Overcome stage-fright

If you are expected to make a presentation before an audience, you may be feeling terrified. If you are not sure whether you will be able to stand before that large audience and make your presentation perfectly, you need to overcome your stage-fright and then you can surely make a wonderful presentation. This article will provide you with perfect guidance on how to overcome stage fright. If you follow these steps carefully, the fear will be gone and you will be waiting with joyous anticipation for your presentation.

1. 1
   Master your subject well

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   This will give you courage to present in front of people with confidence because you are sure of what you are talking about. If it is a play to be presented in a theater and you are one of the actors, then you need to know your lines perfectly and you will then be able to be confident while you're performing.

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2. 2
   Rehearse your speech or performance

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   Make sure you make plenty of time for rehearsals before your final presentation. Rehearsals are meant to make individuals become comfortable with what they are supposed to present, and also to make them become familiar with the place. Prepare yourself early enough, either a day before or at least a few hours before the official presentation, to present in the same venue where your speaking event will take place, so you can get used to the place, even if there is no one watching during your run-throughs.

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3. 3
   Arrange your presentation in a coherent manner

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   You should have a clear plan on how you will make your presentation. Arrange everything you will be doing during your presentation or your public speaking in a chronological manner -- the way they will be presented -- to avoid being confused on stage.

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4. 4
   Have a written speech or notes for reference

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   If you have not mastered everything you will say in public, then you need to have a perfectly written speech that you can read from, or at least some notes to keep you on track. You can even keep them with you and refer to them when you need them to help you in presentation.

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5. 5
   Know your audience

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   Do some research early enough to find out about the kind of people who will be your audience during your presentation. You should have clear knowledge of their age group, culture, personalities and education to ensure that what you present is meant for them. It will also make you courageous if you already know who will be watching.

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6. 6
   Spice up your presentation with fun

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   Light moments reduce tension to both the presenters and the audience. Even if you are presenting your academic term paper, you need to have something funny in your explanations to avoid having the whole session be boring. You will also get encouraged when the audience is attentive and participating, especially if they are laughing and clearly enjoying themselves.

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7. 7
   Involve your audience in the presentation

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   If you are presenting a song, for instance, you can have your audience participate by repeating some chorus. If it is a play, then look at the audience and enjoy your stage presence. Speak clearly to allow your audience to participate where necessary. This will give you motivation to continue presenting perfectly.

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8. 8
   Tell yourself that you are better than everyone in the audience

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   You are on stage because you are one of the best, so stop being afraid of those who could not make it on stage. The judges are just supposed to confirm what you already know. You are the best, so act confidently and let no one scare you.

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9. 9
   Have a positive attitude toward your presentation

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   Attitude is almost everything when it comes to performance. After you have mastered your subject effectively, maintain a positive attitude that your presentation will be perfect. If you believe it, then you will actually achieve success.

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10. 10
    Look at the forehead of the individuals in the audience

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    When you feel frightened by a large audience and some of the people are scaring you by their haughty looks, avoid looking at them directly in the face. Just focus on their foreheads and do your presentation as if no one is watching or listening.

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What causes stage-fright? Why should you get frightened while presenting before an audience? You need to know the causes so that you will be able to deal with them and you can emerge victorious in every presentation. The following are the major causes of stage-fright. If you work on them then you will be able to succeed.

1. 1
   Expectation of being completely perfect when no one can actually be perfect.

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2. 2
   Poor preparation for the presentation and lack of rehearsal.

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3. 3
   Lack of motivation from the audience while presenting.

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4. 4
   Poor mastery of the subject of presentation.

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5. 5
   Fear of being judged by the audience or by the judges.

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6. 6
   Lack of coherence in presentation.

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7. 7
   Low self-esteem

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   If you believe that you are not perfect for the position, you will probably let that thought bring you down in your presentation.

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• Be your first audience and present to yourself. If you are pleased, then your audience will probably also be pleased.
• No one is perfect, so you cannot be completely perfect in your presentation. Cut yourself some slack!
• Bear in mind that the audience are generally there to support you and applaud you. They are your friends and never think that they are there to check out or taunt you for your mistakes onstage. Rather, they would like you to succeed.
• You cannot please everyone, so don't kill yourself trying to please every person in the audience with your presentation.
• Relax and take a deep breath before you start your presentation.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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