10 Ways to Reduce the Jitters Before a Speech

Whether you're presenting a project report to a group of colleagues or delivering a keynote address to several hundred conference attendees, it's only natural to feel nervous. The Public Speaking Blog offers 10 ways you can calm your nerves before taking the stage, including:

• Listen to music of your choice Music is therapeutic and has a soothing effect on even the most nervous speaker. Here's something you can try: create a personal playlist of music that works for you. It could be music that calms your nerves or music that perks you up.

• Do voice exercises When you are nervous, your muscles tense up, including your throat. And if you don't warm up, you will sound like a strangled frog on stage. Not a beautiful sight. Voice exercises do not have to be complicated. Singing the scale works. Doing funny faces in private works too.