How to stop fear getting in the way of speaking in public
As the old adage goes, "More people are scared of speaking in public than are afraid of dying!" If you're one of those people, don't worry, with these ten tips you'll soon have them eating out of your hand, giving you a standing ovation and demanding an encore! Its true - standing up and speaking in public does get easier with practice but for everyone, there still has to a first time! Learning to overcome the fear is vital if you're going to take your business to the next level of success. Use the following to give you the confidence you need to pick up the phone and offer your speaking services to all the appropriate groups and societies in your area... 1 Speak only on subjects which you understand. Failing to observe this golden rule will lead to you getting caught out sooner or later! And remember to show enthusiasm for your subject - if you can't get excited about it, chances no-one else will either.
2 Establish yourself as the authority on your subject, which will give you instant credibility with your audience. Keep it brief and explain why people should listen to, and believe in, you! Do this in no more than three sentences.
3 Remember that your audience's main thought is "What's in this for me?" Make sure you answer this unspoken question in your introduction - and when you introduce an element of curiosity, you'll have them sitting on the edge of their seats, desperate to find out more.
4 Never, ever start a presentation by saying that you're nervous, or that you've never done this kind of thing before. You'll just draw attention to the things you most want to hide. Indeed, your audience will start looking for evidence to back up what you say. And if the unexpected happens, and you do find yourself having to wing it on the spot, then wing it - but just don't tell your audience. You won't get sympathy; instead you'll just look unprofessional.
5 Breathe! Nervousness can make you breathe shallowly - which won't help the timbre or projection of your voice. It also helps to have a glass of water handy, should your voice dry up or should you need a little thinking time (pausing for a sip of water makes you look confident). 6 Stand when making presentations - it gives you an immediate air of authority. Actually, it's often the fact that we're standing while everyone else is sitting which makes us so uncomfortable when making presentations. It's to do with eye levels - usually when we talk with people we're at a similar eye level which helps create rapport. Think about talking with a child for a moment, if you want to make them feel more comfortable, it's usually a good idea to crouch down so that your heads are the same level. But exactly the opposite occurs when we stand to make a presentation. Just understanding this can help reduce your anxiety. 7 Use your energy - your auric field - to attract your audience. Before starting your presentation, spend a few moments - perhaps while you're being introduced 'mentally visualising your energy field expanding to encompass the whole room. It's worth practicing beforehand as it's a very powerful tool which will make your audience automatically warm to you, without understanding quite why. 8 Be aware that communicating with others is about more than your words. In fact, only 7% of your words are taken into account - the rest of your communication is understood through the tone of your voice and body language.
9 Invest in the style and colour of clothes which suit you best. Women should wake up and (non-dangly) earrings, in order to look "finished". Open-toed shoes look less professional and men should never wear either white socks or grey shoes. Wearing a jacket implies authority and bear in mind that you should dress appropriately for the message - and for the audience. 10 Finally, remember that no-one else knows what you were going to say in your talk anyway - so don't worry if you miss out a chunk of your speech - no-one else will be any the wiser!
© Olivia Stefanino 2008
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
Related Tags: fear, how, to, in, speaking, stop, public, getting, way, the, of
Author & Coach Olivia Stefanino is Principal of "The Quantum School for Therapists". Join today and receive £500 worth of free gifts - including a 9 CD audio library, 9 workbooks and a two hour coaching session! Visit http://www.thequantumschool.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Resurgence of Fred Perry Clothing
Summer might long be over and Wimbledon may be a distant memory, however the fashion is a year round - Uncovering Men's Tank Tops
I don't know a thing about you, but I'll bet that you have worn a tank top. Tank tops have also been - Make Use of Silk Scarves to Take Good Care of Your Skin
In the event you are new about silk scarves, you could never read about this particular feature of s - Just For Men Scarves - the Preference For Guys in the Vogue Domain
If you are not certain what style of present you could provide for men, maybe you can consider men s - Think Black Friday Shopping is Beyond Your Budget?
Moms who are juggling the bills and still trying to provide the perfect holiday gift to loved ones a - How to Make Conscious Shopping Choices
Many people have heard the phrase "voting with your dollars" and they understand that it means your - Silk Scarves - Unique Present Approach in Xmas Seasons
The most prevalent silk add-on is scarves, and many focus is presented on inspired designing on thes - Benefits of an Aloe Vera Shampoo
A lot of people are not aware of the specific benefits that using an aloe vera shampoo can do to the - How Effective is the Power of Your Subconscious Mind?
Most people are bombarded with this thought whenever they feel weak and wish to affect certain chang - Silk Scarf - the Record For Human Being in the Style History
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the worldwide recognition of silk scarves developed dramatica
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Surf and Turf: the Race Track
Surf and Turf: The Race TrackOne of the favorite places for The G to hang out at, especially in Summ - Are You Looking For Cholesterol Drugs Without Side Effect?
High cholesterol level is probably one of the widely spread complication among Americans. Almost for - Friday the 13th could be a lucky day?
Friday the 13th sounds unlucky ? Traditional superstition ? And a lot of people dislike it and beli - Don't Judge A Man
Our world is full of bad tongues, fault-finders, gossipers, mockers, and insulters but do these grou - When Personalized Gifts Make a Difference
Finding the right gifts for a particular occasion is always a challenging task. Sometimes it is nic - Managing My Resistance: Learning To Flow With What Life Offers
One of the things that interests me most about conflict is the tendency to resist it and the ways in - What Are Horoscopes Based On?
If you do not know much about astrology, you may wonder what are horoscopes based on and how astrolo - 7 Dumbest Relationship Mistakes Smart People Make
We often find ourselves amid the wreckage of a love gone wrong, wringing our hands and asking, "Why - Motivation as the heart of self improvement
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Motivation in the following paragraphs - Is Complete Abstinence from Use of Paychoactive Substances Necessary for Recovery?
Can a sober alcoholic in recovery who has no history of abuse of marijuana, use marijuana without