Overcome stage fright | Tips for first time speakers

Public speaking can be challenging for a few people, but it need not be so. Just a little bit of practice and confidence can help you be confident on stage!

With a little bit of theatre experience and some experience of hosting events during my academic years, I think I have gathered few tips or hacks that help me be confident on stage. Sharing the same with you, hoping they will help.

Do not memorise
People often tend to memorise their script and the problem with this is that in case you lose the thread on stage, you might just fumble and this may cause you to panic. Instead do memorise the script but tweak it according to you, memorise it like a dialogue, like talking to a friend. This way, if you forget on stage, you still know what the crux of the topic is and can continue using your own words. Then pause after completing the thought/sentence – look at the script in hand and get back on track.

Get comfortable with silence, do not read out / say everything at a go. Pause. Collect your thoughts. Go on.

Be confident
This could be a little narcissistic or people may call it over confidence, but two hours before I go on stage I tell myself that I am the best! Like really the best! The most amazing person ever! And no one else is as good enough as me. This boost of energy and confidence gives helps me stay confident on stage and thus makes me do a good job.

Pointers
Make pointers on your script, highlight the important parts, this way just glancing at the script will help stay on track.

Don’t be blinded
If this is a proper stage set up in a theatre or an auditorium, understand that there will be lots of lights and it would actually be difficult to look at your audience beyond the first few rows. Do make sure that you maintain audience interaction even if you cannot see them. It would be easier to maintain eye contact with the first few rows, beyond that jus assume you are looking at people or look at the end wall of the auditorium.

Prep for it
Get to the venue a little earlier, read out a few lines for the empty chairs, do a sound check. The point here is to get comfortable, you do not know the audience and that’s your element of surprise, anything other than that – you should be aware of beforehand.

Get comfortable with you mic
if it is a lapel mic (clip on mic) make sure you are not wearing a necklace which might accidently bump against the mic causing a loud sound. Using a lapel mic also means you’ll have a batter pack attached at the back of your trousers. If you are wearing a dress, try using a belt inside the dress or wear a dress with pockets.

Slides are to guide you!
Often, people start reading the slides during a presentation. Do Not Do That! Slides are to guide you, use it as a prompter, let what you are saying be more informative.