Most people suffer from stage fright when performing or speaking, so the first thing you should know is that you're not alone when it comes to anxiety. Celebrities and millionaires get nervous all of the time before big shows and speeches.
We all have fears about embarrassment, but some people, like me, get it so bad that it can take away from the performance. Even worse, it can take away from your peace of mind before and after the performance.
If your confidence levels aren't where you want them to be, several different mindsets can help you get the same type of confidence you would have at home in front of the mirror by yourself.
Keeping these concepts in mind helps me get out of my own head and out of my own way to create the best performance possible.
There's a slow process to more confidence that won't happen overnight, but in time, you will likely be able to shine more and more each time you're on stage if your mindset is in a good place.
Here are some stage performance tips for singers and other performers looking to better the experience for both them and the audience.
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When people are singing or performing on stage with visibly low confidence, the message or talent doesn't come across as well. But the kicker is that the message or talent most often does still come across, even on the smallest of scales.
If you're not your best self, someone or several people in that audience will still really appreciate and internalize your performance. So at your worst, as long as the content is good, you're already making a positive impact.
Imagine how much bigger your impact could be if you increased your confidence by 10% next time. Then, what if got even more comfortable the time after that?
To build on the first point, the key to any speech or performance is to positively affect the people. At the end of the day, it's not so much about you or your nervousness, appearance, or shyness, as it is about the audience.
Not to get all sappy, but we're all on this earth to help others in some shape or form. Think about your next stage performance from the perspective of what the audience needs. How can you make this the best experience for them?
The answer is by performing with confidence. People love a message or performance that is given confidently. It brings out confidence in themselves, and everyone feeds off each other's good vibes.
To take the previous idea in a completely different direction, it's important to make an effort to be selfless because we are all inherently selfish.
Your lack of confidence may stem from thoughts like "Am I the right person for this?" "Do I look good enough?" or "Do I have the talent to make this work?".
While you're going through this nervous spiraling, you have to realize that the people in the audience are also in their own heads about their own lives.
Remember that no one is judging you that harshly but yourself.
Even if you mess up once or several times, they're not going to be talking about it or even thinking about it days or even hours later in most cases. They're far too worried about themselves!
If you're able to perform confidently at home with the practice you've been putting in for this performance, you are technically prepared to do the exact same thing in front of hundreds or even thousands of people.
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This last point is going to be a little left-field but stay with me. There are several billion people in the world right now.
You've seen thousands of performances or speeches in your life. There have been billions of people performing and speaking in the history of our world.
Our world, the earth itself, is one tiny planet among billions of planets. Time flowed for billions of years before your performance and will flow for billions of years after your performance.
Why not take the smallest, most minuscule risk ever and just be as confident as you can naturally be?
Like all anxieties, most of the time that you hear people defeating them, they have found themselves overpowering fear but not getting rid of it completely.
While some people say that they can sing on stage so many times that it no longer becomes a fear, most stage fright defeaters will tell you that the fear is still there, and they just figured out how to deal with it way more effectively.
So if you're feeling anxious about performing or speaking in public, just know that you're not alone. Even the biggest celebrities and public figures feel nervous at times. But the good news is that there are plenty of ways to overcome stage fright and build your confidence.
One helpful mindset is to focus on the audience and how you can positively impact them with your message or performance.
Remember that they're not there to judge you, but rather to enjoy what you have to offer. And if you can increase your confidence even just a little bit each time you perform, you'll make an even bigger impact on your audience.
Another thing to keep in mind is that conquering stage fright doesn't necessarily mean completely getting rid of the fear. Rather, it's about finding ways to effectively deal with it so that it doesn't hold you back from reaching your full potential.
So keep practicing, keep performing, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself. With time and effort, you'll be able to shine on stage and overcome any fears or doubts you may have.
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
