Public speaking is one of the most common phobias, surpassing death, spiders, and heights. Recognized as a social anxiety disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, it’s commonly known as Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) or glossophobia.
Despite the growing importance of fluency in public speaking, particularly in the business world, the fear remains widespread. Although PSA can severely impact presentations, few actively seek treatment for their anxiety.
In today’s world, the ability to speak well in public can often be the deciding factor in whether an investor backs a startup. While experiencing speech anxiety is completely normal, it’s important to remember that there are ways to overcome it. Classic techniques like deep breathing can help, but sometimes it is not enough.
Fortunately, years of psychological research and venture capital experience have equipped us with more tools than ever to feel confident and comfortable in the spotlight.
Strategy and Preparation
Your journey to becoming an expert speaker starts long before your first pitch meeting. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses early on will pay off in the long run.
Identify the cause of your nervousness. Pinpoint the cause of your nervousness. Break down your fears by listing specific worries, evaluating their likelihood, and reflecting on past experiences. For example, if you’re nervous about “looking stupid,” dig deeper—perhaps you’re worried about forgetting your points. Identifying the root cause lets you address it effectively, like practicing more to boost confidence.
Visualize the Process: Visualization is a powerful tool for public speaking. Picture yourself confidently delivering your presentation, step by step, and focus on the positive feelings of success. Use those feelings to ease nerves. Embracing the performance mindset helps you refine your delivery and overcome anxieties through visualization.
Set realistic expectations. You are not perfect. But the good news is, no one is. Instead of telling yourself that you have to deliver your speech flawlessly, create goals that you can live up to in the moment. When a negative thought comes to mind try to immediately replace it with positive thoughts.
Anticipate Solutions: Meeting anxiety often stems from uncertainty, but preparation can minimize surprises. Anticipate potential issues, like common questions, and have answers ready. Keep a backup of your pitch deck on your phone in case of tech glitches.
Join a group or take a class. Becoming an expert public speaker requires one thing: practice, practice, practice. Take every chance to speak publicly—classes, meetings, or volunteer presentations. Over time, you can overcome the fear of forgetting your words and unlock new personal and professional opportunities.
Pitch Day: The Morning Prep
The morning of your meeting is the time to take care of yourself. The best things to calm your anxiety are surprisingly simple.
Nutrition: Start the day with a balanced breakfast. It’s important to:
- Be sure to eat early instead of right before your speech.
- Give your body the energy it needs by eating foods tryptophan (dairy products, turkey, salmon) and complex carbohydrates.
- Avoid caffeinated foods and beverages. This will increase your heart rate and make anxiety worse.
- Don’t force yourself to eat if your nerves are getting the best of you.
Exercise: Exercise is for more than just getting in shape. It can be a valuable tool to combat anxiety. In fact, studies show it can reduce anxiety by up to 50%. A brisk morning walk helps oxygenate your brain and soothe your nerves.
It is also recommended to do light stretching, both in the morning and before your pitch.This can help lower your levels of anxiety by making you feel more relaxed, as well as reducing stiffness and fatigue.
Relax: The less you focus on your public speaking fears, the more time you give yourself to mentally prepare. Take some time to read a book, meditate, do a crossword, or anything else that brings you joy.
Before Meeting
Wear clothes that you feel confident in: When presenting, it is essential to look your best, but not for investors – for yourself. Find the outfit that makes you feel the most confident. When you feel good about yourself, it shows.
Be aware of the speech situation. While you can’t predict disruptions during your presentation, you can control how you react to them. Knowing the basics, like speech situation, time limit, audience size, and any other details that may affect your presentation. Also, be sure any technology you use has a backup plan. While visual aids may be useful, technology isnt always reliable.
Warm up: A simple warm-up just before you hit that first slide can physically shake tension out of the body. You can also employ methods like the seven-point public speaking warm-up routine create by the University of Maryland. This includes deep breathing, vocal drills, full-body stretches, and a few facial exercises to get you feeling loose.
Preview your venue. If possible, check out the place you will be presenting. Familiarize yourself with the stage and do a test run in advance of your presentation. For example, decide if there is room to move around the stage and familiarize yourself with the lighting and choreograph some movements.
But the most crucial tip of all: make sure to use the restroom before the meeting.
During Meeting
Fake it till you make it: Remember, if you act confident your audience will assume that you are, which can create a positive feedback loop.
How to hide your anxiety. Be prepared for your body and mind to betray you in a moment of panic. If your mouth goes dry, be sure to bring a glass of water. If you sweat excessively, wear clothes that will not allow your audience to detect it. If your hands shake, use gestures that mask the shaking.
Accept fear and use it: A fight, flight, or freeze response can work to your advantage if you train your brain to manage it. The adrenaline rush can enhance your overall body language and display your passion for the topic.
Remember, less is more. Sometimes, you may find yourself pitching your life story when nerves take over. But keep in mind that most people only have the attention span 20 minutes at a time and only absorb about three points. So find the standout details about your startup and give them more focus.
Don’t fear silence. If you lose your train of thought or feel nervous, it may seem like you’ve been silent forever, but in reality, it’s only a few seconds. Even if it feels longer, your audience is unlikely to mind the brief pause. Take a few slow, deep breaths to reset and continue.
Practicing these techniques will boost your public speaking confidence and reduce doubt over time. As a founder, mastering this skill is key to ensuring your message is delivered effectively. Consistently applying these strategies will help you stay composed and showcase your abilities at their best.
About the Author: Tess Danielson is a journalist and writer focusing on the intersection of technology and society.
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