How do you overcome the fear of giving speeches?

Answer 1

Practice.

Answer 2

Learn your subject matter. Don't just write a speach, learn about the subject so that you know as much about it as possible. When you are confident that you can answer almost any question on the subject, this will take a lot of the strain off you. Also look at possible arguments for and against your subject matter. Avoid powerpoint, it has been done to death, look at other supporting matter that inspires people. It will draw their attention from you. You then become the supporting material. I had to do a talk on domestic violence. There were going to be some very important people in front of me and I was quite nervous. I did a stop motion animation using my daughter's toys to show the different aspects of domestic violence. When the day came, all the people before me had done powerpoint presentations and I thought that mine was maybe a little too strange but when I stood up to give my presentation, I knew my subject really well and the video had drawn everybody's attention from me so I could deliver without any problems. And my audience were astounded. To summarise: 1)know your stuff 2)If you can use supporting material, take your time to make it worth while.

Answer 3

By giving speeches, my dear.
Our fears are only fears unless they stop us from doing what
we need or want to do...then they become obstacles in our path.
Many popular television and movie stars are shy about
getting on stage, did you realize that? I do mean afraid!
Most people are afraid of standing up in front of others and
speaking....it is probably a mixture of different things....fear
of rejection, fear of exposure, fear of being tongue tied......
But to overcome that fear or those fears, we have to find
the strength and courage to overcome it!
Prepare well, know what it is you want to speak about...
And when you stand up there, take a nice deep breath
and relax.....
And do your best!
Each time you do it, it will get easier and easier.....
and you will feel so good about yourself and your
ability to overcome an obstacle in your life.

Then, on to the next fear.....because once you've
overcome the fear of speeches, hey! The sky is the limit,
right? You will realize that you can overcome any fear
you face at that point! And you can! Obstacles in life begin to disappear......

All the best to you!
Doris
[e-mail]
P.S. I know about this because I've been there and done
that!

Answer 4

Join Toastmasters
Take a speech class, always go first then you can enjoy the other speeches. Remember they don't want to be speaking either and if something terrible happens will feel for you not blame you.
I worked with a women who had her skirt fall off in front of a room full of clients she was teaching. They didn't lose respect for her at all she was still the one who knew what they came to learn and they all knew it could have been them.

Answer 5

i dont know if it works for you but keep the papper below your face and if you have a friend in the class ask them if you could look up at them every once in awhile so they can give you a smile or boost your self extime or if the might be to imbraccing look at the back of the room what ever you do keep calm and just thank about your papper or somthing good you have to look forward to and read your papper proudley !yell do great nothing to worry about

Answer 6

Someone told me to imagine everyone was naked in the room except yourself. But that just made me want to laugh. Might work for you though.