Overcoming your fear of public speaking

One of the worst fears of people is speaking before public. It is a greatest fear. In fact, it is stressful for many people. Many of us can avoid public speaking entirely. Sometimes, our success is determined by our ability to present our views to others effectively. It may be a large audience or small, it doesn’t matter.

          

Why people fear?

These points will be running in your mind.

1.     Everybody is noticing me

2.     I have to present in a way they should like

3.     What happens, if I forget

4.     What happens, if any mistake happens.

5.     How can I talk before high officials will be present.

This fear is much more understandable. Even the expert public speakers sometimes go nervous beforehand. Since much exposure is not there, this happens.

You can be delivering a very good presentation if you take the following points into account.

1. Know the audience: Have clear idea to whom you are going to address. That way you know how to target your presentation in order to pick the proper mood and tone for your speech. Knowing your audience should also help settle some of your nerves and give you some idea of what to expect regarding the potential reception of your speech. Understand their level of understanding. You should not use jargon's when you speak to ordinary people. You may use simple language to ordinary people.

2. Know what is expected from you. Have clear idea about the subject allocated to you. Check up what the other speakers are allocated, watch others’ presentation also. If your point already is touched by previous speaker, you need not duplicate it. You can supplement some more information giving due credit to him.

3. Design your speech. First write out a tentative speech that includes everything you would like to say. From there create a bulletined list that contains the main points from each section of your speech. Great! Now you have an outline. Use this outline to help you practice your speech. The longer you work with the outline you should be able to condense it into a couple of keywords per bulletined point. The outline can then be used as a script/road map that you can follow and look to during your public speech. All your speech should be relevant to the audience.

4. Do rehearsals practice, practice, practice. Stand before a mirror and practice. Stand before your friends and practice. Ask for feedback. Note down where you flow is stopping. Have a small hand held scribbling pad and note down important points. If necessary, you can refer.

5. Check up the tools. What are supporting equipment's available. Check up whether LCD/ power point projector is available, remote to operate PPT, hand held mike/collar mike, etc. If possible visit the place in advance, to find out the technical feasibility to have your laptop in the podium or table, extra flex box, length of wires, etc. you can’t get standard in the last minute before the audience.

6. Check up the duration How much time is allocated to you for your speech? Have enough stuff. If you have one hour time for your lecture, prepare for 2 hours.

7. Have realistic expectations. Instead of focusing on what can go wrong, focus on the content of your speech and what you intend to communicate to the public. Most importantly, sometimes the only expectation that you should set is that you just finish your speech, and properly convey your message within the time allotted to you. Setting expectations about how the audience may respond is somewhat pointless, and ultimately out of your control. Instead focus on things you can control ie. The content or point that you are trying to communicate.

8. Have a good eye contact. You should cover all the audience with your eye contact. No area in the audience should be left uncovered. Some sitting in the front rows may give you a good supporting head nod. Don’t settle with them throughout.

9. Use ‘My friend’ technique. Imagine one friend is sitting in the middle of the hall, another one in the last row, another one in the left extreme and another one in the right extreme. Talk as if you are talking to your friend.

10. You don’t have to be perfect. You just need to be able to deliver your message.

11. Breathe deeply several times before you being your presentation to elicit the 

relaxation response and to open up your chest cavity.

12. Engage the audience. Ask yes or no questions. Ask only simple questions so that everybody will be interested to answer.

13. Greet them, appreciate them and in the end thank them.

14. Never antagonize anyone. Avoid sensitive issues. Avoid attacking any person individually.

15. Time your speech. Never prolong your speech beyond given time. When the audience expects more from you, you must get down from the Dias.

          Good public speakers have a passion for their message, know their material. They are aware of how to take care of themselves to ensure that their voice and their body helps to communicate their.

          By practicing good speaking habits everyone can decrease the fear and stress associated with public speaking. All the best!