Putting yourself out there, especially when it comes to your passions, is just plain hard. From the presentation, going on a job interview or speaking before a large audience, can be hard. The fear of public speaking has taken over and disabled you from giving an effective, well-executed performance. More than half, approximately 75% of public speakers experience what is known as glossophobia which is the fear of public speech or speaking.
Being nervous during a presentation affects the way you come across an audience and the quality of your delivery. Nervous speakers tend to talk too quickly and generally ignore the audience, focusing instead on their presentation slides or the floor.
However public speaking is a skill that most if not all entrepreneurs should acquire because pitching is something that you as an entrepreneur would have to do eventually. In order to help you feel more prepared and give you the confidence you need for future pitches, I’ve put together a list of tips that will give you the confidence to pitch like a pro in no time.
1. Tell a personal story
Talk about your own experiences: “Telling personal, true stories are the best way to impart information and inspire others. And it is easy to remember our own stories!” says Gary Schmidt, Past International President of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization that helps members improve their public speaking skills.
Avoid overly complicated language. It loses the audience. “You don’t need jargon to sound like you know what you’re talking about; bring in your own personal stories and experiences to build a persuasive case for why you are passionate about what you do.
2. Practice, a lot!
The age old saying, ‘practice makes perfect’ is still around for a reason! Whether you’re a nervous wreck when speaking in public or not, practising your pitch out loud will really help the delivery of your idea. You can practice by talking to a wall, staring yourself down in a mirror, practising with a roommate, or sharing with your dog. They’re all great ways to understand how your written words and presentation will play to a live audience.
Not only does practising help you to perfect your pitch, but it will also help you feel more in control of what’s going to happen, which in turn, makes you more relaxed. Practice! No matter how good you think you are at thinking on your feet, it’s better you practice.
3. Focus on Your Material, Not Your Audience
People mainly pay attention to new information — not how it’s presented. They may not notice your nervousness. If audience members do notice that you’re nervous, they may root for you and want your presentation to be a success. So it’s okay if you’re nervous, in fact, it’s completely normal! When you are well organized and practised, you will be able to get your point across.
4. Dress comfortably
Wearing something you’re uncomfortable in can make you feel even more uncomfortable. If you know you’re not good at wearing heels, wear flats. Wearing clothes you feel comfortable in will be one less thing for you to worry about on that day. Looking good whilst feeling comfortable will help you find the confidence that you need to ace that pitch.
5. Catch Your Breath
When we’re nervous or anxious we can often find it hard to focus on a regular breathing pattern. Before you pitch take some time to focus on your breathing, find your regular pattern and focus on it. If you find yourself losing breath during the pitch just take a moment to return to that pattern. If you know this can be an issue for you, work in breaks into your pitch to allow you to catch your breath.
The fear of public speaking is completely normal, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to improve your skills and grow. With preparation and persistence, you can overcome your fear. You may even discover that you enjoy public speaking!
Remember that no one expects you to be fearless! Prepare as much as you can. Research the person or business you’re pitching to well, and personalize your message to them. Once you start pitching your work regularly, it will get easier. You will still get those rejections, and they may still sting, but you’ll start to take it less personally.
Interested in learning some more tips on improving your pitching skills? Get in contact with me! I would be excited to help you improve your public speaking and pitching skills so that you can excel in any situation.