Remain Poised And Confident During An Oral Presentation
Sweaty palms, nervous twitching, and difficulty maintaining eye contact may all come into play when you are faced with a public speaking engagement. If you had difficulty getting your point across during the last public speech that you gave, you can overcome your fear of public speaking by being well-prepared and by using some tips that will help you remain focused and confident.
Familiarize Yourself With The Setting
Public speaking is an activity that takes time and practice to master. People tend to be critical of themselves, and if you are an introvert and relatively shy while around large groups of people, it can be intimidating to have all eyes on you. If you will be giving a speech that pertains to a work-related topic or if you are going to be sharing a passion of yours with some like-minded people, familiarizing yourself with the setting that will be used for the presentation can help you feel more comfortable.
Learn about the sound system that will be utilized, any props that are at your disposal, and the size and the location of the seating area. The basic details associated with the setting can help you pinpoint how things will be on the day that you will give the speech to a live audience.
If you are allowed to bring notes along with you on the day of the speech, prepare note cards that contain the key details of your speech. Ask a close friend or a loved one to accompany you to the venue where the speech will take place and request that they sit in the viewing area while you practice.
Include Visuals And Collect Your Thoughts
Having a map, a pie chart, some photographs, or another type of visual aid at your disposal will take the attention off of yourself and place it on the aid that you are sharing with your guests. Presenting an interesting topic that your audience members can relate to will help your speech be more effective and memorable.
Even some of the best speakers tend to feel nervous at times, and it is not always possible to give a speech that does not contain any errors. Bring a cup of water, your notes, and the visual aids to the event venue where the speech will be given. If you begin to feel nervous and have difficulty remembering a part of your speech, take a sip of the water and use your notes and visual aids to help guide you with your oral presentation. Stare out into the audience and use a fixture as a focal point to concentrate on while you are speaking.
