At the rehearsal, everything seemed fine…
10 years ago by
Last Thursday I had a conference, and seriously, I thought I was prepared.
I had so many super funny and interesting things to say*, I didn’t even get stage fright until 5 minutes before I was supposed to speak**, I had chosen a cool but comfortable outfit so that I didn’t have a wardrobe malfunction on stage***, I had prepared super chic slide illustrations**** and imagined myself walking around the stage and making my audience explode with laughter and emotion.
Yeah. Well. It’s not Oprah Winfrey here, ok.
I walked onto the stage and after one second realized that between the podium carpet, my high heels and my slightly trembling legs (yes, even so), there was no way I was going to make it standing up. At all.
Especially since my conference was an hour and a half.
So then I explained to my audience what was happening, I sat down, and I spoke – and it went super, SUPER well!!!
But I regret not having taken control of the stage like a total pro.
Next time, flat shoes. And if you have any advice on stage presence, I’LL TAKE IT!!!
—
*Ah, but that’s how it works. If you think you have nothing interesting to say, it’s better to say no right away!!!
**This was a big step: before, the thought of speaking in front of an audience caused me to become an insomniac for three days.
***One day, the button on my pants exploded at the exact moment when I was walking onto the stage AND I DIDN’T HAVE A BELT.
**** That type of thing:
PS: Thank you so much Alt Summit for having me, I had the best time!!
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Go Garance!
:)
congrats on the talk! and ur outfit is super cool! :)
http://littleaesthete.com
Je t’admire, moi j’en suis encore à ne PAS dormir pendant 3 jours avant une prise de parole en public. L’angoisse. J’ai une amie qui est metteur en scène et qui me disait à ce sujet que prendre des cours avec un metteur en scène peut donner plein de petites astuces pour une jolie présence scénique. J’ai depuis gardé son conseil dans un coin de ma tête, je crois que je vais me lancer un de ces jours.
Bisous Garance et le Studio!
Olala bravo! L’annee derniere j’ai participe a une classe ‘presentation skills’ organise par ma boite, tellement je suis nulle……. Je retiens que pour etre a l’aise c’est mieux d’avoir un truc dans ses mains et des visuels. Apres si tu connais bien ton sujet, tout roule! Bon, je suis toujours aussi nulle..
Meme en chaussures plates, rester debout et relativement figée est très difficile pendant une heure et demie. En plus, ça assomme assez bien l’auditoire. Mes trucs d’ex-enseignante et assidue de conférences: marcher ou plutôt faire 3 pas a gauche puis a droite nonchalamment, histoire de maintenir l’attention visuelle du public sans lui donner le tournis. Interpeler les premiers rangs du regards mais aussi balayer toute la salle du regard (même si on n’y voit rien) sinon on a tendance a baisser la voix et faire une conf’ limitée aux premiers rangs. Ne pas se prendre les talons dans les jointures de tapis et ne pas se prendre les pieds dans la lanière de son sac. Donc toujours vérifier l’état du sol et des obstacles. Et puis toujours se dire que le pire qui puisse arriver, c’est se planter et d’avoir la honte. Le fait d’être humaine et de préférer assumer qu’on ne va pas pouvoir rester debout, qu’on a un truc, qu’on n’a pas été claire ou pertinente, ça inspire directement l’empathie, la compréhension et la sympathie.
Bravo pour l’exercice et jolie tenue!
God damned Garance, c’est quoi ce sac là sur scène à tes pieds?? :)
You did a great job! You were very human, authentic and charming. It’s so encouraging to see success happen to such creative and genuine people who don’t have to compromise everything to get it.
If you can go to the shows on heels, with a bag on your arm and a camera in your hand, and stay perfectly combed and in order all day long, you can do everything! Or not?
de ce que j’en ai lu/vu/aperçu sur instagram, ta prestation a été très appréciée :)
j’aime cette photo !
Bisous
I waited in a line that was almost an hour long after your presentation…because it was THAT wonderful. You were kind, charming, and funny…I hope our paths cross again soon. I was the last person in line to chat with you and while you may not remember, you left a lovely impression me me. For this, thank you.
Ne s’improvise pas Déesse de la scène qui veut! Déjà, quand je vois la catastrophe que ça a été de passer mon oral de français, je me dis que j’ai progressé puisque j’ai déjà pris la parole en public devant pas mal de personnes et en anglais! Mais il est vrai que c’est intimidant et qu’on n’est pas à l’abris d’un souci technique! Ce qui est bien, c’est de relativiser! Quand je travaillais en entreprise, il y avait des formations “Prise de parole en public”, ils sont bons les américains pour ça!
Mafalda ?
http://www.mafaldadotzero.blogspot.fr
J’ai eu vent de ta conférence sur Twitter et les commentaires étaient tous élogieux. Bravo ! Le peu que j’ai vu de tes illustrations m’ont vraiment paru super aussi. La présence scénique ce n’est pas seulement de bouger sur scène et de l’arpenter somme Freddy Mercury c’est aussi la voix, l’humour, le ton et les illustrations visuelles. Je me souviens d’un concert de William Sheller où il ne décollait pas de son piano pendant 2 heures et c’était scotchant.
I’m sure you did a great, great job. Being able to show vulnerability indicates strength, not the contrary. And it helps connect with the audience, who will surely relate to the situation inmediately…
Go, girl, go!
You´re an inspiration to me.
Garance! I just blogged about my biggest takeaways from ALT and it was something you said-“Know your heart.” So after being gone a week, meeting with so many people, not getting enough sleep-your sincere words lodged themselves deep inside me. See! Your message even worked sitting down-you were fabulous DAHHLINK!
P.S. Thank you for taking on my illustration questions as well. Mission accomplished!
Crumbs… Well done for going for it Garance! x
Chaussures plates obligatoires quand on tient immobile pendant une heure trente! Mettre des talons, c’est comme faire l’épreuve du pilori à Koh Lanta (le soleil en moins et les spots braqués sur les yeux en plus)
http://lebeautemps.fr
en même temps, avec des talons, ça donne bcp plus d’allure (cf la photo, j’imagine mal sans talons) et d’assurance
A smal exercise from my theatre classes, which helps to be more present and in-the-moment when on the stage: just before you go on the stage, take a moment to ask and answer these three questions:
1. Where am I coming from? (your physical and mental way to this place)
2. Where am I? (take a moment to concentrate on the room or place you are in)
3. Why am I here? (concentrate on what you have come here to do).
These might sound a bit weird, and of course you can answer them in your own way. And they work. I can easily tell when one of my theatre collegues has forgotten to do this step :)
Also, all of the time make sure you are actually talking to the audience. Take a moment every now and then to notice the audience, and always remember who you are talking to. You have no idea how often people on the stage are actually talking to themselves, or just to nobody in particular, and in such a case the audience often has a problem “connecting” with the speaker.
Que d’évolution Garance. Franchement bravo j’aurai aimé voir ça!
Sounds like a job well done ! Is the conference available online?
Garance, is it possible to view the video or part of it?
BTW, congrats :)
Novella
http://9lla.it/
A fashion & DIY blog…
Go Garance !
Les americains adorent l’accent francais (avec le sourire en prime). On me l’a assez repete depuis 30 ans !
Get it G!x
http://www.myclayexperience.com/
Love your outfit! And it’s funny, there are these people that cut their hair short and every time I see them I’m lik “oh, yes, she cut her hair”…. but with you Garance it seems that you have had short hair for ever, I really have troubles picturing you with your bun… well, …. yes I can still picture that one, but I hope you get my point… you just look super with your short hair, it’s made for you. xxx
haha, it happens to everyone. it’s better to be honest!
Xo,
Belen
http://blog.androbel.com
Tu as fais une conférence que quel sujet ? ça m’intéresse beaucoup :)
J’ai loupé un épisode ? :/
Garance, any chance of you giving a similar type of talk over here in London? I read your blog religiously every morning. It’s witty, funny, inspiring and most of all, very unpretentious.
Garance! You were flawless on stage and you were so personable! Loved your presentation and it was such a pleasure to meet you!
Tu es belle, tu es chou, et vraiment je ne sais pas comment tu tiens debout sur ces aiguilles ! Avais-tu lu cette étude qui a constaté que les femmes portent des talons aiguilles seulement 2h47 en moyenne ? PASKECAFAITROMALOPIEDS !
Et aussi je suis très admirative que tu saches dire plein de choses intéressantes et longtemps, je voudrais savoir faire pareil. T’es tu fait coacher ? Comment te prépares-tu ? Comment te sens-tu pendant et après ?
Awww Garance!!
I am the same. I get stage fright and after years of studying music and doing recitals as a kid I never controlled myself lol although people say I don´t show how nervous I am, I can feel my legs shaking and I picture myself sweating and just on a very embarrassing state. :S I even decided to study the technical side of films and from time to time, we have to film ourselves for projects!!! I guess it all depends on our mind… that and rehearsing in front of a mirror! ;)
xx
mais alors c’était quoi cette conférence, sur quel thème et dans quel cadre ? on dirait que toutes les lectrices y étaient sauf moi !
Oh mon dieu! I hate public speaking!!
Non mais c’est quoi ce sublime pantalon???
D’ailleurs ça mérite un post sur les pantalons en cuirs … Quel genre… Et cela va t il à tout le monde…?!
I hope we will get to see a link to your talk! I’m sure you were beautiful.
Ma fille est une jeune femme plutôt réservée et discrète mais lorsque je la vois sur scène, c’est wahou…je me dis “mais qui est cette personne ?”, elle est tellement “amazing”…elle me dit qu’elle joue un personnage (ou tout simplement est-elle réellement elle-même à ce moment là !). Mais peut-être est ce moins facile, finalement, de parler en public que de chanter, danser et jouer d’un instrument ?!!
http://www.mode9.fr
i would totally wear that, in fact I pretty much do…all the time. you look great ;-)
You were the talk of the conference. You inspired everyone, and we all loved you. Your presence was flawless and friendly and lovely. Thanks for making everyone feel like we can do it! xo
Where can we watch???
i have taken training on speaking publically by a fabulous actor in NYC ping me for his name. a big nonno is not being able to stand solidly so for me no heels so I can be confident and stable.
there are so many other techniques, it is worth a coach
It’s funny that you felt that way, because you kind of changed my entire outlook on Alt, and blogging. I talk all about it (you) here. http://bit.ly/MrhO53
Thank you. Seriously.
Heather
I wish I was in THAT conference.
I am glad it went SUPER well! :-)
I always find I worry WAY too much about public speaking and when you get on a roll you’re fine.
I sometimes wonder why people don’t stop me babbling…
Kiri
http://www.fashionblender.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/FashionBlender
Maintenant, j’adore prendre la parole en public, mais ce ne fut pas toujours le cas.
Il y a des formations très bien faites et très efficaces pour cela. Si tu viens à Paris, je te recommande de prendre contact avec Chine Lanzmann (regarde son site en googlelisant son nom). C’est non seulement une coach fantastique mais c’est aussi une femme avec beaucoup d’humour !
You did an incredible job and your personality shined through on stage, just as it does here in your writing. It was a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for allowing me a hug at our meet and greet afterwards :) I was the one who asked you about aging in the style blog world…your 30 second pep talk was exactly the inspiration and encouragement I needed to hear. Thanks again! XO, Andrea
Have you lost weight? You’re a skinnie minnie! This isn’t a judgment comment at all!
Garance, you were awe-inspiring.
You spoke to us as if it was one on one. It’s incredible to me that someone with such a large following has the humility and genuine ability to touch an audience the way you did.
voilà un truc que j’ai appris il y a peu de temps dans une formation sur l’assertivité et la confiance en soi et je te jure que ça marche!
tu t’isoles dans un endroit fermé (oui parce que la position n’est pas que glamour, tu verras), ensuite tu te visualises en haut d’une piste de ski, sur tes skis (position hyper détendue sur les genoux, bien flex, droite un peu vers l’avant, vraiment comme si tu allais descendre la piste) tu fermes les yeux et tu te voies sur les skis et la piste devant toi, là tu es calme et tu respires normalement.
Ensuite tu expires complètement tout l’air de tes poumons jusqu’à ce que tu ais l’impression de mourir et là tu respires à pleins poumons et tu montes tes bras de chaque côté à l’horizontale comme si tu étais un splendide albatros et là tu te vois planer au dessus des flots (toujours les genoux détendus, les pieds bien ancrés dans le sol) et tu as les yeux ouverts mais tu vois vraiment la mer et le vent dans tes plumes, sur ton visage et une fois que tu es bien, tu reviens à la réalité et tu fonces sur scene et tu vas tout déchirer tu auras l’esprit d’une clarté jamais connue et AUCUN STRESS nulle part.. ça n’a pas besoin de durer longtemps cet exercice, mais PROMIS ça marche et ça fait des miracles sur les gens stressés! :) GO GARANCE GO!
I love public speaking, I enjoy it immensely!
And of course I have my troubles with it. The biggest is that sometimes I can lose a track of the speach and just go ahead with anything that pops up in my head, topic-related or NOT, haha. That’s why I keep bullet points so I can just follow. By the way Dale Carnegie descibed that hillariously in his book – how he drew pictures on his nails and had to lick them off during the speech so he knew what topics were already adressed.
The key to public speaking for me is to be in a genuine good mood while adressing people. If it is so, people feel it and respond with equal feeling, almost no matter what you say. Sometimes a sip of champagne helps (that is not a good advice, don’t follow it! LOL)
Je suis souvent amenée à devoir m’exprimer en public dans ma profession (mais jamais devant 800 personnes). Le stress est inévitable, mais chez moi il ne dure que les 5 premières minutes. Un de mes trucs pour relativiser, c’est d’imaginer mon audiance sur la cuvette des WC… Oui je sais, c’est spécial, mais ça permet de relativiser et de se dire que ces personnes sont des êtres humains aussi. Au niveau du regard, il faut faire attention de balayer l’ensemble de la salle, même si on n’y voit rien. Sinon le regard a tendance à se fixer sur la même personne… Et quoi de plus désagréable que d’avoir l’impression d’être tout le temps fixé par un orateur. Au fait, très jolie tenue. J’espère qu’on en saura un peu plus sur le contenu de la conférence.
Hey, why don’t you try the swedish blogger Elaine Eksvärd’s RETHORIC BOOTCAMP in New York in May??? Highly recommended, and super fun!
http://snackasnyggt.se/bootcamp/
http://elaineeksvard.se/blog/
I’m a junior trainer of Public Speaking at my university in Rome, and the first rule I teach is: ” It doesn’t exist The Public Speaking, but there are the public speakers”. That means there are no magical tricks or formulas, but only few things you can do to improve your natural ability to speech, that comes out when you are surrounded by your friends, for exemple. Everyone has a personal touch, you have to figure it out what’s yours and perfecting it. Being more concrete, some very basic suggestions:
Before:
-Prepare your speech, memorize it and try it.
-Wear something that makes you feel comfortable. It’s better to avoid turtleneck sweater or scarfs, because your neck tends to became hot and red when you have strong emotions.
-To calm down your heart beating, go in a quite place ( i.e. bathroom!) and take loong breath with your belly ( yoga helps with that)
On the scene:
– when you enter it’s the first moment you establish the connection with the audience. Don’t look on the floor, look at the people in the front row, in the center and at the bottom, to size the audience.
– when you speak, create eye contact and not scanning!
– make gentle and slow gestures with your hands, to emphasize what you’re saying.
– Don’t forget to BREATH! It’ll helps you to avoid ” l’esprit de l’escalier”. When your brain is not well oxygenated, your memory doesn’t works well!
– Think that you are with friends. So try to be authentic, people feel it!
Everyone can be a public speaker.
I was a really shy girl, and now I’m a trainer! :)
Good luck! :)
Would love to see some video content of you speaking – you write a blog which feels very true. That’s super unusual these days.
http://www.girlinmenswear.com
Wahou…. vraiment trop trop forte, et dans une langue étrangère… Je ne pourrais au grand JAMAIS faire ça ! Bravo !
J’aurais aimé être dans la salle ! Ca devait être cool ! Tu as eu raison de tout avouer, ça soulage et ça détend tout le monde !
Garance, congrats!!!
Can you please share the video of your conference? Or we have to wait until you will go on TED?
abdsign.blogspot.com
Le seul truc que j’utilise depuis toujours : préparer par cœur sa première et sa dernière phrase.
La première, pour se lancer et la dernière pour “bien finir”…
Une fois que c’est sur les rails, c’est parti !
Dear Garance,
Love you and your whole team!
Which pants are you wearing during the rehearsal ? They look gorgeous !
Kisses from Germany
Garance, you were so charming & your keynote was well received & informative. Your nerves kept you relatable and the heels aspirational ???? I appreciate you even more now.
I have to present to big groups all the time in my field as an Art Director in advertising. I always (always!) get nervous, and if I don’t control it quickly it will show in my red face, my trembling voice, and shaky hands.
TIPS!
Watch something very funny before you go on! It will loosen you up and make you feel more at ease when you had a good laugh right before stage. There’s nothing you won’t memorize more 5 minutes before stage, so f*ck it! 5 Minutes before stage is personality prep time, not content prep.
Limber up your vocals: Talk to someone right before you go on about anything! Being chatty preps you for being in front of people. Sounds silly, but try it!
Comfortable clothes and a glass of water. Always.
Rehearse your speech and memorize the major sections by simple words associations. One page with big words that stand for each section of your speech will be more effective than notes that you have to look down and read in silence.
Finally: You dictate the energy of the crowd: if you laugh loudly, they will too.
You are fantastic.
xo
Olga
twelveofour.om
2/3 choses qui m’ont énormément servies, grande traqueuse que je suis.
– Vêtements : comfy et “sexy”, ben oui, se sentir bien c’est cool, se sentir attirante c’est aussi important.
– Chaussures : plates, bof, petits talons bof, les compensées sont idéales.
– Bouger : par pallier, commencer par choisir 3 à 4 points du décor, pas trop hauts sinon l’audience ne te “capte” pas et naviguer de l’un à l’autre, par le regard mais également en marchant. Ensuite une fois plus détendue, tu iras naturellement vers des visages, c’est automatique.
– Gestes et attitude : bon, se tenir droit ça tombe sous le sens, mais au delà il faut bouger presque au ralenti, cela te laisse le temps de placer ton speech et permet aux gens de te suivre en t’écoutant.
– Parler : la préparation tu l’as faite, penser à 2/3 phrases de rebond en plus des traits d’humour indispensables. Phrases d’ouverture et de conclusion sont à connaître par coeur.
– Alcool : 1 verre de vin ou une gorgée d’alcool fort ! Pas une cuite, ça aide à placer la voix c’est incroyable !
Dear Garance.
I saw your entire presentation at ALT, and I can say from the bottom of my heart: You were a pro in every sense of the word. (And I media/speaker train!) If only I — and I’m confident 99.999%, if not 100% of the audience is with me on this — had even an ounce of your “effortless chic…” You were mesmerizing and at the same time authentic, down to earth, enchanting, and delightful.Your presentation will stay with me for life.
To everyone who was not there: Don’t listen to Garance! She blew the audience away.
Is there any chance to see your presentation as a video somewhere? Would be great for all of those who missed it…. and just by looking at the picture I can tell, that you did a great job there anywy!! love your new haircut <3
You were absolutely lovely to listen to! In every sense! You were funny, sweet, and your accent is just beautiful!
Garance, vous pouvez peut être vous inspirer de Steve Jobs. Sur Youtube vous pouvez trouver ses conférences, et cet homme était un orateur de nos jours.
Salutations
You were beyond amazing! The talk was so inspiring and I couldn’t tell you were an ounce of nervous!
Your outfit is fantastic! So effortless and chic.
As for public speaking, I used to always come prepared yet inevitably get a blast of adrenaline right before my presentations. My voice and hands would shake (and the audience would become embarrassed for me–the horror!), even though I personally was feeling calm and ready. However, I watched this video and I was finally able to present my true self (or at least, professional yet approachable self) in front of others. I’m not sure if it is the advice you are looking for, but I found it the most useful video I’ve watched in a long time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc
After hearing all the buzz about your talk at ALT NYC I was thrilled to be able to hear you at SLC! You kicked off the conference amazingly well and set such a great tone for the rest of it. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Enlever ses chaussures est également une solution à ce genre de problème!
Garance,
Your talk was absolutely the hightlight of Alt for me. Close your computer and go for a run is about the best advice I’ve received and I so needed to hear that. Thank you for being approachable, honest, real, and funny about life and the world of blogging. It is fantastic to hear someone that seems like a genuinely nice person speak about life and even better to see how successful you are while still being nice. Thank you!
I had to present at a big conference a while back and my adviser told me to imagine that the audience were all bugs!! I thought that was weird, but it made me smile and it did make me feel a little better. Maybe you should try it next time!
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and amusing,
and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something too few folks are speaking
intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this in my search for something relating to this.