Presentation skills: How to be more relaxed before giving a speech

There are many ways to calm down before a big presentation. Unfortunately, some of them are unrealistic, such as climbing stairs fast and shaking yourself all over.

Here are three reasonable ways. The first way is to practice, much more than you think you need. Practice using key words for ideas in the speech, not by memorizing the actual presentation. (If you memorize and then forget a word, you may freeze and then forget the rest of the presentation.) Reading the presentation eliminates or minimizes crucial eye contact with the audience; you are there to deliver your presentation, not read it!  Practice both the order of the key words, which you mentally link together, and also by giving the presentation in the entirety.

Second, if appropriate, keep a list of the key words, written in large letters, in front of you. This can be your "security blanket'. Hopefully you won't need to even look at it, though, if you practiced enough.

Third, use slow, deep breathing before you go up to the podium.  Breathe in deeply, and then slowly breathe out. This is a calming exercise, and also gets more oxygen to your body. (Picture the oxygen going down to your toes as you breathe in.)

Public Speaking: You Can Do It!  is a tip-filled e-book that offers many valuable ideas on writing and delivering powerful presentations. It is one of many from Business Speech Improvement's collection of e-books.