Although it's common to feel some apprehension when speaking in front of a large group, Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. says that an intense fear of public speaking can lead to panic, avoidance and sleepless nights. Calm your nerves with pre-speech activities and speaking techniques that will put you and your audience at ease.
Prepare
Alleviate public speaking anxiety with thorough preparation before the event. The University of Tennessee's College of Communication and Information suggests choosing a speech topic that you're familiar with so you'll feel comfortable enough to deliver the information without reading the text off cue cards. Study the venue so you'll know the type of audio-visual equipment you have available and become familiar with the size of the room, stage or audience.
Study the Audience
Take a tip from the "Communicators Guide" from the United States Department of Agriculture and familiarize yourself with the audience as much as possible. In addition to studying the organization to ensure your speech's tone will be on target, ask for demographics, such as age ranges, occupations and backgrounds. The information will enable you to incorporate anecdotes, jokes or transitions to pique the audience's interest. You can also hold a "meet and greet" before the speech to mingle with the group in a casual setting. This will allow you to meet friendly audience members that you can possibly seek out and make eye contact with during the speech to settle your nerves.
Start Strong
Give yourself a boost of confidence at the beginning of the speech that will encourage you to continue without fear. Toastmasters International suggests beginning the speech with an attention-grabbing quote, news item or statistic. The fascinating tidbit may elicit the hush of the crowd, raucous laughter or a round of applause to let you know that the audience is on your side.
Use Handouts and Visuals
If you need a way to keep your mind off your stage fright and help guide you through the speech, Entrepreneur magazine recommends incorporating audience handouts and visuals into the presentation. Not only will you be able to turn to posters or PowerPoint slides to get the key points or statistics for your talk, but the signs will also divert the audience's attention so they're not looking at you the entire time. Pass out fliers or copies of the speech's outline or charts if you want to give the audience additional items to study while you're on stage.
Seek Help
If your stage fright has caused you to experience physical ailments or stress that forces you to withdraw from the event, Dr. Hall-Flavin of the the Mayo Clinic suggests seeking the help of a physician to determine if you suffer from performance anxiety, social phobia or an anxiety disorder. A mental-health professional can uncover the nature of the fear and recommend counseling or medication to combat it.
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