• Act real. Start with yourself and be yourself. Bring the best self you can be and own the space. This is the key to ‘presence’ and to managing nerves
• Managing nerves when presenting is not a one size fits all approach – what are your triggers, concerns and strengths?
• Shift the focus. It’s not about you. It’s about your audience
• Breathe. Just breathe
• Pay attention to your intention. Be clear on your objectives and put your attention to things that help you achieve it
• Be clear on the point of your presentation and how it helps your audience. What’s in it for them? How are you solving their problems?
• Take the time to analyse and plan your presentation
• Prepare, rehearse, then let go. That’s when connection happens
• Connect with and believe in your message
• Consider what you want your audience to do and how you want them to feel
• Your body language affects how you feel and how the audience reads you. What helps you? What gets in the way?
• Start strongly. Hook the audience. Why do they need to listen to you? What’s the ‘so what’ factor?
• What is your call to action? What are you asking for? What changes because of your presentation?
• Make sure your information, facts and figures have a throughline and tell a story
• How do slides enhance your key messages? What could you use instead? Don’t read your slides – direct the audience’s attention and focus
• Be wary of ‘systems’ or ‘processes’. Try them out and take what works for you
• Ask for feedback. Keep presenting. You will get better and grow your confidence

Glen Hancox is the director of Actreal, drawing upon acting practices to coach people develop sustainable personal and professional presence, to present and be present. Key to his approach is guiding people to communicate within The Inter-Personal Space, TIPS©.