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Stage Fright and Overcoming Stage Fright Articles
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- ***Does Just the Thought of Public Speaking Make You Nauseous? - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile the majority of those who stand to address an audience are nervous, there is a small percentage of people whose nervousness is debilitating. And, their first reaction is often to feel sick to their stomach. If the thought of public speaking makes you want to ‘bring up lunch,’ there are a ...
Views: 3319(1 vote) - ***How to Combat Those Nervous Jitters in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile public speaking may seem like a war in which you are doing battle, it really isn’t. In truth, it is not that different from standing at your desk among a group of people and explaining to them how you successfully won a long sought-after account. It is not unlike sharing a story about a ...
Views: 3309(1 vote) - ***How to Put Your Nervousness to Good Use - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIn public speaking or any other type of live performance, the idea of trying to get rid of your nervousness is definitely not the right approach. Nervousness is that wonderful rush of adrenaline that can make you sharper, more alert and more focused. In fact, the benefits of nervousness are so ...
Views: 2960(2 votes) - ***The Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response in Public Speaking -- Which Reaction Describes You? - by Submitted on Jul 13, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSo, you have been scheduled, invited, or commanded to speak. It could be the quarterly budget report for your firm. Maybe you are a member of Toastmasters. You could be enrolled in a local public speaking course. Perhaps it is your best friend’s wedding. Whatever the reason for your ...
Views: 3641(1 vote) - ***What Your Breathing and Your Mind Can Do When Your Body Says NO - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsLast week I was not looking forward to my upcoming 2-day workshop in Chicago. I had gotten a cold/flu the previous Sunday, after attending my high school reunion the night before – and hopefully not infecting everyone who was there. In any event, I so wanted to cancel the workshop because ...
Views: 3189(1 vote) - For Writers & Artists: A Few Tips For Dealing With Bad Reviews & Criticisms - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2010 from Len SoneYou just submitted that article or book and some of the reviews are not very nice. Or even just getting 4 out of 5 stars can get you going- why did they give me 4 and not 5??? You can even feel a certain rage for the person. This guy wants to put me down to make himself look intelligent,” you ...
Views: 2988(1 vote) - How I Successfully Conquered My Fear of Performing and You Can Too - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2010 from Jake MogulI have always enjoyed performing arts. I started to learn the piano at six years old, went to acting class at elven and became a student of professional magic at fourteen. But for a long time, when I was called upon to perform in front of an audience, I turned into a bag of nerves and was often ...
Views: 2445(1 vote) - Is Glossophobia Hurting Your Bottom Line? - by Submitted on Aug 18, 2011 from Steve SisgoldAre you a Glossophobic? If you don’t know what that means, ask yourself if you would prefer to walk on hot coals instead of speak to a group? Many surveys have revealed that above the fear of death and disease is the fear of standing in front of a crowd. Millions of people are terrified of the ...
Views: 2844(1 vote) - Peter Fogel's "How ANY Public Speaker Can Create a Deeper Bond With Their Audience!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelThe speakers people like the most, or who have the greatest impact, are said to have “presence.” Something special that leaps out at you. Certain actors have it, and that makes them "stars." Certain models (who by the way are sometime average looking people in real life) somehow "click" with ...
Views: 3625(5 votes) - Peter Fogel's "How to Be a More Effective Public Speaker!" - by Submitted on Nov 25, 2010 from Peter FogelHave you ever really sat down or studied what it takes to become and effective speaker? Well, to begin, you should first determine where you are in the speaking world. Do you want to be a professional speaker who makes this your livelihood? Are you a weekend warrior who does this part-time to ...
Views: 1552(3 votes) - Peter Fogel's "How to Effectively Create Humor for Your Presentation!" (Part 2) - by Submitted on Nov 23, 2010 from Peter FogelHumor and the Size of the Audience Welcome back to part II. In a group of ten or more, there is emotional protection and thus it is easier for someone to laugh. The jokes that work for a large group of people are those with generally accepted interests or concerns. Example: Here’s a ...
Views: 1552(3 votes) - Peter Fogel's "How to Use a Story to Engage Your Audience!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelPreparing your speech and writing appropriate stories can be a challenge at the best of times, but the real challenge is in using and writing those stories in such a way that they really engage your audience. First, think about how other speakers and presenters manage to grab your ...
Views: 1597(2 votes) - Peter Fogel's "Self-Introductions or 'How to Plan for the Unexpected When You Speak!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelI always say when it comes to speaking or performing, you must adhere to Murphy's Law. What can wrong … will. I don't know who this Murphy was, but perhaps he should get in touch with Montezuma (and his revenge.) Please note, dear reader, I am not a fatalist. I am more of a realist. Yes, you ...
Views: 2971(3 votes) - Peter Fogel's "Should a Speaker or Comic Laugh at His Own Jokes?!" - by Submitted on Nov 07, 2011 from Peter FogelOK If I Laugh Now? It seems the jury is out on this one, with opinion divided on whether or not it is okay to laugh at your own jokes. Maybe it's just me (although I doubt it given the number of comedians and humorous speakers who also laugh at their own jokes. But I believe the aim of a ...
Views: 3272(1 vote) - Peter Fogel's "Speaking Engagement from Hell! (Or Was It!?)" - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2011 from Peter FogelOne of the reasons I like writing articles is that I can test out real world public speaking techniques and then share my results to you. Which brings me to a recent speaking engagement that was… how do I say this delicately …well, NOT the ideal speaking situation. In fact, for any ...
Views: 1691(1 vote) - PowerPoint: How to Deliver PowerPoint Presentations Designed by Someone Else - by Submitted on Dec 30, 2010 from Doug StaneartNarrating PowerPoint Presentations designed by someone else can be very challenging. In fact, one of the fastest ways to increase public speaking fear and make your PowerPoint presentations sound canned and… well boring, is to try to deliver a PowerPoint slideshow that someone else designed for ...
Views: 10159(1 vote) - Public Speaking Skills: Public Speaking Fear Comes from Perceived Failure - by Submitted on Dec 30, 2010 from Doug StaneartPublic speaking skill is just like any other skill in that the more success that you have, the more self-confidence in public speaking that you develop. The more failures, or perceived failures, that you experience, the more public speaking fear that you are going to experience. The ...
Views: 10017(1 vote) - Peter Fogel's "5 Sure-Fire Ways to Answer Challenging Questions During Your Presentation!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelThere's no getting around it: The moment you bound onto the platform or stage your credibility is at stake. And one way to cement your credibility is to master the art of Q & A (short for Questions and Answers) Look at how Q & A's are done on the political battlefields. Remember the Hillary ...
Views: 1788(6 votes) - Peter Fogel's "Three Types of Great Stories to Use That’ll Keep Your Audience Spellbound! (And Where to find Them!)" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelThe beleaguered carpenter ran his hand over the wood the way a horse trainer stokes the back of the thoroughbred that he is about to take out for a run. In happier times this artisan was in high demand. Of course, this was before “the accident” that shocked the town. “No mistakes… not THIS ...
Views: 3946(5 votes) - Peter Fogel's "Should a Speaker LAUGH at Their Own Jokes!? (The Answer Might Surprise You!)" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelIt seems the jury is out on this one, with opinion divided on whether or not it is okay for a professional public speaker to laugh at your own jokes. Maybe it's just me (although I doubt it given the number of comedians and humorists who also laugh at their own jokes), but I believe the aim ...
Views: 4162(5 votes) - ***The Most Important Thing You Can Do to Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 17, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile I believe there are 5 things you must do to gain control of your nervousness and actually put it to good use, the most important of those 5 is something many people do not do and never think to do. To make matters worse, the only time many speakers are aware of it is when they have ...
Views: 3300(2 votes) - Peter Fogel's "How to Be a More Effective Public Speaker!" - by Submitted on Dec 28, 2010 from Peter FogelHave you ever really sat down or studied what it takes to become and effective speaker? Well, to begin, you should first determine where you are in the speaking world. Do you want to be a professional speaker who makes this your livelihood? Are you a weekend warrior who does this part-time to ...
Views: 1496(2 votes) - Peter Fogel's "The Secret to Inspiring Your Audience While Public Speaking! - by Submitted on Dec 28, 2010 from Peter FogelNew speakers (as well as audience members) occasionally approach me after one of my keynote presentations and ask me how I knew I wanted to be a speaker. Well, that is certainly a good question that has many answers. However, the one resounding theme that percolates inside my head as to why I ...
Views: 2160(2 votes) - Peter Fogel's “How to Effectively Add Passion and Feeling to Your Speech or Presentation!” - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelAs a professional speaker, not all of your talks will be designed to be humorous or entertaining in that fashion. Sometimes your talk may be on serious subjects to elicit donations or certain actions from people in positions of influence. In these instances, you still need to wear your ...
Views: 4074(4 votes) - Peter Fogel's “The Best Time of the Day to Get Your Audience Laughing!” - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelBiorhythmic differences aside, generally speaking, the majority of people are not at their peak first thing in the morning. What does this mean for you if you want to public speak like a pro? Especially if you're expected to "warm them up" with your witty repartee? Well, it means that ...
Views: 3422(4 votes) - Peter Fogel's “How to Deliver an Effecting Closing to Your Speech or Presentation" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelNew speakers make the mistake of focusing all their creative efforts on the body of their talk, and maybe the opening. But guess what? The 'close' is just as important as the 'opening' of your talk. In fact, your audience may remember you more from your close than from your opening. If ...
Views: 3418(5 votes) - ***Networking For Introverts: How To Make Connection In A Crowded Room Of Strangers - by Submitted on Oct 15, 2008 from Sandra ZimmerPeople who are introverts or highly sensitive have special abilities that are valuable in networking events, group meetings and social settings. However, they often try to imitate the networking styles of extroverts instead of developing methods more suitable to their own sensibilities. ...
Views: 2799(3 votes) - Peter Fogel's "How to Break 'The Fourth Wall' to Connect with Your Audience!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelPersuasive public speaking is all about connecting with your audience. One of the quickest ways to heighten your audience connection is to use a theatre acting technique called 'Breaking the Fourth Wall. One of the reasons you go to the theatre is to be transported to a different time and ...
Views: 3449(6 votes) - Peter Fogel's "How to Quickly Become a More Confident Speaker With out Breaking a Sweat!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelWhen you’re speaking, do you rely too much on your audience? Are you always getting negative messages from their body language and facial expressions? When you’re speaking, do you rely too much on your audience? Are you always getting negative messages from their body language and facial ...
Views: 2835(3 votes) - Peter Fogel's "Effective Public Speaking: Why Silence Can Indeed Be Golden!" - by Submitted on Nov 25, 2010 from Peter FogelIf you want to clearly get your message across in front of an audience, guess what? You can communicate in a very effective fashion with not only your words, but with other methods of communication that do not involve speech at all. Alright, now you're wondering how a speaker can speak to an ...
Views: 1812(4 votes) - Peter Fogel's "How to Effectively Source Your Material for a Speech!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelSpeakers and writers share one thing in common – they’re both susceptible to mind blocks. This is where your mind goes blank and you can’t think of anything new to write and speak about. You feel like you’re facing a blank wall; your creativity has left you. ...
Views: 2716(5 votes) - Peter Fogel's "How to Put Yourself in the "Best Light" to Succeed as a Public Speaker!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelOne of the most important things as a speaker has to do to make an impact with their audience - is to control the environment they are in. Believe it or not, some speakers get the “gig” (aka the engagement) show up at the correct time and realize the seating arrangements or the lighting is ...
Views: 2820(5 votes) - Peter Fogel's "8 Vital Questions to Ask BEFORE Giving a Presentation!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelOne of the skills a marketer knows if he wants a high response from his campaign is to understand the make-up of his audience. He (or she) will dig deep to understand their core desires, needs, and wants. In essence, what “makes them tick!” Well, the same type of expertise is needed to win ...
Views: 4009(7 votes) - Peter Fogel's "High Self-Esteem and Public Speaking…Do You Really Need It?" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelAccording to a poll take by MSNBC men and women were asked what personal qualities had the greatest impact on the success of their careers. Naturally, men and women differed when it came to the importance of intelligence, ability and 'looks.' (I know... what a surprise) BUT the one thing they ...
Views: 3581(7 votes) - ***Can You Be Both Composed and Nervous in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAbsolutely. While it may not seem possible to be both composed and nervous at the lectern, it is most definitely what happens when you take control of your nervousness and let it work for you and not against you. Therein lies the problem for many novice speakers. When you are nervous, the ...
Views: 3517(1 vote) - ***Nervousness Is the Charm in Public Speaking - Do You Feel Lucky? - by Submitted on Oct 11, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIf you know your material really well, make eye contact with your audience, speak as if in conversation, breathe before and during your delivery, and believe in yourself, then your nervousness is the charm. Trying to eliminate it, stop it, or end that wonderful rush of adrenaline is not the ...
Views: 2769(1 vote) - ***There Is Only One Audience In The World: How To Create A Supportive Audience - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2008 from Sandra ZimmerMy public speaking students ask, “What if I speak to an audience that is hostile? How do I deal with that?” This question usually comes up after they have transformed a great deal of stage fright and are feeling very comfortable at the center of attention in their class group. The implication of ...
Views: 1257(2 votes) - ***Why Not Address Your Fears of Public Speaking Instead of Being Consumed by Them - by Submitted on Oct 29, 2012 from Nancy DanielsYes, man’s greatest fear is public speaking. The statistics tell us so. Instead of being part of those statistics, however, why not address those fears and learn how to put your nervousness to good use? Of course your first response is to question how that is possible. How do you take your ...
Views: 2753(1 vote) - Conquering Stage Fright with Emotional Freedom Technique - by Submitted on Aug 24, 2009 from Bernadette HunterPeople who perform in front of audiences can have very special challenges. For some, it’s just a few jitters but for others, stage fright can be debilitating – or at least harrowing. There is plenty to worry about: dry mouth and shaking hands to begin with. And what about that difficult ...
Views: 3390(3 votes) - It's Far Better To Go Up To The Batting Box To Swing Like Hell And To Miss Than… - by Submitted on Oct 23, 2009 from Ted CiubaAny way you look at it, most people are failures. You know, there's the 80/20 rule, which some people correctly say is really the 90/10, or really 95/5. All this is true. I definitely agree with you. Most people are failures—like if you believe the oft-touted Social Security System study. I ...
Views: 2072(1 vote) - Peter Fogel's "How to Effectively Close Your Speech!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter Fogel"This is the way the world ends, Not with a bang but a whimper!" ~ T.S. Eliot WARNING: When it comes to ending your speech, the last thing you want to do is go out with a whimper! In speaking it's important how you start and especially how you finish. Let's look at this scenario: Let's ...
Views: 8553(11 votes) - Peter Fogel's "The Importantance of Critiquing Your Public Speaking Presentation!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelAfter you have given a presentation, and especially at the beginning of your career (and even when you are at a level of expertise), you should critique your presentation skills to improve. It’s safe to say the more proficient a speaker you are, the better the communicator you are. The better ...
Views: 2260(4 votes) - Peter Fogel's "The Worst Time to Test HUMOR on An Audience!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelVictor Borge, the late, great, Danish comedian once said, "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." Well, it can also be the longest yard in trying to make an audience laugh, as I tell you what happened to me when I once performed on a cruise ship. Remember: when it comes to ...
Views: 2998(5 votes) - 4 Tips to Take the Terror Out of Giving Presentations - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2009 from Roger SeipWhat’s scarier to most Americans than spiders, heights, or even death? There hasn’t been a horror movie made about it yet, but more than 75% of Americans surveyed report that they suffer from “glossophobia,” a debilitating fear of public speaking. Statistically, far more of us claim that we ...
Views: 2622(7 votes) - Athletes and Sports Psychology - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2010 from Jack SingerWhen the chips are down, the athlete often cannot share his/her inner fears, anxiety and anger issues with the coach or their parents. Now, the athlete has a critical ally...the professional Sports Psychologist (also referred as the professional Sport Psychologist). The Sports Psychologist, who ...
Views: 3915(3 votes) - Perfection Is Overrated! - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2010 from Sandra Dee RobinsonFind the freedom that comes from giving you a break Are you a perfectionist? If your automatic response is “no!” I invite you to take a closer look; there is a well-meaning perfectionist in every one of us! Wanting to be the best, and see things executed to the highest level of quality is ...
Views: 2737(3 votes) - "American Idol" Survival Guide - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Young Kim"American Idol" (FOX) isn't just a singing contest. It's basically a televised audition process to produce the next pop music star. Year after year, teens and adults audition for the show hoping to make it onto the show, and eventually win the show. Having watched every season, I've developed ...
Views: 1877(6 votes) - Marketing Strategies: Hate to Make Cold Calls? 5 Tips to Make it Easier - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2009 from Maya BaileyHave you often avoided making those "dreaded cold calls?" Do you dream of how much better your business could be but just can't bring yourself to pick up the phone? You're not alone. In the 12+ years that I have specialized in coaching real estate agents, I have noticed the same avoidant ...
Views: 2953(8 votes) - ***Does Your Voice Shake When You're Nervous? 3 Tips for Eliminating the Quiver - by Submitted on Jan 02, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen addressing an audience, there is nothing more embarrassing than opening your mouth to speak and the voice that comes out is high in pitch and shaking to boot! The shaking is known as a quiver and it can happen even when you’re not nervous. If your voice is quivering when you’re nervous, ...
Views: 7844(3 votes) - Peter Fogel's "The 5 Commandments of Effectively Using Humor in Any Presentation!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelI couldn’t believe I was going to open my presentation with that joke. Me, of all people! Yet, there I was. With my heart pounding in anticipation… I was about to bound onto the platform and speak in front of over 250 people… Not only that, I was going to open my presentation with a bit I ...
Views: 3176(8 votes)