Public speaking/ Presentation tips

[longskate88]

So turns out I'll have to give "3 professional presentations" for one of my classes next semester. I have no idea what that entails, but I'm assuming a Powerpoint and nice dress. I've got the clothes, now I need to be able to speak in front of the class...It's an accounting writing course, so I'm not expecting drama kids or very well-polished speakers. Anyone have tips or tricks they use to get over the anxiety? I'm MUCH more comfortable speaking in front of people who are NOT my peers, for some reason. Younger people, old folks, anyone but people my age and I'm good. I tend to talk quite fast without much inflection, and my face (ears especially) feels 'beet-red', even though I've been told it isn't actually visible. My only idea so far is to try and separate myself from the other people in the room as much possible, in terms of my mindset. Basically pretend I'm not one of their peers, pretend I'm the professor, or I'm not really in the class, just visiting, etc. Also, putting the speech in context seems like it might help. For example, thinking about just how insignificant it really is, no one will remember it after the next speaker, etc. I took a speech class a few semesters ago, and somehow got through it...so I know I can do it, just not terribly well. Do any of you do something similar?

I understand practice helps, but you can't exactly give a presentation in any ol' class. Toastmasters is also an option, though everyone there will be older, and thus it won't feel the same.

 

[quevola]

My job involves giving presentations almost daily. I used to get really nervous in the begining. What helped me the most was knowing my subject matter well and using appropriate humor throughout the presentation. Good luck - you'll do fine!

 

[Alter]

Practice, practice, practice! Videotape yourself and watch it to find weak areas such as speaking too quickly or unclear pronunciation. You will also find your nervous habits like one-stepping (dancing around) or weak eye contact.

Avoid using a laser pointer unless you have very complicated PowerPoint slides but...don't have complicated PowerPoint slides! Keep your content simple...use a lot of visuals to avoid wordy slides.

 

[Master-Classter]

Practice as much as you can beforehand. try to make it realisic (dress up, go to a similar/same room)

During the actual presentation try to be comfortable with dead air time. Don't rush and keep talking a mile a minute. Stay calm, pause constantly. Make solid eye contact with one person at a time and hold their eyes for 2-3 seconds at a time. sort of different to your "distance" yourself idea. You want to CONNECT with them, not appear aloof and arrogant.

Mistakes - Nobody knows what you meant to say if you mess up. Just take is slow and calm.

Content - stick to safe humour and keep it minimal (can easily backfire).

 

[TyCooN]

Remember it's all a game.

 

[JoeWoah]

Beta Blocker and Adderall. Trusssst me.

 

[w.kevin]

First of all, realize that there's not much you can do to prevent getting nervous. Don't overthink it and force yourself to get up and present.

Second, like some people already mentioned: minimal to no humor, make sure everyone can hear you, eye contact (should be natural, don't go staring down every person in the class), no fidgeting, try to limit the "umms" but don't worry too much, and rehearse at least once.

 

[Spatlese]

Originally Posted by Alter

Practice, practice, practice! Videotape yourself and watch it to find weak areas such as speaking too quickly or unclear pronunciation. You will also find your nervous habits like one-stepping (dancing around) or weak eye contact.

Avoid using a laser pointer unless you have very complicated PowerPoint slides but...don't have complicated PowerPoint slides! Keep your content simple...use a lot of visuals to avoid wordy slides.

Absolutely. Not that I'm particularly great at presentations (most of the ones I do these days are over conference call anyways) but watching my recorded self stammering through a talk was a real eye opener.

 

[longskate88]

Originally Posted by JoeWoah

Beta Blocker and Adderall. Trusssst me.

In my Psych class we talked about beta blockers. How are they available? If by prescription, how does one tell their doctor, "I get nervous?"

 

[Alter]

Originally Posted by longskate88

In my Psych class we talked about beta blockers. How are they available? If by prescription, how does one tell their doctor, "I get nervous?"
Stop looking for bandaids to nervousness! Man-up and give the presentations without any pharmaceuticals! This is part of your education...just do it and learn something.

 

[x26]

The Trick is:

Pay no regard to picturing them Clotheless, But to be Clotheless yourself. Works everytime...

 

[aguydude]

make sure that you're in a confident stance (chest out, back straight) the whole time. Just the act of standing confidently will instill confidence in you due to biofeedback mechanisms.

 

[longskate88]

Originally Posted by aguydude

make sure that you're in a confident stance (chest out, back straight) the whole time. Just the act of standing confidently will instill confidence in you due to biofeedback mechanisms.

Thanks, I'll try this

 

[JoeWoah]

Originally Posted by longskate88

In my Psych class we talked about beta blockers. How are they available? If by prescription, how does one tell their doctor, "I get nervous?"

Yup, that's it!

I see no stigma to using them. Lots of people use them, including people that need to speak publicly everyday. I haven't used beta blockers myself but I know people who do and they swear up and down that they're the greatest thing in the world. I just need some caffeine or Adderall to get super talkative.

 

[brandall10]

First and foremost, know your subject matter, if you have this down pat, no matter how nervous you are, once you get into it you'll relax in a minute or two.

A trick I like to do is to strong eye contact with various people like every 5 seconds or so as you scan the room. Here's the thing... the attention of the room is on you. No one has more social value in the room than you. If you lock eyes with someone you can almost see them wilt a bit (try to think back to a situation like that where you're in a big room and a speaker has done this with you... weirdly uncomfy eh?). Just doing this a few times burns into your mind "I'm in charge, they fear me more than I fear them... I know my stuff, this is cake".