Conquer your fear of public speaking
Use technology to help boost presentation skills
By Rebecca Zamon
For many, public speaking is a paralyzing fear. No matter to whom you’re presenting — classmates, business colleagues or friends — stage fright doesn’t have to hold you hostage.
Use technology to step out from behind your anxiety and take command of the room.
IN THIS STORY
Step in front of the camera | Expert words of wisdom | Virtual support and validation | What to do when the power goes out
Step in front of the camera
People decide within the first seven seconds whether they like you, says Betty Elly Klimitz, founder, director and executive voice coach of Toronto’s Speaker Skills, a public speaking training centre. That impression makes a direct impact on how actively an audience will listen.
Find out how well you connect with your audience with a trial run. Film your presentation then share your video on Microsoft’s Soapbox, or other video-posting site and invite friends and family to comment.
They may pick up on things you hadn’t noticed (too many ums and ahs) and offer ways to enhance the presentation (tell a story; don’t read a corporate report).
Expert words of wisdom
If you remain unsure of your presentation skills, turn to the experts for help with everything from delivery to creating PowerPoint presentations.
- Great Public Speaking . The e-zine’s blog is constantly updated with anecdotes and helpful hints about what works in the real world. Receive daily tips and sift through the archive to find targeted information, such as the best time of day to present.
- How to Change the World . Known worldwide for his presentations and consulting skills, Guy Kawasaki runs the gamut from getting ahead in your career to offering the best possible customer service. But it’s his Pitching, Presenting and Speaking posts that help those seeking oration advice, such as knowing your script by heart.
- Presentation Zen. Dedicated to getting the most out of your presentation’s design, the blog features a collection of tips and tricks, such as how to arouse the audience’s imagination through words and visuals.
Virtual support and validation
When the fear of speaking in front of others keeps you from delivering a topnotch presentation, online communities may be able to talk you through.
- AnxietyTribe.com . This free social networking site introduces its users to others battling similar fears. While this site is geared to those with general anxiety, public speaking is a common concern.
- Uncommon Knowledge . The site’s public speaking section gives people a chance to bounce ideas off one another, find tips on presentation tactics and connect with others who share their fears.
What do you do when the power goes out?
It’s important to remember the usefulness of visual aids such as PowerPoint slides, but it’s even more important to remember they’re fallible. The power could go out or your computer could crash. Keep your cool, says Klimitz, by
- knowing your material
- practising your talk
- being comfortable enough with the topic that you can describe the slides without seeing them
Your audience will not only be impressed with the material, but also with the presenter.
