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Vocal variability.
Several things can happen to our voices when we are nervous or anxious. Some people will find their pitch rises causing them to become squeaky and less authoritative. Others take on a flat, lifeless, monotone sound, with no variation.
This can put an audience to sleep faster than most things. (Just like a politician can do.)
Do nerves see you speeding up? Keep in mind any time you feel yourself speeding up, like you are racing to an imaginary finish line, your message might be lost in that rush. Design some light and shade in your vocal presentation, by changing pace; pitch; volume – by design, not by accident.
Work the room.
Be mindful of your entire audience at all times. Even when answering one person’s question, don’t ignore everyone else. Bring the audience into the conversation by acknowledging them with eye contact, or gestures.
Move within your presentation area, rather than standing fixed in one spot, as though cemented to the ground. That’s a sure sign of nerves.
The opposite of this is also true. If nervousness causes you to traverse the stage from right to left and back again, with no apparent purpose - and without any grace or style - your audience may become dizzy or distracted.
It's crucial to keep your nerves under control - at least until you complete your presentation and you can take your seat. Take a relaxed, deep breath, knowing you have achieved a lot today!
