Published: 8/18/2025

Public speaking can be daunting, especially in front of a large audience. Most of us have experienced the sweaty palms, racing heart, and self-doubt creeping in. But with simple, practical strategies, you can transform nervousness into confidence and deliver presentations that captivate and inspire. Here’s how to conquer your fears and shine on stage.

1. Prepare Thoroughly

Preparation is your foundation for confidence. Know your material inside out. Practice your presentation multiple times in front of a mirror or a trusted friend. Familiarity reduces anxiety because you’re not scrambling to recall information mid-speech. The less you have to manage in the moment, the easier the moment is to manage.

Pro Tip: Record yourself practicing and review the video to identify areas for improvement, like pacing, gestures, or facial expressions.

2. Reframe Nerves as Excitement

Nervousness and excitement are the same physical reaction in your body. They just come with a different mental label. Instead of labeling your jitters as fear of failure, tell yourself you’re excited to share your message. Remind yourself that success comes from strong feelings. Nerves are just your body's sign that you're ready to focus and do well.

3. Breathe Deeply

Deep, calm breaths are a game-changer for quieting nerves. Before stepping on stage, maybe as you're being introduced, take a deep breath, hold it for 3-4 seconds, and release it slowly. Take a few more if you still feel anxious to slow your heart rate and relax your body. Then, don't forget to breathe during your presentation! Pause briefly between points and take a breath. This helps you stay composed and gives the audience time to absorb your message.

4. Connect with Your Audience

Large audiences can feel intimidating, but they’re just more people eager to hear your insights. Before the event or meeting even starts, mingle with the crowd. Smile, make small talk, and maybe even make friends. You'll find people to be friendly and encouraging, especially when you make time for them beforehand. That way, by the time you're presenting, you already know and feel that you have allies in the room. If the nerves creep in, just look at some of the friendly faces you connected with earlier. It'll put you at ease better than any speaking technique you can reach for in the middle of your presentation.

5. Own the Flaws

No presentation is perfect, and that’s okay. If you stumble over a word or lose your place, don’t panic. Pause, smile, and move on—most audiences won’t notice minor slip-ups. Even if they do notice, they will love and appreciate an authentic human moment much more than an over-polished, robotic delivery. Focus on connection over perfection.

6. Practice Confident Body Language

Body language, to a certain extent, dictates how you feel. Even if you start your talk feeling nervous, with the right posture and physical engagement, your nerves will give way to confidence as the speech goes on. Stand tall and firm without swaying. Hold your chest out and your shoulders back and down, but not stiff or forced. Release tension in your shoulders, neck, and jaw. Use active, expressive gestures that contribute meaning and keep your whole body engaged in the story. If you catch yourself fidgeting (clicking a pen, adjusting your watch, touching your face or hair), gently bring your hands back. Most importantly, smile! This cues your brain and your audience to relax and enjoy the moment.

7. Start Small and Build Experience

If large audiences feel overwhelming, start with smaller groups to build your skills. Practice at team meetings, local clubs, or webinars. Each experience strengthens your confidence, making bigger stages less intimidating over time. Reflect on what went well and what you can improve after each talk. A good mentor can be invaluable, whether that's a trusted friend, and experienced Toastmaster, or a colleague who can guide you. Good coaching can also fast track your success, especially if you have tight deadline coming up.

8. Create a Vivid Scene of Success

Before you speak, visualize yourself delivering a confident, engaging talk. Imagine yourself crushing your presentation and nailing all of your key points. Your brain really doesn't know the difference between the internal and external world. When you feed it the right thoughts and images, it conditions you to see and get used to the success you've primed it with.

Final Thoughts

Nerves are a natural part of public speaking, but they don’t have to hold you back. By preparing thoroughly, reframing your nerves, and connecting with your audience, you can deliver presentations with poise and impact. Start practicing these strategies today, and soon, you’ll be commanding the stage—whether it’s for ten people or ten thousand.

And if you'd like professional support to level up your presentation and speaking skills, reach out to see if one-on-one coaching is right for you. Let's start your success story today.