1 | Know the room |
Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids. | |
2 | Know the audience |
Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers. | |
3 | Know your material |
If you're not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary. | |
4 | Relax |
Ease tension by doing exercises. | |
5 | Visualize yourself giving your speech |
Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful. | |
6 | Realize that people want you to succeed |
Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail. | |
7 | Don't apologize |
If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed. Keep silent. | |
8 | Concentrate on the message -- not the medium |
Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate. | |
9 | Turn nervousness into positive energy |
Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm. | |
10 | Gain experience |
Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. |
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