While performing on a stage can be an exhilarating thrill ride for some, it can also tap into some of our greatest anxieties and insecurities. Here, we look at few ways to shore up those nervous spillovers. In this recent piece from MusicThinkTank, contributor Mark Knight shares a few ways in which artists can work to strengthen their stage presence.

For many musicians, performing on stage taps into both their deepest desires and their darkest insecurities. That’s why fighting stage fright and achieving a confident stage presence can feel so personal and be so frustrating. 

While developing your dream stage presence is a challenge, it is possible! See the seven tips below for concrete ways to build a stronger stage presence. 

1. Define What You’re Feeling

Are you interested in building incredible stage presence or eliminating stage fright? While the two things are connected, they are not the same. 

Stage presence is the ability to command attention and interest from your audience. It’s the way we feel after resurfacing from a good book or film. Your audience should feel connected to the experience you’re creating. 

Stage fright is a common and often debilitating human response to large amounts of attention. When one thousand (or even one hundred) people are looking at you, it’s easy to freeze up and want to run away. Stage fright can strike even if you love what you do and you love your audience. 

2. Journal It Out

If you’ve never tried journaling, start setting aside ten to fifteen minutes a day to write out your thoughts about performing. Ask yourself questions like these:

• What is bothering you? 

• What do you think you’re doing well? 

• Why? 

• How do those things change day-to-day?

• What connections can you see between them and other areas of your life? 

Writing down your experiences will give you a solid foundation for understanding where you are and what you need to do to move forward. 

3. Talk to a Therapist

Going to therapy doesn’t mean you’re “messed up” as a person. It’s wise to ask for help interpreting the events of your life – you are too emotionally involved to see them clearly. 

Take your concerns and journaled thoughts to a trained counselor or therapist, and see what they have to say. Commit to at least three sessions, and don’t be afraid to switch counselors or programs if the first one you try doesn’t fit you well. 

Performing is profoundly connected to our beliefs about ourselves and where we fit in with others. Challenging and stretching those thoughts will only help you grow as a person and as a musician.

4. Take Care of Your Body

Checking in with your mind is only one piece of the puzzle. If you’re not taking care of your body, you’ll experience negative mental and physical side effects that will impact your ability to perform. This is true for both vocalists and instrumentalists. See if you recognize any of these symptoms in your life:

• Brain fog

• Poor memory

• Reduced ability to handle stress

• Chronic exhaustion

• Lack of energy or motivation

Many of these symptoms can improve with simple changes, such as getting enough sleep each night, working out on a regular basis, drinking plenty of water, and eating healthy, clean foods. 

As an adult, you can get so focused on work that you forget to care for yourself. Prioritize self-care, and you’ll soon be in top shape for your career on stage. 

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5. Think About Appearance

Your posture is an integral part of how you communicate, on or off the stage. The way you stand and move tells others what you are thinking and how you relate to the world. Sometimes, just changing your posture can change your mindset and put you in a better place for engaging authentically with others from the stage. 

Many performers adopt a signature look that gives them additional confidence when going onstage. Opera singers may choose brightly colored shoes or large jewelry, and country singers often wear cowboy hats. Whatever your musical style, pick an item that gives you a strong sense of individuality and confidence. 

6. Listen to Experts

You’re not the only musician who’s ever wanted to improve their stage presence. You can go it alone, or you can build on the experiences of others. Below are a few ways you can join the ongoing conversation between other musicians: 

• Read books by prominent musicians

• Talk to mentors in your field

• Ask fellow musicians what they’re doing

• Spend time with people you want to emulate

• Find podcasts about confidence and self-growth

Learning takes time, but it doesn’t take nearly as much trial and error if you do it with others. Be open to helpful ideas from others, ask questions, and engage honestly with yourself. 

7. Practice

As a musician, you already know this one! You can learn to improve your stage performance like any other skill.

Practice being nervous. Go through your pre-performance ritual, and sit in the discomfort of those feelings. They’re there, but they don’t have to define your performance. The way you practice handling your nerves is what you’ll default to when it’s time to go on stage. 

Also, be mindful of the dialogue you’re having with yourself. If what you hear in your head is, “I’m not ready, and no one will like this,” you’re not going to walk onto the stage with much confidence. Instead, practice affirming yourself and thinking about how much people will enjoy your performance. They came for a reason, after all!

You’ve Got This

You have high goals for yourself as a performer, and that’s a good thing. Don’t let that stop you from starting to develop a more engaging stage presence right where you are. Follow the tips above to increase your confidence, grow your self-awareness, and equip yourself for success. You’ll be engaging more authentically with your audience before you know it!