- Know the Room
Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using if using a microphone or visual aids.
- Know the audience
Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It is easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.
- Know your material
If you are not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary.
- Relax
Ease tension by doing stretching exercises and/or breathing.
- Visualise your self
Imagine yourself speaking before the event, your voice loud, clear and assured. When you visualise yourself as successful, your are on your way to being successful.
- Realise that people want you to succeed
Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They do not want you to fail.
- Don't apologise
If you mentioned your nervousness or apologise 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.
- Concentrate on the message, not on the medium
Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and outwardly towards your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.
- Turn nervousness into positive energy
Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.
- Practice makes perfect
Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmaster Club can provide the experience you need.
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