How to Get Rid of the Fear of Public Speaking
The fear of public speaking is known as glossophobia in the medical industry, and is the most common fear people have. Getting rid of the fear of public speaking can help you get ahead in your career. Not conquering the fear of public speaking can be debilitating and can hold you back in life and in your career.
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Instructions
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Join Toastmasters. Find a Toastmasters club in your area and attend a meeting. After you go to a meeting you can sign up to become a member of Toastmasters. This organization helps people become more comfortable communicators through weekly meetings where members practice communicating in a group setting. This practice can help you become more comfortable with public speaking.
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Practice your presentation as soon as you have it written. Practice in front of a mirror (and then a wall) wearing what you plan to wear the day of your presentation. Make it realistic. Imagine a group of people before you listening to you speak. Time your speech. Practicing in front of the mirror will help you keep your head up and be aware of your posture and expressions. Practicing in front of a wall will help you focus on your presentation without distractions.
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Record yourself practicing your presentation. Listen to yourself giving the speech. What can you work on? Do you sound confident? Does your speech need to be reworded in any area? Recording yourself will help you hear your presentation the way the audience will.
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Memorize what you need to say, whether it is a speech or presentation. Know your material. Have the full text and key points available during your presentation just in case. You shouldn't need to look at them that much. Practice until you can give the presentation without forgetting anything. This will help ease the fear of public speaking.
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If possible go to the place where you will give your speech. Do this for any presentation you need to do. Just like in front of the mirror, wear what you plan to wear on your presentation day. Give your presentation as you would if there were an audience there. On your presentation day you should feel more comfortable speaking in public.
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Interact with your audience. Ask a question or for a raise of hands on something related to your speech. Make a good joke and laugh with the audience. It will help loosen you up. Welcome questions during your presentation. You're not alone up there.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember that you are not alone. Most of your audience (if not all) have a fear of public speaking. Even if the audience does notice you're nervous, they will be empathetic. Keep a paper clip or stone in your hands so you have something to play with while you speak. The more you face the fear of public speaking, the better able you will be to conquer it.
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- Photo Credit james steidl
