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Among all phobias, the fear of public speaking is the most common. It is a kind of performance anxiety which makes a person concerned about how he or she looks visibly. It can range from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic. In order to protect themselves, people usually avoid speaking in front of a larger number of people. But this way, people make their fear more chronic and disruptive. However, with persistence and preparation, you can overcome this fear. Speaking in front of the public not only positions you as an expert in your area but also provides effortless referrals and improved sales opportunities for your business.
Following are the tips that can help you overcome the fear of public speaking and to deliver a great speech:
Prepare yourself mentally:
Before going on the stage, it is very important to spend some time with yourself mentally. According to experts, this is the time when you can focus on the message you have to deliver to the audience and the impact you want to create.
Don’t get irritated with the silence:
When it comes to speaking in front of the audience, you have to look more confident as it will increase the chances that people will actually listen to you. Standing on the stage will definitely make you nervous and in an attempt to end, you may start speaking too fast. Instead, use the silence to build a relationship with your audience by looking at them and making a connection. It will give you a sense of control over the entire room and feeling less nervous.
Make the start very good:
If you want the audience to really listen to you, you must make the beginning of the speech really good. Create your speech as a conversation between you and your audience instead of just a simple message. You can start by asking questions from your audience, asking them to repeat something you have said etc. it will keep them engaged during the entire speech.
Practice more:
If you know you will not be fluent while speaking in front of the public and unsure what you will actually say at that time, you need to practice more. Practice your speech to feel confident while actually delivering it. The best way is to make a video while you prepare and then analyze your performance by watching it. It will help to improve your performance tremendously.
Focus on your message:
Instead of being overly self-conscious, you must focus on the message that you have to deliver. The audience is more interested in your topic than how you look, therefore, it is important to have a strong message. Find the best way to get your message across and it will make you feel calmer on the stage.
Accept your fear and believe in improving:
Getting nervous on the stage is perfectly normal but do not allow the fear to take over your abilities. Accept the fact that you are scared but proceed with your speech regardless of anything. Refusing that you are scared will make it difficult for you to move on so accept it and believe that public speaking is a learnable skill.
