Feeling nervous or anxious at the thought of giving a speech is common, particularly if you do not give speeches often. Thorough speech preparation is the key to reducing your stress level. If you are confident about your topic and the information you will be presenting, you are much less likely to succumb to your nerves. Overcoming a fear of public speaking will take some time, but it can be accomplished with practice and experience.
Step 1
Choose a topic you know well. Speaking about an unfamiliar topic or one that is not particularly interesting can increase your anxiety about giving a speech.
Step 2
Make notes about what you want to say, but do not write out your entire speech. Relying on a written speech is not a good idea because you can lose your place while you are reading. If you know the key points of your speech, you are more likely to remember the next point and regain your composure should you happen to lose focus.
Step 3
Rehearse your speech several times in front of a friend who you know will give you honest feedback. Ask you friend to evaluate your posture, speaking voice, eye contact and the content of your speech.
Step 4
Arrive early at the location where you will be making the speech. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the room and the stage. Make sure you know how to work the microphone and any audio-visual aids before you begin speaking.
Step 5
Meet members of the audience before you make your speech. Seeing a few familiar faces in the audience may make you feel more at ease when speaking.
Step 6
Take a deep breath after you are introduced and speak your first sentence in a strong, clear voice. A strong opening to your speech can increase your confidence level.
Step 7
Select a few people in the audience and focus on them during your speech. These people may be people you already know or people who seem to be receptive and friendly. Focus on each person for a few sentences and then move your gaze to a person in another section of the room.
Tips and Warnings
- Gain experience before making a full speech. Offer to introduce a speaker at an event or present an award at a ceremony. Because these occasions only require that you say a few sentences in front of a crowd, they prevent a good opportunity to gradually develop your speaking skills. If no one is available to watch you rehearse your speech, videotape it.
- Do not mention how nervous you are to the audience. Most people will not notice and you may only make yourself more nervous by calling attention to your anxiety level.
Things You'll Need
- Notes
- Video camera
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