The fear of public speaking, also known as glossophobia, is a fairly common condition. Time magazine reports that a fear of public speaking is merely a stress reaction to your fight-or-flight instinct. Fear of judgment from your peers results in stress, which is perceived as a fear of speaking in public. Luckily, you can tame your stress reaction and become more comfortable speaking in public, whether it's for a one-time event or a new facet of your career.
Prepare for the Speech
When you prepare your material carefully, there is no need to be frightened of the public speaking experience. Making sure that all of your material, multimedia equipment and handouts are ready to go can reduce anxiety about your engagement. Practicing your speech before people whom you trust can help to identify areas where you falter, says the Mayo Clinic. Ask for constructive criticism on how to improve and seem more confident. By the time you need to stand up and deliver your speech, you'll have prepared so well that it has become second nature to you, and the jitters are gone.
Speak for a Cause
Speaking about something that you are passionate about can help to ease your fear of speaking in public. BusinessKnowHow.com recommends that you speak about something that you care about, even if it's something that others might find boring. Inject the speech with life so that others can see your passion. Get excited about the topic you've chosen, and research it inside and out.
Speak Slowly
When your are nervous, you may have the tendency to speed your words. When you speed up, you can become flustered and lose your place or your train of thought. Write notes for yourself in bright colors on your speech text to slow down at certain intervals. Focus on properly enunciating the words to get the message across as clearly as possible. Talk naturally, says Edubook.com. Taking a drink of water beforehand or sucking on a hard candy before speaking can help to keep your mouth moist so you can speak clearly.
Trust the Audience
Remember that in most cases of public speaking, the audience won't be filled with hecklers or those looking to see you fail. Those listening to you speak are likely there to gather information or learn something new. Trust that your audience wants you to succeed; forget silly advice about imagining them in their underwear. Instead, remember that they are on your side, so you can relax and stop worrying about how you look and sound.
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