Linda Musgrove
TradeShow Teacher
www.tsteacher.com
linda@tsteacher.com

When you think of Public Speaking are you the type that says "Oh yeah, hand over that microphone and give me an audience!" OR are you more of the type that fears Public Speaking more than death? If you fall in the second category, don't worry, you're not alone; fear of Public Speaking has been reported as one of the top fears on people's minds!

This particular article will focus on a few tips to overcome those fears and physical symptoms you feel when having to speak before a group; such as pounding heart, shaking knees, sweaty palms, memory lapse, dry mouth and more! You know what I'm talking about!

-  Presentations

-  Sales Meetings

-  Seminars

-  Impromptu Speeches

-  Panel Discussions

- Leader of A Group

-  Listeners Disapproving

-  Criticism

-  People Walking Out of The Room in the Middle of the Presentation

-  Mistakes

-  Not Knowing the Audience or Material Well Enough

-  Stumbling on Words

-  "Blanking Out" and Forgetting What To Say

-   Create a Worksheet to Outline the Plan of Your Speech
   You can use a Linear Format, BUT you should consider using the "MindMap" Format;
   for quite some time I shuddered at the thought of using a MindMap, but once I
   forced myself to try this style of outlining, I was amazed at how fast I was able to
   create speech outlines!

-  Familiarize Yourself With the Room Whenever Possible:
   Arrive early, or visit the location a few days before so you can feel more comfortable
   and envision yourself giving the presentation in that "space".

-   PRACTICE:
   Need I say more?!

-   Fake it 'Til You Make It!
   Yes, Public Speaking can be scary!!! Just remember to fake confidence until you feel
   it - then nobody will notice that you feel sick to your stomach! All presenters feel
   butterflies in their stomach before presenting; they'd be lying if they said they
   didn't!

The first few times I did seminars I thought I was going to pass out! Instead, I smiled and acted like I had done it a million times; after the seminar the audience rated the Seminar Content and Speaker as Excellent on the Evaluation forms! After the first few times I presented it was easier to remind myself that I will do a great job and that I just have to "Fake Confidence" until it catches up! The hardest part for myself, and most presenters in general, is the introduction, once you get past that it's typically
"smooth sailing"!

-   Don't Rush Through the Presentation:
   Pace yourself and try not to talk too fast! Nobody will understand what you're
   saying!

-   Relax Yourself:
   No, not with some alcohol; having a "drink" is actually one of the worse things you
   can do before giving a speech! What I mean is; before you go "on-stage" take a
   deep breath and relax yourself.

-   Find Opportunities
   Constantly be on the lookout for Public Speaking opportunities to hone your skills!
   The more you do it the better you will become!

1.) Know your material: Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use personal stories and conversational language – that way you won’t easily forget what to say.

2.) Practice. Practice. Practice!: Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using.Revise as necessary.

3.) Know the audience: Greet some audience members as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to "friends" than to strangers.

4.) Know the room: Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.

5.) Relax: Ease tension by doing exercises. Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.

6.) Visualize yourself giving your speech: Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and confident. Visualize the audience clapping – it will boost your confidence.

7.) Realize that people want you to succeed: Audiences want you to be interesting, informative and
     entertaining. They don’t want you to fail!

8.) Don’t apologize: For any nervousness or problem – the audience probably never noticed it.

9.) Concentrate on the message – not the medium: Focus your attention away from your anxieties & concentrate on your message and your audience.

10.) Gain experience: Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking.

TO LEARN MORE about Toastmasters, click here: www.toastmasters.org
 

Linda Musgrove, the TradeShow Teacher helps companies improve their Trade Show Results through customized Educational Trade Show Marketing Programs; with programs for individuals, or entire departments and with the Trade Show Training Manual she authored, titled: Trade Show Training, for Increased Return On Investment. Visit http://www.tsteacher.com to register for the FREE Trade Show Tactics Newsletter! Call (888) 547-7410 for a FREE consultation.

                 CONTACT ME TODAY  I  I  I  I  I  I
 
 TradeShow Teacher
 1000 Island Blvd. Suite 2207
 Aventura, FL 33160
 Phone: (305) 677-3543
 Toll Free: (888) 547-7410
 Fax: (800) 259-4269
info@tsteacher.com

 

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