If you type "public speaking tips" into Google, you'll get about 2.6 million results. That seems like a lot, but when you have to be the one in front of the group, there isn't enough information in the world to help you get over that fear.
Most of these fears are made up by the person who has them. What am I saying? People who are listening to you don't really care how you spread information; they just want the information. The speaker is the one who goes through a lot of trouble weeks before the event. Here are some tips that may seem obvious, but will really help you relax once you do them.
Tip No. 1 for Giving a Speech
KNOW YOUR TOPIC! I don't mean you should know a lot about your topic. I mean you should know it so well that you could answer any question about it. To get to this level, you really need to be ready. You should know your speech by heart and be familiar with the products you will talk about. If you do your homework, you'll know you're ready to speak in public. When you get that "feeling," you will know that you have reached Nirvana. Believe!
Public Speaking Tip #2
Meet as many people as you can before you give your speech. When you know what to expect, you feel more confident. Also, think about what you can do for the subject you're going to talk about if you take the time to meet people before you start.
With this plan, you won't have to pace back and forth and worry yourself to death until you can move on. There's no point in cramming now. If you don't know it, you won't know it, and it will show.
Public Speaking Tip #3
DON'T think that everyone in the audience is naked. If you do, you'll hurt your chances of giving a good speech.
Public Speaking Tip # 4
When all you can say are uhs and ums, stop, repeat the sentence as if to make it more important, and replace the uhs and ums with silence to let your points sink in.
Tip #5 for Giving a Speech
Give your speech some life. Most people think that talking is the best way to communicate. The opposite couldn't be more true! You have to use your whole body to be a good communicator. Your speech will sound more lively and enthusiastic if you use gestures and body language.
These tips can really help you take your public speaking to the next level. Do you know that some people turn down promotions because they don't want to have to speak in public?
Do you know that people are more afraid of speaking in public than they are of dying? Maybe because death is abstract and seems far away, while the podium is right in front of them. Either way, you can learn to deal with your fear. You might not like it, but it will be easier to get through. I can't say enough about how important it is for you to know what you're going to say and what other people might ask. It can be simple.
