How to Become Less Afraid When Speaking in Public

According to Gallup survey reported on Toastmasters International, around 40 percent of American responders fear speaking in public. They exhibit anxiety symptoms, such as sudden rapid heartbeat, faintness, excessive sweating and a shaky voice. However, overcoming a fear of public speaking takes practice, just like any other learned skill. Relax, research your material thoroughly and appear confident on speech day.

Instructions

• 1

  Choose a subject matter you are well-versed in and that you care about. For example, if you were adopted as a child and you are speaking to a group of pregnant mothers about choices, speak about the benefits of a child living with two willing parents. Include also the adjustments the child may struggle with, including finding her own identity. Speak on some of your experiences but also provide some current research to back it up.

• 2

  Organize your speech in sequential order with an intro, the middle and the end. Write an outline of your speech before writing it on index cards or typing it up like a research report.

• 3

  Check with the coordinator who asked you to speak what types of visual equipment is available. This will help you decide if you are going to make Power-Point slides to help drive certain points home.

• 4

  Rehearse your speech as much as possible so you can memorize it and won't have to look at your cards on speech day. Practice often like in front of the mirror or working out because the better you know your key points, the less you need to look down at your notes and sound robotic. This allows you to sound more animated and keep eye contact with the audience.

• 5

  Appear as confident as possible and avoid showing your nerves if possible. If you do appear nervous, relax and try to make a joke out of it as humor often goes a long way in loosening up a crowd.

• 6

  Speak clearly and avoid saying "um." When you pause or stutter like that, it shows you lack confidence, and the audience wants to hear a confident, authoritative speaker.