The presentation that you have been dreading all week is finally here. You step into the conference room. Your hands start shaking. The words that you have prepared to say vanish from your mind and you freeze.

Has this terrifying scenario ever happened to you? If it has you’re not alone. According to a study from Chapman University, the fear of speaking in public is the most common fear in America. However, there are ways to conquer this fear. When using the right public speaking techniques you can go from dreading your next presentation to actually enjoying it.

1. TAKE A DEEP BREATH 

When you step up to the podium take a moment and take a deep breath. Taking this deep breath can be calming and even lowers stress hormones. This should help to decrease presentation anxiety. This may seem like an awkward thing to do but by not starting to speak right away you are actually sending the message that you are confident in front of an audience. So for your next presentation, take your position in front of the audience, take a deep breath, wait a couple of seconds and start your speech.

 2. FOCUS YOUR EYE CONTACT 

Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to look when speaking to a large crowd. Many people like to use a common public speaking technique called scanning. This is where you turn your head slowly and let your eyes scan over the entire audience during your speech. However, presenting this way can make you seem very robotic. A more effective technique to use is the pinpoint technique. This is where you pinpoint a specific audience member and talk to them for one sentence of your speech. Then you pinpoint another audience member and do the same thing, repeating this technique throughout your entire speech. Using this technique you seem more conversational and the audience will be more engaged.

 3. TAKE YOUR TIME 

Even if you are short on time, never rush a presentation. This is one of the most important public speaking tips. When you feel like you are in a rush there is an increased chance that you will stumble over your words. There is also an increased chance that you will use filler words such as “like” or “um” when you speak quickly. Using filler words can make your speech sound unprofessional.  So speak slowly when presenting. Give your brain time to formulate the words.

 4. USE THE SPACE 

It is common in speeches for the presenter to stand stationary throughout their speech. However, there is no rule that says you have to stand still. Use the space you have been given. Stand still for a few min and then slowly walk back and forth across the space. This gives the audience something to watch and maintains their interest. Also this helps you exude confidence because when someone is nervous they are usually frozen in one spot.

 5. END WITH AN OFFER AND A THANK YOU

If the goal of your presentation is to sell something, you may want to save your pitch until the end of your speech. This is because, at the end of your speech your audience should feel like they just received some incredibly valuable information. Once your audience feels this way, they are more likely to give you something in return. Also, remember to say thank you. Make your audience feel valued and appreciated. This way you have a greater chance of converting audience members into lasting customers.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

We hope that these tips make your next presentation less stressful and enhance your presentation skills. Remember the audience is there to see you. They want you to succeed. You’ve got this! What tactics do you use during your presentations? Let us know in the comment section below.

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