7 tips against stage fright

Tip 1) See anxiety as alertness

We often view anxiety as something negative. But it also helps our body to stay alert in high-pressure situations. We’re on edge. That pounding heart of yours can therefore be seen in a positive light: it helps you to perform.

Tip 2) Learn the first few sentences by heart

Adrenaline doesn’t last long. It breaks down fairly quickly, and after a few minutes there’s already significantly less of it in your blood. The key, then, is to get through that first wave of nerves. After that, it becomes easier on its own. So simply make sure you know your opening well by heart. It helps you get through that first minute. What’s more, a strong start gives you confidence for the rest of your presentation.

Tip 3) Breathe

The easiest way to calm yourself down is to breathe steadily. When we’re tense, we tend to breathe high in the chest — fairly quickly and shallowly. Before you step in front of the group, take one deep breath in through your nose, directing the air down towards your belly. Then breathe out slowly through your mouth. A simple technique to immediately invite more relaxation.

Tip 4) The audience is on your side

Remember that these people genuinely want to hear what you have to say. They want it to go well, too. Worried they’ll notice your nerves? It simply shows that you’re human and that you care about what you’re doing. Audiences are generally sympathetic and silently rooting for you.

Tip 5) Seek out interaction

We are social creatures — we crave belonging, approval, and affirmation. In a conversation, the other person signals that they’re listening. An audience doesn’t do that. Suddenly you’re standing there in front of all those staring eyes. You can break through this by making genuine eye contact with someone in the front row. Chances are you’ll get a non-verbal cue back: a nod, a smile. That instantly makes it feel a little more human and familiar. You can also ask the audience a simple question. When you get a response, it feels much more like a natural, human exchange. Humour helps too: when your audience laughs, it often releases tension as well.

Tip 6) Silence

Letting a silence fall feels terrifying. And yet, oddly enough, it can be enormously helpful in projecting confidence on stage. Perhaps not the first time, but give it a try. After a few attempts, you’ll notice that you’re the one in control — setting the pace and always able to take a pause to catch your breath. Need a moment to think of your next sentence? Instead of saying “errr”, you can simply let a silence hang in the air. Most speakers tear through their material at speed, so a well-placed pause is actually a welcome relief for your audience.

Tip 7) A little bit of bluffing

It’s perfectly normal to feel as though you’ve forgotten half of what you wanted to say. Or that there was something you meant to mention on the previous slide. The audience had no idea what you were planning to say in the first place. If you carry on as though everything is going exactly to plan, no one will be any the wiser. A little bluffing is absolutely fine.

Hopefully these tips will help you breeze through your next presentation with confidence!