Public speaking! These words are enough to send chills down your back. Just a thought of it makes most of us want to hide behind the curtains. It could be one of the most common fear of people around the world. Even those who are good at it do not necessarily enjoy it.
Everyone has to speak publicly every once in a while. It does not matter if you are an introvert or not or how old you are or how experienced you are or what your profession is, it gives you a speech anxiety.
So, what can we do to overcome this fear? A very simple answer to this question is practice. Remember that nobody starts as a public speaker. Public speaking is a soft skill and the more you do it, the better you get at it. So, here are a few tips that you should consider while speaking publicly that can help you master this fear:
Be Prepared
It is one of the ways to calm down your nervousness. Know your material, so
that you do not have to be worried about saying something wrong and embarrass
yourself in front of the crowd. Preparation will boost up your confidence.
Do
not Start Right Away
Take a deep breath and take a moment to observe and feel the audience. Greet
your audience; it will help you to connect with them.
Inspire
and Educate the Audience.
Share your knowledge with a passion to make it worth their time. Give them
something new to take back with them.
Engage
with the Audience
You should not be speaking
at them; you should be speaking with
them. Make eye contact with the audience. Answer if any questions asked and always repeat the question so that everyone can hear the
question. If you do not know the answer, explain why you cannot answer the
question clearly.
Remember
that it's okay to Make Mistakes
Even the successful public speakers make mistakes. Take pauses to gather your
thoughts.
It
is not Necessary that Everyone Agrees with You
There are people crossing their arms and shaking their heads. But do not lose
your morale. Instead, focus on people who are enjoying your presentation.
Repeat Yourself
When you point out an important argument, the audience can probably hear or
understand only half of the things you speak. Also, what you repeat creates a
greater impact.
Maintain
your Level of Energy
If your energy level starts decreasing, your audience will lose interest too.
Do not throw away all your energy at the beginning. It is very important to
maintain stability.
Finish Early
Finish early than the time allotted and ask if anyone has any questions.
Say Thank You to Your Audience
Do not forget to thank your audience for their patience and their time.
It is always wise to practice. Gather friends and family and speak in front of them. As said before, 'Just as most things in life are learned through practice, the more you do something, the better you get at it.' Good luck!
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