March 31st, 2010
In this series conclusion, we offer valuable tips for managing those last few minutes before beginning your presentation.
 Well here you are, down to the wire. Just minutes to go before you begin your presentation. You’ve survived all the waiting and anticipation up to this point, and now it’s nearly go-time. Remember, you can do this. You know your material inside and out. You are ready.
Plus, nervousness always feels bigger and greater to you than how it actually shows up to other people. Think about how many times YOU have congratulated someone who said, “Thanks, I was SO nervous!” and you thought, “Really? It didn’t look that way at all.”
Here are some last-minute strategies for calming those pre-presentation jitters — good luck!
1. If you can, avoid holding anything (microphone, notes, etc) for the first minute or so of your presentation — it would make trembling hands much more obvious.
2. If your legs are shaking or feeling weak, lean on the lectern or the table, or walk around, or shift your legs.
3. Drink some room temperature water. (Ice can make your throat muscles contract.) Take short, quick sips.
4. Make eye contact with the audience – find a connection in a smile or a familiar face.
5. Make a joke about your nervousness. “Anybody want to volunteer to switch places?” or “I can’t remember — which is the best wine to go with fingernails?”
We hope you have enjoyed this series on calming those performance anxiety nerves. Please be sure to post your feedback or comments below.
And remember to count on Projector123.com for all your rental projector needs. From sales associates and marketing professionals to public speakers and special events, Projector123.com is your go-to service for fast, affordable, reliable rental projectors. Click here now to order an LCD projector rental for your next sales meeting or presentation.
March 29th, 2010
You’re in the home stretch now — in this installment, we’ll look at strategies for calming your nerves within an hour of stepping up to begin, and in the final installment, we’ll address tactics for on-stage nervousness.
Remember the good news: your nerves will settle significantly once you’re well into your program, and you just need to get through the next little while; then you’ll be good to go. Try these tips (you may even want to print out this installment and the next, to use as a handy reference just before you speak).
1.Be in the room early (if possible).
This allows you to familiarize yourself with the environment, perform a final AV check (if necessary) and meet and greet some folks.
2. Shift your focus.
Notice your environment, notice the people and see what you find most interesting about your surroundings.
3. Get interested.
Meet people, shake hands, ask questions, look people in the eye and get to know some of your audience members. Engage in sincere conversation and really listen intently — it helps you connect with your audience, makes you feel like part of the group, and takes your mind off your nerves.
4. Settle your body.
If you are alone in a ready room or otherwise cannot interact with your audience, try these tactics for settling your body:
- yawn (it relaxes your throat)
- sing scales (do-re-mi, etc.) to warm up your vocal chords
- take a quick walk (no pacing — it really doesn’t calm the nerves though some people say it does!)
- stretch (relaxes you while relieving specific points of tension)
- listen to music
- take some deep breaths (relaxes your entire being and oxygenates your cells)
- use the bathroom
- check yourself out in a mirror
5. Distract yourself.
If you are at the podium or seated (but not alone) waiting to go on, try these distractions:
- doodle (it relaxes your left brain)
- sketch something (anything pleasant – a flower, a car, a ring, a cloud)
- review your notes
- hum a little tune in your mind (silently)
- notice specific details about the audience
- concentrate on your ideas
 Preparing for your next presentation now? Be sure to request your rental projector from Projector123.com. Click here to get started now.
March 26th, 2010
Here we are with installment number four in this series on settling those pre-presentation nerves. In this post, we look at strategies to calm your nerves on the day of your program (or within the hours just beforehand). Remember to post your comments and additional suggestions below! We love hearing from you — especially if you find this article helpful.
If you find yourself feeling nervous on the day of your presentation, these tips will help you get through the day — and then through your presentation — with flying colors.
If your program is late in the day, use strategies to distract yourself (if possible) in the long hours that span between now and your talk. Read, talk to a friend, go for a walk, work on other projects, organize a closet or clean out a drawer, work out, file, etc. Don’t sit around and give yourself too much time to think about your upcoming presentation.
Don’t over-practice on the final day. If you’ve done your preparation work, you’re ready.
Do visualize yourself succeeding. Use the visualization strategies from part 1-2 to imagine your success and picture the best possible outcome.
Prepare early. Neatly gather your notes, your jacket, your handouts, laptop, purse, laser pointer, etc. ahead of time so you’re not scrambling for lost items at the last minute.
Give yourself ample time to get there. You don’t want to be rushed OR sitting idle with too much free time.
If you find it soothing, place pictures of your children or grandchildren, pets, etc., in your notes. It often helps to see familiar faces who love you.
Stash your notes at the podium (if appropriate) or elsewhere on stage.
Double check (or triple check) your A/V equipment.
Avoid alcohol, coffee, or caffeinated drinks.
Forgot to make a reservation for your rental projector? Never fear — we can accommodate last-minute requests within a day or two of your presentation. Click here to reserve your LCD projector rental now from Projector123.com.
March 24th, 2010
In this segment, we’ll include additional foundation exercises – simple tips for calming your nerves long before your presentation starts. Enjoy!
Well in advance of your presentation, you might want to consider these anxiety-busting strategies:
1. Be prepared. Know your material, have your visuals ready well in advance, and practice. Memorize your opening statement. Create note cards or bullet points as a reference.
2. Join a local Toastmasters group (the membership fee is nominal, and many employers will reimburse you for the cost). Toastmasters is a safe and encouraging environment where you can learn to become a better speaker and receive positive and constructive feedback.
3. Practice and listen to the constructive feedback you receive.
4. Burn off some steam (exercise, relax, enjoy a hot soak, go for a walk, listen to music)
5. Do something creative – it stimulates the mind and relaxes your nerves. Paint, draw, doodle, garden, sing, write. Creating something shifts your mental focus from your left brain to your right brain and helps you to gain clarity and remain calm.
6. Choose what you will wear and ONLY wear something you feel positively fabulous in. Anything less would likely create a distraction for you, causing you to fret or fidget. If your presentation is longer than 10-15 minutes, don’t wear brand new shoes. Trust me on that one.
7. Anticipate questions. Think about what you will say IF you are asked a question you don’t know the answer to.
We know for sure there’s one thing you never need to worry about — when you rent a projector from Projector123.com, you can rest assured that you’ll receive a quality, professional grade, fully functional LCD rental projector, delivered to the location you specify, when and where you need it. We pride ourselves on stellar customer service and a hassle-free experience from start to finish. Click here to order your rental projector today.
March 22nd, 2010
Welcome back! In this second installment, we’ll explore even more tips for calming that pre-stage anxiety so many of us experience before giving an important presentation.
In the prior installment, we explored visualization tactics. If you’ve been practicing visualizing since then, you might be ready to add these imaginative scenes to your repertoire:
- focus on your assets (might include: enthusiasm, good looks, professionalism, polished appearance, in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, good closer, humorous, etc.)
- imagine your presentation is as relaxed and comfortable as chatting with a group of good friends
- picture your audience listening intently, laughing (when appropriate), nodding their heads, smiling, applauding
- remember the proudest moments from your past – when you accomplished something truly memorable. Tap into those feelings of success and self-satisfaction.
If you’re having trouble actually picturing an image in your mind’s eye, try using your other senses. Feel the warm, firm pressure of a handshake from your boss or client for a job well done. Feel the pats on the back. Hear the positive feedback you’ll receive about your presentation, and hear the applause. Some people find it easier to tune into feelings and sensations rather than images, and that’s perfectly fine — and just as effective.
Visualization doesn’t take long — in fact just 2 to 3 minutes a day is plenty enough to make a positive impact on how you will feel just before you step up to the podium or the group.
Be sure to imagine yourself using the rental projector or other visual aids with ease and grace. When you rent a projector from Projector123.com, you’ll enjoy a totally hassle-free experience using a professional-grade projector that’s as easy to order and set up as it is to operate. If you’re a sales professional, speaker or trainer with an upcoming presentation, just click here to order your LCD rental projector today.
March 19th, 2010
In this 6-part series, we’ll explore countless ways to manage those pre-stage jitters to ensure your delivery is smooth and confident.
Even if you don’t typically experience stage fright, it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit of pre-presentation anxiety. The good news is that it usually only precedes the time when you start speaking…the bad news is that you’ve got to survive those jitters and move through any nervousness before you can actually start speaking!
But don’t worry — we’re going to give you dozens of tips to calm those nerves and settle into a relaxed confidence to ensure that you deliver a smooth and effective presentation.
Let’s start with some tips you can begin well in advance of your presentation. These tips can be useful to you, whether you are preparing to speak in public, lead a small group, or even give a sales presentation. Public speaking is a skill that can further your career and assist you in building confidence and excelling in all areas of your life.
First, let’s use basic visualization to reinforce your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. Visualization simply refers to the act of imagining something or seeing it in your mind’s eye.
Let’s practice now. Close your eyes and imagine a giraffe.
Now, even if you are not a giraffe expert – or perhaps have never seen one in real life, odds are, you imagined a tall, 4-legged creature with a very long neck and very long legs. You might also have imagined it being yellow or golden in color, with large tawny spots. Even though there were no giraffes in sight, you were able to see one in your mind’s eye.
Next, imagine you are giving your presentation – and only imagine the good. If a negative thought pops into your mind (fumbling with notes, forgetting what to say, etc.) dismiss it immediately and return your attention to the positive.
 See the bright, attentive faces of your audience. Hear the applause when you’re finished. Imagine your new clients signing a contract and handing you the check. Feel the confidence you will feel when it’s all over and you’ve done a bang-up job.
Do not underestimate the power of visualization — try it and you will be surprised.
And when you’re ready to rock your presentation, be sure to reserve your projector rental from Projector123.com. Click here to get started now.
March 12th, 2010
In this final segment, we’ll look at stage fright specifically, and attempt to allay any unfounded fears.
If you’ve prepared as much as you can, and you know your audience and your material, you might be surprised to still experience a bit of anxiety when you think about delivering your presentation.
That’s when visualization strategies can be most effective in allaying your unfounded fears. In fact, sometimes it pays to imagine your worst fears occurring – and then immediately see in your mind’s eye some solutions for positive responses.
For example, you can ask yourself, “What am I afraid of, specifically?”
If you think, “I might forget my entire speech” then you can imagine yourself blanking out and smoothly referring to your notes to get back on track, then picking up the speech where you left off with nary a hiccup.
If you think, “What if I get asked a question I don’t know the answer to?” then you can imagine yourself responding in a manner that is controlled, professional, and helpful. For example, you might remind yourself that you know this material inside and out, and if someone asks a question YOU don’t know, then it must be a damn good question. So you might respond with, “That is an excellent question that I honestly do not the answer to. Let me find out and get back with you by _____ (date, time, etc.)” People respect honesty and helpfulness a lot more than someone who talks in circles or pretends to know everything.
It also helps to imagine yourself succeeding. Stephen Covey says “begin with the end in mind” and you can imagine yourself at the end of the presentation, smiling as everyone applauds and congratulates you on a job well done. Focus on your strengths. Focus on the strengths of your presentation, your company, your product, your ideas, anything related to your presentation itself.
We hope you have enjoyed this series on conquering fear of public speaking. The next step is for you to reserve your rental projector from Projector123.com right now – click here to get started.
March 10th, 2010
In the prior installment, we talked about the importance of using practice as an effective tool for minimizing a fear of public speaking. In this segment, we’ll explore specific practice tips. Let’s get started.
 Step #1: Practice in front of a mirror.
This allows you to time your presentation and to notice any sections that need work or special attention. The mirror will also reveal any minor distractions you create during your speech, such as shifting your weight from foot to foot, licking your lips frequently, swaying, using irritations such as “and, um” or “you know” and the like.
Step #2: Practice in front of a blank wall.
Unlike practicing in front of a mirror, this method of using a blank wall blocks out ALL distraction and helps you focus on only your content and delivery.
Step #3: Practice with a supportive friend.
It helps to get encouragement from someone who wants to support you. Plus you’re speaking to another set of ears, who may have some helpful suggestions.
Step #4: Practice with a supportive peer or colleague who you know will provide honest feedback.
This is the logical next step – a peer may be closer to your target audience, and may be able to provide more honest, relevant feedback than a friend would give you. Plus there’s a bit more at stake here when we step outside the realm of friendship.
Step #5: Practice in front of a video camera or audio recorder.
Instant, unbiased feedback is available with this method.
While you may not necessarily perform all of these practice runs, the more you do, the more comfortable you’ll feel when it’s time for the real thing.
In the final installment of this 3-part series, we’ll look at easy, simple tips you can use to calm your nerves long before your presentation begins.
Why not reserve your projector rental right now? That will give you one less detail to worry about. Click here for a reliable, professional quality LCD projector rental from Projector123.com.
March 8th, 2010
It’s true –the most common and terrifying fear in the world involves public speaking. In fact, many professional speakers still experience pre-stage jitters. From sales and marketing professionals to pharmaceutical reps, and from corporate trainers to corporate execs, no matter what kind of presentation you’re making (or what size the gathering), you may feel at least a bit anxious before speaking before a group.
For many professionals, public speaking is a necessary evil. But when you invest some time into calming those pre-performance jitters, the rewards can be huge. Smooth and effective public presentations can mean more sales, higher volumes, better retention, more effective training, and more professional opportunities for you.
In part 1 of this three-part series, we’ll offer some guidance for minimizing (or even eliminating) a fear of public speaking.
You might have heard the old suggestion to just “imagine the audience in their underwear.” In most cases, this is largely ineffective and, at best, provides a massive distraction from what should be your primary focus: the effective delivery of your message.
Truthfully, proper preparation begins long before you don the mic. Try these at-home exercises for preventing stage fright.
As cliché as it sounds, practice is the best prevention for stage fright. Keep in mind, when practicing your speech, your focus should be on the content itself. Be wary of memorizing a speech word-for-word, as you are likely to forget all or part of it and feel stumped (in which case, your worst fear of public speaking would actually come true!)
It’s better to practice the delivery of your key points, rather than memorizing words verbatim. In the next segment, we’ll get into specific techniques for practicing your speech, with an emphasis on eliminating distractions and keeping the focus where it belongs: on the content itself.
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