It’s true. Public speaking is still one of our greatest fears. It is a idea of doing something new that gets us nervous, but you don’t have to fret.
People speak in public all of the time, and it is due to proper preparation and a strong focus that they learn to center their energy and give a great presentation.
Here is how to conquer your first speech without fear.
Step 1: Learn to Fight the Nerves
It is no secret that public speaking makes you nervous, so once you get past those nerves, the rest is a cakewalk. So how do you get over the fear of public speaking?
Start by avoiding excessive caffeine or alcohol before your speech, as that will only get you jumpy in addition to the nerves you already have.
Listing to your favorite kind of music can also calm your nerves or provide the hype you need to get excited about your speech.
Think positive. You know you got this! Visualize how good you will feel once you finish your speech and bring that energy from the very start.
Day of the Speech
On the day of the presentation, arrive early so you can set up all of your slides and take note of the room and where you will be standing. This is also a good time to practice some breathing exercises to get rid of those shakes.
Once people start to arrive, take some time to meet some of the audience. Once you are familiar with a person and their face, you will feel more comfortable talking at them during the speech.
Step 2: Practice
One of the easiest ways to get over the nerves associated with giving a speech is to be prepared.
Practice your speech over and over in front of a mirror until you get your mannerisms and talking points in order. It is okay to bring up a notecard with important bullet points that you want to hit during the speech.
Video Record the Speech
Once you have the flow down, record yourself making the speech, and then watch over it to see the places where you want to improve or say something different.
While you are watching, review, and correct your posture and don’t move your hands excessively. Also, keep an eye on when you use filler words such as “um” or “like” and try to remove them from your speaking pattern.
Doing so will make you a better speaker in general and get over the fear of giving a speech.
Step 3: During the Speech
Now that you have adequately prepared for the speech, the actual speaking will be made 90% easier. Once you get in front of the crowd, just remember your practice and stress reduction techniques, and you will be good to go.
If you have any friends or family in the audience, you can cut down on nerves and engage with the audience by spending a lot of your speech speaking directly to your friends.
Once you get used to talking to them with your memorized speech, you will have the courage to look at others as you speak.
Another tip is to engage the audience. Start your speech off with a question and ask for a show of hands.
That way, you feel like this is a two-way conversation. It will also prove that you are the authority figure and an expert on this subject.
Follow the tips above, and you will get over the fear of public speaking.
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