What to do when presentations make you nervous

Guest post by Anne-Maartje Oud, who is author of WHAT TO DO IF…? How to Handle Any Situation at Work and Come Out Winning published by Kogan Page, priced £12.99

Presentations might feel like your worst nightmare. You are not the only one, many people recognise this feeling. Here are some practical tips to help you present with greater ease.

• Preparation is key

Know what you want to say before you start. Use a clear structure and tools like a PowerPoint, notes or cue cards if needed. Summarise your message in one clear sentence so you know exactly what you want people to take away.

What to do when presentations make you nervous

Practise it out loud: in your car, in front of a mirror or with others. You can record yourself on video and watch it back, so you can observe your behaviour and hear how you come across. Pay attention to what you do: do you rush, avoid eye contact or lose your structure?

Understand your audience: what they know, what they need and what matters to them. As I always say: “Before you begin to share, make sure you know who is there.”

• Nerves are ok

Feeling nervous is natural, normal and it’s fine. The question is whether it takes over your behaviour.

Organise yourself so you can find some calm. That can be simple: wear something you feel good in, look at the room and take a moment to arrive. Breathing can also help you calm your body. Take a deep breath in, then slowly exhale (a cathartic exhale) letting the air flow out like a soft whistle. This helps reduce stress.

• Use your nonverbal communication

Many people don’t know what to do with their hands. You then see two patterns: hands disappear (behind the back or in pockets) or they start moving without purpose.

Keep your hands visible and use them to emphasise key points. If you don’t know what to do, let them rest naturally at your sides or keep them action ready (as if you are holding a box of chocolate).

Your posture, eye contact and voice determine how you come across. If you stand upright, take space and face the room, people stay with you. If you look past people or only at your slides, they disconnect, so use eye contact. If your voice is calm and clear, people can follow you. If you rush, speak too softly or flatten your tone, they stop listening.

• Be in the moment

During a presentation, stay in the moment and don’t get caught up in what you’ve said or what you might forget. You are the only one who knows your full presentation, so if you leave something out, no one will notice. Additionally, don’t get distracted by looking at your audience. They might seem busy with their phones, but they could actually be taking notes.

• Engage people actively

If you feel like you are stuck, you can always engage with others. Ask a simple question or invite a reaction to bring the focus back into the room, for example: “How do you see this?” It gives you time to think and shows that the presentation is not just yours. It also helps you see where people are, so you can adjust your message if needed.

Conclusion

There are many things to choose from when it comes to calming yourself down. Find what works best for you and what helps you feel relaxed.

If you prepare your message, organise your behaviour and stay aware of what happens in the room, you give yourself a strong foundation to feel more in control and come across with confidence.

Anne-Maartje Oud is author of WHAT TO DO IF…? How to Handle Any Situation at Work and Come Out Winning published by Kogan Page, priced £12.99

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