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Discussion » Questions » Human Behavior » What advice would you offer a person who was nervous about giving a speech or presentation?

What advice would you offer a person who was nervous about giving a speech or presentation?

Posted - March 27, 2017

Responses


  • 2327
    Hype them up!! LET'S GO CHAMP!!! 

      March 27, 2017 7:11 PM MDT
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  • This guy is certainly supportive but I'm not sure how a nervous Nellie would react. I've heard some stories...
      March 27, 2017 7:19 PM MDT
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  • I have to speak infront of groups between 2 and 8 times a month in my  profession. I've been doing so for about 5 years.... and I still get nervous a bit beforehand , every time . My advice would be , know your subject inside and  out , get lots of sleep the night before, and dress to kill ... So you feel confident... Cos I said  so :)
      March 27, 2017 7:19 PM MDT
    5

  • Sounds like very practical advice. All of it. 
      March 27, 2017 9:07 PM MDT
    2

  • 184
    Right on point. Great answer. Star.......
      March 28, 2017 5:12 AM MDT
    2

  • I've done presentations and the things I have learnt are these.
     speak slowly.. Most try to hurry it up to get it over and done with... You lose the audience because they don't understand you do to go even quicker.

    Enjoy yourself... Most of the audience want you to succeed so they'll forgive your mistakes.. Also make light of your mistakes, it shows your human and the audience will identify with you more.

    As name Jamie said  know your stuff.... Don't be scared to admit what you don't know though.
    Tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you just told them... In other words a brief overview so they know where they are going.. The main topic, then a recap.
     
      March 27, 2017 7:55 PM MDT
    1

  • One of the things I learned was that, once you get a group laughing they'll laugh at practically anything. Often they'll laugh at nothing. :)
      March 27, 2017 9:08 PM MDT
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  • Exactly right.. They want to be entertained... You have to work the material to engage them
      March 27, 2017 10:28 PM MDT
    1

  • 3523
    Just be yourself.  Don't try to impress people.  They'll be most impressed by your humility and ability to reach out to them on their own level.
      March 27, 2017 8:15 PM MDT
    1

  • You're speaking from experience. That's good advice, too. 
      March 27, 2017 9:09 PM MDT
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  • 5614
    Stick to dry subject matter in your presentation and get a feel for the intelligence of the audience by questions they ask. You then proceed to inject humor based on what you think they can understand. If no questions are allowed during the presentation just stick to the dry subject matter until given indications the audience is receptive to humor. This post was edited by O-uknow at March 28, 2017 12:49 AM MDT
      March 27, 2017 9:41 PM MDT
    1

  • I find it very difficult to keep the humour out of it. Of course, you drop it in tentatively, testing the water. When you get a feel for the response you can run with it. Or not. :(
      March 28, 2017 12:51 AM MDT
    1

  • 5614
    Its putting yourself out there if you don't know the sentiment of the audience and can damage you.
      March 28, 2017 12:52 AM MDT
    1

  • I suppose so. I've never taken long to work it out. 
      March 28, 2017 12:56 AM MDT
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  • 17364
    The key to public speaking is preparation.  Know your audience, the subject matter, and be confident.  It gets easier the more you do it.  You also need to have good speech-writing skills. This post was edited by Thriftymaid at March 28, 2017 5:17 AM MDT
      March 27, 2017 10:27 PM MDT
    2

  • Excellent!
      March 28, 2017 12:51 AM MDT
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  • 16197
    I've heard that one way to overcome stage fright is to imagine that the audience is naked - but I'm not sure how that helps. Surely being aroused would make you even MORE self-conscious?
      March 28, 2017 3:54 AM MDT
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  • I wonder how you'd feel if you thought that THEY were imagining YOU naked? Scary stuff.
      March 28, 2017 4:25 AM MDT
    1

  • 9777
    Just don't ask anyone to move closer and uncross their legs.
      March 28, 2017 5:18 AM MDT
    2

  • 9777
    Focus on individuals and speak directly to them.  Choose people who look interested or friendly.
      March 28, 2017 5:19 AM MDT
    2

  • Alwas a good idea. :)

    I used to watch for people who were getting restless. Time for another joke. :)
      March 28, 2017 2:49 PM MDT
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  • 495
      March 28, 2017 8:55 AM MDT
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  • That's a very practical list, Dragonfly. Thanks. 
      March 28, 2017 2:51 PM MDT
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  • 22891
    i have to do a couple for my class, it dont bother me to be in front of people , it just bothers me that i dont know what im doing
      April 3, 2017 5:27 PM MDT
    0