
There are people terrified about it, and personally, I may understand why. When you watch so many eyes and minds in front of you, there is a common question floating inside the brain 🧠: "What are they thinking about me?"
When I found myself struggling with it, I looked for advice, guidance, or any suggestions on how to deal with it. The most common one was: "Don't think about them! Focus on your speech."
So I tried embracing that tip, and to be honest, it wasn't really helping much. I was not able to get rid of the thousands of thoughts when on the stage of the Cruise Vessel Zenith, 750 crew members, including officers and the Captain, were looking at me.
The common advice to disregard the audience is akin to diving off a cliff without first checking the depth of the water below. Just as a careless leap can result in injury, neglecting to consider your audience's needs and perspectives can lead to a less than satisfying presentation. By taking a moment to assess the situation—the audience's knowledge, interests, and potential concerns—you can make informed decisions about your content and delivery. After all, the audience is the reason you're speaking. If you don't care about what they think, what is the point of your presentation?"
"Ignoring the audience is like building a house without considering who will live in it. Understanding your audience's needs doesn't mean seeking universal approval, but rather ensuring your message is relevant and engaging. Remember: A good speaker is not one who pleases everyone, but one who connects with their audience."
So the question remains, if the secret is not a lack of consideration of your audience, what can it be?
After reading many books about communication, attending many courses on how to train others, and consuming many podcasts, videos, and courses about how to develop better communication techniques, I discovered something that now I am going to share with you and I hope can be useful for you too.

DOMINATE THE TOPIC FIRST
Often, we fear what others think, but if you stop for a second to think: Why exactly am I afraid of them?
Am I afraid I'll say something stupid?
Am I afraid they will ask me a question I can't answer?
Am I afraid to forget something and to freeze after it?
This means that the problem is not you, but the topic, and how well you can deliver it. How precise your information is and if you succeed in engaging them.
"The pivot point is your readiness on a specific topic. "
The pivot point to overcoming public speaking fear is to become an absolute authority on your topic. When you know your material inside and out, confidence blossoms, and the fear of scrutiny diminishes. Your focus shifts from worrying about the audience's perception to delivering a compelling and informative presentation.
Imagine standing in front of an audience armed with a wealth of knowledge. You anticipate questions, you've considered every angle, and your preparation is impeccable. This level of mastery instills a sense of calm and control that radiates to the audience.
To achieve this level of preparedness, consider the following steps:
Deep Dive Research: Immerse yourself in the topic. Leave no stone unturned. The more you know, the more confident you'll feel.
Structured Organization: Create a clear outline of your presentation. This structure will serve as a safety net, reducing anxiety.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your speech multiple times. The more familiar you are with the material, the smoother your delivery will be.
Anticipate Questions: Brainstorm potential questions and prepare thoughtful answers. This proactive approach boosts confidence.
By prioritizing topic mastery, you'll not only conquer your fear of public speaking but also deliver presentations that inform, engage, and inspire. Remember, a well-prepared speaker is a confident speaker.
Your preparation must be outstanding, and even if someone asks you a question, there is no doubt you will find the right answer.
When your topic has no secrets, you will not freeze because you are missing a specific word, and you will not stop because something has been forgotten. The topic is yours, you dominate it, and now you can focus on other aspects, like communication, body language, tone, gestures, and so on.
If you wish to have a clear and easy roadmap of how to prepare yourself for your outstanding performance, here is a list of what usually I do to prepare myself.

Beyond the Words
Once you've established a solid foundation of knowledge, it's time to turn your attention to the art of delivery. While content is king, it's how you present that content that truly captivates an audience.
The Power of Nonverbal Communication
Once you've mastered your topic, you can focus on the non-verbal aspects of your presentation. These elements, often overlooked, can significantly impact how your message is received. Obviously remember that also your body language and communication style choice, depends from the audience. If you are talking to a small group of people, making questions could be a wise way to engage them, if you are speaking to a young group of people, sharing stories of normal life and using easy terms could be the best way to catch their attention.
However, in case that your performance is supposed to be in front of an important group of professional profiles, better to mastering this aspects too:
Body Language: Your body speaks volumes. Stand tall, maintain eye contact with your audience, and use gestures to emphasize key points. Avoid fidgeting or pacing, as this can distract your listeners.
Facial Expressions: Your face should mirror the emotions you want to convey. A smile can make your audience feel welcome, while a furrowed brow can emphasize a serious point.
Tone of Voice: Vary your tone to keep your audience engaged. A monotone delivery can be boring, so experiment with different pitches and volumes.
Pauses: Strategic pauses can emphasize important points and give your audience time to process information.

MASTERING YOUR PERFORMANCE
Knowing When Your Audience is Engaged
How can you tell if your audience is truly engaged? Here are a few signs:
Eye contact: If your audience is making eye contact with you, they are likely listening attentively.
Nodding: When people nod, it's a sign that they agree with what you're saying.
Smiling: Smiles indicate that your audience is enjoying your presentation.
Questions: Questions show that your audience is interested and wants to learn more.
Body language: If your audience is leaning forward, they are likely engaged.
Crafting a Memorable Conclusion
Your conclusion should leave a lasting impression. It's your final opportunity to reinforce your key points and inspire your audience. Here are some effective conclusion strategies:
Summarize Key Points: Briefly recap the main ideas of your presentation.
Call to Action: Encourage your audience to take specific steps based on your content.
Inspire Your Audience: Leave your audience feeling motivated and inspired.
End on a Strong Note: Finish with a powerful statement or a memorable quote.
Remember, a strong conclusion can elevate your entire presentation. By following these guidelines, you can create a powerful and impactful ending.
By combining thorough preparation, effective delivery, and a positive mindset, you can overcome your fear of public speaking and deliver presentations that inform, inspire, and engage your audience.
Putting It All Together
To deliver a truly exceptional presentation, you must combine a deep understanding of your topic with strong communication skills. By mastering your content and paying attention to your nonverbal cues, you can captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression.
Public speaking is a skill that can be developed with practice. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to become a more confident and effective communicator.
Well this article could be ended here, but if you wish to go beyond the surface, I will share with you also some of the activities I am usually following before of an important event.

1. Preparation:
- Dive deep into your topic. The more you know, the less you fear unexpected questions.
- Learn the topic with FAST Techniques ( Forget, Active, State and Teaching)
2. Visualization:
- Visualize yourself successfully delivering the speech. Imagine the positive reactions from your audience.
3. Breathing Exercises:
- Practice deep breathing exercises before your speech to calm your nerves, personally I am used to meditate, but you can just focus on breathing exercises.
- Techniques like the 4-7-8 breathing method can help slow your heart rate and promote relaxation.
4. Preparing questions in advance:
- Asking questions and invite participation to make the speech more interactive and less like a monologue. (Prepare the questions in advance, and please choose questions with NOT obvious answers)
5. Positive Affirmations:
- Use positive affirmations to boost your confidence. Remind yourself of your strengths and past successes.
- Statements like “I am well-prepared and knowledgeable about my topic” can reinforce your self-belief.
IN CONCLUSION
"Public speaking is an art form. Just as a painter uses color and brushstrokes to convey emotion, a speaker uses words and tone to create a lasting impression. But the most effective art is not just about the technique; it's about the connection it creates with the viewer. And in public speaking, that connection is made through both verbal and nonverbal cues."
"I hope that by sharing my experiences and insights, I've inspired you to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace public speaking. Remember, every great speaker was once a nervous beginner.

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