Fear of Public Speaking

What is it that causes so much fear and trepidation when it comes to speaking in front of other people? Why do we always become so nervous and jittery when giving presentations? Essentially, we are concerned about what people will think of us. This fear has become so embedded that it was etched into Chinese culture by way of the phrase “tiu lien”, or “to lose face.”  And for speakers, the risk of performing badly, of losing face, becomes huge.

In today’s society it’s not only the CEO who delivers presentations. We all have to learn how to present effectively, even if only for self-promotion. We need to find our personal weak points and begin correcting them, and this is a gradual process, a one-step-at-a-time journey to becoming really effective getting up and talking to people, rather than at them. There are several venues to practice this transformation.  Joining Toastmasters is certainly one way, but not everyone has time for a weekly meeting and several years to make incremental progress. Here at Effective Presentations, we have created a non-threatening, interactive and fun presentation skills training class that will meet you exactly where you are and exponentially speed the process along!

Presentation Skills Classes

During our two-day presentation seminar, we involve all participants in several live presentations. In other words, they stand up and talk; we videotape them, and then provide immediate structured feedback. In nearly all cases, this is enough to cause each participant a little nervous anxiety! When our workshop attendees are given their opportunity to stand up and speak extemporaneously, some strange quirk of logic seems to happen. They tend to spend every second focusing on the content of what to say, and absolutely no time on the aspects of delivery that determine what audience is actually going to see!

So how important is what the audience sees? According to “the experts”, in a face-to-face situation body language accounts for approximately 55% of what an audience retains. The eye is drawn to 3 things; color, movement and light. Remember that your wardrobe, ie … choice of colors, tight or baggy clothes, loud jewelry, etc … influence your message tremendously! Add to that the other startling statistic from “the experts”, that your audience retains only about 7% of what you actually say, and you certainly don’t want to distract them even further with nervous habits and wardrobe malfunctions and well – you get the idea.

Learn Effective Presentation Skills

Nobody is born a “good presenter.” Those who attended some public speaking or drama classes in school may have a leg-up on the competition, but you are never too young or too old to practice and develop a more effective presentation style. Are you ready to start the journey? Whether you want to improve your individual presentation skills or are a company with a group of employees who would benefit from a customized, Business Presentation Skills workshop, we can help you reduce the stress and make your presentations more fun, engaging and effective.

61 Comments

  1. John Penov says:

    Good article. Fear of failure can cause paralysis. Performance anxiety anyone ? It’s all in your head. With your program, it’s all in your hands. Good Job John

  2. John Penov says:

    Good article. Fear of failure can cause paralysis. Performance anxiety anyone ? It’s all in your head. With your program, it’s all in your hands. Good Job John

  3. Steve Rashard says:

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  4. Steve Rashard says:

    I was really pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this amazing read!! I definitely enjoying each and every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to have a look at new stuff you weblog post.

  5. Arney Stableton says:

    It would be hard to argue with you about this (not that I really would want to -HaHa). I have to present every week at church and I still get nervous. Very good stuff, just great!

  6. Arney Stableton says:

    It would be hard to argue with you about this (not that I really would want to -HaHa). I have to present every week at church and I still get nervous. Very good stuff, just great!

  7. Gary Proonia says:

    I get extremely stressed every time I think about speaking up in public. I need to take one of your courses that’s for sure!

  8. Gary Proonia says:

    I get extremely stressed every time I think about speaking up in public. I need to take one of your courses that’s for sure!

  9. John McFiddle says:

    I give a few presentations every week now and I usually don’t feel as stressed as I used to. The more practice I get the better I feel when I’m in front of my peeps 🙂

  10. John McFiddle says:

    I give a few presentations every week now and I usually don’t feel as stressed as I used to. The more practice I get the better I feel when I’m in front of my peeps 🙂

  11. Garth Sadlowe says:

    As if you are reading my mind. I am already interested in the next topic as this section lays it all out very well.

  12. Garth Sadlowe says:

    As if you are reading my mind. I am already interested in the next topic as this section lays it all out very well.

  13. Dalia George says:

    How do you keep the stress away for good? I usually have to help get my group going and it seems that I am in need of a few pointers-

  14. Dalia George says:

    How do you keep the stress away for good? I usually have to help get my group going and it seems that I am in need of a few pointers-

  15. Bernie Stowe says:

    Presenting and all that comes with it can be a headache. Reading these words and appreciating your time!

  16. Bernie Stowe says:

    Presenting and all that comes with it can be a headache. Reading these words and appreciating your time!

  17. Bridget Bartholomew says:

    I was looking for something like this. Thanks for letting us in to your world and for helping us to benefit.

  18. Bridget Bartholomew says:

    I was looking for something like this. Thanks for letting us in to your world and for helping us to benefit.

  19. Carrie Lowell says:

    I am a speaking coach and always feel we can learn from others.

  20. Carrie Lowell says:

    I am a speaking coach and always feel we can learn from others.

  21. Eric Pernia says:

    I have tons of stress and appreciate being able to see tips on stress and presenting.

  22. Eric Pernia says:

    I have tons of stress and appreciate being able to see tips on stress and presenting.

  23. Sunny Flynn says:

    The last time I had to get up in front of a bunch of people, I could barely breathe- I need help!!

  24. Sunny Flynn says:

    The last time I had to get up in front of a bunch of people, I could barely breathe- I need help!!

  25. Matthew C. Kriner says:

    I simply want to say I am newbie to blogs and actually enjoyed this blog site. More than likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You absolutely come with very good posts. With thanks for sharing with us your web page.

  26. Matthew C. Kriner says:

    I simply want to say I am newbie to blogs and actually enjoyed this blog site. More than likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You absolutely come with very good posts. With thanks for sharing with us your web page.

  27. Nathan Thomas says:

    I’ll tell you why presenting is so stressful; it’s because happy people tell a few people but miserable people tell everybody about you 🙂

  28. Nathan Thomas says:

    I’ll tell you why presenting is so stressful; it’s because happy people tell a few people but miserable people tell everybody about you 🙂

  29. Armind Reglatta says:

    I hear this before but a little different. As my interest is peeked and I feel I can learn here.. keep up the message and other topics too.

  30. Armind Reglatta says:

    I hear this before but a little different. As my interest is peeked and I feel I can learn here.. keep up the message and other topics too.

  31. Steve Levine says:

    I have been in front of a small group and I have actually felt all right – it’s the really large groups that seem daunting. Any help I find, I put it in my mental file cabinet.

  32. Steve Levine says:

    I have been in front of a small group and I have actually felt all right – it’s the really large groups that seem daunting. Any help I find, I put it in my mental file cabinet.

  33. Francie Stone says:

    I believe a lot of pressure is placed on people to look and act perfectly and we know that we are remembered, especially in a meeting or group situation, for the overall take-away of our message. Really, people worry more about themselves than they do about others so let’s stop comparing ourselves and work hard to do the very best we can. Any helpful tips are good tips.

  34. Francie Stone says:

    I believe a lot of pressure is placed on people to look and act perfectly and we know that we are remembered, especially in a meeting or group situation, for the overall take-away of our message. Really, people worry more about themselves than they do about others so let’s stop comparing ourselves and work hard to do the very best we can. Any helpful tips are good tips.

  35. Mickey Donaldson says:

    When you prepare you don’t have to worry about being nervous. Its all about the preparation!

  36. Mickey Donaldson says:

    When you prepare you don’t have to worry about being nervous. Its all about the preparation!

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  41. Doug Bender says:

    I do get stressed when speaking. I can use all of the help I can get!!

  42. Doug Bender says:

    I do get stressed when speaking. I can use all of the help I can get!!

  43. Iman Hoster says:

    Stressful yes but not completely a problem if you are able to find the proper training.

  44. Iman Hoster says:

    Stressful yes but not completely a problem if you are able to find the proper training.

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  51. Fidel Gonza says:

    Anytime I have to speak to more than a small group of people I get a bit nervous. Of course my friends know me and that makes it easy but being up in front of poeple who don’t know me…… you think that would be even easier – but it’s not.

  52. Fidel Gonza says:

    Anytime I have to speak to more than a small group of people I get a bit nervous. Of course my friends know me and that makes it easy but being up in front of poeple who don’t know me…… you think that would be even easier – but it’s not.

  53. Marietta S. Beach says:

    Irrespective of the method of delivery, the presenter must consider the following parameters in preparing for the presentation: knowledge of the audience, knowledge of subject, use of time and rehearsal, and personal appearance and grooming. Additionally, the preparation and use of visual aids is an important element of any effective presentation.

  54. Marietta S. Beach says:

    Irrespective of the method of delivery, the presenter must consider the following parameters in preparing for the presentation: knowledge of the audience, knowledge of subject, use of time and rehearsal, and personal appearance and grooming. Additionally, the preparation and use of visual aids is an important element of any effective presentation.

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  57. Presenting used to be awful for me! It was a major source of stress and anxiety, but as I did it more and got better at it, I became much more confident and now it is usually quite easy for me. It also is always helpful reciveing positive feedback about your presentations because then when you have to do it again you feel as if it will go well every time. Even so, the best way to relax about having to give a presentation is to be informed about what you are presenting as well as plenty of tips o presenting in general.

  58. Presenting used to be awful for me! It was a major source of stress and anxiety, but as I did it more and got better at it, I became much more confident and now it is usually quite easy for me. It also is always helpful reciveing positive feedback about your presentations because then when you have to do it again you feel as if it will go well every time. Even so, the best way to relax about having to give a presentation is to be informed about what you are presenting as well as plenty of tips o presenting in general.

  59. Sam Anson says:

    I can certainly relate to this blog. Fear of public speaking is a tough one to overcome.

  60. L. Lincoln says:

    Terrific blog and very much aligned with your instruction. Thanks!

  61. Stuart Flemstone says:

    I dont know why people get so nervous when they have to present. I am glad it comes natural and I look forward to it.

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