Handling the Fear of Public Speaking

The fear of public speaking ranks at about the same level as the fear of a tax audit. People who don't learn how to control their anxiety risk becoming either hysterical, or boring and ineffective presenters. That counterproductive gnawing fear in your belly most certainly creates a negative atmosphere. What I have attempted to do here is provide a few concepts about how to successfully stand in front of a customer and, in spite of all your inhibitions, deliver a winning presentation. There is no secret solution to public speaking. It is a question of experience and building up faith in oneself. If you cannot begin by having confidence in yourself, you must begin by having confidence in your message.

REHEARSE AND REHEARSE, AGAIN AND AGAIN

I have said this before and, no doubt, I will say it again – rehearse what you have to say. Get a few of your colleagues (fluent in English) as a friendly audience and focus on one person in front of you. Keep eye contact with him. With a bit of experience, you will learn to pick out the key individuals in the audience and you can establish eye contact with each of them, as you proceed with your lecture. Get your colleagues to tell you what works and what doesn't.

Learn your subject. Prepare both intellectually and emotionally. Speak with self assurance. Be sincere, whether you mean it or not.

KNOW YOUR SUBJECT MATTER

While this may seem obvious, it is very important that you research every nuance of your subject so that you can confidentially handle questions and expand on your arguments. The ability to present a subject with confidence directly affects your audience's impressions and will help keep their attention.

No matter who you are talking to and what you are talking about, keep it simple. If they want details, they will ask for additional information. Don’t introduce complicated subjects at your own initiative. It will get you into a mess.

Plan a talk that is average instead of great. Always have detailed speaker notes with you so that you can fall back on them if you suddenly forget everything. Even if you have mastered what you want to say, keep your notes at the ready.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

A bit of research into the makeup of your audience will reap major benefits. Knowing your audience will allow you to structure your presentation in a way that will better hold their interest. Also, if the audience is interested in what you are saying, it will provide you with a real boost – just like caffeine.

Right at the start, let them know why you are there. Always be very direct about what you are selling and why you are talking to this particular audience.

KNOW YOURSELF (AND YOUR LIMITS)

Knowing your capabilities can help avert disaster, or at least embarrassment. If your spoken English is less than perfect, make certain that you have mastered the relevant vocabulary. If you have stage fright, make sure that you stand behind the podium, not beside it. Don’t even think about approaching the screen to make a point. It may be less effective but at least you won’t fall over your shoelaces.

Don’t try to hide your insecurity by imitating politicians or TV stars. They can get away with murder and even receive praise and applause for saying provocative things which would make you sound stupid.

Speak with clarity and conviction. It your belly starts turning over, slow down and make eye contact with the most important person in the room. He/she came to hear you and that should give you some degree of confidence.

DEVELOP A THEME

All presentations, regardless of their complexity, are designed with a single purpose. Whether that purpose is to sell, educate, or to entertain, make very sure that you are firmly aware of it at the beginning of the development process. Keep it in mind as you work your way through the lecture.

MAINTAIN DECORUM

Dress properly. T-shirts and jeans certainly make a statement. The question is if this is the message that you really want to put across. It is better to be over-dressed (wearing a tie) than sticking out like a sore thumb. Leave the sandals, sneakers, and boots at home. Wear dark socks that match your shoes and trousers.

Shave: a three-day old beard makes you look like you have spent the last hour picking through the local garbage bins. The guys in those TV ads for deodorant can get away with it. You can’t.

Israeli women have the tact and intelligence to always dress and make up appropriately so these comments are, obviously, not intended for them.

FIELDING QUESTIONS

Question and answer sessions can be very productive if managed properly. You should encourage questions from the audience, but be prepared to answer them. If you do not know the correct answer to a question, don't try to fake it. You should refer the question to someone who can answer it or promise to provide an answer later by phone or email. Get back to them as soon as possible. This makes an excellent door opener for follow up calls.

When responding to a question talk to one person – the person who asked the question. Always keep eye contact with them.