Presentations and speeches are part of the business world, learn how to make them less stressful
We have all been somehow affected by presentation anxiety at some point. Even when we are well prepared. It is natural to have a “fight or flight” response to the unknown, but you don’t have to let it get in the way of delivering an impactful and memorable presentation.
Feelings about public speaking anxiety are very personal, and there is not a magic cure that will work for everyone. For that reason, Buffalo 7, presentation design agency, has come up with practical tips that will empower you to take your nerves and turn them into something positive.
The first step is remembering that everyone started from somewhere, great public speakers didn’t become that way overnight. They, like everyone else, gathered relevant experience and turned it into confidence to present in the ways we admire.
Turn nervous energy into something positive. Instead of being nervous about speaking, think about how excited you are to share your ideas or new product/service. You’ll notice the difference.
Breathe deeply and evenly and don’t rush through. It’s important to track your breathing as short breaths can make your public speaking much more difficult. When nervous, you might feel like getting through your presentation as quickly as possible. But rushing can have the opposite effect and make you even more anxious. And your audience will find it difficult to absorb your content, which won’t make you feel good about the delivery of your presentation.
Use the right body language — and if you make mistake, keep going. You need to remember that the audience is on your side! They are there to listen to you, hear what you have to say and learn about your new ideas, products, or services.
Buffalo 7 created this handy infographic which features even more tips on how to beat public speaking anxiety.
