Public speaking: Getting over the biggest nightmare

More than 70% of people fear public speaking. I'm one of them, and chances are high that you're too.

I thought I'd never speak at events. I figured if I just posted videos online (which is kind of cheating when it comes to public speaking), I just wouldn't need to do it. Ever.

Well, "lucky" me saying yes to everything without thinking it through, I got into a situation where I needed to deliver 2 public talks in December. Not one, but two. On a big stage. In front of people. I thought I'd die. But then I thought - this is one of the most uncomfortable things I can think of now. So if I do it, I'll learn a lot. More pain, more gain 💪

In preparation for the inevitable, I asked my network for tips 👇

1. Get feedback from someone you trust

One thing that will make you more comfortable is knowing that you've done everything in your power to make the presentation and speech engaging. Record your presentation (e.g., on the Loom) and send it over for review to someone you know will not only hype you up but is also honest with you and will give you real and actionable feedback.

2. Shift your mindset

Simply said and hardly done. But it works! Here are a few ways to trick your brain:

• Pretend you're an actor, and this is a performance

• Your audience chose to be there; they're genuinely interested in what you have to say

• Deep breath, heads up, and smile before stepping onto the stage

• Talk to your friend, find someone you know in the audience, and pretend you're talking to them

Nervousness is normal, and even experienced speakers feel it. Embrace the adrenaline and use it to fuel your performance.

3. Practice, practice, practice

Practice makes perfect, right? Well, maybe not perfect, but it helps! Take the time to rehearse your presentation multiple times before the event (I did mine at least 8 times 🫣). This will not only help you feel more confident in your delivery but also allow you to identify any areas that need improvement.

4. Don't be afraid to use notes

My biggest fear was that I'd just forget my line, and there would be looong silence. But as with any problem, this one is also easy to solve. You're (most likely) allowed to use notes! You can write bullet points for each slide you want to cover and transition sentences to the next slide to make your presentation feel as smooth as possible. This way, it's impossible to forget. Just make sure they are concise and easy for you to read quickly.

5. Get to know the stage

Standing on the podium with lights, big screens, and plenty of people around you is scary. What helps is to get familiar with the stage up front. Take your time, see how you get on the stage (so you don't trip when you're getting there. Yep, I'm a big overthinker 😅), where you can stand without blocking the screen, look up to the auditorium, and get used to the view. The event staff is always helpful and will answer any questions you have. And more often than not, you can even do a dry run.

In the end, my talks went well. I'm still here, and the only thing that has changed is that I'm not scared to do them anymore. If I could do it, you can do it too!