How to Stop Fear Getting in the Way of Speaking in Public

As the old adage goes, "More people are scared ofof your voice. It also helps to have a glass of water
speaking in public than are afraid of dying!" If you'rehandy, should your voice dry up or should you need
one of those people, don't worry, with these ten tipsa little thinking time (pausing for a sip of water
you'll soon have them eating out of your hand, givingmakes you look confident). 6 Stand when making
you a standing ovation and demanding an encore! Itspresentations - it gives you an immediate air of
true - standing up and speaking in public does getauthority. Actually, it's often the fact that we're
easier with practice but for everyone, there still hasstanding while everyone else is sitting which makes
to a first time! Learning to overcome the fear is vitalus so uncomfortable when making presentations. It's
if you're going to take your business to the nextto do with eye levels - usually when we talk with
level of success. Use the following to give you thepeople we're at a similar eye level which helps create
confidence you need to pick up the phone and offerrapport. Think about talking with a child for a
your speaking services to all the appropriate groupsmoment, if you want to make them feel more
and societies in your area... 1 Speak only on subjectscomfortable, it's usually a good idea to crouch down
which you understand. Failing to observe this goldenso that your heads are the same level. But exactly
rule will lead to you getting caught out sooner orthe opposite occurs when we stand to make a
later! And remember to show enthusiasm for yourpresentation. Just understanding this can help reduce
subject - if you can't get excited about it, chancesyour anxiety. 7 Use your energy - your auric field - to
no-one else will either.attract your audience. Before starting your
2 Establish yourself as the authority on your subject,presentation, spend a few moments - perhaps while
which will give you instant credibility with youryou're being introduced 'mentally visualising your
audience. Keep it brief and explain why people shouldenergy field expanding to encompass the whole
listen to, and believe in, you! Do this in no more thanroom. It's worth practicing beforehand as it's a very
three sentences.powerful tool which will make your audience
3 Remember that your audience's main thought isautomatically warm to you, without understanding
"What's in this for me?" Make sure you answer thisquite why. 8 Be aware that communicating with
unspoken question in your introduction - and whenothers is about more than your words. In fact, only
you introduce an element of curiosity, you'll have7% of your words are taken into account - the rest
them sitting on the edge of their seats, desperate toof your communication is understood through the
find out more.tone of your voice and body language.
4 Never, ever start a presentation by saying that9 Invest in the style and colour of clothes which suit
you're nervous, or that you've never done this kindyou best. Women should wake up and (non-dangly)
of thing before. You'll just draw attention to theearrings, in order to look "finished". Open-toed shoes
things you most want to hide. Indeed, your audiencelook less professional and men should never wear
will start looking for evidence to back up what youeither white socks or grey shoes. Wearing a jacket
say. And if the unexpected happens, and you do findimplies authority and bear in mind that you should
yourself having to wing it on the spot, then wing it -dress appropriately for the message - and for the
but just don't tell your audience. You won't getaudience. 10 Finally, remember that no-one else
sympathy; instead you'll just look unprofessional.knows what you were going to say in your talk
5 Breathe! Nervousness can make you breatheanyway - so don't worry if you miss out a chunk of
shallowly - which won't help the timbre or projectionyour speech - no-one else will be any the wiser!