How do people overcome the fear of speaking in front of a large crowd?

Question

Ok so now one of my jobs is publicly speaking in front of a crowd.I always get so nervous when i have to. What are some tips that can help me.I have to speak in front of a crowd in 2 weeks.Anyone have any suggestions that can help?

Answer 1

Hang out in more social enviroments on your free time, or when with people, if your listener try to be the center and talk a little more. I personally am very shy and quiet but i like it. The best example i can give is you have to be comfortable with what you are doing, for me personally i still dont do crowds well but i have done martial arts for years and i can do a demo in front of millions of people if i had too without and fear becaues im comfortable with my abilities in it due to practice. So the best advice i can give is practice talkin with ppl in more populated social areas, it will be hard not easy but eventually you will get used to it and will be alot easier.

Answer 2

I know that many people aren't afraid of speaking in front of people as much as they are afraid of screwing up in front of people and humiliating themselves completely. These are a few tips that have helped me:

1). Don't panic. If the topic is something the crowd is unfamiliar with especially. The people will probably never know whether or not you screw up or not. And even if they do, they probably won't care. The bigger challenge will probably be getting them to pay attention to you moreso than anything else.

2). Practice. Being prepared not only lessens the chance of you screwing up, it makes you more familiar with the topic at hand. And if you are more comfortable with the topic, chances are you will be more comfortable talking about it.

3). Take every opportunity to perform that you can. I was incredibly shy when I was younger, and I can say that the number one thing that made me a lot more comfortable speaking in public was doing it as often as possible. Volunteer for the chance whenever you can, especially if it scares you. For me, I found the experience desensitizing. Driving for the first time is often scary to many people, but after doing it for a while, it becomes routine. Same thing with swimming and for public speaking - at least for me.

A few tips I have gotten from other people are to race around the block before a speech, so you are too tired to be tense about it. Another friend of mine who publicly speaks often says that looking at the audience in the forehead instead of the eyes helps, since you can't see them seeing you and it still looks like eye contact from that kind of distance. I've never tried these tips before, but they may help you.

One more piece of advice is to speak with other people who are in the business of making public presentations on a regular basis. You may find that some techniques that they use to handle the stress (and I know many professional speakers who still get VERY nervous in front of crowds) that may work better for you than all my suggestions. Good luck!

Answer 3

Practice. It is never easy the first time. You will get more confident as you go along. Some of the things that you could do is talk to the sound technicians so that you can do a sound check. Talk a little slow because we all tend to talk a little fast if it is the first time in front of a crowd. Make sure you know your material. And remember that It happens to everybody, its a learned skill. You are nit the first and you definitely not the last. Enjoy the experience.

Answer 4

One of my job responsibilities is talking to a large group of people about our business and believe me no matter how many times I have done it before, every time I step up on the stage I get scared:


Here are some tips that I have used to overcome fear of public speaking:
-Smile, don’t show the audience that your nervous or scared
-Don’t stare at someone sitting at the audience that doesn’t make feel comfy
-Every time, I have to speak I look at my manager because I can see that he is supporting me so try doing the same.

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

About 15 to 20 min before you go on stage sit in the front row as people are coming in to be seated. This will give you ownership of your immediate vicinity, you will feel more comfortable; plus it will give you a chance to meet the people you will be talking to. They will help you in your time of need when you feel as thought the venue looks so big, you will be amongst friends who can't wait to hear what you've got to say. Remember...this is your show and everything you do is OK...You will be shaking hands after the venue in no time...

I've been performing for 15 years in front of 20 people to 45,000 people... remember...everyone there wants to be there.

Answer 6

There was one tip that a public speaker told me to do... that is to pick out one person... and pretend that you are talking to that person only... and move your head to sweep your eyes around the field of attendants... but then go back to that one person... But the best thing is to know your subject material so well that you don't really need notes... that you can speak "ad lib" in your talk... That is what I do... and to tell the truth, I don't really worry how I look or come across... I am more interested in teaching the listeners what I have to share... Be sure to include questions in your talk... and break up your talk so that the audience can participate by answering questions... then comment on their answers to continue with your topic... that way you keep your audience interested... if they can participate. Good luck!

Answer 7

If possible have someone there that you really like and trust a good friend or family member. Act like you're talking to them until your nerves go away. Secondly be inspired by whatever you are talking about. Know this subject you're discussing and be passionate about it.

Answer 8

practice in front of mirror and other people

Answer 9

just don't look at them. look at the wall behind them