How to overcome stage fright

How to overcome stage fright

Do you suffer from nerves when recording your videos?

Performance anxiety or “stage fright” is a common issue for presenters. It can make you stumble over your words or look awkward on screen.

The Teleprompter for Video app will prevent you from forgetting your lines but what about your nerves?

How can you overcome stage fright and deliver a star performance?

How to control your emotions and reduce anxiety

Here are several things you can do that will help before you start recording:

  • Practice. A lot. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel.
  • Breathe. Deep breathing really helps you unwind. So close your eyes and take some deep breaths. 
  • Use relaxation techniques. Do a yoga, meditation or mindfulness session beforehand to ensure you’re as calm as possible.  
  • Detox. Limit your caffeine and sugar intake as these can increase your nerves. Water is best before and while presenting.
  • Get active. Take a walk, jump up and down, roll your shoulders and shake out your arms and legs to relieve tension in your muscles.
  • Prioritise sleep. Go to bed early the night before, with plenty of wind-down time, and limit your alcohol intake.
  • Dress up. Make yourself look good. When you look good, you feel good.
  • Be positive. Don’t focus on what could go wrong. Be confident in your script and preparation.
  • Imagine a smiling audience. Visualise your viewers enjoying watching your film, and feeling engaged and motivated to take action afterwards.
  • Schedule well. Record at the time of day you feel most alert and allow enough time so you’re not rushing. It’s normal to shoot several takes until you’re happy with the final result.
  • Don’t procrastinate. While you need to feel prepared, taking too long can increase your sense of anxiety. So when you’re ready, go for it. Your nerves will disappear once you get started.

Finally, be yourself. Try to act naturally (see more tips on how to do this) and give it your best shot. Like most new skills, you’ll find it gets easier the more you do it. 😊

Learn from others

Being part of a community, and seeing how other people handle their recording sessions and overcome their stage fright, will also help you conquer your nerves.

So why not join our Teleprompters for Video Creators Facebook group to share stories, ask questions and get more top tips to make your videos even better?

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