Overcoming Stage Fright > Public Speaking Tips > How to Erase Typical Public Speaking Blunders

How to Erase Typical Public Speaking Blunders

Stage fright is a very real problem that many people have to face. Some people deal with a degree of this irrational fear whenever they have to get up in front of two or more people. Other people do not really feel the effects of it until they have to get up in front of a very large group. For whatever reason these individuals have to deal with stage fright, it does affect them physically and mentally. It also causes some mistakes to happen typically during the presentation. These mistakes can just make you all the more nervous as it is difficult to recover once you make one. Here are some ways to get rid of the typical public speaking blunders that many people experience.

The first blunder that is experienced by many people is that of a stiff body. Most people don't recognize that they are standing totally still without gesturing and going through their presentation as if they were a robot. Relaxing enough during a presentation to gesture is a very difficult thing. There are some things that you can do, however, that will help you to get over this particular area of stage fright problems. Most of us have some form of notes that we use whenever we are giving a presentation. If there is a particularly good area in which you should gesture then try parking your notes at this point to remind yourself to do so. Use these notes during your practice sessions and make sure that you get to the point where the gesture becomes a natural. Then it will naturally occur whenever you are giving your presentation and will make you seem poised.

Another problem that many people have while speaking in public is something that is known as word whiskers. This is the excessive use of terms such as uh or um. Sometimes these words are used naturally in conversation when we are speaking with an individual, but when they are used in a group setting they become an uncomfortable part of your presentation. There are a couple of reasons why people use these word whiskers, out of nervousness and in an attempt to move from point-to-point. If you are comfortable with the material that you are presenting then you should be able to move through it in a smooth manner. Try giving your presentation in front of a group of trusted friends. Each time you use the word whisker have them put their hand up. This should help you to recognize if you have a problem and will give you the ability to overcome it.

These are just a couple of the problems that you could have when you are experiencing performance anxiety. Do not allow being nervous to cause you to become a poor public speaker. Use your nervous energy to focus and give the best presentation possible. Your audience will appreciate it - and you will too.