Engage - Getting over presentation nerves!

I used to get nervous about giving presentations, but somewhere along the line that changed and I began to love it. One of the most important things you can do, is engage people. Presenting is a chance to put that into practice. I used to wonder how people manage to go into presentations and confidently free style. I figured they must really know the content inside out, and though i still think that's true, I don't think that's the most important thing. You can't conquer presentation nerves by knowing a lot of content related
stuff.


I think the secret lies in a perspective shift. Once you know your stuff, you have an opportunity to give something back. It's not about you, when you present, it's about the audience, it's about giving them an opportunity to learn something and you're at their service. This shift changes everything about presenting. It changes how you prepare, what you decide to keep in / throw out, the energy you bring on the day, etc. Your heart might still race, but the feeling of being privileged to be giving something back, will often override the nerves.
Sincerity is the key, it'll keep you on track throughout and it'll win the audience over. Once in a while, if you do lose track, or get caught for words, neither the audience or you will care. It would be like being caught for words when you're talking to a friend, neither of you would give it a second thought.