As someone who regularly attends networking events and speaks at conferences and public events, I understand the nerves entirely. If you want to be a public speaker or improve your skills in this area, I’ve put together some tips to help you feel more confident.
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If you feel unprepared, experiencing dry mouth, thinking you’re saying something stupid or worrying about dropping coffee onto your outfit – you’re not alone. I have been attending networking meetings for work for years and often have to meet suppliers or clients to discuss their needs. I’m not shy and am well-practised in walking into a room and introducing myself to strangers.
However, I can get nervous, just like the most self-confident among us. Especially when you are shy or underprepared, you can feel embarrassed by fluffing your lines, experiencing dry mouth or coming across as non-engaging.
Here are seven simple ways to increase your confidence before a business seminar, meeting or event:
1. Make some notes
People will want to know who you are and what you do. Having a script to recite could make for a very dull meeting. They’ll switch off and start playing with their phones or reading any literature in front of them. Get yourself organised with a few bullet points, or practise your elevator pitch – a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what you and your organisation do. If you have this written down or nailed, you will feel more confident talking to others and less likely to get lost and flustered.
2. Practise your power pose
This one might make you feel a bit silly at first. Try striking a power pose in the bathroom mirror before you head into your meeting. It’s called the Wonder Woman or Superman pose. Stand with your feet apart, put your hands on your hips, shoulders back and lift your chin. If you’re really into it, raise one fist into the air as if you’re ready to take off and fly.
Even a forced smile can trigger the happy hormones in your brain, and hitting the pose before you face the room can make you feel more confident. It will also make you appear more purposeful in your posture. Tell yourself you are going to be okay, and you will be!
3. Show rather than tell
If you do have to address the room and can think of nothing worse than standing up in front of people, you could rely on a video presentation. This can even be made on your phone with some time and practice. Meeting rooms will have a screen or projector to hook your laptop into or a USB portal. Pre-recording elements of your presentation can take some of the pressure off and mean less talking on the day.
4. Have a drink ready
This does not mean shots at the bar! Have a bottle of water ready, or grab a tea or coffee when you arrive. A symptom of feeling nervous is a dry mouth, which can make getting your words out more difficult. Pausing for a drink gives you time to compose yourself and collect your thoughts if you start to feel out of your depth. You can also take a sip if you begin to feel overwhelmed.
5. Go with backup
If you need reassurance, there is always time before the meeting to ring someone for a last-minute pep talk. Whether it is your mum, partner or best friend, they can get you in the right frame of mind and improve your confidence. Alternatively, you could take one of your colleagues who can be there for moral support.
6. Don’t be hard on yourself
Remember, the majority of people will go easy on you. Even if you do not feel like a superhero on the day, the others in the room will not have noticed, and your colleagues, clients and guests will be forgiving if you get flustered. Everyone has been the newbie in the room at some point. Tell yourself you can do it, and have some faith that you can do it. Even the best in business suffer from pre-meeting nerves.
7. Learn from the best
When you attend award ceremonies, conferences and panels, take note of how the hosts connect and engage with the room. Can you use any of these ques in your public speaking? Talented speakers are often part of motivational speaker agencies, including showbiz figures, comedians and industry leaders. After honing your skills, you could be part of this line-up.
Do you feel more confident?
If in doubt, fake it until you make it! You can engage with the audience as a public speaker in many ways. From maintaining eye contact, using gestures to emphasise points, moving around the stage, and matching your facial expressions with what you’re saying. But, all of these come with practice and growing your confidence. Good luck!
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