Introduction
Recently, I had the opportunity to present at my first international conference, and wow, what an experience! It feels amazing… though I’ll admit, it feels much better once the talk ends 😅.
Until that point, it’s all about sweaty palms, a racing heartbeat, and a constant need to have a bathroom near around!
But you know what? That’s part of the process. It might seem painful while you’re in it, but I have to say, it’s incredibly rewarding.
For some, being on stage feels natural, but not everyone is like that. Some people are just pretty good at faking it and I’ll confess, I’m one of them.
Maybe you’re thinking, “Yeah, yeah, nice story, but I don’t buy it.”
I don’t blame you. I used to feel that way. However, over time, I realized I could only handle these situations because I kept putting myself in uncomfortable positions again and again.
So, in the next few paragraphs, I’ll share some of those experiences and how they’ve helped me become more comfortable speaking to a crowd.
The first “stage” is always the hardest
I’ve been playing the clarinet for over 20 years now, at my hometown’s philharmonic.
When I was around sixteen, our president told me, “I won’t be able to present at the next concert, so I need you to step in as the host.” Pure terror, I think is that better describes what I felt in that moment. But my first question to him was, “What do I even say?”.
He gave me a few tips, so I went home, wrote down my speech, and got his feedback. Thankfully, it was positive — what a relief!
On the day of the concert, I barely looked at the audience. My eyes were glued to my notes. I only dared to look up once I’d finished reading the whole thing. But you know what? That didn’t matter, because the important thing was that I’d made it through that first experience. Looking back now, I realize how important that moment was.
What did I learn? Put yourself in uncomfortable situations, but try to control a few variables first. For me, the text was already prepared, so my main fear was just facing the crowd. Sometimes, that’s the first step to taking a risk.
How can you do it if you are not part of a philharmonic, are you asking? No problem! Volunteer to read in church. Not religious? That’s okay — prepare a toast for your next birthday and read it out loud to your friends. Feeling too much comfortable with them? Invite your boss or neighbours next time. Find your own first stage.
Body language talks more than words
I’m not sure how to start this part because I want this article to feel timeless, yet I also want to mention COVID-19 so, if you know what I’m talking about, this will be simpler to explain. If not, good for you — it means you didn’t have to experience being stuck at home during a global pandemic.
Crazy world problems apart, I have to say I was getting restless once restrictions began to be lifted. I wasn’t the only one, my girlfriend and a friend felt the same. So we took the time to do something productive and decided to take a formal training course.
Long story short, in Portugal, if you want to deliver certified training or become a technical instructor, you need specific qualifications.
In the course, we covered topics like group dynamics, engaging attendees, how to use digital platforms for e-learning and so on. But the most interesting part was the practical sessions.
In these sessions, you’re presenting to a room full of strangers on topics they may not know much about (everyone has different backgrounds). While they may not judge your content, they will notice your presentation style and body language.
It was incredibly useful. We were all there to improve, so it felt safe. I became more aware of habits like filler words, posture, and audience engagement — details I hadn’t fully noticed before.
Body language is crucial when presenting to a crowd. If you don’t make eye contact or if you only focus on one part of the room, people will lose interest quickly.
Ask colleagues or friends for feedback on your posture and delivery. Even remote feedback is valuable — it’s harder but still possible. Encourage them to give honest feedback, some people hold back, unsure of how it will be received.
This can also be a solo exercise. Just found good Instagram reels about this some days ago, by Vinh Quang Giang, about a process called Record and Review. Give it a check here.
What if I tell you that presenting sometimes it’s just like acting?
As usual, here’s another story from my life.
Imagine you’re having dinner with a friend, and he casually says, “Hey, I have news. I just started an improv theatre course.”
How would you react? My immediate response was, “Cool, can I join too?” Not sure if that’s the most typical reaction, but feel free to tell me in the comments 😅!
My initial thought was that I could learn something valuable for my professional life. And guess what? I was right (at least this time!).
In improv, we practised handling the unexpected — an essential skill for being on stage. All that confidence you build up can suddenly disappear if something goes wrong.
Your computer could crash, something falls getting out of your focus, and who knows, might burst into the room. Okay, maybe that last one might be scribbled 🦸.
But if things go sideways, embrace it — don’t let it throw you off. Check in with the audience, make a joke about the situation, or simply move around the stage.
One of the most important things I learned in improv was how movement can help us get out from blocking moments.
Or, just like a classic soap opera villain in a tense scene. Take a sip of whiskey…or better yet, stick to water this time!
Search for smaller stages at the beginning
No one starts on huge stages, right? It’s like running a marathon, you need to build up gradually. So, where to start?
It depends. In the tech world, which I’m familiar with, you could begin by presenting a topic within your company. If they don’t support your idea, look outside. There are meetup groups for nearly everything, so you’ll likely find one that matches your interests.
Are they all too far away? Ask one of your teachers if your school might be interested in an open session on a specific topic, and volunteer as the first speaker.
Still can’t find anything? Maybe it’s time to brush up on those Google skills — or ask AI for ideas!
Still no luck? No excuses. Get creative! I’m pretty sure that there is a stage waiting for you.
Test your talk when you’re bored
First, let me confess — I don’t have a set method.
I like things to flow organically, and I probably don’t test my talks as much as I should before going live. I like the thrill of a little risk.
That said, I do have a rough outline of what I want to cover and the flow that I what to follow during it.
Where do I finalize most of my ideas? In the car, on my way to the office or home. If “anything” hears all my dry runs, it’s my car seats! 😄
Why? Because I’m relaxed. Driving is a pleasure for me, and ideas just flow naturally during those moments. And actually, it’s a pretty good way to make the most of that time lost in traffic. Turns it productive.
Give it a try! Instead of setting aside a specific time to rehearse, try practising your talk in small chunks while doing something else.
Of course, this isn’t the only way — it works for me, but it might not for you. Thankfully, we’re all different, so find what suits you best!
Conclusion
If you’ve made it to this section, it likely means you’ve read the entire article — thank you for that! 😊 It also suggests you’re interested in stepping onto the stage and wondering how to get there.
As you’ve seen, achieving this goal involves taking small, consistent actions that build confidence over time, helping you become someone ready to take on the next challenge and stand confidently before an audience.
Embrace the process — that’s the most important part. Remember, sometimes the experiences that help you grow most aren’t directly related to public speaking, so stay open to all forms of growth along the way.
How about you? Do you have any tips or experiences to share? We’d love to hear them in the comments section!
Best,
Luis
SOCIAL SHARE CARD GENERATOR