Calming Nerves: Best Man's Speech Strategies

Public speaking is a common fear, but there are many ways to calm your nerves before a big speech. First, it's important to prepare ahead of time by practicing your speech and visualising your success. You should also focus on your message and use positive affirmations to boost your confidence. On the day, it's a good idea to arrive early and do some simple physical exercises to relax your body. Before you begin, take a deep breath and smile – this will help to lower your stress levels.

Practice your speech

Practicing your speech is one of the most important things you can do to calm your nerves before a big event. The more comfortable you are with the material, the more confident you'll feel when delivering it. Here are some tips to help you practice effectively:

Run Through Your Speech Multiple Times

It is recommended that you run through your speech in full at least three times before the big day. Practicing your speech will help you improve your delivery, timing, and transitions. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will feel.

Practice in Front of Others

If possible, practice your speech in front of a friend or family member. They can give you feedback and suggestions for improvement. Practicing in front of others can also help you feel more comfortable speaking in front of an audience.

Record Yourself

Consider recording yourself while practicing your speech. This will allow you to listen back and critique your delivery. You can also use a mirror to observe your body language and facial expressions.

Don't Memorise Your Speech

Instead of memorising your speech word-for-word, focus on memorising your main points and use bullet points or cue cards to guide you. This will help you avoid sounding robotic and will make your delivery more natural and engaging.

Practice with Elevated Heart Rate

One unique suggestion is to practice your speech with an elevated heart rate. For example, run up and down a flight of stairs and then present. This technique will help you prepare for the nervousness and increased heart rate you may experience on the day of your speech.

Practice in the Venue

If possible, practice your speech in the venue where you will be delivering it. This will help you build familiarity with the space and reduce last-minute stressors.

Focus on Your Main Messages

When practicing, focus on your key messages and the structure of your speech. This will help you feel more confident and ensure your speech is well-organised and easy to follow.

Remember, the key to calming your nerves is practice, practice, practice! The more you familiarise yourself with your speech, the more confident and comfortable you will feel on the day.

Visualise success

Visualising success is a powerful technique to calm your nerves before a best man's speech. Here are some ways to do this:

Imagine Yourself Giving a Successful Speech

Take a few moments to visualise yourself giving a successful speech. See yourself speaking confidently, engaging the wedding guests, and receiving positive feedback. Imagine the positive outcomes, such as applause, laughter, and compliments. This will help boost your self-esteem, motivation, and optimism.

Create a 'Character' Version of Yourself

Create a 'character' version of yourself in your mind – a confident and engaging public speaker. Then, when it's time for your speech, step into this character and own the room. When your speech is over, step out and enjoy the applause.

Recall Past Successful Presentations

If you've given a speech before, recall your successes. Remind yourself that you've faced bigger challenges and that you'll go on to overcome more in the future.

Focus on the Positive

If you're nervous, your mind might be buzzing with negative thoughts. To calm your nerves, use the power of positive thinking. Tell yourself that you'll do a great job. Think about how you'll entertain the guests and receive compliments.

Step into a 'Superhero' Stance

Before your speech, strike a power pose. Channel your inner superhero by standing tall, hands on hips, and chest out. This can help you feel more confident and in control.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The more you practice your speech, the more comfortable you'll be with the material, and the more confident you'll feel when delivering it. Practising will also help you memorise your main points and avoid relying too much on notes.

Positive affirmations

• "I am a calm and confident public speaker, and I am going to be amazing."
• "I am fearless when speaking to a large crowd."
• "I have a great voice for public speaking and come off knowledgeable and confident."
• "Words and thoughts come effortlessly to me."
• "I am excited and positive about this speech."
• "I am an engaging speaker and people will enjoy listening to me speak."
• "I can clearly communicate my vision to my audience."
• "I am well-prepared and knowledgeable about my topic."
• "I am grateful for the opportunity to share my ideas and inspire others."
• "I am calm, composed, and in control of my nerves."
• "I believe in myself and my message, and I convey it with passion and authenticity."
• "I am making a difference by being brave."
• "I am a powerful, inspiring speaker."
• "I am more and more comfortable speaking in front of others."
• "I am sincere with my words and going to have great results."
• "I expect success."

Remember, it's perfectly normal to feel nervous about public speaking. The audience will likely be rooting for you, and they will not expect a flawless performance. All they want to hear is a few nice and funny things about the newlyweds.

Focus on your message

Focusing on your message is a great way to calm your nerves before a best man's speech. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Know your audience

Knowing your audience is crucial to delivering a powerful message. Research their background, interests, and expectations. This will help you tailor your speech to their level and language, and anticipate their questions, reactions, and feedback. This way, you can prepare answers and avoid being caught off guard. It will also help you feel more comfortable and confident when delivering your speech.

Practice your speech

Practicing your speech will help you improve your delivery, timing, and transitions. Practice in front of a mirror, a recorder, or with a friend, and ask for feedback to make your speech even better. Practicing will also help you memorize your main points and reduce your reliance on notes or slides. Remember, the more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with your material, and the more confident you'll feel when delivering it.

Visualize your success

Visualizing yourself giving a successful speech is a powerful technique to calm your nerves. Imagine yourself speaking confidently, engaging your audience, and conveying your message clearly. Visualize positive outcomes, such as applause, compliments, or new opportunities. This will boost your self-esteem, motivation, and optimism, and help you replace negative thoughts and emotions with positive ones.

Remember why you are speaking in public and what value you can offer to your audience. Focus on the content, structure, and delivery of your speech. Don't worry too much about making mistakes, your appearance, or what the audience thinks of you. Instead, concentrate on your message, and you will be more likely to connect with your audience and make a lasting impact.

Know your content inside out

Learn your material thoroughly. This will reduce your nervousness, allow you to interact with the audience, and feel their emotions. It will also give you the flexibility to steer your speech in a different direction if needed. However, don't memorize your speech word for word. Keep bullet points or key pointers to guide you, and the rest will follow automatically.

Deep breathing

Practice Deep Breathing in Advance

Take a Deep Breath Before You Begin

In the moments before you start your speech, remember to take a deep breath. This will help relax your body, steady your voice, and keep your nerves in check. Knowing that you have this tool can give you a sense of control and confidence as you begin your speech.

Combine with Positive Visualisation

Visualisation is a powerful technique that can be combined with deep breathing. Before your speech, visualise yourself taking a deep breath, successfully delivering your speech, and receiving positive feedback from the audience. This will help boost your self-esteem and replace any negative thoughts with positive ones.

Focus on Your Breathing Throughout

Keep Things in Perspective

Remember that nervousness before public speaking is a natural response. You are not alone in feeling nervous about giving a best man's speech. Deep breathing is a simple yet powerful tool that can help you manage those nerves and deliver your speech with confidence.

Frequently asked questions