How to Handle Nervousness When Presenting

Mark Twain, the famous writer and speaker, said, “There are two kinds of speakers: Those that are nervous and those that are liars.” Everybody gets a little nervous when they present.

However, you don't have to let nerves stop you from delivering an effective presentation. The follow advice will help you calm your nerves.

First, it is important to realize that you don't look as nervous as you feel. One speaker recently described herself as a “10 out of 10” on the nervousness scale. In contrast, people who watched her present said she didn’t look nervous to them and rated her to be about a “2 out of 10” for how much nervousness showed through.

You likely appear much calmer and more composed than you feel on the inside. That realization alone should help relax you.
Second, you can be nervous and still deliver a great presentation. One speaker I coached recently claimed that she gets so nervous she “blacks out” when presenting. She doesn’t really remember what she said afterward. Still, she is a very smooth presenter. If you have prepared adequately, you can be really nervous and still do an outstanding job presenting.

​See the video for more tips on handling your nervousness.