Public speaking

[Sariah]

Hello! i am just wondering if anyone here has any extra tips on public speaking! i have read quite a few books on it i just do not know what else i need to do to get over this fear i have of it! any tips on coping with my anxiety would really help thank you! 

[Guest MellieMeow]

I do it everyday for work, what bothers you about it?

[Guest McLeodLot65]

Practice, practice, practice. If you're in North America, see if there's a local chapter of Toastmasters - they practice public speaking with each other, in a supportive environment. Otherwise, if you have a dog, practice speaking to them - dogs will always love your speeches, and never heckle.

[Guest Georgia-Daddy2]

Speak clearly while looking at your audience, look above everyone's head never look at anyone specific, constantly scan and move (it hides your nervous shakes), do not read while looking at your notes/slides/etc., Avoid saying "um" or "like", and most importantly dress nice. If you dress for success you will do better than the rest. I have done public speaking in many places. Take deep breaths and focus on your topic. Practice your speech the night before and read it to yourself silently whenever you can.

[Guest blah911]

practice yoru speech while a friend of yours throws coins in to a can full of coins anytime you say "uh" or "erm" it's really really annoying but will help you from stop saying those things, as far as the nerves practice makes perfect if your doing this for school stop random people at the college and ask them to listen to you give the speech (assuming it's not a tremendously long one) this is what I did for my classes

[Mikaitaku]

I joined the speak and debate team to try to get over my fear of public speaking, I did poetry and had watery knees (which turns out is an actual thing) I did poorly, talked too quickly and apparently had a monotone but I managed to do it. you just got to go for it.

[little_melody]

Public Speaking can be so scary, it's so good that you are looking to get over this fear~ A lot of self encouragement, look in the mirror and tell yourself you got this! Practice a lot and maybe do a funny practice with a group of friends, like say the speech in lots of funny voices or accents so it doesn't seem so serious anymore Good luck <3

[Sariah]

What bothers me most is just knowing I will screw up with my speech or talk to fast and so I panic

[BadAssGirlie]

 I am also completely terrified to get up in front of people about anything, rather it be a group of close friends or crowds of unknown people! All i can say is what got me to finally do it was telling myself it is ok to screw up, i mean what are they going to do , bc i can promise you they have screwed something up like that before. So it is not there place to judge. It is really scary I know but I believe in you! You can accomplish anything if you believe in yourself!

[BadAssGirlie]

Or if you are afraid you'll talk to fast make it into a rap    then you have an excuse for talking to fast!

[Guest pacibrat]

I absolutely HATE it.  I can't stand a bunch of people staring at me.  The only tip I have is to try to be one of the first to do it.  That way you don't have to sit there through everyone else waiting your turn and being super nervous the whole time.  I had to take a Speech class in college and it almost killed me, lol. There were also classes that I had to lecture from the front of the room using a slideshow, present a paper, etc.  Diiiiiiies. I got through it all somehow though.  The more you do it, the easier (but never easy for me) it gets.

[HampshireBloke]

Is this in regards to a specific talk you have to give or are you just looking for general advice?

If it's something more specific, can you share any details about your audience, use of PowerPoint etc so that I can try to give you some more specific advice

[Guest aphroditelaughs]

I make sure I take deep breaths before hand. 4 seconds in and 7 seconds out.

 

If it's appropriate for whatever you're speaking about, try to make your audience laugh. Obviously this isn't for every situation, but that makes me feel like they're open to what I'm saying and I feel more comfortable.

 

Also make sure you know your material really well. This helps balance out your nerves and if you know what you're saying, you can add more authority to your presentation.

[Guest SpNfan89]

If we're talking about plays and other stage based performances my advice would be to memorize your lines and blocking together. Then when you're on the stage focus on your blocking and the lines will come naturally.
If you're talking about getting up in front of a class or any other academic environment I'd recommend improv courses. Everyone is gonna make mistakes, There's no avoiding that. But if you can roll with it and turn it into a laugh it can give you the confidence you need to finish your piece. 

Of course this is in addition to what everyone else has already mentioned. Practice, practice, practice.  For instance, the public libraries in my area hold monthly events where you can offer your time to read with little kids. Great confidence builder, cause no matter what you do. The kids will love it.