You know your story. You’ve prepared your presentation. Your slides are ready. And yet, as the moment gets closer, your heart starts beating faster. Maybe your hands get sweaty, your mouth goes dry, or your mind suddenly fills with thoughts: What if I forget what I want to say? What if they don’t like me? What if I freeze?

Public speaking anxiety is human. And the strange thing is that even experienced speakers can struggle with it. Our trainers at Happy Good Talk regularly stand in front of groups, and they know the nerves that come before a presentation too. So the goal isn’t to get rid of every last bit of nervousness. It’s about learning how to deal with it, so you can keep doing what you actually want to do: connect with your audience.

Afraid of public speaking? Don’t start by fighting yourself

When you’re nervous, your first instinct may be to get rid of that feeling as quickly as possible. But that strategy doesn’t always work. Feeling nervous is a natural response to doing something that matters to you.

A little tension can even help you stay focused and alert. Things become more difficult when you start fighting the feeling itself: I can’t be nervous. I have to stay calm. I can’t mess this up.

Try looking at it differently. You don’t have to be completely relaxed to give a good presentation. You can feel nervous and still tell a great story.

Tip 1: Prepare well

Good preparation gives you something to fall back on. Not by memorising your presentation word for word, but by being clear about what you want to say and why.

Start by defining your core message. What do you want your audience to remember? Once you know that, you have something to return to when your nerves kick in.

Preparation also means taking care of the practical details. Know where you need to be, get your materials ready and give yourself enough time. Rushing rarely helps when you’re already feeling tense.

Tip 2: Look at your audience

You may be the one standing in front of the room, but you don’t have to do it alone. Your audience isn’t there to judge you. They’re there because they want to hear what you have to say.

Presentation coach Dalida has a great tip for what to do before you start, which she shares in her podcast: “Check the energy of your audience. If you see that they’ve become a little sleepy, pep them up!”

So before you begin, take a moment to look around the room. What’s the energy like? Are people curious and engaged? Or do they seem distracted or tired?

By paying attention to your audience, you take the focus away from yourself. And that can make a real difference when you’re afraid of public speaking. Instead of thinking How am I coming across?, you’re thinking How can I bring these people into my story?

Tip 3: Find your own way to release the tension

Everyone has their own way of dealing with nerves. Some people like to connect with others beforehand; others need some quiet time. A good night’s sleep, some fresh air, music or a little movement can all help.

Our trainers each have their own approach too: from going for a walk to getting energised with music, or even walking up to a mirror in silence and literally screaming the nerves out.

There is no magic trick. Choose what works for you.

Tip 4: Be honest, but stay confident

Vulnerability can be powerful. But there’s a difference between showing that you’re human and making yourself smaller before you’ve even started.

You don’t have to open with: “Sorry, I’m really nervous.” You may unintentionally give your audience a reason to focus on your insecurity.

You are allowed to feel nervous. You just don’t have to let those nerves define you. You’re standing there for a reason. You have something to offer. Own it.

Tip 5: Create connection, not a perfect performance

Perhaps the most important tip of all: don’t try to be the perfect speaker.

A presentation isn’t about speaking flawlessly. It’s about connection. Eye contact, attention and a story that gets your audience thinking, feeling or moving.

And when you dare to speak in a way that feels true to you, presenting often becomes much easier. You don’t have to perform a trick or play a role. You simply have to bring yourself to the stage.

So, are you afraid of public speaking? Don’t see your nerves as something that needs to disappear first. See them as a sign that you care about what you’re doing. Take a breath. Look at your audience. And start.

Team Happy Good Talk

About the author

Dalida – Presentation Coach at Happy Good Talk

Dalida is a presentation coach at Happy Good Talk who helps professionals stand in front of an audience with more confidence, energy and authenticity. Her approach is simple: don’t just focus on yourself as a speaker, pay attention to the people in front of you too. Because a great presentation starts with connection.