You Want Me to Talk ? Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

You Want Me to Talk? Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking Mary Meserve Bates College NEACRAO 2013 November 7, 2013

The Fear of Public Speaking • Glossophobia • Public Speaking is often ranked #1 fear! • Before snakes… • and even death!! • 75% • Common Symptoms • Physical • Verbal • Non-verbal/emotional

The Fear of Public Speaking • Identify the root of your fear • Self-conscious • That you will be laughed at • Perceived failure in the past • Preconceptions – what we think is what we are

Is Public Speaking really important? Why is it a worthwhile skill to develop? • Successfully communicate ideas • Better grades in class • Be seen as a leader in your class, job, club • Can lead to promotions when you are in the workforce

Overcoming the Fear • Calm Anxiety • Acknowledge that fear is normal – you aren’t alone in this fear • Professional speakers and entertainers also battle “stage fright” • Change your perception of it to… “Stage Excitement!”

Calming Anxiety cont. • Deep Breathing • Breath from the diaphragm • Increase your oxygen intake • Decreases heart rate • Relaxes muscles • Improves vocal cords • Relax • Visualization • Visualize yourself speaking • Olympic athletes use visualization before competition • Takes some practice

Calming Anxiety cont. • Arrive early • Get comfortable in the space • Adjust environment settings i.e. seating • Preparation • Practice! • Practice! • Practice! • Bates Peer Writing & Speaking Center!

Calming Anxiety cont. • Know your Audience is on your side • They want you to succeed; they are on your side! • Focus on your material and what you are trying to communicate, not yourself and your nerves • You don’t have to be perfect, just “valuable”!

The Audience • The Audience is your ally • Find out ahead of time who is your audience • What do they want to get from your presentation? • Remember, they come in hoping it will be informative and time well spent. • They are primarily focused on themselves and will only assume you are nervous if you telegraph that to them.

The Audience cont. • Build rapport with your audience • Deliver material in a relaxed, conversational style • Respect your audience, they are giving you their time and attention • Smile all the time, starting with your introduction • Establish eye contact • Pay attention to questions • Nothing “negative” can happen… depending on how you look at it

Don’t be Boring! • Keep audience involved • Ask for show of hands, do demonstration • Move around • Smile • Eye Contact • Adjust to the size of group • Gestures • Know if you need a microphone ahead of time

Remembering your Material • Should I memorize it? NO! • Too much pressure to remember each word and that isn’t where your focus should be • Should I read from a speech? NO! • Audiences don’t usually like to be read to unless you are reading a quote or short remarks

Remembering Material cont. • Use notes • Index cards work well • Be sure to keep them brief and number them • Practice with your notes • Visual aides • Power point • Be sure to make hand-outs for audience so they can take notes

Presenting the Presentation! • Humor • Use what you are comfortable with • Don’t pressure yourself to be Jim Carey • Be natural – plan ahead and save humorous anecdotes that are relevant • Use your own stories and we all have them

Presenting the Presentation! • Body Language • You are a visual aide! • Be mindful of • Gestures • Voice • Posture • Movement • Eye contact • Overall appearance

Public Speaking – the Final Word • Expect the unexpected • Practice in front of family/friends – great feedback! • Don’t expect perfection • Don’t be your own worst enemy, instead be your own best friend… Your best friend would say “You’ll be great!” …and they are right!!!

Contact Information • Mary Meserve • Registrar • Bates College • 44 Mountain Ave • Lewiston, ME 04240 • mmeserve@bates.edu • 207-755-7940

You Want Me to Talk ? Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking