There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for overcoming nerves when it comes to public speaking. So, I asked five other experts to share their top tips for projecting confidence and their go-to strategies for staying grounded in nerve-wracking moments.
In this guide, you’ll discover 6 practical, expert-recommended strategies to appear more confident, sound more composed, and make a strong impression, no matter how nervous you feel. From breathing techniques to powerful body language, these methods will help you look and sound self-assured (even when your heart is racing).
- Control Your Breathing and Posture
- Be a “Lighthouse Speaker”
- Use Humor to Mask Nervousness
- Stand Tall and Use Your Diaphragm
- Practice Effective Body Language and Vocal Presence
- Trust Yourself
Control Your Breathing and Posture to Regulate Anxiety and Project Confidence
One strategy I use to project confidence and authority, even when I’m feeling nervous, is controlling my breathing and slowing down my speech. When nerves hit, it’s easy to rush through sentences, making me sound uncertain. By taking intentional pauses and speaking at a steady pace, I create the appearance of control, which naturally makes me feel more confident as well.
Body language plays a huge role, too. I focus on keeping my posture upright, shoulders back, and maintaining steady eye contact. Even if I’m second-guessing myself internally, standing tall signals authority. Using purposeful hand gestures rather than fidgeting helps reinforce key points and keeps the audience engaged.
Before high-pressure moments, I also reframe nerves as excitement. Instead of thinking, “I’m nervous,” I tell myself, “I’m prepared, and this is just energy.” The shift in mindset helps settle any self-doubt and project confidence. Confidence isn’t about never feeling nervous—it’s about training yourself to look and sound in control, even when your heart is racing.
Be a Lighthouse Speaker
I’ve trained thousands of women all over the world to become confident speakers through my company. And before we talk about stage presence or build their keynote talk, or do any of the things you think you’re supposed to do to become a great speaker, I ask them one question: where are you shining your light? There are two types of speakers: a spotlight speaker and a lighthouse speaker.
A Spotlight speaker has the mindset of using their time on stage to perform for others and making sure they’re in the best light possible. A spotlight speaker asks themselves: will everyone like me? What will they think? How do I look? Will they think I’m important? Will I do a good job? With a spotlight, the light is on them.
A Lighthouse speaker has the mindset of using their time on stage to guide others to a better outcome. A lighthouse doesn’t want to be in the spotlight, it uses its light to guide others. A lighthouse speaker asks themselves: what do they need? How can I help? What do I know that they don’t? How can I use my time in front of them to improve their day? How can I make it easier for them? How can I guide them safely into the harbor? With a lighthouse, the light isn’t on the speaker, it’s on the listener. When you’re a lighthouse speaker, you’ll find you won’t get as nervous because it’s not about being perfect, it’s about solving the needs of the audience.
So if you’re looking for a way to be a great speaker and to project confidence, before you get up there, ask this one question: Where are you shining your light?
Use Humor to Build Connection and Mask Nervous Energy
I don’t like public speaking, but if I have to, I rely on humor to get me through it. I just try to make people laugh. It chills everyone out, including me. It helps to break the ice and establish a connection, and it helps me to project confidence.
Focusing on delivering humorous content allows me to redirect my attention away from anxiety, preventing nervous tics or hesitant speech patterns. If I’m busy trying to be funny, I’m not focusing on how much my hands are shaking or how nervous I’m feeling. Humor is how I pretend I’m totally cool and in control, even when I’m freaking out inside.
Stand Tall and Speak from Your Diaphragm for a Stronger Presence
It’s normal to feel nervous before a public speaking event. One way to project confidence is to remember that everyone coming to hear you speak is rooting for you to do well, because when you do well, they’ll have a good time too.
An effective technique for conveying confidence to your audience is to stand up tall, with your shoulders back. This will improve your visual presence and make it appear that you’re taking up more space. It will also open your chest and allow you to breathe and speak better.
Another is to use your diaphragm when speaking to an audience, rather than the top of your lungs. This will allow you to project your voice into the crowd. It will also deepen your voice and provide more resonance, instead of the shallow nasal sound produced by breathing with the top of your lungs.
When you combine these techniques of a proper mindset, with a proper stance, and a proper breathing and speaking method, you’ll project confidence, do well, and everybody will enjoy your event.
Practice Confident Body Language and Vocal Delivery Techniques
To project confidence and authority in negotiations or presentations, practice effective body language and develop a strong vocal presence.
Use “power poses” and controlled breathing to calm nerves. Adopt open, expansive body language, maintain eye contact, and avoid closed positions like crossed arms. Engaging the audience by moving closer while using natural gestures can enhance enthusiasm and communication.
Project Confidence = Trust Yourself
We tend to underestimate how much we know or what we’re capable of. So my advice is to trust yourself.
As a public speaking coach, I work with brilliant technical professionals from companies like Instagram, Amazon, and Edelman. These are people with incredible ideas who sometimes struggle to present them. Often, the challenge isn’t about skill or knowledge, but about believing in ourselves enough to speak up.
Confidence isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the ability to act in spite of it. One of the best ways to build that confidence in public speaking is to acknowledge how you feel and reframe your thoughts. When nerves creep in before a presentation, try saying either in your head or out loud, “Even though I feel nervous/anxious/afraid…” and follow it with something true and supportive. For example:
- “Even though I feel nervous, I will do my best.”
- “Even though I feel anxious, nerves are normal and I can handle it.”
- “Even though I feel anxious, I trust myself that I can deliver this presentation.”
These simple affirmations don’t deny your feelings. They empower you to move forward regardless of the fear and, thus, help you to project confidence.
Bringing It All Together
By applying these confidence-building strategies, you can shift from feeling overwhelmed to owning the room.
Confidence isn’t about never feeling nervous. It’s about knowing how to manage your nerves and communicate with clarity, calm, and authority. Whether you’re speaking up in a meeting or delivering a keynote, these tips can help you show up as your most confident self.
FAQs
How to Project Confidence
How can I project confidence when I feel anxious?
To appear confident when you’re nervous, use deep, controlled breathing, adopt open body language, and maintain strong eye contact. These actions send nonverbal cues of confidence and calm.
Can humor help reduce nervousness when public speaking?
Yes, humor helps break the ice, lighten the mood, and redirect your focus from self-consciousness to audience connection. It’s a useful tool for easing tension and sounding natural.
Why does posture matter when trying to project confidence?
An upright, open posture boosts your perceived confidence and actually influences how you feel. Standing tall and expanding your presence can lower cortisol (stress hormone) and raise self-assurance.
What vocal technique makes you sound more confident?
Speaking from your diaphragm improves vocal projection, resonance, and tone. It helps eliminate shaky or breathy speech, making you sound more in control and authoritative.