You’re Not Alone: Everyone Gets Nervous
If you ever get nervous before going on stage or speaking in front of an audience, you’re not alone.
Even the most experienced performers and presenters feel that rush of adrenaline before stepping into the spotlight.
Here’s one of my favourite presentation skills tips that also applies perfectly to anyone wanting to improve their confidence before a big talk, pitch, or keynote:
👉 Get there early and “tread the boards.
What Does “Treading the Boards” Mean?
It’s an old theatre phrase that means walking the stage before the audience arrives – literally getting your feet used to the floor you’ll perform on.
Before every event, I arrive early, step on stage, and take a few quiet minutes to walk around. It gives me a chance to review the audience space, check my sight lines, and imagine what it will feel like when the room is full.
As a result, this small ritual instantly helps me feel grounded. By the time the first guests arrive, I’ve already been there. The stage feels familiar. It feels like my space.
Why This Works: Confidence Comes From Comfort
Whether you’re performing on stage to 1,000 people or thinking about how to open a presentation to your team, finding your feet before you start is the key to a confident delivery.
Confidence doesn’t just come from knowing your content – it comes from feeling comfortable in your environment.
When you walk the stage or room in advance, you remove the “unknown.”
You discover where the podium is, how bright the lights are, how far you can move, and where the audience will be sitting.
That familiarity makes your body relax – and when your body relaxes, your delivery improves.
Therefore, this is one of the most practical presentation and performance tips I’ve ever used. Whether I’m hosting a corporate event or giving a keynote, I never skip it.
A Trick Used by Performers and Presenters Alike
As a magician and presenter, I’ve spent years performing in unfamiliar venues – from grand theatres to hotel ballrooms and conference halls.
And every single time, I use this same technique.
The reason?
When I feel relaxed, I can focus on engaging the audience, not fighting my nerves.
And if you’re preparing for a speech or presentation, the same principle applies.
Before you think about how to open a presentation with a powerful story or statistic, take five minutes to simply walk the room. By the time your audience sits down, it’ll already feel like home.
It’s a tiny action that delivers a massive boost in confidence – one of those timeless performance tips that separates a nervous speaker from a natural one.
Final Thought: Walk the Room Before You Own the Room
So before your next big moment – remember to “tread the boards.”
Your future self will thank you.
👉 Want to develop confidence and stage presence for your next big talk? Visit my Keynote Speaker page to learn how I help teams and leaders master communication.