Advice for public-speaking anxiety

JRNMom
Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:08:03 +0000

Many good suggestions above…Toastmasters, Dale Carnegie. I also like Simba’s recommendation on ‘knowledge and power’. Practice practice practice.

For years I avoided public speaking–nervousness, voice shaking, uneven breathing. Ugh! Somewhere along the line I started to care less what people thought of me and when I looked into the audience I saw friends. I also realized when you speak from the heart in a genuine manner (as when you care about getting your message across because you CARE about the audience and you want to share your important message) it helps. I also found it easier to speak into a mic…even for small groups. If you know your voice doesn’t carry it doesn’t help your confidence if you can’t get your audience engaged because they can’t hear you. Straining your voice makes the elocution feel unnatural too. If you can speak conversationally without strain, it really helps your message come across genuinely.
Smile smile smile. Be enthusiastic. Love thy audience, they are your friends, they want you to do well. Be yourself and know you are giving your best.
Best of luck!