Yikes! HELP!

MommyToAshley wrote: We designed and maintain the website for a college here in town. They asked me about a month ago if I could make a meeting to go over the improvements and talk about the future of the website... at least that is what I thought they asked. But, I must have heard them wrong because I get an email yesterday asking me to post the new agenda for their three-day teacher's conference. And, as a side note, she wrote, "note that you are listed as a presenter, thanks for helping!" I didn't realize that they wanted me to speak at the conference in front of a room full of teachers (not just teachers from this college but teachers from all over the state). I have a huge fear of public speaking. I do great in a board room, but put me in front of a larger audience and my words come out all shakey, it's obvious I am uncomfortable doing this. Public Speaking was the only class in colleget that I didn't get an "A" in and is something I avoid doing.

HELP... what do I do?????? The conference is next week!!

mckayleesmom replied: I don't know what to say...I am a nervous public speaker also.

Maybe you can do some kind of slide show where they have to turn off the lights. Maybe if you can't see all the people it will help...

mckayleesmom replied: I don't even like talking into answering machines...I get all tongue twisted. I did Leave Lisa a message the other day though....she is lucky though...Even my close friends and my mom usually get a hang up...

Our Lil' Family replied: a very long power point presentation!!

mom21kid2dogs replied: Is there someone you could "team teach" with? It's so much easier to manage if you have someone else up there with you.

I've never booked a speaker without a written contract. How weird that you didn't get something before this! Given the note attached to the email, though, I doubt you misunderstood. I think they just stuck you with it. If that was the case, I wouldn't be adverse to "sticking" them back.

luvbug00 replied: ditto to cut the lights. you can't fear what you can't see...

luvmykids replied: I would tell them you misunderstood the original conversation and have a conflict. I agree, I don't think you would have forgotten that tidbit and they're just hoping to sneak it by you

jcc64 replied: I was, once upon a time, petrified to get up in front of people, but I've had to overcome that now that I'm training to become a high school teacher. You'd be surprised to know that as comfortable as teachers may seem in front of a room full of kids, they are just as scared as you to get up in front of a room full of adults. So rest assured, they are not going to judge you if you come across as nervous. I always, always start any presentation with a joke (not a "You walk into a bar and you have a cop, a rabbi, and a blah blah blah" kind of joke, more of an amusing personal little anecdote or something). It relaxes me to hear people laugh- somehow it feels like they're with me, kwim, and then I can get started with ease. I'm also a big fan of presentations and visual aids- if they're looking at a handout or a powerpoint, they're not looking at me.
You're a pro, Dee Dee, they're not there for a performance, they're there to share in your expertise. Own the room- you wouldn't be there if you didn't deserve their esteem in some way.

Nina J replied: I don't like public speaking aswell.

I think a powerpoint would be a good idea aswell. That way people in the audience can read as well as listen. And, since the lights would be dimmed, it might be easier. You could also look at the power point too..not all the time, but sometimes. Have your dot points up there

I tend to talk really fast in public speaking situations. Perhaps practice at home before hand. Deep breathing before might help...When I get nervous, I get quite shaky too...shaky hands, etc. So I breathe all the air out of my lungs and let my shoulder blades drop back, it seems to help with my shaking hands.

Mainly though, try not to stress. The people won't be judging you, and most of them you will probably never see again.

If I were you though...I'd get dh to do it

punkeemunkee'smom replied:

ITA! You will do a fabulous job!

lisar replied: I am right there with ya. I get really nervous. In order to graduate I have to take a public speaking class, and I am putting it off till the LAST semester.

Calimama replied:
Yep, those are a life saver.

redchief replied:
In my experience, and I have a little long PPT presentations will bore your audience. I am, however, a very big fan of the prudent and topical use of visual aids. Adults will give even a great ppt presentation about 30 minutes in any one hour sitting.

Like Jeanne said, a short anecdote to break the ice is always good. If you can think of a movie clip that's relevant to what you're presenting, that too seems to be well received by older audiences, especially if the movie is a classic (old or new, doesn't matter).

I've spoken to a few in a board room and thousands at fire department conventions, and I know what you're going through. The big rooms made me shake in my shoes as well. But you'll do fine. Oh, one other thing... Technical detail is for the board room as details tend to breed technical questions. In a larger venue, keep things on a more general level and leave the fine details to the more intimate settings.

Most of all, congratulations and good luck!