Monday, November 23, 2009

Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking (Part 1)

This article is for the business person, college student, or anyone else who has to speak publicly. Nearly everyone, at some point in their life, will need to stand before an audience. This article will help you do just that.


1. How can I relax while giving a speech?



· One great tip is to take very deep breathes just prior to taking your place at the podium. This relaxes your body, helping your blood pressure to lower and your mind to clear.

· Another trick is to pretend that you are all alone in front of a mirror.

· Nothing can beat being prepared for your speech. The more comfortable you are with your speech, the better that you will do.



2. What is the best way to prepare for my speech?


· Try practicing the speech in front of friends and family first, before the "actual" speech.

· Make sure that your note cards are very easy to read. (The large note cards are the best choice. You can even get colored cards now in any office supply store.)

· Use colored markers to highlight the main points of your speech.

· Be familiar with the room or auditorium in which you will be presenting your speech.


3. What is the best way to practice for a speech?


· I mentioned it above. A mirror can be very useful. Say your speech into the mirror, noticing what each hand and face is doing at all times.

· Practice the words in your head over and over again.

· Pretend that you are there, in front of the audience.

· I also mentioned practicing before other people. This is good, but if you are alone, the mirror or even your dog can be a great idea.


4. Should I take a class on public speaking?


· If you are in a field where public speaking is required, you might want to consider taking a class in effective speaking at your local college. Many times there are night courses that can really help a speaker to relax at the podium.

· These classes are usually small, allowing all of the students to develop a relationship. This helps to relax everyone, which makes for a very nice atmosphere to share, communicate, and learn.



(taken from
www.essortment.com, 2002 Pagewise)

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