Among the most common questions we receive from clients who want to improve their public speaking skills are those caused by “podium panic.” That’s what I call the moment a speaker realizes that he won’t be able to hide behind a lectern or read an entire script. With that discovery comes many questions: What do I do with my script? How do I stop? And the ubiquitous “What do I do with my hands?”

We tell customers that they they are the presentation, not their scripts and nothing brings that home like facing an audience without one.

Know that the good news is that, if you are prepared, talking about your notes will be very helpful. increase your effectiveness as a speaker. No one is the audience he wants to be read to, no matter the topic. They have come to hear what you you have to say, not what you have to read. (After all, you could have saved everyone time and hassle by simply emailing your script if that wasn’t the case.) The bad news is that you will have to get over the idea that the preparation stops once you put your content on paper.

Follow some basic guidelines to help you supercharge your presentation without that script:

· Always start by determining the key messages. Your messages are your port in a storm. Lose your spot? Return to port. Wondering if the material is relevant? Look at those key messages and decide if any of your material helps explain or convince us of their validity. If the material doesn’t do that directly, set it aside. This is how you’ll start to cut through a lot of unnecessary material and get to the heart of why your audience has come to listen to you.

· Reduce notes to key ideas and phrases. Do not use complete sentences in your note cards and do not fill your note cards with fine print. The idea here is to get away from just reading for the audience. That process gets a lot more complicated if you just transferred an entire script onto little note cards. Instead, focus on bigger points with key phrases, using more of a reduced outline to a bulleted form (and numbering your note cards prominently). The idea is to maximize eye contact with an audience and get some feedback from them. If you see nodding heads or faces looking back at you thoughtfully, you’ll get a sign that you’re on the right track.

· Don’t memorize. You should practice your speech until you feel comfortable with the general shape and outline, but give yourself the freedom to speak in the moment. Nobody knows what you meant. In the meantime, by freeing yourself from exact wording and even exact order, you’ll have a better chance of really connecting and giving your presentation a flow that’s easier for your audience to understand.

· Try to leave behind even the note cards. If there is a small table or surface to the side that you can place your notes on, make an effort to check them regularly rather than holding them in your hand. Yes, it takes practice. If you need to go back to your notes to check your spot, don’t stress. Just stop talking. Review your notes, and then start over with your hearing. Once you truly free yourself from the need to fill every second of time with a written sentence, you’ll discover just how much your props (notes) have been holding you back. If you need to shorten your presentation to accommodate your ability to stay on track, do so. It pays off for your audience, to get a sense of your passion and knowledge about a subject, then it is to try to follow a technically detailed presentation that was just read to them.

· Practice practice practice. Did I mention practice? Nothing will increase your competition and audience enjoyment more than having a real sense that you’re not there. reading but really communicating your ideas for some purpose. When you’re comfortable, it will show in natural hand movements, with a more relaxed voice, natural rhythm, and a more compelling presentation.

Remember, you are the presentation The rest are just helpers to help you achieve it.