The first 30 Seconds - handling public speaking nerves

 

Most people are nervous when they stand up to speak. But some of us are really nervous! What if you are transfixed with terror? Paralysed on the podium? Limp at the lectern? Then you need a little reassurance.


Preferably from the audience.


So try this. When you first face your audience, do not even think about beginning to speak. Instead, simply stand there and get in touch with your feelings; feel the butterflies; feel the adrenaline rush!


Then slap on a big smile and make eye contact with some members of your audience, one at a time. I guarantee that someone will smile back, probably several will. Do not let this go on for too long. If you are addressing a packed Albert Hall it could take all day just to make the eye contact! With a smaller audience, which is what most of us will experience, it can be accomplished in seconds. Whatever their numbers, do not feel you have to make eye contact with all of them just yet. Though you should do so eventually.


All the time you are standing there smiling you should breathe deeply (but comfortably) and slowly. Now you can begin speaking, addressing your remarks to the first person who returned your smile. That person is your special friend; he or she is truly on your side, and you will feel most comfortable talking to them to begin with.


As you speak to your special friend, be aware of what other people are doing. Very soon, someone will move, adjust his or her position, lean forward or something similar. When that happens, you make eye contact with this new friend and carry on speaking. Do not turn completely away from your special friend – you don’t want them to feel rejected – but allow your attention to drift to the new person. Continue doing this as you work through your speech or presentation and you will gradually make eye contact with everyone in your audience – several times with any luck.

That covers the mechanics but sadly leaves us with the problem of what to say – how to open. According to Winston Churchill, a speaker has three seconds to grab the audience by the throat. This means you have to open with impact. You have their attention initially. Now you must make sure you keep it. One simple method is to have a three-phase opening:

1. Begin with something unexpected, offbeat, even bizarre.
2. Link immediately to your subject. Make it clear that, possibly despite initial appearances, your first remarks are relevant to the subject.
3. Involve your listeners; ask a question (rhetorical is fine), get a show of hands.

After thirty seconds or so, you should be fine. You will be into your stride and, if you are enthusiastic about your topic and know your material, you will make it comfortably to the end.

Ready to search for a keynote speaker? Click here!

If you have any other questions or would like assistance or advice with your arrangements, pleas email info@ifps.org.uk. We will be delighted to help.