How to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

One of the top stressors we will have in life, or maybe I should say fear, is speaking in public. The sure thing about it is that no matter what our job title or social level, we will have to communicate our message in public.

Speaking in public, however, does not have to be stressful or scary at all. this article will give you some principles to assist you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Public speaking within itself is not inherently stressful, however, many people get dry mouth, shaky knees, voice begins to tremble, thoughts get jumbled, speak too fast or too slow and the list can go on. The key is to have a plan and to follow it. I am a witness that public speaking can be something that is easily overcome.

2. Remember you don't have to be brilliant or perfect to be a successful speaker. You must believe in what you are saying. Most people will turn you off if they think for even a second that you are not sincere in your delivery.
   
   Have you seen a public speaker and thought you could possibly speak that clear, concise and be witty and entertaining. Honestly we all have thought that but we all heave the ability to do just that. It does not happen over night but the most important thing to remember practice makes perfect or at least makes better.

3. Let me say this, even if you say the wrong word or skip a line, miss the punch line and pass out, if the people in the audience related to your message, you succeeded. the want to find value in what you say. So you must believe in you and what you have to say.
   
   You only need to make two to three main points and then have some compelling supportive information. As long as you stick to your points you will see that talking about them will become easier as time goes by. You will be able to fill your time allotted with pertinent information that will cause people to take action on your words.

4. This one is important so please read carefully, you will not win the approval of everyone in the audience. Many public speakers fail miserably because their purpose is to win over the approval of the audience and make them like the speaker. NOT going to happen.
   
   Say this, One in four. this means that one in four people that hear you talk will approve of everything that you say. So talk to them. The reality is that if you talk to those interested in you and what you have to say the others will follow suit because you have just enabled yourself to be relaxed and in control.
   
   Your purpose for speaking should never be to get your audience approval. You should speak to them because you have something to say that they need to hear. they could get this information from other sources but they choose to come to hear you. The important thing to remember is they came to hear you.

5. Most public speakers do not consider that they are a public speaker. This may seem a bit paradoxical but hear me out. What makes a good public speaker? Well, consider this what you may think is a good public speaker, may not be what I consider to be good. With this said who defines what a good speaker is? So not considering yourself a public speaker, gives you the power to define yourself in other ways that may speak more about who you and and what you do than the words public speaker.

6. Let's be real, when someone is speaking and they began to let their personality, imperfections, and emotions show, you tend to like them and listen more. A good joke placed in the right spot will add even perk up your speech, just as a personal story.
   
   Let the real you shine through, give yourself permission to be who you are. The people will get it.

7. Understand this when you speak in public nothing can go "BAD" unless you are not prepared for it. On the other hand over preparation can cause you to lose sight of who you are and bore people to tears.
   
   You can not control the audiences reaction but you can control the overcome outcome. What does this mean? Speak with authority, make apologies only when it aids your position. Something is not panning out right, take control by coming back with a witty take control statement. Such as if your PowerPoint is not displaying correctly, say, "You know I was prepared for this I have copies for everyone. But do not apologize for this.

Tips & Warnings

• Public speaking is not a stressful situation
• You take control by being you
• Don't try to control the audience
• One in four will hear you and like what you had to say, speak to them.
• Don't over prepare but be prepared for anything
• Nothing "BAD" can happen unless you lose control

[steph9280]

on 10/28/2009 Great article on how to overcome fear of public speaking. 5*

[Tippy]

on 7/24/2009 Wonderful. This should be a class in high school. Five Stars.

[savvysuzy]

on 7/7/2009 This is really good information. 5*

[greatgreat8]

on 7/7/2009 this is great information, thanks 5*

[coachcaliconnor]

on 5/30/2009 This is a great article. I too do public speaking and agree a lot with the tips in this article to get of the fear of speaking in public. Just remember be yourself.