Added: 4 years ago
From: doclampton
Views: 53,752
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (263)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • Oh hello! Have you ever read the ebook Public Speaking for Frankenstein ? I got some awesome techniques from it and afterwards delivered a show without trouble.

  • Thanks Mr Lamptom, After 3 years of struggling with public speaking I've only just realized I only have stage fright. I really appreciated your help in this video.

  • Thanks! I was really thinking about backing out of a presentation I have tomorrow and take an F, but no matter what happens its not the end of the world. Ill be laughing about it later like I do with all the other times Ive embarrassed myself. :)

  • thanks man, you really helped me, i play on many comptitions, and the only thing, that has been "stopping" me is that stupidly , unnesecery fear :)

  • On a date with a very pretty girl, i can't get rid of the butterflyes :'(

  • 2:13 it did show.............. very badly

  • Ummm doclampton There not helping

  • stage fright is sometimes useful for a guitarist.. it makes your fingers move twice as fast.. believe me,i know

  • @dunavidrava <-- But I find it harder to control and direct where my fingers go when I have stage fright.

  • Comment removed

  • you made me calm... you should do commercials!!!

  • Good ideas,  they work!

    PresentationGal

  • @presentationgal Appreciate your agreement on my approach!

  • Thanks man.

  • @Adam81209 Happy to be helpful

  • I have my first preformance in 6 years in a week and im really nervouse. this helped a lot

  • Thanks, this video really helped me put things in perspective. When you think about a 10 minute presentation, its only 10 minutes out an hour out of 24 hours in a day

  • i shake and i cant get rid of it

  • @mrstickman100 walk around and keep doing it

  • He's so cute!

  • just relax guys, you have to be one with the crowd. be the crowd, feel the audeince see them touch them feel them in your soul and make sure you do not disapoint them with whatever you are doing and always relax as calmly as possible but do not over-relax because you need to be focused aswell. Just think how far you came in your lives, through the much harder times and say to yourself ive done better than this a million times in the past and now its one for the 1 million and 1th time.

  • The blurring my eyes trick works best for me, but i still miss read words sometimes which makes me feel nervous afterwards :S

  • Thank you so much for this video

  • ahh.... This would have helped a lot if i knew about this vid earlier... Today i sang lenka - the show in front of the whole song and i was pretty nervous... Oh well at least i live through it and got a lot of compliments from ppl i know and also from those who dont know me...

  • im in km schools musical.. i have a big solo in 2 hours :( this may have helped.... thanks

  • @natonton I do hope so. As the show biz saying goes, "Break a Leg!"

  • I used 2 be great at public speaking! There was a point where i never got nervous to an extent. But one bad presentation hurt me! I shaked, stammered, sweated and I was humiliated! Now I stay away from public speaking in any way,shape, or form! I haven't gave a presentation in about 3 years!!!!!!! It's ruining my life!:(

  • this all makes me nervous just thinking about my presentation next week. this is all great but i dont think anything can help me.

  • Very true!!!! I have been performing for a very long time, and every time seems like the first time! Practice, practice, practice!!! Then, trust what you've learned! =)

  • @themusiciansdiary Well said, for sure. And of course the presenter's challenge is to give it the "illusion of the first time" for the audience. Bravo for preparation. I recommend that we should be "planned, but not canned."

  • Just thinking about being on a stage and the crowd staring at me makes me hyperventilate :( but he helped me a little :)

  • I have a speech coming up and i am scared pantsless. I hope your tips help...

  • oh that's probably one of the reasons i have never made a speaking-video on youtube(ok im afraid for my speaking English mostly)and thank you!Hope it helps... cause everytime i was so stressed that my throat was soo dry!!and my whole mouth was shaking especially in a belted-note or so,hope ill get calm next times :)

  • I have to sing tomorrow, in front of my class. I'm so nervous.

  • thank you so much :)

  • @15butterflies Good to know that my recommendations are helping you. Appreciate your sharing that with me, and Godspeed on your speaking progress.

  • thank you so much for the positive encouragement. i am playing my first concert in two weeks and i am terrified of singing on stage. this video has really helped me put things into perspective, thank you for sharing your wisdom!

  • @seapockets I'm so pleased that my video helped you. Thanks for telling me you have gained confidence. I will want to hear the results of your performance. Just keep in mind the tips that work so well for many of my clients.

  • have my speech tomorrow, thanx alot for ur help, it has made me lil confident:-)

  • @potter201040 Keep working at it, and you will become strongly confident. The keys I mentioned will help you time after time.

  • @doclampton I GOT FIRST IN THAT COMPETITION:-))) THANXXX ALOT:-)

  • @potter201040 That's absolutely marvelous news. Big-time congratulations to you! I am so happy that my comments seemed to have helped you. Keep me posted on your successes.

  • @doclampton YUP..WOULD ALWAYS INFORM YOU:-) THNX AGAIN

  • Just did my first presentation at work. Thank you for the  tips it really helps me alot!! it was much much better than i expected.

  • @gzwinn22 Great going! Future presentations will be more comfortable for you, I am sure. Congrats on your progress.

  • Im playing my first show in about a month! Im so nervous about it!!!

  • @ILUMINOUSBLACK Then that means you are concerned and committed. . .and that you will prepare thoroughly enough to succeed.

  • Delighted to know that, and thanks for your message. Check, too, my video about 3 More Ways to Control Your Stage Fright, which offers more guidelines.

    My best to you in your progress as a speaker.

  • Thanks Sir, it helped a lot :)

  • confidence and self esteem down.

    Like I said, I haven't given a presentation in 2 years, but if required to give one, I desperately don't want to be in this state again.

    The build up to the actual event is even more petrifying! I literally think about it weeks and even months before I'm due to give a presentation!

    That's how bad it is, I really don't know what to do.

  • Thank you so much for the tips Dr Lampton, I'm sure I will use them when I'm due to give another presentation. The last presentation I gave was around 2 years ago, so I have no idea as to how I would react if I were to do one now.

    What I have noticed during previous presentations though, is that my voice tends to shake. I may not show it through my gestures or facial expressions, but I know that my voice can be heard trembling.

    I don't know how to control this, it's starting to bring my.........

  • You are a great educator, Dr. Lampton. My professors always tell me that having that fear is a good thing; it means you care about the outcome. In fact, its a form of energy. Your body and mind are more awake and alert than they will ever be. The trick is to control that fear, and turn it into energy for a great performance.

  • @kinglaith7 Your very kind comment starts my day in top fashion. Thank you so much. Yes, I'd worry if I didn't have some fear--that would forecast a dull, drab presentation. You're right...make your fear your friend1

  • @doclampton Always glad to help make someone happy =)

  • Hello.. I have stage fear since my childhood... I think i have good communication skills, i can speak well... But the thing is i have little stammering problem from my childhood.. The only thing that keeps running at the back of my mind while speaking is " WHAT IF I STAMMER..??"..Even while i speak with my friends i think a lot while speaking as i dont want to stammer.. This is the only thing that comes between me and confidence..

  • @mohansrk64 My advice--take the focus away from yourself. Immerse yourself in your message, and become totally committed to sharing your message with your audience. This will build your confidence quite visibly.

  • great advice

  • @rameshchandra29 I'm very pleased my advice was helpful for you. Thanks for letting me know that.

  • I have a solo competition coming up next month and I'm already feeling afraid!!!

  • @KevinNa7 That's natural, to be expected. There's this advantage: Your fear, channeled correctly, will drive you to prepare thoroughly. Although the fear will remain at some level when you start your presentation, that also will be to your advantage--as an audience wants to see a presenter who is alert and energetic.

  • This really works:) - both- these 6 ways and also video with + 3 ways .Thanks a lot.

  • HI THIS IS A REALLY NICE VIDEO. WELL MY PAST EXPERIENCES HAVE BEEN REALLY EMBARRASING I SHAKE A LOT WHEN I AM INFRONT OF PEOPLE AND I FEEL LIKE I WANNA DIE IS FUNNY BECAUSE THAT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM UP THERE IN FRONT OF EVERYONE ELSE BUT IT DOESNT HAPPEN WHEN I AM PUBLICLY SPEAKING FROM MY CHAIR IS THAT NORMAL I DONT'K KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

  • You are not alone, I just started a public speaking class in college and I gave my first speech the other day and I had the same exact situation.

    Guess it means we are human. LOL! Take care and I wish you luck in your future speeches.

  • @geyci18 OMG that exact same thing happens to me

    and I proform on monday !!!!!!!!!!!!

    I really still dont know what to do

    but im so glad some one has the same degree of stage

    fright But i can speak confidently all the time in class

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Will welcome you to the online coaching series. I am delighted that you are pursuing your MSW degree for a life of service to others.

    No plans for a new video on interviews yet, but note the one I did about negotiating during interviews.

  • I checked out your websites. I will be purchasing the Online Coaching series.

  • Excellent video!

  • @vford43 You're most gracious with your comment. Invite you to check my other videos on You Tube as well.

  • @Hodanne Fine summary of the video's main points. Thanks for posting.

  • thank you. clever suggestions :D you have some kind of cowboy accent :|

  • @MusicsAngelica Delighted that you found the suggestions helpful. And I am laughing heartily re your comment about my accent. Never heard that one before.

  • Excellent. Thank you.

  • @jreylbc1 You are most welcome. I embrace opportunities to help speakers, through You Tube, articles, and my coaching service.

  • Thanks man, your awesome!

  • @OggieBoogie1718 You are very kind with your comments. When you apply my suggestions, time after time, you'll even look forward to speaking opportunities--and so will your audiences. Wish you all the best.

  • Awesome! bill. I prefer to write instead of being in front of the camera. That way I don't have to deal with stage fright.

  • @TheParrillaCompany Thx for that word of approval re my video. I'm grateful. Interesting what you say about writing, as I love to write also. Of course, the term "writer's block" refers to the paralyzing fear some professional people get when they stare at a blank sheet of paper. That can block their progress as much as stage fright disarms a speaker.

    Excellent writers are as rare as excellent speakers. So if you can become prominent with this skill, that will be a grand advantage.

  • It was a great convincing speech and help. Thank you very much. I 'll do a presentation tomorrow.

  • @1sobeit1 I'm very pleased to know that my advice helped you prepare for the next day's speech. Using these strategies, you will succeed for sure. All the best in this and your future presentations.

  • I talked more than I should, but i did not feel embarrassed. I was able to know my audience and had chance to talk to them and approach them with the way that you instructed . They were "friends" after all. Still it was a nerve cracking experience and preparation helped me a lot. Thank you very much for the clear positive and motivating tips which takes the experimental pain of this process. Practice will make it perfect :)

  • @doclampton It was really helpful I had a chance to socialize with my audience before the speech remembering your advice regarding the friendly audience and I did my best for that 20 min. Before starting my presentation I was really happy knowing that finally it is starting and will be finished in the next 20 min. Yes it was. The hints you provide are so clear, convincing and effective. Thank you very much again.

  • hi doclampton, i just want to say thank you for making this video, i have a guitar performance in about a week an i am very nervous im going to prepare more and just try to not worry thanks again

  • You're my hero! I have to give my first real college presentation in a few weeks time and I'm terrified...This video made me feel SO much better! Thank you!

  • your a god man...

  • Kind comment, thanks. Happy speaking to you!

  • i have a gig tonight im actually pretty stoked!!!!!!!!

  • Practice is FIRST !

    But also -visualize- your talk going well.

  • I agree fully that visualizing success helps make it happen. Thanks for your input.

  • No amount of mental preparations seem to be able to prevent this physiological response. I am convinced of the veracity of what you describe, and I am certain that it may well be the solution for many people. However, I know from personal experience that for others, these ideas can be mastered, and yet are still far from a solution. For these reasons, I am very keen to encourage those at the "end of the road" (like myself) not to rule out the use of beta blockers.

  • Comment removed

  • oh man i hope this works my oral speech is in 3 weeks its in english class an open subject and am so scared at first im calm you now give myself some mind therepy but when i was uo there last time i wouldnt stop shaking i dint now what to do and everybody noticed i wasnt so nervese but i wouldnt stop shaking....does your edvise work for a shy low self estimed 8th grader?

  • Yes, for sure my advice will work for you. Just picture yourself succeeding before you even stand up there. Imagine your class paying more attention to you than even before, Remember that you know your subject better than they do. Then you will enjoy your new sense of assurance. Godspeed, and pls tell me how it went.

  • Thank you! i did my Oral today and it went great! i followed the advise and it worked i rocked at my speech and at the end everybody clapped and cheered for me i dint see it coming. again thank you!

  • I have a speaking contest tomorrow I was so nervous up until now. I am definitely confident about it. the prize if I win is 300$ so i have something on the line

  • So happy to hear that my tips helped you grab control of your nerves. All the best for tomorrow. Please let me hear the results, which I am sure will be good ones for you.

  • hi me again just wanted to say my speech went great!! thank you for all your help and i really appreciate my A!!! i shocked everyone and i'm now confident with speaking!! thanks again.

  • Congratulations. . .big time! You are gracious to tell me about the highly positive results. I'm delighted that my advice helped you shift your focus and control your anxiety. Bet you will look forward to your next opportunity to speak.

  • i sure will! thanks again :)

  • hmm... how can i stop having the gulp alot?? and how to no have a really fast heartbeat causing bad breathing? thanks :) by the way the speech is tomorrow so please help me soon!

  • Your gulps and rapid heartbeat are symptoms. They reflect excessive fear and focus on your performance. I recommend--highly--that you shift your attention. Give full concentration to your audience, and to the message you are eager to share with them. Amazingly, the less you think about how you are feeling and reacting, the more positive and successful your speech will be. Godspeed for this and future speeches!

  • hi thanks for answering so quick! you've helped me to be a bit more confident about my speech! thanks again and wish me luck!

  • Delighted to help--and I will be eager to hear the results after you speak. As for wishing you luck, I like this advice: 'The harder I work, the luckier I get!"

  • thank you so much i will let you know this time tomorrow how it went!

  • Dear Dr. Lampton!

    Thank you very much for uploading these tips and helping people improve their speaking performances for free! I am also impressed that you even answer some comments here on your youtube channel. All the best for you!

  • Rudi, I appreciate your good words very much. I am delighted to answer questions and comments from grateful viewers like you. Check my You Tube video about 3 more ways to control your stage fright. Again, thanks for writing.

  • thanks fr the tips.i have a presentation tmr.=\

  • Sounds like you have taken the right steps toward a successful speech. When you apply the tips provided in the video, your confidence will rise and the audience will sense that. All the best to you for this presentation and future ones.

  • thk you so much(: to know that i can at least seek help from wonderful speakers like Dr. Bill Lampton(;

  • Appreciate the nice compliment. Like you, I will keep learning more effective ways to speak. Such a fascinating privilege to face audiences, so we always want to be at peak level performance.

  • How did your presentation go? Were the tips in the video beneficial for you? I wish you well in your development as a speaker.

  • @doclampton

    i managed to "hide" or say, control my nervousness..i'll try harder.another presentation this friday!

  • My prediction: With your new approach, you will feel--and display--increased confidence every time. Thanks for keeping me updated about your progress.

  • Thank u!!! Everytime i have a presentation it begins smooth.Then the next thing i know my heart beats faster and my eyes begin to water.I can never really talk infront of people and i alaways thought that they were not paying attention to me at all. I began to cry and my class just tries to comfort me and while they're doing that i'm thinking all i had was one more sentence and i screwed up!!!-_- I am so stupid!!! This is what happened to me today during school when i was presenting. Why!!!

  • @Narutogaarafan01 I screwed up my presentation too..it was totally disaster ! ..but I felt okay after reading your comment...it's like..I'm not the only one xD

  • oh your welcome!!^^ Now i know i'm not the only one too. I thought that it would only be me with this kind of problem like that.

  • one thing to try is practice your speech infront of your webcam then review it. No one will see it except for you.

  • Yes, as I often tell my Speech Coaching clients, the camera doesn't lie. Watching the practice videos will help us spot mannerisms we want to eliminate. However, I caution my clients against excessive rehearsal, because I don't want their speeches to appear robotic. Much better to keep the vitality going.

  • Man, You are freaking totally right

  • Happy that you consider my advice on target and helpful. My best to you in your progress as a speaker.

  • I have a presentation at school tomorrow. I'm so nervous

  • how'd it go?

  • not too bad actually as i recall.

    Probably my best public speaking performance to date.

    Thanks for asking!

  • ty so much i am a singer just starting out again Im in a talent show that last 10 weeks but i suffer with stage fright ty so much for the tips i know i am going to better next week

  • when i have to hold my paper in my hands you can see it shaking really badly and people smirk at me and that leads to me just wanting to die, and audiences aren't always friendly

  • That's when i listen to someone present a paper i always resect it even if you get nervous. I usually try to cheer people up if they freeze and really want to listen.

    Much of the educated audience are usually on the lookout for every little mistake you make.

  • @TheBlackGorilla turn the page. change it.I am the same but I want to defeat it and I will.Once ,my hands shake in a way that a mother fucker teacher told me:sorry but you are not an old man!!But I will make it.That's the only reason I am alive and I tell you:We will.We will be the best speakers.

  • Comment removed

  • Sorry to say, but some audiences are indeed just waiting to put down the speaker at every minor mistake with laughter. That's my own experience, and also what I've observed at fellow students' presentations at university. Personally I would rather have an unresponsive attitude from my listeners. It would make the mandatory presentations so much less painful to get out of the way.

  • Thats Mr Hampton this was helpfull. Solid!

    Laif

  • This was really nice.. Thanks for sharing it

  • i never had stage fright before and hate it now that i go to college..in my case is when i read something loud my hearts beats uncontrolable which affects my thinking and then it beats in my neck which makes me talk funny. need help as college going to start next week..plz

  • when u said that all those symptoms were internal, i wanted to tell u about my case. i BLUSH and not just pink cheeks, but crimson red and my whole face begins to pulse and sweat and people stare. i feel like passing out. what would you do in that case to reduce the blushing?

  • Comment removed

  • isnt this the "will it blend" guy

  • No, I'm not. Hadn't even heard of "will it blend" until you mentioned it.

  • I forgot to mention that I could be very prepared but it never stops the adrinaline rush that I get before and audience. this all affects my playing.

  • I'm a guitar player that's never had a peak performance. I don't perform that often but when I do my hands start trembling. The audiance might not notice but my Technique is affected alot. It is noticable to people that know me because thay've seen me play without fear. The problem is I don't know what I am fearing. Do I just get over anxious that causes an uncontrolable adrinaline rush? Now I just get the fear of being over anxious, but can't control it. Can you help me figure that out?

  • Music is much different than a speech. Most people listen the tune and do not pay attention to the hands.

  • Here's what I did...

    I was back stage before a major pro theater premier (I was in the band); hundreds of people where there, including the press, and tension was mounting. I finally just stopped and told myself this...

    I DENY the need to feel this way! I know what to play and how to play it; I'm prepared and my feet are under me The need to feel anxiety over this is an ILLUSION; it's fear of something fake.

    That worked. I coped better than some of the more seasoned pros.

  • So happy you let me know about the approach you took. Absolutely perfect. . .practically guarantees your best performance. I am sure your comment will help many others. A great weekend to you.

  • Thanks I will use that when the time comes.

  • Check that on video when you have an opportunity. Most likely, the shaking will not be as noticeable to others as to you.

  • I do disagree, though, that all symptoms of stage fright are internal. I suffer from anxiety and I've been put in situations where the fear was absolutely terrible, and the symptoms, along with feeling your throat close up and stuttering (which is obviously external), a lot of people who suffer from this also blush because of rising blood pressure, along with sweating a lot. The whole shaking thing can also be very noticeable. I did a presentation on Beethoven once and my hands were going nuts.

  • Your words are very gracious about my willingness to respond. Really, it's an honor to have You Tube viewers who submit questions and comments. Occasionally I respond slower than I'd like, yet I will always answer those who share their thoughts.

  • Kudos to you for actually responding to people's comments. It bugs me when people ask questions and the authors don't say a thing.

  • Yes, you have a point, in that levels of reaction can vary. Probably it would be more correct for me to say that "most of the symptoms of stage fright remain internal, known only to the speaker, but in extreme cases exceptions occur." I appreciate your example.

  • Fortunately, it's very unlikely that your audience will know what you are going through, and after a minute or so your discomfort will subside. Watch a practice speech on video. You will appear more poised than you'd guess.

  • thanks doc

  • Delighted that you consider this video helpful.

  • wow just listening to you made me instantly calmer doc! many many thanks for the tips, am going to apply your tips for my court hearings :) i always get nervous when i'm direct examining a witness for the first time :)

  • "Instantly calmer"--that sounds like the result we all want. Knowing that my advice will give you more serenity in your court hearings is a grand feeling.

  • Bravo!

  • Appreciate your verbal applause--thanks.

  • shaking hands are the worst! For me the more I stress, the higher amplitude of my hand shaking is :P That really sucks. I need aid :| Because I've seen many people being really stressed and they were only doing nervous moves but not some damn hand shaking :\

  • My suggestion: Focus entirely on the audience and how much you want them to get your message. This takes some discipline, true, but you'll find the results well worthwhile.

  • I can speak to thousands on pirate radio behind a microphone but when I get up on a stage in front of say 100 people I loose myself, I would have to know the people!! If I dont then its bye bye oppertunity

  • Not many of us get to speak only to audiences where we know everyone involved. I suggest you keep in mind that everyone in your audience is a potential friend, and wants you to succeed.

  • when i play the piano in front of people i get really nervous i sweat and my hands get really shaky..i really hate this about me

    'cuz when im playing the piano in my room and alone i sound good i dont mess it up!..so ya

    but really thanks alot for the tips i will try them next time im on stage...and thats in 5 days

  • same with me on guitar. i even get nervous making youtube vids! :S yipes.

  • You've got a talent most people yearn for. . .music. Guess the Creator gave you what I wanted. Consider every opportunity to perform a blessing that most of us don't get.

  • thanks so much :D

  • In your room alone you are concentrating on your music--peiod. That's the key to success. Do that on stage, and your performance will improve remarkably.

  • One more thing, I start stressing when I even think about a situation like I'm in front of many people, and I don't know why. One thought makes me nervous...

  • If you know your topic well and desire to connect with your audience, your fear will not overcome you. Recognize that the more you speak, the less threatening the situation will seem.

  • Hey, good tips, but... when I have stage fright, and just one thought concentrates on the impression instead of what I should be doing, my hands start shaking and I get immediate strong stage fright. Shaking hands are the worst - I can't do anything with that when I am already stressed, I even try to make a joke out of it, but that's annoying for me, it's very visible and I can't do anything that requires hand precision. Like playing piano in front of more friends watching me, I make mistakes :\

  • me to i dont why it happens

  • Happens because we are humans facing an unusual or threatening situation. Not all bad, though, because nervous reactions show we are taking our role as a speaker quite seriously.

  • Speaking, singing, acting--no public performance will improve because of an artificial stimulus. Save the alcohol for a celebration after you have served your audience well. Pls pardon my delay in responding. I appreciate your interest very much.

  • thanks--i feel much better now. i too would like an answer on the alcohol questiion for a singing performance, just a small shot of port--or 2?????

  • thank you for the advice. one more question: do you think a small amount of alcohol before a presentation is a good idea just to calm the nerves a bit and to loosen you up?

  • Pls pardon my delay in responding.

    There is no drug, liquid or otherwise, that will improve your speaking. The opposite is the case. The speaker's memory starts failing, she slurs words, and loses control of the situation. Some professional speakers even avoid caffeine before a speech.

  • when ever i speak or stand up in front of an audiance i blush or get REALLY red in the face.... like at school i have to preform a pantomime activity in front of class and my face would just become red... what do i do?

  • Re your blushing--I have had plenty of experience with that. Helps to realize that this is another one of those reactions that others are not likely to notice. . .hard to accept, but true. Re stutter: Even veteran speakers might stumble through the first few words, then get confident and comfortable. Pls watch my "3 More Ways to Control Stage Fright" You Tube video, and you'll find additional suggestions there. Big idea: Get so wrapped up in your topic and audience that you forget

    yourself.

  • i have a college presentation coming up and i am really anxious about it. i always go really red when i have to speak in front of a large crowd and stutter my speech. any tips on how to control this dr lampton?

  • Thank you sir