Try techniques to help you to improve the delivery of your message and manage presentation nerves
What: Focus on the practice and delivery of your presentation.
When: Carry out these actions in the lead up to a presentation and on the day. Practice having a go now.
Note
- It's quite normal to experience nerves and have worries about presenting
- Feeling a little bit nervous is natural and it can even help your speaking performance
- Managing your nerves will improve the quality and enjoyment of your presentation
Example 1: Practice
a) Practise in front of:
- Other members of your group
- An audience of supportive friends
- A mirror / camera (record yourself)
b) Review your performance.
Example 2: Get comfortable
Wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable and good about yourself.
That doesn't necessarily mean wearing a hoodie or pyjamas, you may choose to dress up!
Choose a professional and appropriate option given your scenario.
Pick out what you're going to wear now:
Schedule these activities
Decide what you'd like to do next, select from the items below. Your assigned tasks will be available to review in your journal. These scheduled tasks may be exported to your calendar.
To enable you to assess yourself and find areas for improvement.
Evaluate your presentation skills. Identify strengths and weaknesses.
If you find yourself worrying, practise in front of:
- Other members of your group
- An audience of supportive friends
- A mirror
If this goes well, your confidence will receive a boost. If there are issues, you’ll have time to address them.
Get others to help identifying what you can do to improve
Review a presentation. Note down traits that you like and see what you can incorporate into your own way of presenting.
Review these items
These factors can influence your performance.
Knowing what makes a good presentation
What enhances the delivery?
Study how a talk is structure, how speech is delivered.
Knowing your environment
Do a recce of the presentation room/venue. Understand the equipment and get used to any technology that you will be using.
Being prepared and early
Get to the room early and give yourself buffer time to settle down before showtime.
For more help on...
Planning your presentation: see URL
Researching topic: see
Understanding your audience: see
Using visual aids: see
Preparing for questions: see
Plan
Action: Pack a drink.
(or make sure one is available on the day)
Make sure you have a drink of water nearby.
Go on a recce.
If possible, make sure the room isn’t too hot or too cold.
Be early
Arrive at the venue for your presentation early – before the audience arrives. This will give you time to prepare yourself, organise your visual aids and try out any equipment you are planning to use.
Download 'Imaging techniques', a worksheet that may help you to boost your confidence by visualising success.
Acquire techniques to help you to overcome your presentation nerves
Many of us worry about giving presentations. Feeling a little bit nervous is natural and it can even help your performance. But too many nerves could impact upon the quality, and your enjoyment, of your presentation.
To reduce the time that you spend worrying, there are a number of techniques and strategies that you can use to reduce nerves and stress in the run-up to a presentation.
Be comfortable
Wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable and good about yourself. Make sure you have a drink of water nearby. If possible, make sure the room isn’t too hot or too cold.
Be early
Arrive at the venue for your presentation early – before the audience arrives. This will give you time to prepare yourself, organise your visual aids and try out any equipment you are planning to use.
Read the techniques below and consider which ones might help you to calm your nerves.
Relax
Make a conscious effort to relax, especially two or three hours before you are due to give the presentation. You may wish to use imaging techniques to visualise success. For more information on imaging techniques, see the download below.
Prepare
Prepare your presentation carefully. Effective preparation will help you decide what you are going to say and how you are going to say it.
Practice
If you find yourself worrying, practise in front of other members of your group, to an audience of supportive friends, or using a mirror. If this goes well, your confidence will receive a boost. If there are issues, you’ll have time to address them.
Smile
When you first greet your audience, make an effort to smile. Most people will smile back and this will create a friendly atmosphere in the room. Smiling will also give the audience the impression that you are relaxed and confident (even if you don’t feel it), and will put them at ease.
Support each other
If you are presenting as part of a group, be aware that anxiety, or excitement, can spread. Aim to manage your anxieties so that you do not worry other members of the group. If you notice that someone else is anxious, try to offer support without letting them affect your own composure.
Download 'Imaging techniques', a worksheet that may help you to boost your confidence by visualising success.
Dressing appropriately
Not sure what to wear?
Present the best version of yourself to instil confidence in yourself and to others