Talking in public is one of the biggest fears for many people. It can come as a physical symptom (nausea, dizziness, heartburn) or turned up as an intense need to run away. While there are many things you can do make sure a speech is a success as you're doing your presentation, there are also steps you can take to prepare yourself before the time for the speech arrives.
Step 1
Plan the speech well. Know what you're going to say and how. Having an outline will help you stay focused if you feel anxiety increasing. The earlier you start preparing, the more secure you'll feel about the final result.
Step 2
Know your subject inside and out. Make a list of potential questions you may get from the audience and practice the answers.
Step 3
Practice in front of the mirror. If you have a willing friend or family member, ask them to sit down and listen to your speech. They can point out weird stops, tell you if your body language is awkward or whether you need to speak slowly or more lively. You can also use a camera to videotape yourself and then study the video to catch mistakes or areas that need improvement.
Step 4
Have extras to rely on. Clips, audio and photographs will not only get your point across more easily, but will also give you a break from having to talk non-stop. As the pictures are showing on the screen, you can use the silence and darkness to catch your breath.
Step 5
Find out details about your audience: how many people will attend, whether there's a specific demographic and what do they expect to get out of your speech. Try talking to organizers or management to get a better feel for what would work better, whether it's humor, lots of data and numbers or a participatory speech, where the audience gets to ask questions as the speech goes on, rather than at the end.
Step 6
Visualize. Close your eyes, imagine you're in front of the audience and see yourself talking to them. Imagine them responding favorably to your speech, smiling and being active participants. Take a few deep breaths and reassure yourself things will work out fine. Positive reinforcement usually works to give you confidence on your own capacities.
Step 7
Prepare a backup plan, preferably in the form of a group exercise. If you feel yourself losing control or becoming too anxious, you can give the audience something to work on while you regain composure and are able to go back to the speech. Preparing this exercise can be great for your anxiety, as it will help you realize that even if the worst happens, you have a way to deal with it.
Tips and Warnings
- Body language is a big part of giving a good speech. Aside from observing yourself when talking, pay attention to what your body is saying. Practice using your hands for emphasis, use the mirror to correct posture and check yourself over for appearance and overall first impression. Once you realize you look professional, it can help lower your anxiety levels and increase your self-confidence.
