Tips For Public Speaking – Don’t Imagine The Audience Naked

Glossophobia (fear of public speaking) is often cited as one of our biggest fears. Here, Esther Stanhope, author, conference speaker & ‘personal impact’ expert, shares her top tips.

How often have you heard ‘just imagine the audience is naked!’ bandied about in reference to public speaking?

Take it from someone who knows, this ‘pearl of wisdom’ is completely ridiculous. I understand and agree with the sentiment of categorising the audience as vulnerable people just like you, instead of being strong powerful judges who may laugh at you.

However, imagining people naked is just one massive distraction.  It makes you giggle and feel a bit odd.  Not exactly empowering.

Before Your Speech

So, here is a truly effective visualisation that will make you feel like Michelle Obama and Beyonce all rolled into one whilst public speaking:

• Visualise that the audience is loving your speech. They are gripped by your every word and nodding along.
• Visualise that the audience gives you a standing ovation because what you are saying is so powerful.
• Visualise yourself being happy and relaxed on stage as you crack jokes and make the audience laugh and smile.

It sounds so simple but taking time out before your speech to visualise these three scenarios really will make them happen. Every time you visualise and imagine something, you create and strengthen neural pathways.  And your brain starts to believe what you are seeing it is true. You can’t argue with science!

So don’t waste your time (and your brain’s time) on constructing a naked audience. Instead, imagine you are hilarious, relaxed and the audience loves your speech. This will make you come across as confident, relatable and give your message a lot more power.

When You’re On Stage

Whilst you’re on stage, nerves can take over, so here are 2 quick tips that will help you overcome this.

• Imagine that you are a tree (for posture) with a strong, solid, planted head going up towards the ceiling.
• Imagine the audience is ONE person. Your best friend, for example, and that she is standing at the back with a glass of wine saying “cheers”.  Your style of speech will be more engaging with the audience, too.

Just Before You Go On Stage

Before you go on stage, here are a few tips you can do, in private, to quell those nerves and build confidence, too.

• Do the HAKA (like the All Blacks) before you go on as this gives you physical energy & it’s good for the voice.
• It’s also a good idea to talk to yourself in the mirror.  Use affirmations such as, ‘you can do this, they want to hear from you, give them something to care about, you can do this…eyes and teeth’.
• And practice an evil laugh as this is good for the voice.

Bio

‘Don’t Imagine the audience naked’ is only one of many tips Esther has gathered for her book, The Pocket Survival Guide to Glossophobia.

Esther wrote the book after hearing stories of downing glasses of wine or taking Valium to survive a presentation. She therefore felt compelled to write an easy-to-fit-in-your-pocket survival guide for women to give them hope and courage to get out there, get themselves heard, speak up in boardrooms, be more visible, get promoted and disrupt the ‘manels’ (all male panels).

Her book includes tips and tricks used by the professionals, quick and easy instant confidence boosters, personal anecdotes and professional recommendations from those helped by Esther.