allow oxygen to flow throughout your body while also focusing your attention on breathing rather than your nerves. This is one of the best ways to combat nerves and anxiety.