“There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience” - Alexander Gregg
I have listed the following public speaking techniques, that should help you overcome fear and anxiety. It would help you deliver a speech without feeling nervous. I have found great success in these techniques!
1. Smile. This will help you ease your mind and make you feel comfortable in your surroundings.
2. Take deep breaths. This is an oft repeated tip but it always helps you start. Avoid taking deep breaths in between, as it might sound weird.
3. Tell yourself there is nothing to worry about. The words to live by are, “Don’t worry, be happy”. What is the worst that is going to happen after all?
4. Loosen your muscles and relax. Being stiff on stage will make everyone think you are nervous.
5. Have a good sense of humor. If you mess up, have a good joke to back it up, makes you seem like you are under control.
6. Keep an OPEN mind. This relaxes you and just makes you feel better.
7. Practice. This isn’t for everyone, but it helps most people. If your speech is well rehearsed it will be fine. Also try to deliver as many public speeches as you can (for eg. at Toastmasters), it will surely help you gain confidence!
8. Feel free to move around. (this one is more for a classroom, not a business setting for the most part) When you move, it makes you seem like you are happy, but don’t be robotic with the movements.
9. Keep good eye contact, this might not help you, but it will help the audience like you. If you have trouble with this, pretend that someone did something funny.
10. Try to include the audience. Many times people think you can’t include the audience, but you can. This makes you seem like your not the only one talking, because you aren’t.
