Part of presenting is being fully prepared. This means beyond your speech and Power Point slides. Do a little research on your audience - and your room - before you present.

One of the best things I can tell you is to control any damage - bulldozers, rambling topics (by you) or rambling questions (from the audience) - up top. I call this “Set Your Stage.”

Here are the books and online resources I recommend most often to clients, especially professional women. Amy Cuddy image via TED.com.

Do you see public speaking as a foreboding peak you can barely get over? Or something you can give some space to and maybe even enjoy?

“How do I stop saying ‘um’?” I get this question all the time. Good news: Start with some self-awareness. That’s half the battle!

When clients come to me with issues of nerves or anxiety around public speaking, I tell them, “I’m like a therapist for public speaking.”  This gets some raised eyebrows. But stick with me.