How to Minimize Anxiety When Presenting Online (Part Three)
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
In the last two posts (post one, post two) we have explored the importance of experimentation when addressing anxiety before a presentation. We hope that by now, you have been able to try some of our suggested strategies; maybe you’ve found something that works for you, too! Each person will have a different method for managing nerves and preparing for the presentation; the reality is that we each need to experiment with different approaches to best determine which tactics work for us, and cannot rely on what we may have learned in our communications and public speaking courses, or what other people say works for them.
For Scott, numbers 51, 52, 53, 61, and 70 help keep him centered and calm. For Maria, numbers 53, 65, and 70 (as well as going for a run or doing some yoga) minimize her nerves before a big presentation. We wish you the best as you experiment with the approach that works best for you!
Here are 25 more strategies for you to consider:
51. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be professional, but be accessible. No one wants perfection.
52. Run your outline by some trusted advisors to ensure you’ve hit the high points.
53. Get the audience involved early through a question, poll, chat, or activity.
54. Be aware of your nervous tics ahead of time and try to minimize them (e.g., rocking/swaying, clicking a pen, talking too fast, playing with hair, touching your face, and fidgeting).
55. When you make a mistake, react with confidence, make a joke, use self-deprecating humor, or ignore it.
56. Eat a healthy meal before your talk.
57. Plan a celebration for after the presentation.
58. Invite loved ones, mentors, or others to sign on (if that is appropriate).
59. Ensure a measured pace so you do not get ahead of yourself.
60. Say “yes” every time you are asked to present.
61. Don’t finish the slide deck at the last minute. Work on it in small chunks weeks in advance and have the final (or close to it) ready to go at least a few days early so you can go through it multiple times.
62. Talk through your feelings with a loved one who can help you process your feelings.
63. Ask your kids how they handle feeling nervous and use their advice (within reason!).
64. Review your notes and presentation before you go to bed the night preceding your presentation, and again first thing in the morning the day of.
65. Minimize distractions to the best of your ability (e.g., pets, children, phones).
66. In addition to seeking feedback from a trusted advisor before the formal presentation, ask for it after as well.
67. Include images in your slides that will elicit your enthusiasm and excitement.
68. Include a story that you are passionate about and are truly excited to share with others.
69. If you are in a flight of different presenters, ask if you can go first.
70. Play a certain song that “pumps you up” or “calms you down” as participants enter the online room—for Scott, it’s Chris Joss’s “Tune Down,” and for Maria, it’s John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change.” Build in a video that you know will elicit an emotional response.
71. Conduct research online about nerves, their sources, and build your
own list of ideas.
72. Get mad at the “negative voice.” It’s holding you back from being awesome, so use your anger to work past it.
73. Let go of trying to please everyone. You won’t—at least most of the time.
74. Write the biography of your nerves and anxiety around presenting.
75. Tell the story and be as explicit as possible—what happens psychologically (e.g., negative self-talk) and physiologically (sweaty palms, shaky voice, increased pace, shaky hands, the red splotch, flushing)?
We have one more post coming up with a final set of 25 considerations; we’re sure by now that those of you who have read all of the posts might be overwhelmed by so many possibilities, but we’re hoping that you’ve found both ideas that are effective for you or strategies you’ve never thought about before. Even if you try something and it doesn’t work, that’s ok. Part of the process of learning to be a good speaker involves “stuff that doesn’t work.” What’s most important from there is the resilience to recognize that it didn’t work, and to try something else!
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We explore this topic and others in our new book Captovation: Online Presentations by Design.