Speaking in Front of a Camera and Others...Yikes

Don't look at people's eyes, Libby. Just look over their heads. Concentrate and just think about what you are saying.

You'll do fine!!

Dawn

I public speak for a living.
Knowing your content (what you're talking about) inside and out is most critical component.
From there, you're just having a conversation with your audience.
Remember, everyone knows your nervous. They're human, too. So *talk* to them, just like you would 1:1.

I remember that what I am speaking about doesn't have to do with ME. Even if I'm talking about myself, I'm talking to someone else, to reach THEM. If I can take my ego out of it, I get out of my own way.

Also, accepting nervousness helps me. Completely being in that nervous moment and knowing that I'm human and EVERYONE feels this way. Yeah, public speaking is a challenge. I do it and each time, no matter how many times I do it, I feel like I'm going to throw up. But, afterward, I'm proud of myself. I did it. I lived through it. And I faced what I fear. Every time I do that I'm proud.

The fact that you said 6 months ago you couldn't answer the door... Wow, already, how far you must have come! How proud you must feel. Tomorrow is another day. And then Wednesday is another. Thursday, reflect on not what you wished you could have done differently, but that you did what is considered the #1 fear in the world. You did it.

Look into the camera the people watching are your audience. You can gaze at the live audience from time to time and when a person is asking you a question. Dress comfortably in beautiful clothes and use make-up. You know your topic.
I dress in what looks best on me and then I forget myself and keep my mind on what I want to say. If I make a mistake I don't dwell on it. I correct it and go on.
Don't worry about what others will think of you or your performance. You aren't an actress you are a local woman with a viewpoint she wants to get out there.
You can do it!

Speak slowly when we are nervous we tend to speed up. Take deep breaths and exhale slowly to ease the jitters. Pretend you are talking to your best friend--she's the only one watching or listening.

I perform weddings--I write the entire ceremony on 3x5 index cards -- I know what I want to say but it's all there in case I get flustered. And I number the cards, so if I drop them ( and I did once -my first wedding) I can get them back in order fast.

If you get nervous -- take a deep breath. If you can have a glass of water near by in case you need to think --take a sip--or your throat really does get dry.

Remember only your best friend is watching.

I have found none of those techniques work. What works for me is know what you are going to say and say it. In other words if you are speaking about bananas know everything you can about bananas and tell people about your bananas instead of reciting words that sound good on paper.

I agree with MandA M. Know what you are talking about, be passionate about your topic (I know you are) and think of it as one on one. I also practice at home to feel comfortable...to my dog, to my daughter or just to myself.

You will feel so great after the TV gig, such an accomplishment!

I do professional development trainings to as many as 50-60 at once. It helps tremendously to script out everything I plan to say, word for word. Then I read it over and over again- not to memorize it, just to know what I want to say. I try not to use my notes, but do have them handy with the most important things I want to say highlighted in one color and things I need to do highlighted in another. Just scripting out the first few minutes so you know exactly how you want to start helps quite a bit.
I'm always a little nervous, but the more you do it, the easier it gets! My boss is a phenomenal presenter- he says if he isn't nervous, he doesn't care anymore and should quit. So, nerves are completely normal :)

You have some good answers here already.

When you have danced, you have communicated with your body rather than your voice. Many people would be frightened of doing that! But you've done it before, and they haven't.

The underwear thing is just a technique to keep you from being intimidated by your audience. But most, if not all, of your audience are already on your side! They want you to do well, because they don't want to be bored. I don't know why you're doing this speaking, but don't assume that the people you're speaking to are scary - usually they aren't at all.

You could, perhaps, start by speaking to the camera (ask whoever is in charge whether you should do that or not), the clock on the back wall, or some point just a tad over the heads of your audience. When you feel a little more comfortable, try glancing at an audience member now and then (glance, don't stare). Don't look for a response on anyone's face - they'll probably be too busy listening to you to look anything but serious.

Are you speaking about something you like? Then fix your mind on that - which is where your mind *should* be, of course, not on how you look or what people might be thinking. Keep your brain on your topic. Pull it back if it wanders.

I will reiterate what has already been said: before you start, and any time you feel the least bit nervous, s-l-o-w d-o-w-n your speaking rate. You'll find that when you do this you can inject more feeling into what you say, which is great.

Almost everybody has butterflies in their tummies when they have to get up in front of people. You can't get rid of them; you only want to get them to fly in formation.

First of all, you can do it!
Second of all, I am sure you are going to be speaking about something you are passionate & knowledgable about.
Think of yourself as a educator, parlaying important information.

1)While waiting to speak, take a few deep breaths to calm yourself.
2)If you feel your heart start to race while you speak, slow your words down. This will slow your heart rate down.
3) Instead of picturing people in their underwear (is that from a Brady Bunch episode? :), pick one person at a time to lay your eyes on for a few moments then switch to a different individual.
Occasionally look down at your notes to stay on task.
4) Most importantly, tell yourself that everything will be okay, visualize yourself calming speaking on stage, delivering the topic your are passionate about & educating people. Do this ahead of time. From now until your presentation.
Don't worry about the TV's.....don't waste your energy there.
Btw, it's okay to be a little nervous. It's a normal reaction & you'll be able to use that energy.
Everything will be okay.
5) Making a mistake or not being perfect, is what makes you real.
"See yourself delivering your speech succesfully.
I have faith in you.
You can do it!

Practice your key points - out loud, in the mirror. If you're answering a question, try answering it with the same information but based on different versions of the question. Have someone role play with you (if there is interaction) and practice and know you topic inside and out so nothing can surprise you.

Good luck!!!

What finally got me over the hump was knowing that I was speaking on the topic because I knew more about it than the majority of the people watching me.

If I mispoke, it wasn't the end of the world because 99% wouldn't know. (Obviously, we want to be correct, but when you're speaking - to anyone - sometime things fly out of our mouths before we fully realize it.)

You're being asked to speak on this on camera because they believe YOU are as close to an expert as they can get. You know more than those watching. Keep that in mind.

Got anything with codine in it....it will relax you.