Public speaking is feared the world over. In some cases, people actually fear this more than death. Given how much people fear it, you’d be smart to take steps to handle it. Break down your biggest public speaking fears and learn how to overcome them by reading the following tips and advice.
Make sure that you stay focused once you get out there and start talking. Your message will not be received well if you go too far off topic. Do everything you can to stay on the original topic, or you may risk scaring away a large portion of your audience.
Find one person in the crowd who looks trustworthy and focus on them. Pretend like the two of you are the only people in the room. A major reason why people are scared of speaking in public is because of the amount of people in the room. If you just focus on one person, you will forget anyone else is there.
Always face the audience consistently when speaking in public. Don’t allow anything to distract you, no matter what may be going on around the room or auditorium. You are attempting to convey a point or be persuasive, so you must be completely present.
The tone of your speech should depend on who you are giving it to. For instance, if your speech is work-related, your speech should be professional. On the other hand, if you are around friends and have to make a speech, you can be more personal. Base your whole speech on your audience.
Make sure that the beginning of your speech is a moment to relax. Greet and address your audience. Then pause for three seconds. This gives them a chance to focus on you, while you get a moment to transform your nervous energy into enthusiasm for the material you are about to deliver.
Project your voice when you speak in front of an audience. This is particularly true if you do not have the benefit of a microphone. You want everyone in the room to be able to hear you, so do not be afraid to speak as loudly as necessary to accomplish that. There is no point in making a speech that most of the audience cannot hear.
If you are nervous when you first stand up to speak, there are a couple of things you can do. Either choose a person toward the center of the audience to focus on or focus on a point at the back of the room. An EXIT sign is a good choice. This will help calm your nerves.
Always dress to impress. The way you looks reflects on your speech. Consider a tie because it draws the eye to your face and helps people focus on what you are saying.
As previously indicated, public speaking is usually cited as a top fear for many people, sometimes viewed as more fearful than death itself. However, you need not let your own fear of speaking in public grip you. Use the information presented here to help you master the art of public speaking.
