Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will
speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and
practice using the microphone and any visual
aids.
Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than
to a group of strangers.
Know your material. Practice your speech and revise it if
necessary. If you're not familiar with your material or are
uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will
increase.
Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises.
Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud,
clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you
will be successful.
Realize that people want you to succeed. They don't want you to fail. Audiences want you to be interesting,
stimulating, informative, and entertaining.
Don't apologize. If you mention your nervousness or apologize 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 the
medium. Focus your attention away from your own
anxieties, and outwardly toward 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.
Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key
to effective speaking. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience
you need.
Reproduced with permission from Toastmasters
International "Ten Tips for Successful Public Speaking" as
found at http://www.toastmasters.org/tips.htm
(10/2002)
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