Did this ever happen to you? Right before delivering his speech, the speaker became so nervous, he accidentally knocked over his cup of coffee onto the one (and only) copy of the speech. Things went downhill from there. It happened to a classmate of mine. This occurred 35 years ago, and I still remember the terrible incident as if it were yesterday'
According to the Book of Lists, almost 90% of Americans are deathly afraid of speaking publicly. After 30 years of coaching teens and adults in the fine art of speaking, I know that to be true. But, giving a speech can be a rewarding, even exciting experience. The trick is, you have to be prepared. It's essential to be prepared physically, emotionally, and intellectually.
Being prepared intellectually means you must know your topic well. The single biggest cause, in my experience, for people's nervousness, is their lack of preparation. There's no sense in trying to give a speech on a topic you know little about. But, once you know the subject well, half the battle is won. This is as true of a high school book report as it is of a presentation on a scientific breakthrough. So, first, learn as much as you can about your topic. That is the first step in giving a great speech.
Being prepared physically means making sure you are not exhausted when you are about to deliver your speech. If you have to make a presentation early in the morning, try to get a good night's sleep. Of course, people sometimes worry about the speech they have to give in the morning, and that worry can keep them awake at night. If you can, try to find some quiet activity the night before, so that you can fall asleep at a reasonable hour.
Emotional preparation involves the last few minutes before speaking. Try to arrive early at your speaking engagement. There's nothing worse than dashing into a room, scrambling for the podium, and finding out you've left your speech at home. (This has actually happened). Before starting to speak, ALWAYS take a deep breath. It will calm your nerves.
These are just a few basic suggestions you can use to make public speaking a better experience for yourself, and your audience.
Seth Sternstein, M.A., M.B.A. Professional Presentations 914-960-4653
