Knowing what the room looks like can help you feel confident.
A little nervousness before a speech is natural, but too much fear can be a detriment, according to Toastmasters International. Organizations like Toastmasters help build confidence and communication ability in those who are afraid of public speaking. Even the most fearful person can learn to give a speech by using certain techniques. You can teach yourself to overcome the fear of speeches by practicing and growing over time.
Be Prepared
Thoroughly prepare your presentation. Know the material, and work with an outline of facts and other material in the order you will present it. Do not leave anything to chance. Being prepared also means knowing the audience and the environment in which you will speak. This will help with preparing your tone ahead of time. Having a well-thought-out game plan for your presentation will help reduce anxiety, according to The School for Champions.
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice the speech alone, reciting it aloud. This will help you remember your material. You can also listen to your tone and speed and make adjustments. Using a mirror, check your eye contact and get past your dependence on your notes. You can see your facial expressions and hand movements. The School for Champions also recommends using a recording. Play it back and hear yourself. Finally, practice in front of a group of friends or family. This friendly group will help you perfect the speech and can provide helpful feedback.
Nervous Energy
The fear of public speaking typically shows up as anxiety, according to Public Speaking Tip. This causes sweating or stuttering during the speech. This nervous energy increases in those who have a severe fear of speaking in public. Anxiety builds with thoughts of making mistakes during the speech, dropping notes or looking foolish in front of an audience. Before the speech, combat nervous energy by going for a run or doing jumping jacks, an aerobic workout or any other physical activity. This helps you release the extra energy that comes from anxiety and calm down before the speech.
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