You're facing a tough crowd during a presentation. How will you conquer stage fright and win them over?

1. Be absolutely confident: If crowd sense even iota of low energy, they will never let you take charge & confidence comes from strong preparation. 2. Start with a Punch: It may be a famous dialogue / quote or a question that grabs the attention. Start at a high pitch & slowly, get back to the normal. 3. Capture the arena: Walk around, maintain eye contact & create some drama with hand gestures. 4. Storytelling: People are not interested in plain theoretical script; they want something relatable. Create a story around the topic, using real life examples or your own experiences. 5. Positive Body language: In all circumstances, stay calm, focused and avoid any unnecessary exchange of words with the crowd. Golden Rule-The Show must Go On!

Facing a tough crowd? Breathe! Stage fright is normal. Here's what helps me: Acknowledge the Energy: "I can feel the energy in the room! Let's see if we can turn it into a positive discussion." This shows you're aware and open to their perspective. Focus on Common Ground: "We might have different viewpoints, but I bet we all agree on..." Find a shared interest to bridge the gap. Address Concerns Head-On: "I see some furrowed brows. Is there a specific point you'd like to discuss?" Directly address negativity and offer open dialogue. Humor (if appropriate): A light joke can diffuse tension. But avoid sarcasm if the mood is already tense.

Tailoring your content to your audience’s interests, level of knowledge, and expectations can make a significant difference in how your message is received. For instance, if you're presenting to a group of tech enthusiasts, peppering your speech with industry jargon and tech humor can create a strong connection. Imagine opening with, "I wanted to start with a joke about UDP, but I'm not sure if you'll get it...and I won't care if you do!" This not only breaks the ice but also shows that you understand and relate to your audience's background. By aligning your message with their interests, you ensure greater engagement and a more impactful presentation.

You can also consider incorporating interactive elements like mentimeter to engage your audience actively. This not only keeps their attention but also provides real-time feedback to refine your approach for the next presentation.

When feeling afraid, one thing you should definitely try is steering the audience toward a topic that is very personal to you. The more personal, the better, as no one knows it better, and no one can tell the story better than you. If you want to, of course; it’s a matter of will and confidence. Bring the audience to your familiar place. This will calm your feelings of fear or uncertainty. Choose topics closest to your heart, and every step you take in telling a personal story will give you more and more confidence. Share those strong memories with conviction; your audience will recognize your honesty. Try it out!

Mentally rehearse delivering your presentation with confidence and clarity. Visualizing success helps reduce anxiety and boosts your self-assurance, ensuring you project a strong presence from the moment you begin speaking.

Preparation is key, not just for content but also for mental readiness. I focus on maintaining presence of mind, practicing relaxation techniques to stay calm under pressure, and ensuring I can think clearly even in stressful situations. so keep Practice to keep your brain Calm and Presence Of Thinking.

Get feedback from a diverse group of people during your rehearsals, including those who are not familiar with your topic. This helps you gauge clarity and effectiveness from different perspectives. Practice delivering key parts of your presentation in short, timed segments. This trains you to be concise and effective under time constraints, which can be particularly useful for Q&A sessions or unexpected interruptions.

Prepare well, but not too much. I have seen speakers who prepared so well that they ended up sounding robotic as they delivered their speeches. Know your stuff, and for the greatest part, you cannot anticipate tough questions; all you can do is become curious when these questions get asked. Aim for understanding instead of a reply. The reply will come when you understand.

As a public speaker, one of my most memorable moments was when I opened a speech with a personal anecdote about overcoming my own fears. I began by sharing a story about my first major presentation, where I was terrified and almost backed out. I described how I felt my heart racing and my hands shaking, but then I took a deep breath and started with a powerful question: “Have you ever faced a moment when fear almost stopped you?” This immediately connected me with the audience, as many nodded in recognition. By revealing my vulnerability and showing how I conquered my fear, I not only captured their attention but also established a relatable and inspiring connection.

Acknowledge whatever the tough issue is early on. Being open about it will take the temperature down just a tad. Asking the audience to be open as well could create some room for a positive interaction.

Capturing your audience's attention from the get-go sets the tone for the entire presentation. Begin with a powerful quote, a startling statistic, or a captivating story that resonates with your topic. For example, if you're speaking about overcoming challenges, you might start with, "Did you know that 70% of successful entrepreneurs faced multiple failures before achieving their goals?" Your opening should be concise and direct, establishing your credibility and outlining the purpose of your speech. Engaging your audience early on not only piques their interest but also builds anticipation for what’s to come, ensuring they remain attentive and invested in your message.

Outline a clear roadmap of what your presentation will cover right after your opening hook. Previewing the main points or agenda helps orient your audience and provides a structure they can follow throughout the presentation.

The opening of your presentation is important, as it sets the stage for attention from your audience. You can start with a quote, a short story, a rhetorical question --- Something that keeps your audience engaged at first sight. This stage will determine their continuous participation throughout your speech and boost your confidence.

Maintaining eye contact at all times with everyone in the audience who’s within your range, is key. It will also make it feel like a conversation rather than a lecture. If some participants are not engaged, pause, and pose a question (it is good to have a pool of questions prepared in advance - could be topic related or ice breakers).

When we focus less on ourselves and focus more on the learners we can minimize our personal fears. A great way to engage with the audience is to start with an opener that allows the group to connect with others in the room. Ask questions to understand what they hope to gain from the presentation. When you understand the needs of your audience you naturally think less about yourself and can focus on delivering what they need.

In my experience speaking at local events and at national conferences, it is important to know the makeup of your audience before you arrive to speak. Even with great preparation, by tuning into your audience while you speak, noticing if people are smiling, nodding their heads, and are avoiding their phones will tell you if you are connecting effectively. If you see that much of the audience is not connecting, be brave and be prepared to pivot. Asking for a show of hands for anyone who… can re-engage the audience. Share an anecdote or an interesting fact that will capture the attention of the audience. Finally, the more you smile and speak directly to the audience as if they are one person, the better your performance will be.

Your perspective is just that, your opinion. You have been engaged to share that opinion. Present yourself with as much curiosity about opposing views as you have certainty in your perspective — this is actionable empathy for your audience. This is an effort to engage in dialectic thinking—better understanding the opportunity through truly engaging with opposing opinions. (I wish politics worked this way so we were less divided when we have so much more in common than we have in difference). Being open to views other than your own while clearly articulating your viewpoint is a sign of both confidence and learning agility— excellent qualities in any speaker or leader.

Sharing personal stories always helps me with connecting with my audience. Knowing that if they had struggled with a certain thing, giving my experience in the same scenario helps. When they see that I am human and have experienced similar challenges, they feel compelled to trust me more. Stop reading the script, speak from the heart and speak with passion. Lastly, know that your message won’t resonate with everyone. I don’t take it personally if someone is on their phone or when I can clearly see they’re not paying attention. I often focus on those that give me direct eye contact and those who are nodding their heads. And at the end of the day, knowing I can touch at least 1 life and I don’t need everyone’s approval, that’s important.

Pauses are POWERFUL. They give the audience time to absorb your key points. Using well-timed pauses has helped me deliver more impactful presentations by adding weight to my words.

I love watching stand-up acts - especially how pauses are always used with punchlines. In similar fashion, create some momentum in your presentation by introducing pauses, right after you deliver a key point. And be intentional with the placement, so that it doesn't sound like you forgot your lines:)

Pauses are not just breaks in speech; they are strategic moments to gather thoughts and emphasize key points. I utilize pauses to maintain clarity of thought, allowing my brain the space it needs to deliver information effectively and thoughtfully. But don't take that pausing time too long. Because sometimes it will make your Brain Blank.

Oui, les ?? pauses sont essentielles et pourtant, les orateurs les utilisent trop peu. Pourtant, les pauses permettent un temps de respiration pour vous et pour votre auditoire. L'astuce, si vous lisez un discours par exemple, ajouter des ponctuations et agrandissez la police de vos points, vos virgules, vos points d'exclamation... et surtout... entra?nez vous !

I’ve always found that if things don’t seem to be landing well or I’m not getting the engaged vibe I am hoping for, I try and add in some humor to lightened things back up. In preparing for any talk or presentation I always keep a few jokes or anecdotes handy that I can selectively work on as needed. It’s true what they say “you cannot smile and frown at the same time!” Laughter also opens up your neural pathways and helps people mentally reconnect to what you’re talking about if they had started to drift off.

Honestly, kindness, and respect. Don’t use any BS, explain the acronyms and industry lingo you think everyone should know, and above all, treat your audience with respect and courtesy.

I fully agree that you should find some way to connect with the audience. By way of example… 1) Practice storytelling- Tell a personal story that (most of the audience) can relate 2) Engage the audience - Ask questions if possible and generate curiosity about your topic 3) Be authentic - Share your personality and your true self 4) Be prepared but not overly rehearsed

Your mindset must change! One of the biggest reasons for the fear of public speaking is the mindset you bring to public speaking appearances. We often enter the stage or the boardroom hoping not to make a mistake, fearing judgment, and feeling nervous about how the presentation will be received. Instead, adopt the mindset that you have a message to share and focus on how you can connect with the audience. Perfection does not exist, nor is it important when it comes to speaking.

I am a faith based individual, so I always pray prior to speaking publicly that the words I say will inspire and motivate those I am presenting to. I want to evoke thoughts and feelings from the audience so they leave the room changed as a result of my presence in speaking to them. Sometimes you never know how you can impact someone's life with the words you speak. If your speaking does not have 1 person come to you and say, "I really liked ....or I really appreciate what you said about X, it made me feel or think about it in this way...then as I speaker, I must adjust what I say. I also pray that my nervousness only lasts for a quick minute so that it does not detract from the message.

Picture your presentation as a dynamic dialogue rather than a solitary monologue. Invite your audience into a shared journey of exploration by posing thought-provoking questions and weaving in personal narratives that strike a chord. This approach fosters an atmosphere of collaboration where everyone feels heard and involved, where you feel less like you're performing alone, naturally easing any nerves you might have. Embracing this interactive approach deepens your connection with your listeners, igniting their curiosity and enthusiasm for your message. By cultivating genuine engagement, you not only conquer stage fright but also craft an unforgettable and impactful experience that resonates long after the presentation ends.

Embrace failure. Or at least embrace the idea that not all of your audience is going to love everything you present. Once you get over that, it's a lot easier to get back to the root: be authentic. If you authentically believe you have something valuable to share, and you can do it as your authentic self, that's the key. That will led you to asking questions, connecting, opening up, asking if material may not be right for them and other genuine interactions to increase closeness. If you are at the wrong place at the wrong time, be comfortable with your truth, and accept that it may not work for everyone. But even in the toughest crowds, you'll often find a few people who come up afterwards and say they got something out of it.