Overcoming Public Speaking Fears
Scenarios for public speaking can vary widely, from sharing
entertaining stories at your best friend's wedding, to discussing the
philosophies of Immanuel Kant in a college classroom, to pitching a
product to a group of clients at a business presentation. Each
situation can provoke fear in one form or another: cold sweats, weak
knees or loss of words are just a few of the symptoms. In most
situations, public speaking fears can be overcome by following a few
simple steps before delivering a speech.
1. Prepare the speech well in advance. Preparation is
the key to overcoming any fear. Focus on the subject and know the topic
well. Create examples and research information that will support the
subject. Consider beginning the speech with a strong quote that may
either grab the audience or make them laugh.
2. Practice the speech. There is no greater way to
build public speaking confidence than practice. Stand in front of a
mirror, your spouse, kids, friends or co-workers. Repetition will
create familiarity with the information. Find the time, even if it is
only ten minutes out of the day.
3. Take notes. An audience can tell the difference
between a person who is well prepared and someone ill prepared to
deliver a speech. Using note cards as reminders will allow the speaker
to stay on track, thus reducing the stress involved of remembering what
to discuss next.
4. Know the audience. It is not unusual in today's
multi-cultural society that an individual may be faced with delivering
a speech to individuals who may not fully understand all the subtleties
and expressions of the English language, whether it is speaking to a
group of foreign investors, or an audience of recent immigrants still
learning your native tongue. It is important to be aware of any
offensive gestures or complex vocabulary that may create a barrier from
the message intended. The same argument may be presented for age. A
speech intended for teenagers may not necessarily work for elderly
individuals.
5. Humor is an icebreaker. Playwright Herbert Gardner
said, "Once you get people laughing, they're listening, and you can
tell them almost anything." It doesn't mean that the speaker has to
become an instant comedian and have the audience on the floor in
stitches. A simple quotation can add brevity to a fearful situation,
not only for the speaker, but for the audience as well.
There is much more to delivering a public speech than simply getting up
and discussing a subject, but it doesn't have to be a bad experience.
These steps are some basic tips on overcoming public speaking fears,
enabling the speaker to become relaxed and more poised to deliver his
or her intended and informative message. Give the audience what they
want to hear, and they will respond accordingly. Most importantly, have
fun with it! It is an honor to be called upon for any speaking
engagement, and it may even open up new horizons for you.
Author: I'm Tim Ackerman, and I've been a lifelong enthusiast about effective
interpersonal communication. Want to know more about overcoming public speaking fears? Visit my site PublicSpeakingInsider.com,
where you'll get access to a trove of great tips and guidance to help
you become the most powerful speaker and influential communicator you
can be.
