YOU WANT ME TO TALK?

OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF PUBLIC

SPEAKING

Mary MeserveBates 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

PhysicalVerbalNon-verbal/emotional

THE FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING Identify the root of your fear

Self-consciousThat you will be laughed atPerceived failure in the pastPreconceptions – what we think is what

we are

IS PUBLIC SPEAKING REALLY IMPORTANT?Why is it a worthwhile skill to develop?

Successfully communicate ideasBetter grades in classBe seen as a leader in your class, job, clubCan 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 intakeDecreases heart rateRelaxes 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 spaceAdjust environment settings i.e. seating

PreparationPractice!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 contactPay 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 demonstrationMove aroundSmileEye Contact

Adjust to the size of groupGesturesKnow 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 wellBe sure to keep them brief and number

themPractice with your notes

Visual aidesPower pointBe sure to make hand-outs for audience so

they can take notes

PRESENTING THE PRESENTATION! Humor

Use what you are comfortable withDon’t pressure yourself to be Jim CareyBe natural – plan ahead and save humorous

anecdotes that are relevantUse 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