How can I make a speech without getting nervous?

Question

its my worst fear, please help!!

Answer 1

Focus on one or two people in the audience and pretend that you are speaking directly to that person.

Imagine the audience in their underwear.

Answer 2

Record your speech on a tape. Make pauses.So that you can take breaths between sentences. Rewind the tape before it's time to give the speech. Then, put on dark sunglasses.Before going into the room. Once you are facing te crowd. Close your eyes. Have one small earphone in your ear. Turn on the walkmen Listen to your tape and repeat what you recorded. This way you can tell your speech with your eyes closed. Focusing on your speech and not the people looking at you. Make sure your batteries are fully charged. Before using the walkmen or digital voice recorder.

Answer 3

ugh. 4 years at college, and not one speech has been made without freaking out for the entire time i knew about. i feel your pain.

depending on how long you have to prepare- just LEARN as much about the topic as you can- don't just memorize. know it back and front, inside out. god forbid something interrupts your train of thought, memory doesn't always help. if you actually know what youre talking about you won't have to rely on what you've rehearsed, you can just talk from your heart.

if it's for a class or meeting at work that you attend regularly you can also try to speak up in class more and get used to speaking to the people you will be standing in front of for the report. if you are more comfortable with them and hearing your voice in the room, it might be easier.

and despite how important the speech is, pretend that it doesnt matter, the people your in front of aren't important, and at the end of the day, know that you'll be sitting home or wherever- and thinking about how silly it was to be nervous.

Answer 4

If you're not a public speaker, there is a good chance that you're gonna have a case of the jitters until it's over. Some years ago, I had to make a speech & someone suggested that I find 1 person in the audience, a face I know, to focus on. I picked one of my instructors with whom I had a good rapport, & it went with flying colors. Try it, it would really help.

Answer 5

practice and practice. if it's any comfort, 49% of people fear death more than anything and 51% fear public speaking. so, (although it's slight and these numbers might be a little outdated) you are not alone. you have a lot of sympathy and understanding from the people in the audience.

draw in a deep breath and take the plunge. it's my job to speak in front of people every day and i sometimes i coach students' presentations. it gets easier the more you do it because you get more comfortable with practice. again, remember the audience is normally on your side because most of them have the same fear and that often garners respect and empathy.

Answer 6

Not being nervous is not likely possible. However, I have had to overcome the same fear myself here are some things to remember:
* People will understand that you are nervous - they would be nervous too! Make a joke if your voice shakes, or you forget what your saying!
* Courage - is being afriad and doing what you need to do inspite of the fear.

You can do it!!

Answer 7

Your not going to get over all the fears. You need to learn how to live with them. First pratice speech. Hope your teacher is telling you basic skills you should known how to remember and give good speech. If you do not have one ask around and see who has video camera ask person to set it up or video you giving speech. Watch it and see how you did. By now person you see should be doing good job

Answer 8

I hated speech class in high school so I practiced my speeches over and over in front of a mirror until I knew them by heart. It's easy to get mixed up when you have to glance down at notes. Knowing them by heart also gives you the confidence to look around at the audience. I always looked over peoples heads not into thier eyes.

Answer 9

The more prepared you are the easier it will come. If you believe what you're saying people will be able to follow you. If you believe it than you're passionate about it and it will show.

Look to the back of the room just over the heads of the crowd. It will become easy at that point. I speak every week and my experience has led me to a give a short, short story that people can follow and then tie it into the info that you'll need to give for your speech. Be real and they'll love you!

Answer 10

Be prepared, focus on your speech and audience(and not on yourself), and just be yourself. With repetition you will be less nervous, and actually come to the place where you enjoy the opportunity.

Study folks like Ryan Seacrest, host of American Idol. Huge crowds, etc., but if you'll notice he always speaks in a relaxed manner, focuses on the contestants, judges, and television audience, and he no doubt has a teleprompter leading him from one thing to the next, so he's "prepared".

Answer 11

I used to be deathly afraid of speaking in front of people. However, I joined FFA my freshman year of high school and became an active participant in the chapter's activities. I started out giving demonstrations to kindergarten students, moved up to the public speaking contest, and eventually ended up giving a speech to over 120 sophomore students my junior year. The secret? Start small and practice. Kids are great to give presentations to as long as it is something cute and cuddly or something they are generally interested in.