Skills for Work

Public speaking made easy: 9 tips for overcoming stage fright

Does the thought of speaking in front of a crowd make your palms sweat and your heart race? You're not alone - heaps of people, including seasoned professionals, experience stage fright. But here's the good news: public speaking is a skill you can learn and improve.

Whether you're preparing for a class presentation, a debate, or just want to feel more confident, these tips will help you conquer your fears and improve your public speaking skills.

Understand your fear

First, it's important to understand that feeling nervous is normal. Even experienced speakers get butterflies before a big presentation. The key is to harness that nervous energy and use it to your advantage.

Prepare, prepare, prepare

One of the best ways to combat stage fright is to be well-prepared. So know your material inside and out: the more familiar you are with your topic, the more confident you'll feel.

Practice your speech by speaking in front of a mirror, recording yourself, or presenting to friends and family. And if possible, visit the place where you'll be speaking beforehand to get comfortable with the space.

Use relaxation techniques

Calming your nerves before and during your speech can make a big difference. Techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can work wonders for both the physical and mental sides of anxiety.

Or why not give visualisation a try: imagine yourself giving a successful speech and picture the audience engaged and interested. It might sound strange, but it really works.

Focus on your message

Remember, your audience is there to hear what you have to say, not to judge you. Stay focused on your message by using notes strategically (just try to avoid reading directly on a script).

Keep in mind why you're speaking and what you want your audience to learn or do, and consider how your message can help or benefit them.

Connect with your audience

Building a connection with your listeners can help you feel more at ease. After all, they're just people too (and might even hate public speaking just as much as you). Try making eye contact and read people's body language - if people look confused, take a moment to clarify your point.

Make the audience feel part of the experience by using use inclusive language (saying "we" instead of "I") and asking rhetorical questions. If you feel comfortable doing so, sharing your own experiences can help engage people too.

Start strong

A powerful opening can boost your confidence and grab your audience's attention. This is another reason preparation is so important - being confident in your first few sentences can set the tone for the entire speech.

You could also begin with a hook to grab people's attention: use a surprising statistic, a provocative question, an intriguing anecdote, or memorable quote.

Use body language to your advantage

Your non-verbal communication is just as important as your words. Avoid crossing your arms or putting your hands in your pockets, which can make you appear closed off. Plus, good posture projects confidence and helps you breathe more easily.

And we know it's a bit cliche, but a genuine smile can help you feel more relaxed and create a positive connection with your audience.

Embrace mistakes

Remember, nobody's perfect, and mistakes happen to everyone. If you make a mistake, take a deep breath and try to relax - you can often just continue without drawing attention to it. For more significant errors, briefly correct yourself and then continue with your speech.

Celebrate your success

And for our final tip - after each public speaking engagement, take time to reflect and celebrate. Make a list of things you did successfully, no matter how small, and treat yourself to something you enjoy as a reward. Tell friends or family about your accomplishments to reinforce your positive feelings.

You might also like to keep a journal of your speaking experiences, you can look back on to see how you've improved over time.

Your journey starts now

Becoming a confident public speaker doesn't happen overnight - it's a skill that develops over time with practice and persistence. By using these tips and continuing to put yourself out there, you'll find that your fear of public speaking will decrease, and your confidence will grow.

Want to learn more about building important life skills? Check out our other blogs on skill development here.