3 Tips to Help You Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

Bugs, Clowns, Snakes, Heights and Zombies are still outranked. They still cannot take over the #1 spot.

Americans still view Public Speaking as the #1 Fear.

Yet, no matter how long we try to avoid it, we’re still going to have to speak up at some point. Whether it is a staff meeting, the wedding of a friend, a school show and tell for your child or a report, we’re going to have to speak up in front of our family, friends and peers eventually.

Looking ahead, I want to give you 3 tips to help you overcome your fear of speaking.

1. Preparation - Simply walking up to a podium with little or no notes is enough to make anyone anxious. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve out every word before you let it fall.” Before your next scheduled speech or meeting, do some research online, read some books and even try to talk to other people who may know about your subject you will soon be speaking about. Then, write these notes down either on postcards or type them out on a document. This may seem elementary, but I am still amazed at how many professionals simply ‘wing it’ when it comes to speaking in public.
2. Rehearse - If you know your weekly staff meeting is within the hour, take five minutes and record some highlights you would like to add to the meeting. Then arrive ten minutes before the meeting begins and rehearse silently what you want to say and how you would say it. If you have an upcoming presentation, after your preparation, practice your presentation at least three times. Here are seven ways you can rehearse a speech (http://www.publicwords.com/2012/07/26/seven-ways-to-rehearse-a-speech/)
3. Acceptance - Accept that it is okay to be fearful standing in front of other people. 74% of people suffer from speech anxiety (www.statisticbrain.com). And over three million Americans have a fear of crowded or public places (www.statisticbrain.com), so more than likely you’ll be speaking to a few people who are somewhat anxious of sitting in a room full of people listening to your presentation. While acceptance doesn’t take away the fear you have associated with public speaking, it can be a start in the preparation process.

No matter how many times you give a presentation in your life, you will have some anxiety associated with your public speech. But the key to all public speeches is preparation. How do you prepare for a public speech? Share with others your keys to giving a successful presentation in the comment section below.

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