by Wahidabi Sulaiman

Created on: June 17, 2009

Whether you are a beginner or a professional you are bound to have jitters initially. You can ask anyone, who had done at least one presentation in his or her life and they will tell you that it can be nerve-wrecking. Why is it that we can be all chatty and on our best when we are set-up in a cosy environment where we handshake and share with one another so easily! And when it comes to addressing a crowd, especially on a raised platform, we tend to get butterflies all over our body! Following some simple preparation steps would allow you to overcome initial jitters.

Firstly, know your stuff. Make sure you are able to converse on the topic at hand even when you are asleep. This way, you will have the confidence that you will not falter when it comes to the subject matter. You may pause, repeat and even excuse yourself for a while. However, make sure you are able to get back on track regarding your subject. Try as much as possible not to carry a cue card. I call it a double edged sword. If you are nervous, all the more you should avoid this unless you intend to read to your audience. Focus on your ultimate message. This would ensure that even if you forget your pointers, you can get back on track.

Secondly, rehearse in front of a mirror. Try to do this as much as possible. This would help in your composure and also help to build your confidence. Visualise the stage and your audience. Act out how you would present our stuff. Anticipate the kind of response you will get. Hear the applause, hear the questions and hear the whisperings. Anticipating the crowd would help you build your subject matter on top of your confidence. Practise as much as possible.

Thirdly, engage your audience as much as possible. Initially you may consider this as an added burden as you would already be very nervous. However, remember what i said initially. We are normally very chatty and at ease when we speak with people we know. This is precisely what will help you in your public speaking. Engaging your audience makes them your friends. You will start feeling at ease as you get to know your audience. For all you know, you may start calling some of them by names even. The more informal you can make your presentation environment, the more fun and at ease you would be.

Finally, relax. At least try to. Always remember that every audience wants you to succeed. No one would want to attend a presentation and want to see it fail. The faster you grasp this, the more relaxed you would feel and the easier it would become for you to speak confidently in public.

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