Ask The Speech Therapist

August 08, 2008 2 Comments

 Here are five tips to help you control your presentation anxieties and make those annoying butterflies flutter fly away:
 

• It’s okay to be nervous.
  Even seasoned speakers and presenters still get nervous before speaking. Being nervous means you care about giving a good presentation. Your nervousness produces adrenaline which helps you think faster, speak more fluently, and add the needed enthusiasm to convey your message.
   
•  Don’t try to be perfect.
  The fear of public speaking often stems from a fear of imperfection. Accept the fact that no one ever gets it perfect and neither will you. You do not have to become Super Speaker, never saying “er” or “uh,” and never losing your train of thought. Be yourself-your audience will appreciate it.
   
•  Know your subject.

          Become an authority on your topic. The more you know, the more confident you will be.
 

•  Involve your audience.
  Ask listeners questions or have them participate in an activity. Keeping your audience actively involved will hold their attention, increase their retention, and reduce your nervousness as your presentation becomes
  more of a dialogue than a monologue.

• Focus on your audience and your message.
  What you have to say is important! Your audience needs to hear your message. Focus on that, rather than on your nervousness. You can do this!

Denise Moore Revel is a leading Speech Therapist & Coach who specializes in improving adult communication skills. Visit her website www.askthespeechtherapist.com and sign-up for the FREE online newsletter for more tips, ideas, and strategies on how to improve speech and language development.

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