Bring the Curtain Down on Stage Fright

By Karen Susman

Oh m’gawd. You’re about to give a speech. Your life flashes before your eyes. You knew weeks ago you were going to make this speech. You prepared, you paced, you practiced. A loud duet of your heart beating in time with your knees knocking surely can be heard by all. The master of ceremonies is calling your name. Get a grip. Edge forward on your seat and remember these tips as you rise to the sound of thunderous applause.

1. Be prepared. Don’t wing it. Know your topic. Know your audience. Know your A/V equipment. Know the questions you're likely to be asked. Brainstorm the answers so you won't be bamboozled
   
   
2. Look your best. Have a speaking outfit that you know works. Dress one step better than your audience. Test your suit before you speak. Can you move your arms? Is your jacket straining over the holiday pounds? Is there an intricate scarf/cape wrap thingy that looks great unless you exhale? Is your tie long enough? Are those new wing tips clipping your flight and your big toe? Does your blouse reveal you shop at Victoria’s Secret? Your clothes shouldn’t speak louder than you do.
   
   
3. Pause before you begin. At the podium, face your audience and make eye contact. Command their attention and then jump right into your remarks. Spot friendly faces at quadrants around the room. Make eye contact with those people often.
   
   
4. Memorize your opening. Starting is often the scariest part of speaking. So, after your pause in tip #3, dive right into your opening. Then you’ll be in the groove.
   
   
5. Be healthy. Rest, eating light, and exercise help you be your best. Energy is a powerful speaking tool. No booze – even though Bloody Marys are loaded with Vitamin C, stick with water.
   
   
6. Mingle. Talk to the entering audience. You’ll make allies; feel more at home, and learn interesting tidbits you can use to personalize your presentation.
   
   
7. Move. Break the tension by moving on stage. You’ll be more expressive and you’ll add energy to your voice.
   
   
8. Drink. This doesn’t contradict #4. Have a glass of lukewarm water to sip before and during your speech. Stress dries out your mouth and throat. A dry mouth is stressful. Pausing to take a sip of water is always permissible. Pausing allows you to wet your whistle, inhale, and look at your notes. No one will think you’ve lost it when you take a sip of water.
   
   
9. Translate fear into energy. Anxiety and excitement muster the same physiological responses. So, label those near death feelings as excitement. Welcome those feelings and count on them to energize your remarks.
   
   
10. Speak often. It’s much easier to speak often than once in a while. When you speak often, you get more comfortable and you can see what material works and what doesn’t. When you speak often, you get a rhythm or timing going that adds the entertainment factor to your remarks. How do you speak often? Toastmasters is one way. Another way is to contact service clubs to offer your twenty-minute program on a helpful topic. You do have a twenty-minute program, don’t you? Church or the P.T.A. are good places to practice your speaking skills, too.
    

Being a confident speaker is vital for career success. “But, my stage fright,” you quake. Get over it.

Karen Susman is a Speaker, Trainer, Coach, and Author of 102 Top Dog Networking Secrets. Karen works with organizations that want to maximize performance. Programs include Humour at Work; Balance In Life; Networking Skills; Presentation Skills; and Building Community Involvement. Order new guidebooks on humour, networking, time management, and community involvement by calling 1-888-678-8818 or e-mail Karen@KarenSusman.com.. www.KarenSusman.com.

Published in Networking Today, August, 2002.