The fear of public speaking is something many people deal with. Gallup says over 40% of people fear public speaking and some even fear it more than death. However, with a couple of reminders and tips, you can give an excellent talk without fear.
The most important thing to remember is that no talk will be flawless or perfect, even professionals are not perfect. Even unedited speeches of great orators such as Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr. have numerous errors. People understand how nerveracking public speaking can be and are naturally forgiving. If you embrace your errors, the audience will too.
Another important tip is to focus on preparation. You have obviously prepared the material you will deliver but it is hard to prepare for the fear you will experience. Practice in front of small, supportive groups to desensitize yourself and boost your confidence.
Your introduction is vital in determining the direction your speech will go. Work especially hard practicing your into. Not only does it grab the attention of the audience, it also sets the tone of the talk. Research has shown that having the begining down cold helps with the jitters.
To calm your nerves, eliminate other stresses surrounding your speech. Get to the venue early so you are not in a rush and so you can do tech and sound rehearsal. Walking around the stage will also help your body find comfort in the room. Also take a seat in the audience for a few minutes to have a sense of what you will look like from their eyes.
Talk to a few audience members before your presentation and reference them by name during the talk. This has numerous benefits including the audience does not seem full of strangers. People will feel special and more engaged when you mention them and the rest of the audience will feel like you relate to them.
For more information read on at http://time.com/89814/how-to-overcome-fear-of-public-speaking-and-give-a-great-presentation/