How Can I Get Over My Fear of Public Speaking?

by Amy Kidder, Belk College Peer Advisor

Public speaking of any type can be nerve wracking. Presentations for classes, clubs and organizations, or even group presentations can be stressful if you don’t feel confident going into it. A lot of people have different experiences when it comes to speaking in front of others. I’ve always been nervous before I have to speak, and I’ve been performing on stage since I was three years old! It’s something that I’ve worked on over the years, and I’d like to share a few tips that I’ve collected from various public speaking courses, workshops, and colleagues.

How can I get over my fear of public speaking?

Unfortunately, we can’t just take a class on public speaking and suddenly become confident and comfortable giving presentations. There really is no one way to completely get over your fear that works for everyone. It may be that you’ll never fully get over it, but can learn how to manage it.

The most obvious way to feel more confident is to practice. This can be true for a lot of things in life and your career. Interviewing, for example, is very similar to giving presentations in that you are very nervous and have to talk and answer questions. But, after lots and lots of practice it gets easier. Try practicing in front of other people like your roommates, friends, a mentor, anyone who you would feel comfortable with getting their feedback. If you would rather practice by yourself, you can try recording yourself and playing it back to see what it sounds like and how you look.

Something that helps with nerves right before your presentation is taking deep breaths. I also recommend listening to your favorite song to help get pumped up.

How do you prepare for group presentations?

I highly recommend making the time to practice together a few times or at the very least once before the actual presentation. It makes a huge difference because you get to know each other’s speaking style, how long their section will be, and if it flows well together.

Another tip is try to plan beforehand what you’ll say to transition to the next person. Say something such as, “Now I will pass it to Paul to talk more about the benefits of technology”. This can help to prevent awkward pauses and let a group member know when to change slides.

How can I get the audience excited about what I’m talking about?

There are several ways to connect with your audience. One of the easiest ways is to ask them questions, even if it is just rhetorical. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re looking at the audience for many reasons. Not only does it make it look like you are interested in talking to them, but it can also help them hear and understand you better. It can also be helpful to see nonverbal cues from your audience that will let you know if they are understanding or might be confused.

Another great way to connect with the audience is to tell a story that they can relate to. It will help them trust what you are saying and imagine themselves in whatever situation you are mentioning.

What are ways I can make myself sound more professional?

One key to sounding professional is by appearing professional. This means dress nicely in your business casual or business professional. It also means having good posture and facing the audience. Using hand gestures can be effective if used sparingly.  Use enough that you look natural, but not too much that it becomes distracting. The same can be said about movement such as walking around. A little movement can be good, but don’t make it distracting. 

Once you look the part, you will feel more confident about what you’re saying, and your audience will trust you too. A few things to avoid may include:

-       Avoid filler words such as “um” or “like” (recording yourself can be a great way to notice if you tend to use them often).

-       Avoid using acronyms unless you clearly explain what it stands for and it is something you will be talking about a lot.

-       Avoid using phrases or slang that people from other cultures, countries, or even just not from your home state wouldn’t know and understand.

How can I make my PowerPoint look more professional?

A great PowerPoint will support your speaking without detracting from your words. Use a minimal amount of words on each slide. Most people do not enjoy reading a paragraph on the screen. There is no need to make complete sentences, bullet points are fine. If you are going to have text on the slide, make sure it is legible. That means a large, clear font in a color that’s easy to read. If you have pictures, again, make sure people can see them. It’s best to have it take up a whole slide.

Lastly, I’ll end by saying please keep in mind that (1) not everyone has the same experiences, these were just some things that I’ve found helpful myself, and (2) if the presentation is for a class, always follow the directions from your professor regarding how they would prefer you to structure your PowerPoint or the content of your speech. Just like us, each professor has their own experiences and reasons behind why they assign something a particular way. Be sure to check the grading rubric as well.

I hope these tips will be helpful as you are preparing for your next presentation or public speaking event.