Public/group speaking - anxiety tips?

[ytrebil]

Hi guys! Tomorrow I have to give a speech/presentation at a seminar to a group of people (some clients, some not). It's only short - roughly 15-20 minutes but to say I'm nervous would be an understatement. I wasn't meant to be doing it as it's a big deal for us as a company and usually one of the directors would give the speech - however I stupidly said a couple of weeks back during a dinner that I'd be more than happy to have the opportunity to do it. Oh god how I am now regretting that!!!

I've only ever done one public speech and it was only a few lines - that was nervous in itself.

It's very important to me as delivering a good presentation could also mean moving up in my career!

I've used an anti anxiety drug for flying and I still have some left so I'm going to use them - however I also find that some alcohol will calm me down and forget my anxiety.

Does anyone here have a stiff drink or 2 before a big event like this? My palms are sweating even thinking about it.

Thanks in advance.

[Munter]

Different ways for different people. But my thoughts are.

1)Actually know what it is you want to talk about for each "section".
2)Just put prompts and key words on the cards you will use.
3)Have 1 or 2 practices on the cat.
4)They do NOT hate you.
5)Feel free to pause after you have said something.

Basically get up and say what you want to say slowly. Dress smart/appropriate, and be you.

[The Trig]

ytrebil said:

I've used an anti anxiety drug for flying and I still have some left so I'm going to use them - however I also find that some alcohol will calm me down and forget my anxiety.

Don't mix anti anxiety drugs with alcohol unless your sure there will be no side effects.
No real tips thou, have the same problem myself. Just speak clearly and slowly and best of luck.

[pokethepope]

I've never tried it, but i would thinnk couple of drinks would help, just don't go overboard and get royally pissed. Think how much better you are at talking to strangers and women in pubs after you've had a couple of pints, it certainly helps.

[Steamer]

Plan something good for the weekend or Friday night now.

You can lookforward to that when you start to worry about the speech...

+ when you've finished that speech you'll feel like a god to all men and you'll really enjoy whatever you planned for afterwards!

[ytrebil]

Thanks. I've mixed AA drugs + alcohol for flying. It worked wonders - I was actually hoping we got turbulance!!! Pretty funny. Although the amount I took I wouldn't do for public speaking as I'd be more inclined to mumble a lot and forget stuff! I have spoken to a good friend of mine who did an English degree and for part of his degree he had to give a speech in front of a couple of hundred people that he didn't know. He said he was petrified - went to the pub for lunch, couple of beers and he sailed through it. The trouble is my presentation speech is at 9am! Ha.

[Chim Girl]

There are two issues to deal with, firstly is the actual presentation. Do you have any training in how to deliver presentations, i.e the format, question handling etc. The second issue, is managing nerves; I'd avoid taking drugs and drink together or separately, they may well slow your performance.

I've just dropped you an email with some blurb in it.

Jo

[The Trig]

Stupid slow computer double posting!!

Edited by The Trig on Thursday 29th January 16:53

[ytrebil]

Chim Girl said:

There are two issues to deal with, firstly is the actual presentation. Do you have any training in how to deliver presentations, i.e the format, question handling etc. The second issue, is managing nerves; I'd avoid taking drugs and drink together or separately, they may well slow your performance.

I've just dropped you an email with some blurb in it.

Jo

Brilliant, thank you.

I have prepared well I think and the horrible thing is I can actually feel the nerves inside me even delivering the speech to my brother and his girlfriend. I'll take a read of that.

[HRG]

Find one friendly looking face and give the presentation to them. Ever wondered why pro's always seem to have a bottle of water to hand when speaking? Because your throat will probably dry up; ergo have a bottle of water to hand

Once you get going I always find it's a right buzz having the whole auditorium focussed on you

[Asterix]

Know your subject, speak at half the speed you actually speaking at (nervousness makes you rush a bit so it's not that slow) and remember to breath. Varying your pitch and allowing your enthusiasm for your subject to come through always helps as well.

Rehersing a few times and recording will help you with pacing. I tend to just have a few Q cards and wing the rest.

[Trevelyan]

If you turn up for a presentation at 9am smelling of alcohol or even giving the impression that you might possibly have been drinking then I doubt you'll need to be thinking about your career development for the forseeable...

[southendpier]

Don't drink. You may have to talk personally to people afterwards, if they smell drink on you (and they will) they will think you are a cock.

Just keep it simple, speak clearly and leave time at the end for open questions that you or someone technical from your company can answer. If you cannot answer DO NOT BS take a note of the person and speak to privately after, get their details and prominse to follow up with the corect info. Queston time at the end can go on for far longer than your presentation so you need to keep this controlled or ask you Boss to monitor and draw things to a close if the room is getting bored.

Oh and as I said before do not drink. If you were tipsy and did a presentation for me I would kick you down the stairs.

Good luck. Nerves are good, keep you focused and give you energy. No one expects you to be the best Orator, to tell the funniests gags, to offer incredible insight to the most detailed aspects of you co. just give a brief presentation be polite.

[TWSTEEL]

For the talk itself, spread yourself around. Don't look directly into peoples eyes but either at their brow or shoulder. They won't notice the difference if they're at a distance and keep your gaze moving every few seconds, that way they'll all think you're interested in them and their reactions and you keep them onside. If you can do it, try the alternative of looking through them as you do in those 3D photos as once you've established eye contact you tend to keep going back to the same person and it can be uncomfortable for both of you.Try it with a few people tonight and just talk about anything to get the "feel" of doing it. Good luck.

HTH

[Scrotum]

ytrebil said:

however I stupidly said a couple of weeks back during a dinner that I'd be more than happy to have the opportunity to do it. Oh god how I am now regretting that!!!

silly boy

[Cheeky Jim]

Just make sure you have a nice hook at the start of the presentation about WHY they should sit and listen to you present.

Is your presentation going to show them how to save money or make a difference to their job etc.

Go for it - you will be either buzzing afterwards or feeling like you got hit by a truck... hope it's the former!!

[BoRED S2upid]

HRG said:

Find one friendly looking face and give the presentation to them. Ever wondered why pro's always seem to have a bottle of water to hand when speaking? Because your throat will probably dry up; ergo have a bottle of VODKA to hand

Once you get going I always find it's a right buzz having the whole auditorium focussed on you

EFA

[Dave200]

The key to getting rid of any potential nerves is to make sure that you have a full and clear understanding of both your subject, and the topics you intend to cover.

[wadgebeast]

Practise, practise, practise. The better you know your presentation, the less you'll have to remember and it'll flow, giving you confidence.

Also, try practising it from the middle / after 3 slides etc so that you know you can get back on track if someone asks you a question.

It'll get easier with time!

[ShadownINja]

Imagine they are all naked. Just try to forget that they are probably imagining you are naked.

HTH.