Stand up…
The topic of stage-fright comes up so very often and whilst there are many ways to conquer it, Edward Hemmings from Alan d International believes that there is only one real way to improve what we do – prepare!
Early on in life, I realised I had the ability to talk, the ability to communicate, and whilst I never was or will be the best hairdresser, I could always inspire confidence in both clients and audiences alike.
As I started to hit the road more often, and travelling across the globe, I began to realise that not all of my teams had the same ability, and it is through these experiences and some of my own that I wrote this course.
Truthfully, I’m a bit OCD and I like my life organised in simple boxes, a bit like a keeping my computer desktop clean. As a task finishes, it gets put in a folder and locked away in documents until it’s needed again; work things, cars, children, etc!
Being like this, I realised, helped me in all aspects of my presentation work and I’ll explain how.
Simply, when preparing for any presentation, there are two types of things that will affect you. There are things that CAN’T be changed and those that CAN. Take stock of the CAN’Ts and move on, these are no longer your responsibility. Hey, half the battle won already!
When? Where? Who? How many? How long? What? These things are all fixed; the date, the venue, your audience, the size of your audience, the time you’ll be on stage and what you’ll need for the presentation. Therefore, once you know about them and they’re entered in the diary (paper or electronic), forget about them! Only the organisers need worry about these!
The CANs are down to you, and are the only things that need concern you now – and in fact are a short list compared to the CAN’Ts.
Appearance; be comfortable and ensure that your image portrays the right message. Don’t wear that Saturday night outfit that you can’t walk in! As soon as you get out on stage, introduce yourself, where you’re from and why you’re there. Hopefully we all know our own names and our brains work in strange ways. The fact that you manage to say your name as you enter stage makes your brain relax. It says well done and now you’re ready to go! Now breathe and explain what you are going to do. Again, hopefully you know what you’re going to do? Now get on and do it. Finally, at the end tell the audience what you did. It really is that simple.
There are of course a few tips that I’ll share with you to help. Always remember an audience are there to learn not criticise. Don’t say ‘this is my first time.’ If you’re good they’ll never know! Never argue with anyone in the audience. Simply thank them for their comments and ask to see them after the show “as you think it’s a great point that needs more time to discuss.”
Speak slowly and take lots of pauses. This will stop you ‘umming’ and ‘erring’ and will keep the audience hanging on your every word. Use all of the stage and the audience will follow you, thus keeping them alert and focused. When presenting to a large audience, appear to look throughout them to ensure everyone feels involved and don’t fix on just one person, as they’ll think there’s something wrong with them! Make sure you’re enjoying yourself, after all, if you’re not, how do you expect your audience to?
And finally, never ever ever tell an audience what you’re NOT going to do. Why, because all they’ll be thinking is what might have been, not what is happening in front of them!
Read more at aland.co.uk/author/ehemmings/
