Comments on: How to Overcome Presentation Nerves

By: RDs

RDs — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:05:16 +0000

Very interesting insights…there seem to be quite a few people facing the same problems as I do in presentation ( as opposed to plain public speaking — which is mostly extempore and can be improvised)

By: mobiiih

mobiiih — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:17:43 +0000

Before presentation, a person should have a clear head and make sure that they focus on what they will be say in front of the audience.

By: David Newsum

David Newsum — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:36:43 +0000

Most presentation nerves are useful, understandable and normal, and you just have to find coping strategies. However, when nerves take over, and push you into panic mode, then is the time to explore “why?” Two common issues in my experience, having taught presentation skills many times, are:
1. Lack of practice – unfamiliarity with the presenters’ “zone” – this
needs a commitment to volunteer for lots of presentations so you can get the experience of some good ones, and learn from the “not so good” ones!
2. Lack of self esteem – a good presenter is confident they have something worth sharing that is exciting, different and useful to the audience. If that is the case, even an average nervous presention will be successful and well received. If all else fails tell your audience – “I am nervous about this presentation because what I have to share is really important and useful to you, and I want to do it justice!” If on the other hand you have a presentation that is neither exciting, different nor useful to the audience, then you do not have a presentation!!!! Always start with WHY! “Why is this worth doing”, and don’t plan until you can answer positively.

By: Gerald

Gerald — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:13:40 +0000

woooo! this is very interesting.. many lessons you will learn from this Presentation skills.

By: micky

micky — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:00:02 +0000

hi it is good

By: Prashant Hardikar

Prashant Hardikar — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:07:10 +0000

I am always nervous while making presentation.
I am always thinking that what publik is thinking about me,how i am looking,is publik making laugh of me,my hands & legs are shaking etc.& this all happens at the begening of presentation
My throat is drying many a times while presenting.
Please give me some tips to overcome this psychological problem.

By: presentation-skills.biz

presentation-skills.biz — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:21:20 +0000

Hi Lenny, thanks for your comments.

There are lots of valid ways to help address nerves. A lot depends on the context, the presenter and the audience.

People need a range of different strategies to call on – and learning to have a conversation with the audience is certainly one of them. I think in that context “learning” is key. As it doesn’t necessarily come naturally.

I’ve often heard that “just be yourself” is the best approach when presenting. The problem is that “being yourself” when presenting to a potentially hostile audience of 30 or 40 people (for example) can take quite an amount of “learning” compared with presenting to a small group of friendly faces.

I’m not sure however that I agree with you that most people focus too much on their performance (if by that you mean the presentation delivery aspects). In fact quite the opposite is often the case in my experience. The focus often tends to be on content and PowerPoint and the actual delivery of the presentation is left to take care of itself.

Having a clear focus on what you want to achieve from the presentation and what’s in it for the audience is obviously vital to any presentation’s success. But being able to deliver that message confidently and convincingly is just as important.

And if some of the audience can’t make out what you’re saying because your speaking too quietly; mumbling or even speaking too quickly due to nerves then its all wasted effort.

Having a balanced approach to both the message and its delivery is vital for success.

By: Lenny Laskowski

Lenny Laskowski — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:58:54 +0000

I encourage my clients to learn to have a conversation with your audience. Most people approach presentations as “performance”. In doing so, you will always feel people are judging you. Learn to bring to your presentations, the same conversational style you use when talking to friend you just ran into at the store.

Learn to focus more on your message and less on your performance.

Lenny Laskowski, National Best Selling Author, “10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking”

By: ngoan

ngoan — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:27:26 +0000

i am always nervous when making presentation.maybe this is due to my preparation.my teacher said to me that i have problems with pronunciation,intonation,etc.i feel not confident.i am trying but i am rather worried.please help me.thanks in advance