Overcoming Public Speaking Fear
Public speaking tips will help a person suffering with public speaking fear. Most people who suffer with public speaking fears are simply worried about coming across negative or foolish to an audience. Overcoming these worries will help a public speaker come across professional, confident, and knowledgeable. Public speaking is one of the top ten fears most people have.
The following tips may help lessen or eliminate public speaking fears.
• Know What You Are Speaking About – If you are knowledgeable and passionate about your speaking topic, you will be less nervous and fearful.
• Stay Positive – In the face of anxiety, stay positive. Do not let negative thoughts creep into your mind. Do not let others make your nervous.
• Be Realistic – Perfection is never possible. Be realistic about your speech. No speech will ever be flawless and perfect.
• The Audience Wants You To Do Well – Always remember that the audience is on your side. They want you to do well. They want to be entertained and learn from you. Feel their support.
• Speak, Do Not Read – Public speaking is not reading. Do not keep your head down into a piece of paper. If you must carry notes, put note cards in order with simple bullet headings to keep you on subject. Speak to your audience, do not read to them.
• Never Apologize – Do not apologize before your speech for your public speaking skills or for not being as prepared as you would like. Do not apologize after your speech if you feel you did not do a good job. If you messed up during your speech, do not apologize for that either. Unless you let your audience know you made a mistake by apologizing, most of the time they will have no idea.
• The Audience Usually Does Not Know – Just as with apologizing for mistakes, the audience will usually have no idea you are nervous unless you draw attention to it. Do not apologize for nervousness and your audience will never know.
• Practice – Practice delivering your speech in front of a mirror. Once you feel confident, have a friend or family member video tape you delivering your speech. Watch the tape. You will be surprised how great you come across. If there are any things you do not like, such as certain hand gestures, you will know thanks to the video. When you are comfortable with your video performance, consider a live performance in front of a group of your family and friends.
• Focus On… - Focus on the principles of public speaking instead of the actual speaking. Visualize it, believe it, and then go out and do it.
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