Taking that stage for the first time or the one-hundredth time is equally frightening. However, beating those nerves can be done. You can overcome the feeling of horror that threatens to overtake your mind and body. However, beating fear begins long before you take to the stage. While you can certainly use breathing techniques, visualization techniques and many other aids to help stave off that knee-knocking feeling, one of the best ways is to start with your material and ensure that your presentation itself is effective. If your presentation is adequately prepared, it takes one more fear off your mind. So this begs the questions: How do you create a compelling speech, to which your audience actively listens? How do you use this to help defeat your fear? Here are four simple steps to effective presentations.

Step 1: Determine Your Style

The style of your presentation or speech should match several things, most importantly, your personality and your topic. The style of your speech comes across in your speaking manner, in your tone of voice, your body language and much more. For instance, you would not use the same style to convey salient scientific data as you would to inform your audience of the benefits of a new type of cosmetic. Your style should match your topic, your audience and your knowledge, as well as your personality. Implementing the correct style is vital to effective presentations. Know your audience, know your topic and know your strengths and weaknesses.

Step 2: Use Humour

Humour is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. It is one of the underlying emotions common to everyone, from US presidents to the common layman. Humour can be used for many things – it helps you connect with your audience on a deep, subconscious level. It helps you break the ice with the audience. It can also help you feel less stressed and fearful when you take the stage. Does this mean you have to pepper your entire speech with jokes? No, you need not take it that far. A few well-placed anecdotes, the occasional joke about the state of the industry or even poking a bit of fun at yourself at key points during your presentation can be all that you need do. The important thing is that the humour feels natural, rather than forced. Canned humour is worse than no humour at all.

Step 3: Determine Your Core Information

Of course, there must be meat, substance, to your presentation. Your vital information, your points, your take on the situation, product or service constitutes this substance. This is what your audience came to hear and all else is secondary to it, even the butterflies in your stomach. Before you attempt to inject humour into your speech, ensure you have the meat of your speech in place. You must know what you want to say, how you intend to say it and what affect you want that information to have on your audience. Do you want them to be surprised at the unique details you present? Do you want them to be moved by the potential involved? Do you want them to take an action? All of these things must be planned and structured beforehand. Create the core of your information, ensure it follows a logical manner and that it flows well and you will do quite well in creating effective presentations. If necessary, conscript a few family members or friends to listen to your speech and give you feedback. This will also help you improve your speech and fight that fear.

Step 4: Know Your Surroundings Well

No matter where you will be giving your presentation or speech, it’s vital that you have an understanding of the space that you will be presenting in. If you are using props, a PowerPoint presentation or simply standing behind a lectern, it is important that you get a grasp of the situation you will be in. Visit your venue ahead of time and find out how to use their equipment, where you can plug your laptop in at and how loud you will need to speak to ensure that everyone will be able to hear you comfortably.

Delivering an effective presentation is within reach providing you utilise the principles outlined in this article. Confident public speaking is not a pipe dream or only for those with super cool tendencies. Use these strategies and very soon you could be delivering an engaging and captivating speech.