Calling Public Speakers: HELP ME PLS

busybee · Post by **busybee** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:02 am

I've some presentations to do as part of my coursework and quite frankly i'm terrified at the thought of it. Thought some of you guys could help.

I've no problem putting in the work and organising the presentation. The thought of standing up in front of everyone and talking about what i've done scares me no end. I just don't like drawing that kind of attention to myself and i'm afraid of making a fool of myself.

I did a presentation once before, i forgot what i was supposed to be talking about - despite many rehersals - the words just wouldn't come out the way i wanted them to - if they came out at all. I physically shook like a leaf. I felt sick. My face went as red as a tomato.....and i felt like a complete idiot in front of all my classmates.

Another example was when i had to sit my driving test.....lol i can laugh about it now because i did eventually pass but i could hardly put the key in the ignition because of the shakes, my legs wouldn't work properly on the pedals and it was just a shameful experience - despite the instructor telling me i was a good driver.

For the presentations, i've heard of imagining the audience is naked - but i think i would not say anything for giggling at everyone.

Would appreciate any advice.

Cheers!

Busybee :-6

Bothwell · Post by **Bothwell** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:35 am

Stand Up

Speak up

Then shut up.

What you have to do is take a deep breath before you start and remember these people are there because they want to hear what you have to say (even if it's not true, imagine it is).

Try to open with some conversational comment to the assembled audience, the weather, last nights news etc anything not on the subject, it makes the setting more informal and you have broken the Me versus you barrier.

If you are still nervous tell them you are, you may even get some sympathy

Remember that it is only for 20 mins (or whatever) and it will be over, it's not a huge amount of time out of your life.

Nobody is there to humiliate you and you are as good as anyone in the room.

Use small cue cards if you have to, just one line reminders to keep you on track.

If you do not have a defined time to fill up dont be afraid to cut it short if it's going well, as long as you have the point across they will far rather you stopped than drone on and on making the same point again and again.

What is the worst thing they could do to you ? not listen, well that is their loss.

When you have finished make sure you thank them for listening, it will make those that have not embarrassed and those who have feel like they would want to hear you again

I don't know if any of this is any help but please let me know how it goes

busybee · Post by **busybee** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 7:52 am

Bothwell wrote: Stand Up

Speak up

Then shut up.

What you have to do is take a deep breath before you start and remember these people are there because they want to hear what you have to say (even if it's not true, imagine it is).

Try to open with some conversational comment to the assembled audience, the weather, last nights news etc anything not on the subject, it makes the setting more informal and you have broken the Me versus you barrier.

If you are still nervous tell them you are, you may even get some sympathy

Remember that it is only for 20 mins (or whatever) and it will be over, it's not a huge amount of time out of your life.

Nobody is there to humiliate you and you are as good as anyone in the room.

Use small cue cards if you have to, just one line reminders to keep you on track.

If you do not have a defined time to fill up dont be afraid to cut it short if it's going well, as long as you have the point across they will far rather you stopped than drone on and on making the same point again and again.

What is the worst thing they could do to you ? not listen, well that is their loss.

When you have finished make sure you thank them for listening, it will make those that have not embarrassed and those who have feel like they would want to hear you again

I don't know if any of this is any help but please let me know how it goes

Some sound advice there Bothwell, which of course i will take on board.......and you're right.....i guess i am as good as anyone else in the room - it's the scary nervous thing that happens, the sickness feeling and the shakes - everyone else always seems so confident and say exactly what they mean to.

A Karenina · Post by **A Karenina** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:31 am

Excellent advice

My own little trick is to separate myself - there is the nervous red-faced person, and there is the intelligent person who's got something to say in a presentation and will say it.

Sure, when I first stand up, my face turns red and I think I'm gonna have a heart attack. I can't stand everyone looking at me - ack! But then I take a deep breath, remember it's not me they see - just a part of me, and I'm ok. I usually tell a joke...and I have used the supposedly helpful college advice thing. I say, "Is my face red? Yes, it is? Welllll....in college they told me to imagine my audience in their underwear while giving speeches. Frankly, I'm very embarrassed...not for myself, but for you. Bob? Spiderman underwear? I promise, it'll be our secret."

That one goes over really well if you know the people. Do not use it with strangers!!!

I feel like I have to address my embarrassment, especially my red face because I'm very pale-skinned. I look like a 5'5" tomato when I blush, LOL!

But, it builds rapport with my audience and I need that in order to feel confident enough to continue with some amount of clarity. Within 5 minutes, the audience is no longer looking at you as a person, but at what you have to say. That is where they judge you. And it sounds to me like you've got that part covered.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:56 am

Wow, this is great advice.

The only thing I can add: Could you maybe do the whole thing in

front of just a few people who love you? You know, at home in

your living room, family and/or friends.

Doing it over and over again does really help, I spoke last December

at a friend's memorial service, and the added emotions made it

really difficult, but I had about a week to prepare what I wanted

to say and so I constantly repeated it in my head, on my morning

walk or whatever, and when the time came, I got through it. You

can, too!!

Good luck!

:yh_hugs :yh_nailbi

Hawke · Post by **Hawke** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 10:31 am

Well, I've done a lot of public speaking, and for me what works best is to play the crowd. I watch the crowd for how they're reacting to my speech...if they get bored, I interject a joke. If they're enthusiastic, I raise my pitch and become more enthusiastic myself.

By watching the crowd for their reactions, you don't have time to worry about messing up

I don't know how this method will work for you, but it works great for me!

busybee · Post by **busybee** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:03 am

Thanks a lot you guys, it helps a lot to hear the views of people who have been there. Ain't it funny that seemingly harmless acts can reduce folk to tears and/or cause real panic and fear. I'll let you all know how it goes :-4

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:10 am

Hi Busybee! I have the same problem speaking in front of a group, and on the rare occasions I've had to, one thing that helps me is to wear my favorite outfit, something I KNOW I look great in. The confidence in yourself will spill over into your presentation. Best of luck!!! :yh_peace

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 12:24 pm

Hi Busybee, i think that most people are nervous at standing up in front of a group of people, i really do know how you're feeling.

I'm on a board with my local council and when i first had something to say i thought i was going to pass out from nerves,

What i find i do that helps me now is focus on one or two people as if i'm speaking to just them, its amazing how you can faze the rest of the room out, you'll find in time that it gets easier.

As for your driving lesson i was exactly the same, i could just about walk to the car my legs were like jelly.

Good luck hon, knock em dead x

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:28 pm

Bothwell is correct about the cue cards. Dont read them. or totally rely on them, just sort of refer to them. Write large on them and hilight points you want to make. Always remember usually when youve been asked to speak about a particular subject its because you know more about it than the people there listening. Thats why they came.. to hear you. I love public speaking because I enjoy incorporating humor in my presentation. Once you get the first laugh. The crowd loosens up and your home free. I used to refer to myself as the landscaper who wanted to be a ballerina. Making a joke at your own expense always seems to humble people. It makes them more receptive to you because they like you.

Good Luck

Post by **kensloft** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 1:03 am

The first thing that I do when I am about to speak is to tell a joke or something that is humourous that could be an inside joke to the audience. Look at the audience but don't focus on anyone in particular. The audience is just a bunch of people that are only one person... the audience. That is who you are addressing. They're just like you and chances are that they are envious of your showing the pluck and determination to educate them.

Keep on topic and you'll be laughing. Cue cards are definitely a help.

Humour and a smile go a long way towards creating a rapport with the audience.