Overcoming Stage Fright

Public speaking is a great way to express your personal Brand to your target audience. Yet, people rank fear of public speaking above the fear of death. So, if stage fright has been keeping you from using public speaking to express your Brand, use these ten tips to be more comfortable in front of a crowd.

Know Your Subject.
The better you know your material, the better you will perform. So take the time you need to feel like you have a thorough understanding of the material. Doing your homework will really payoff when you are on stage.

Know Your Audience.
Knowing something about your audience (demographics and psychographics) will allow you to guide your presentation and feel comfortable about it's relevance. Learn as much as you can about your audience and their expectations before going on.

Be Yourself.
A speech delivered in someone else's style is not going to be comfortable for you and will not be as successful as one delivered by your authentic self. If you are spending time on stage trying to follow some rules for public speaking, you won't be focused on what's important - the audience. So be yourself and you'll be successful.

Use the Energy.
That nervous flutter, the burst of energy, that you feel when you get on stage can be stressful. But if you think of this energy as the fuel that you need to perform, you will use it to make an excellent start. And once you are on a roll you will continue to shine.

It's Not About You.
If you think about how important this presentation is to you and your portfolio or career, you are going to give yourself unnecessary pressure. If you think of giving your presentation for the purpose of serving your audience, you will deliver it from a place that you will enable you to be successful.

Warm Up.
Take deep breaths and stretch while you are waiting to go on. Just as athletes warm-up before competing in a sport, you need to be in proper physical and mental condition before presenting.

Be Positive.
Don't underestimate the power of positive thinking. Tell yourself you are going to do well. If you are delivering your presentation in your style with the purpose of supporting the audience, you WILL succeed. So tell yourself you will before you go on.

Feel at Home.
Spend as much time on the stage before the event as you can so that when you are giving your presentation you are doing so from a position of comfort and familiarity.

Practice.
Whenever possible, have a real dress rehearsal. This will ensure that each part of your presentation, your multimedia and speakers aids have all been tested and you are comfortable with how they work.

Reward Yourself.
After you have delivered your presentation, congratulate yourself and express gratitude for being a successful public speaker. With each new presentation, you will feel more at ease and more in control.