How to Develop Confidence Through Public Speaking

Public speaking is a difficult thing and a common source of stress for most people. Most of us would like to avoid it all together but for many of us we speak in public on a regular basis to get certain tasks accomplished. Keep in mind that your speech doesn't have to be perfect you just need to get your point across.

Instructions

1. Accept nervousness, every experienced speakers get nervous when they have to deliver a speech. Turn the jitters and nervousness into energy that you can use to boost the delivery of your speech.

2. Prepare by knowing what you want to say. You can rehearse by standing up and walking around as you practice out loud. Don't get caught up on the way you will deliver your speech. It is better not to have something written down or memorized word for word.

3. Practice speaking to an audience, initially small groups are best. Take a public speaking course such as a Dale Carnegie course.

4. Breathe for about thirty seconds or more to help get you relaxed just before your speech. Take slow, deep breaths through your nose. As you breathe remind yourself to relax.

5. Focus on your audience keeping the focus off of yourself. Stage fright occurs when we start to wonder how we are doing. We pay too much attention to how we are saying something rather than what we are saying.

6. Meet some of the people in your audience before the presentation if possible. Get to know then a little and look them in the eyes while you speak one person at a time.

7. Act confident, smile and hold your head up high. No one in the audience can see how nervous you really are. They can't tell that your heart is pounding out of your chest, your hands are sweaty and you feel like you're going to pass out. Keep smiling and stay focused.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't over prepare for your speech. You will do better to give it some thought and know the points you want to make.