Studies tell us that there are people who would rather DIE than get on stage, and speak publicly.
At the start of my career, I may have been one of them…
I can still remember the very first time I spoke on stage in front of a few hundred people.
I was terrified.
Shaking.
Holding the mic with two hands, and sweating.
I was also afraid what everyone would think of me.
In short – I was suffering from crippling stage fright. After that experience, I knew I had to figure out how to overcome this.
Stage fright is by far one of the most universal human fears, and in today’s pos,t I will outline seven tips I personally use to overcome it.
Tip #1: Have Clarity on These 3 Things…
Before you hop on stage, you must know these three things…
1 – The problem you solve.
2 – Who you serve.
3 – Your Signature Talk to that audience.
Clarity must be formed around these three integral aspects before you even hop on stage. Knowing these will boost your confidence as a speaker and is the starting point to overcoming stage fright.
Tip #2: Own Your Story
My story is my story. Your story is your story.
No matter how much competition you feel is in your niche or industry, the one thing no one can duplicate is your personal story.
This is one thing that is unique to you, so make sure to OWN it and don’t be shy about expressing it.
Tip #3: Practice, Practice, Practice
This was crucial. Nothing makes you more confident than preparation.
I practiced in my home. I practiced in front of my kids, I practiced in front of my wife, I practiced in front of my team. I practiced in a one-on-one conversation. I practiced in a small stage with five people, low stakes, high practice.
The more you practice in a low-stakes environment, the more comfortable you’ll feel when it comes to the actual stage.
Tip #4: Have a Pregame Routine
I have a pre-game routine before I get on every stage, and it’s become a ritual ever since I started doing it a few years ago.
My pregame routine has me looking at my one signature talk and going through it and imagining it, the crowd in it, and just really focusing on delivering something powerful.
I then pray. I spend a lot of time visualizing the impact that I’m going to make on that crowd. I make sure to focus on the crowd because it’s about them, not me.
I then dance. I dance a little bit before I get onstage, I loosen up and I get excited.
And then, it’s go time!
My pregame routine does not have to be your pregame routine. The important thing is that you should have one that works for you!
Tip #5: Find the SMILES 🙂
Once I’m on stage, I find someone on the left side of the crowd with a smiling face. I then find someone in the middle on the right who also are smiling.
From there, whenever I look in that direction, I look at that specific person in the crowd and talk as though I’m having a one-on-one conversation with them. I talk to them like I’m talking to my wife or my best friend.
I find the people who are radiant. Those who are “leaning in” and have great body language, and I make sure to focus on them the entire time.
Tip #6: Just Breathe
I am so grateful for one of my coaches who taught me this, which is to BREATHE.
It sounds simple, it sounds like common knowledge, but it’s something a lot of us forget to do. One of the reasons you get shaky and your knees get shaky is because you’re not breathing, you stop breathing.
Remember to always breathe on stage.
Tip #7: Own the Stage
The last thing I do is own the physicality of the stage. When I step on that stage and I look right, I look left or I look in the middle my physicality is confident.
Whatever you feel, your audience will feel.
If your physicality is confident, then they’ll be confident in what you’re saying.
Bonus Tip: The Root of Stage Fright
Since stepping out on stages myself I’ve realized, that ultimately the root of stage fright is that we’re in our own heads thinking about ourselves and what other people are going to think about us – INSTEAD of focusing on how we are going to serve the audience.
If you want to overcome stage fright, get out of your own head and start thinking about those who you serve!
Now, you might be thinking – this is all GREAT Pete, but what do I say when I’m on stage?
You need a Signature Talk.
If you don’t have one yet (or wish to improve your current one), click here to download our Story Braid Framework, and find out how you can get my team to help map yours out for you – FREE!
Best,
-Pete Vargas
