Q.5 Discuss strategies to overcome stage fright.

What complimenting resources can be used for

effective speaking?

Before discussing strategies for how to overcome stage fright, let us have a look at
the words stage fright.

Stage fright:
It is an exaggerated fear of public appearance which is not correlated with talent or
ability llike other phobias, not amenable to reason, strikes experienced
professionals as well as novices.

1 Get your head in the right place.

Speech anxiety is unpleasant enough that you may focus on how awful you’re feeling
instead of what really matters: the response of your audience. Put yourself in their
shoes and think about what they’re hoping to get out of this presentation. You’ll be on
the right wavelength, which is that of your audience.

2 Belly breathe.
Modern life with all its gadgets and digital assistants makes it easy for you to becoming
a “talking head," which includes breathing shallowly and rapidly. The fight or flight
response to any kind of fear exacerbates this type of respiration cycle. To counter these
habits, learn how to breathe diaphragmatically. Yes, it will help you to have a resonant
voice; but it will also calm you and slow your heart rate.

3 Turn that negative talk into positive statements.

The longer you stay in negative territory concerning your response to public speaking,
the more that place will seem like home. We’re all experts at beating ourselves up and
creating negative self-talk. Turn each of your self-destructive statements around by
finding the flipside of the negative point you’re focusing on. Create a positive groove you
can stay in.

4 Stand straight and open up your chest.

Posture matters in terms of both your confidence and whether you look like a leader. It’s
also a neglected area of body language. Try hunching your shoulders slightly; now
stand straight allowing your chest area to come forward as your shoulders drop into
their natural position. This tip will help you look and feel confident.

5 Let intrusive thoughts float away.

Focus is one of your most important tools as a speaker who knows how to reach and
engage audiences. But you’re human, which means off-the-grid thoughts will intrude
while you’re speaking. Learn not to engage these thoughts or resist them; instead,
notice them and let them float away. Come back to your message and its reception.

6 Greet your audience, and smile.

One of the most effective ways to feel like you have a relationship with an audience
(and therefore feel less anxious) is to take a moment to allow that to happen. You do
that in your moment of greeting. Here’s how to start strong by giving your audience a
greeting they'll remember. Invest yourself in this moment, letting listeners know that you
really enjoy being there. Again, you too will feel it!

7 Talk don't present.

Edward Everett was the famous orator who delivered a two-hour address at Gettysburg
in 1863. But we remember the other guy, who gave the two-minute speech known as
the Gettysburg Address. Ever since then, speeches public and private have been
getting more conversational. Your speech nerves come partly from the thought that
you’re there to give A SPEECH. In reality, you’ll just be talking to some people. Sounds
enjoyable, doesn’t it?

8 Visualize a successful outcome.

Athletes, chess grandmasters, and theoretical physicists do a lot of visualizing, and you
should join them. In other words, learn how to use positive visualization to create a
successful presentation. It just makes sense: the more time and effort you spend
anticipating positive outcomes, the better prepared you’ll be to respond that way in the
real situation.

9 turn the spotlight around.

This too is a visualization technique. Speaking in public can feel like standing alone in a
hot bright spotlight, where every move you make takes place in a harsh glare where
you’re naked and vulnerable. So in your mind, turn the spotlight around. Now you’re in
the cool dark and the spotlight is on the audience. After all, aren’t you supposed to
“illuminate” listeners?

10 Move and stretch!

If you are nervous, odds are your body will be stiff and your muscles tight. Fifteen
minutes before speaking in public and going on stage, do a few stretches. This will
loosen the tense muscles and relax your body.
Complimentary resources for effective speaking:

The truth is, when we start your speech, we must focus everything on making
a positive first impression on our audience members.

1) Thank the Organizers and Audience

You can start by thanking the audience for coming and thanking the
organization for inviting you to speak.

Refer to the person who introduced you or to one or more of the senior people
in the organization in the audience.

This compliments them, makes the feel proud and happy about your presence,
and connects you to the audience like an electrical plug in a socket.

2) Start with a Positive Statement

You can begin by telling the audience members how much they will like and
enjoy what you have to say.

For example, you might say:

“You’re really going to enjoy the time we spend together this evening. I’m
going to share with you some of the most important ideas that have ever been
discovered in this area.”

Remember that speaking is an art,  so be an artist and take complete control of

your performance,

3) Compliment the Audience

You can begin by complimenting the audience members sincerely and with
great respect.

Smile as if you are really glad to see them as if they are all old friends of yours
that you have not seen for quite a while.
You can tell them that it is a great honor for you to be here, that they are some
of the most important people in this business or industry, and that you are
looking forward to sharing some key ideas with them.

You could say something like:

“It is an honor to be here with you today. You are the elite, the top 10 percent
of people in this industry. Only the very best people in any field will take the
time and make the sacrifice to come so far for a conference like this.”

4) Start Your Speech by Referring To Current Events

Use a current event front-page news story to transition into your subject and to
illustrate or prove your point. You can bring a copy of the newspaper and hold
it up as you refer to it in your introduction.

This visual image of you holding the paper and reciting or reading a key point
rivets the audience’s attention and causes people to lean forward to hear what
you have to say.

5) Refer To a Historical Event

For many years, I studied military history…

Especially the lives and campaigns of the great generals and the decisive
battles they won. One of my favorites was Alexander the Great.

6) Refer To a Well Known Person

You can start by quoting a well-known person or publication that recently

made an important statement.

7) Refer To a Recent Conversation

Start by telling a story about a recent conversation with someone in

attendance.
8) Make a Shocking Statement

You can start your talk by making a shocking statement of some kind.

9) Quote from Recent Research

You can start by quoting a recent research report.

One example is:

“According to a story in a recent issue of BusinessWeek, there were almost 11

million millionaires in America in 2018, most of them self-made.”

15) Tell a Story

You can start your talk with a story. Some of the most powerful words grab the
complete attention of the audience are,  “Once upon a time.…