Building Confidence in Presentations (Even When You Don’t Feel It)

Today we’ll talk about showing confidence when presenting, even if you don’t feel confident inside. This is something everyone struggles with - even experienced speakers!

• Audiences trust confident speakers

• Your message is more convincing

• You feel better during and after presenting

• Stand tall with shoulders back

• Plant your feet firmly on the ground

• Make eye contact with different people

• Use deliberate, smooth hand gestures

• Avoid crossing arms or fidgeting

• Speak slightly slower than normal conversation

• Pause after important points

• Speak clearly and loudly enough for everyone to hear

• Lower your pitch slightly (especially helpful for nervous speakers)

• Eliminate filler words (“um,” “like,” “you know”)

• Practice thoroughly - knowledge builds confidence

• Visualize yourself succeeding

• Prepare a strong opening to get past the hardest part

• Remember: audiences want you to succeed

• Focus on your message, not yourself

• Deep breathing before starting (3 deep breaths)

• The “power pose” technique: stand tall with hands on hips for 2 minutes before presenting

• Wear comfortable clothes that make you feel good

• Arrive early to get comfortable with the room

• Talk to a few audience members beforehand to build connection

• Accept that nervousness is normal

• Channel nervous energy into enthusiasm

• Remember that audiences rarely notice your nervousness

• Have water available

• If you make a mistake, simply correct yourself and continue

• Start with smaller presentations

• Record yourself to see your improvement

• Ask for specific feedback

• Join groups like Toastmasters to practice regularly

• Watch and learn from confident speakers

The secret most people don’t know:

• Almost everyone feels nervous!

• Even professional speakers get nervous - they’ve just learned to manage it and show confidence anyway.

Confidence is a skill you can develop.

• Confidence Matters

• Body Language Matters

• Voice Matters

• Mental Preparation Matters

With practice and these techniques, you can appear confident even when you don’t feel it - and eventually, you’ll start feeling more confident too.