Any tips/suggestions on overcoming fear of public speaking?

Question

Have been delegated to give a presentation at an upcoming forum. I have a tremendous fear of public speaking. Get dry mouth, stutter, racing mind, etc. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Practice, practice, practice!
I was so bad that I gave a presentation in a speech class in college, and didn't remember doing it!
When I became a manager and hosted meetings on a regular basis, it got easy.
I knew everyone there.
I knew the material.
And most important, I knew more about it than anyone else there.
Self confidence is the key.
You know more about the subject than anyone else.
If there are questions, you know the answers, and they will look stupid before you will.
Preparation and self confidence.

Answer 2

Practice diligently. Practice with your friends and family members. Practice to the mirror. Remember to make small hand gestures, since its a presentation you're making, and don't leave them stiff by your sides. Or just rest them casually on the podium. Posture matters.

Just before the presentation, say your opening lines over and over in your head. A good start is advantageous. Take deep, long breaths. When you step behind the podium, forget that anybody is in the room, make sure the microphone works fine. Focus your eyes a few centimetres above the audience head, but don't move to the ceiling..lol... Whatever you do, DON'T make eye contact or watch people's expressions while speaking. It will distract you. Glance around the room regularly, without focusing on just one place. Breathe properly between words, and speak slowly so that your speech doesn't come out all rushed and breathless. Just think that there's nobody in the room, just you practising again to yourself.

If you stutter, or forget a point, move over to the next without tarrying. If possible have a set of cards you can keep as a guide showing you which topic comes when.

All the very best to you!!!

Answer 3

Step 1, relax, take it easy.
Step 2, Prepare for the big day
a) Get the important points, content on a peace of paper.
b) Read slowly, carefully before the mirror a few times.
c) After you gain some confidence reading before the mirror get a couple of friends to join in and listen you read, take feedback from them
d) Practise, Practise, Practise. It makes a man perfect.
Step 3, on the bigday, wake up early, practise the presentation once, have a bath, eat breakfast, get dressed and go to the office
Step 4 In the office keep yourself busy so the worries about the presentation dont get you but dont stress yourself too much, be casual, joke around your collegues.
Step 5 Go there take a few deep breaths, smile and pat yourself on your back for working so hard for the presentation. Its your big day make the most out of it when you speak. After you have gone through all these steps I assure you the you will be a star when you give that presentation, dont let fear control you, this time you know you are not going to mess it up becoz you worked soooo hard and this time you believe in yourself. Go do it

Answer 4

Prepare your speech in a written form, so that if all goes wrong you can read it. Try to practice your reading in front of a mirror and remember that most people are nervous too, so your audience will understand if you get a bit nervous.
Good luck.

Answer 5

i usually don't give links for answers, but this site helped me a lot. i had the same problem.
good luck!

Answer 6

try gently chatting indoors untill you have built confidence & feel you have mastered the great art of language.best of luck to you!

Answer 7

Try once to have a speech NAKED (in front your friends or family). After it every other speech will be piece of cake.....