Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking (Part 2)

5. What can I do if I lose my place and get all flustered?

· The best advice is to be prepared, but even the most prepared person sometimes loses his or her place.

· If this happens, glance down at your cards. Look for the bright color of the next topic, and move on.

· Take a deep breath and smile. Your audience is probably completely unaware of the problem.

· Adlibbing can be both helpful and also very dangerous when giving a speech. If your speech is timed, this may become a problem. Adlibbing can help to get your out of a sticky situation, though.

· Quickly get to the next main point if you lose your place as smoothly as you can.

6. I seem to shake all over before a speech. What can I do to help this?

· Try not to drink a lot of caffeine prior to any public speaking engagement. Opt for juice or water instead of pop or coffee.

· Keep your mind off your speech. This will calm your nerves.

7. If I get easily flustered, which is best: should I be the first person to speak or the last?

· Many successful public speakers would rather be first, but of course this is for everyone.

· If you get nervous THINKING about the speech more than performing it, then you should go first.

· If you easily lose your place or become overly nervous, you should maybe go toward the middle.

· If you are very comfortable with your speech, then you can do it last. Remember, if you do it last you will be the final, lasting image that your audience sees. Make it a good one.

8. I am too nervous to have good eye contact. What can I do to help?

· Find a person near the middle of the crowd which you know or have a friendly relationship. Look at this person, but be sure to also look around to the other ends of the room.

· When you look in other places, though, you can maybe look just above them. This may help. Later, you will be more comfortable with this, and learn to look into their eyes.

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