How to banish your fear of public speaking and become a confident presenter.
How do you present with confidence at work? What does confident presenting look like? How do you give a presentation confidently? How to be confident during a presentation?How to be confident when presenting?
Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball
Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London. Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page.
Do You Present Confidently at Work?
There is no one cure for the fear of public speaking. Each person is different. At the same time, whatever your fears are, they can be overcome, and you can present confidently.
Even Churchill had a fear of public speaking. The first thing to realise is that everyone feels nervous when presenting. Churchill did not like public speaking and felt uncomfortable doing so. But, like many of us, he realised that he had to focus his nervous energy to succeed in his profession.
Whether you are presenting to the board, clients or colleagues, you can learn how to present confidently.
We offer public speaking training courses and presentation skills coaching that teach you ways to look and feel more confident during a presentation. We have coached thousands of business people to help them deliver confident, persuasive talks and presentations.
Presenting With Confidence – Step by Step
If you follow these simple steps, you can be a confident presenter. You will look confident, feel confident, and eventually boost your confidence about public speaking.
How to Master Presenting Confidently – Top Tips in Business
Let’s review each of these confident presenting tips in turn:
1. Start planning your presentation early
As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Start work as soon as you can and let your talk evolve. A few notes on a blank sheet of paper is the perfect beginning. The less public speaking you do, the more preparation you need. Even experienced speakers will tell you the value of time in creating a great confident talk.
Most public speaking problems occur because the presentation is bad. If you start with a poor talk, you will give a poor performance, and you have every right to feel scared. A well-prepared talk is easier to deliver. This blog provides plenty of advice on how to write a brilliant management presentation.
2. Turn your presentation so it’s about them, not about you
This is one of the most powerful techniques for building confidence. By repositioning your talk so it’s about the audience rather than about you, you’ll find it easier to be confident and engaging.
For example, rather than discussing “What we did to make this project a success” talk about “How this project will help you achieve your sales targets.”
Does a teacher feel scared when standing up in front of pupils daily? Does a lecturer feel scared when speaking to students? Work out what your audience will get from your talk. Then, like a teacher, set out to be certain you achieve your goal. Having a clear goal makes it easier to feel less exposed when speaking. Speak directly to your audience, as you would to a friend.
The more you make your presentation about your audience rather than about you, the less focus you’ll feel on yourself. For example, one easy way to present confidently is to use the word ‘you’ throughout your talk. In that way, you can begin learn how to present confidently.
3. Craft a powerful start
When you start well, it’s easier to continue well. Your first 30 seconds are the most important part of your talk. If unsure how to start, use a tried and tested approach to starting your presentation. Get your start right, and the rest will feel much easier.
If you want to become a confident presenter, call us. Within a few hours you can transform your presenting skills. Read about our tailored presentation coaching courses.
One of the easiest ways to present confidently is to make it easy for your audience to follow your talk. This will make it easier to give your presentation. Generally, it is smarter to have a few good ideas covered well rather than many ideas covered quickly. How to present confidently? Give yourself a strong start, a simple logical framework and a powerful end.
5. Bring your talk to life
Beware of a fact-laden presentation. The best talks are animated with stories, metaphors, observations and personal anecdotes. One story is worth a dozen pages of data. And you’ll feel more confident telling stories rather than ploughing through data and facts.
6. Talk to one person at a time
Unless you really are a politician who needs to win thousands of votes, beware of declaiming to the masses. Instead, imagine your talk as a conversation – one person at a time. You will find it much easier to give your talk when you use the same language, structure and phrasing that you use when talking to one person.
Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Presentation Coaching
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business communication skills for over 15 years. We’ve been helping people discover how to present confidently. Our coaching is fast and effective. We work with individuals and with companies, one-to-one and in groups. Call us today to learn more.
“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”
Winston Churchill said, “Short words are best and old words when short are the best of all.” Edit your talk to use shorter, simpler phrases and words. The simpler you make it, the more authoritative and confident you will sound. This is how to present confidently.
We can help you present confidently
Discover how our tailored presentation coaching can transform you into a confident presenter within a few hours.
8. Include plenty of pauses
Pauses in your talk – are like white space in a piece of design. They give it meaning and form. A pause is a time for your audience to absorb what you have said – and for you to compose your next phrase. This is particularly important when presenting online.
We can show you how to present confidently on Zoom. Use pauses to separate ideas – and point your audience to what is important. Learn how to pause when presenting.
9. Look people in the eye
When you have eye contact, it is 1. more interesting for your audience, and 2. helps you adjust to the pace of your audience.
The importance of confidence in presentations is that if you look confident and you feel confident, you are more likely to be successful. When speaking, aim to look at speak each person for one sentence or two. This is how to present confidently and how to look confident.
10. Practise
You can learn how to present confidently through practice. Psychological research says that those who pretend to be confident eventually become more confident. So, learn how to look confident and then continue. Fake it until you make it.
You may be surprised to find that many known public speakers share a fear of public speaking. But they know they have to look good to be successful. So they work at it, often with professional coaches and trainers. Over the years, we have helped many CEOs and senior executives overcome their fear of public speaking.
You can do the same.
Present in Front of People
Presenting in front of people—whether in a meeting room, on a stage, or during a video call—can be daunting. However, with the right preparation and mindset, you can deliver an important message with confidence.
A good way to start is by rehearsing in front of a mirror. This allows you to observe your facial expressions, refine your key messages, and develop secure body language. If it’s your first time giving an important presentation, then practise in front of a small group of team members. Then you can get feedback and it will help build your confidence before you stand in front of an audience.
You get better by practising. And practice does not mean going through your first written draft repeatedly. It means testing your first script and refining what does not work so you can improve it each time. When I prepare for a big talk, I might change half my talk during practice. “If you falter, alter.” should be your preparation motto.
There is no simple solution to reducing presentation nerves. It gets better over time, but you need to work at it.
Remember: we all feel nervous when we talk in public. This is a good thing. If we didn’t feel nervous about public speaking, then we would not be taking our work seriously. Use these tips for confident business presentations.
Do you want to be a confident presenter?
Learn more about our tailored presentation coaching to build your confidence and presenting skills.
11. Get rid of Filler words, UMMS, ERRS and Verbal Ticks
If your talks are full of filler words, like ‘UMM’ ‘ERR’ and ‘Y’know’ then you have a problem. These filler words make you look unconfident, but they can be cured.
Why is this important? If you do not address this, you will not be seen as a confident public speaker, and your career success will be limited. If you have these verbal tics, you are seen as less certain, impressive, and competent.
The good news is that you can cure yourself of UMMs and ERRs. Without them, you will look more confident and feel like a confident public speaker. With our clients, we use a step-by-step method to get rid of these ticks. It works like this:
STEP 1 – Make A Commitment
This process does not take long, but it can be frustrating.
If you really want to get rid of filler words, you must be sure you are ready to put in the time and the effort needed.
STEP 2 – Find A Friend
Take your friend into a room where you can work. Get a pencil and a glass. Now you are ready to start.
STEP 3 – Start Your Talk
Start your talk from the beginning.
As you speak, listen to yourself. Aim to replace every ‘um’ or ‘err’ with a pause. This will be challenging – and your performance will be terrible – but that does not matter (at this stage).
STEP 4 – Avoid any Pings
Ask your friend to listen to your talk; every time they hear a significant ‘um’ or ‘err’, they tap on the glass. You job is to avoid the pings. If you hear a ping, start your talk again.
STEP 5 – How to confidently present – Keep at it.
For many people, about 5 minutes of this exercise is enough to start the process of getting rid of verbal tics. Try the exercise again two or three times a week. Aim to eliminate these verbal tics in any communication during the week, e.g., talks, meetings, and phone calls. Be persistent—it can be frustrating.
It could well be that you will have cured yourself of filler words within a week. As a result, you will sound more confident and impressive as a public speaker.
12. Use your nervous energy
Your nervous energy can be used and channelled. Much of the feeling of nerves is caused by a rush of adrenaline that can be used for fright or flight. The trick that successful speakers use is to focus their energy on their talk. Rather than a wobbly voice, shaking hands, or nervous body posture, you can channel the energy into a louder voice, more animated talking, or stronger hand gestures.
13. Use relaxation exercises to reduce speaking nerves
For different people, different relaxation exercises work. Some of the most common exercises include:
One of the best ways to manage stage fright is to control your breathing. Taking deep breaths before stepping in front of a room full of people can help lower your heart rate and reduce nerves.
If you struggle with a dry mouth—a common issue when nervous—have a sip of water at relevant times to keep your voice clear. Maintaining an open posture and making eye contact with audience members will also help you appear more confident and engaged.
14. Show Confidence: Your nerves don’t show
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we often use cameras in our business presentation training. We use these to show that you can look confident when presenting, even when you feel nervous. Most of the time, the audience is unaware of the inner turmoil that a speaker is going through. Speakers relax more by demonstrating that the audience is unaware of a speaker’s inner feelings.
15. How to give a confident group presentation
If you present as a group, you have some simple steps you can take to look for confident. For example:
Refer to your colleagues repeatedly, e.g. “As Jane said earlier……” “John will pick this up later”
When not speaking, sit/stand very still
When not speaking, look at your speaking colleague and smile
When you are speaking, use all the tips below
Practise as a group. Get expert feedback
How to Present Confidently: More Practical Tips for Success
Present Confidently Online
For an online meeting or video call, the same principles apply. It’s a good idea to test your setup beforehand to ensure good lighting and clear audio. Looking directly at the camera instead of the screen is a great way to create a sense of connection with virtual audience members.
Whether you’re an advanced practitioner or new to public speaking, regular practice and preparation will go a long way in helping you feel more at ease. By focusing on your main points and delivering them with clarity, you’ll leave a strong and lasting impression in your next presentation.
We Can Help You Present With Confidence
You can become a confident public speaker. With expert presentation skills coaching we can help you eliminate verbal ticks, craft your words, structure your talks, and polish your performance. We can do this face-to-face or remotely. Call us today to discuss what you need.
If you want to help become a more confident public speaker, contact Louise Angus, client services director at Benjamin Ball Associates, at +44 20 7018 0922.
How To Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking
First, there is no simple solution to how to present confidently. Each person is different. Some people suggest that you imagine your audience naked. We are not great believers in that approach, but if that works for you, great.
We once worked with a woman at a large oil company. She was convinced that she was a terrible public speaker. She hated public speaking and believed she would never enjoy speaking in public. We realised she had talent after working with her for a few hours.
She was sharp, and she was witty. She could apply words and humour to transform complex ideas into clear communication. Afterwards, she understood that she had to rethink her self-image completely. Then she could demonstrate her huge public speaking talent.
How to Be Confident Presenting – forever
If you want to improve your presentation skills and learn how to present confidently, get in touch. Our team of expert presentation coaches has been helping business executives polish their presentation skills for over 15 years.
We are trusted by some of the world’s largest businesses. Click on the link below or phone Louise Angus on +44 20 7018 0922 to discuss your needs.
Why Choose Us: Transform your pitches and presentations with tailored coaching
We can help you present brilliantly.Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too.
“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”
Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky
For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.
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Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level.
Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.
FAQ: How to Become a Confident Presenter for a Business Audience
1. Why is confidence important in presenting?
Confidence is crucial because: You Engage Your Audience: A confident presenter holds the audience’s attention and engages them more effectively. You Increase Credibility: Confidence boosts your credibility, making your message more persuasive and trustworthy. You Improve Delivery: When you’re confident, your delivery is smoother, clearer, and more compelling.
2. How can I overcome nerves before a presentation?
To manage nerves: Prepare More: The better prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel. Know your material inside out. Try Breathing Exercises: Practice deep breathing to calm your nerves before you start. Visualisation: Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation. This mental rehearsal can reduce anxiety. Physical Warm-Up: Stretch or shake out your limbs to release tension and get your blood flowing. Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself of your strengths and past successes to boost your confidence.
3. How do I prepare my content to boost confidence?
To prepare content effectively: Know Your Audience: Tailor your message to the interests, needs, and expectations of your audience. Structure Clearly: Organise your presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This helps you stay on track and check your message is easy to follow. Practice: Rehearse multiple times, both alone and in front of others, to refine your delivery and timing. Simplify: Avoid overloading your presentation with too much information. Instead, have a few key points that support your main message. Anticipate Questions: Think about potential questions and how you’ll respond, which will help you feel more prepared.
4. What are some techniques for delivering a confident presentation?
Key techniques include: Strong Start: Begin with a confident introduction to set the tone. A powerful opening statement or question can grab attention immediately. Improve Body Language: Use open, confident body language—stand tall, make eye contact, and avoid fidgeting. Pace Yourself: Speak at a steady pace. Don’t rush, but also avoid dragging. Pauses are powerful tools to emphasise key points. Use Vocal Variety: Vary your tone, pitch, and volume to keep the audience engaged and to highlight important points. Connect with the Audience: Engage with your audience by asking questions, responding to their reactions, or sharing relevant anecdotes.
5. How can I build long-term confidence in presenting?
To build confidence over time: Seek Feedback: After each presentation, ask for constructive feedback from peers, mentors, or your audience. Use this feedback to improve. Reflect on Successes: After a successful presentation, take time to reflect on what went well. This reinforces positive experiences. Present Regularly: The more you present, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become. Take every opportunity to practice, even in low-stakes situations. Continuous Learning: Attend workshops, watch skilled presenters, and study public speaking techniques to continuously refine your skills. Set Realistic Goals: Set small, achievable goals for each presentation, such as improving eye contact or reducing filler words. Gradual progress builds confidence. Get Expert Presentation Coaching: It can take just a few hours to build confidence and become a confident presenter.
6. How should I handle mistakes during a presentation?
If you make a mistake: Stay Calm: Don’t panic. Most mistakes are minor, and the audience may not even notice them. Correct and Move On: If you misspeak or present incorrect information, correct yourself and continue without dwelling on the error. Humour: If appropriate, use light humour to defuse any tension. Acknowledging the mistake with a smile can put both you and the audience at ease. Refocus: Quickly refocus on your key points to regain your momentum and keep the presentation on track.
7. What should I do if I lose my train of thought?
If you lose your train of thought: Pause: Take a brief pause to collect your thoughts. Pauses are natural and can add emphasis. Refer to Notes: If you have notes or a prompt, quickly glance at them to get back on track. Summarise: Summarise your last point to regain your flow, which can help you remember what comes next. Stay Composed: Maintain your composure. The audience is usually more understanding than you might think.
8. How can I make my voice sound more confident?
To sound more confident, the key elements are: Improve Projection: Speak clearly and project your voice so that everyone in the room can hear you without straining. Pacing: Control your speed. Speaking too quickly can make you seem nervous, while a measured, varied pace conveys confidence. Enunciation: Pronounce your words clearly to avoid mumbling. This makes your speech more authoritative. Breathing: Breathe from your diaphragm to support a strong, steady voice. This also helps in maintaining calmness. Practice: Record yourself and listen to your voice. Identify areas for improvement, such as reducing filler words or adjusting your tone.
9. How can I be certain my presentation is engaging for a business audience?
To engage a business audience:
Understand Your Audience: The better you know who you are speaking to, the more you can address the things they are interested in. Increase Relevance: Test that your content is relevant to the audience’s interests, industry, or current events. Involve the Audience: Use the work ‘YOU’ as much as possible. And encourage interaction through questions, polls, or brief discussions. British audiences can be responsive when given the opportunity to engage. Keep it Succinct: Audiences typically appreciate a well-paced presentation that respects their time. Be concise and to the point.
10. How can I deal with difficult questions or interruptions?
When facing difficult questions or interruptions: Stay Calm and Polite: Address the question or interruption with respect and composure. Clarify if Needed: If a question is unclear, ask for clarification before answering. Be Honest: If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to admit it. Offer to follow up with more information later. Redirect: If an interruption derails your presentation, acknowledge it briefly and then steer the conversation back to your key points. Maintain Control: If interruptions become frequent or disruptive, assertively but politely guide the audience back to the flow of your presentation.
If you want to improve your presentation skills, get in touch. Click on the link below or phone Louise Angus on +44 20 7018 0922 to discuss your needs.
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