How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

Many people suffer from a fear of public speaking. Whether you are a student who is required to read a report in front of your classroom or a business professional expected to prepare a presentation for a group of your colleagues or potential clients, speaking in public can cause sweaty palms, an upset stomach, and even bring on a full-blown anxiety attack. If you are faced with a public speaking engagement of any sort and feel the dread and apprehension building, here are some tips to help you face - and overcome - your fear.

If you are responsible for creating or gathering material for your presentation, consider your audience. If you will be speaking to a group of classmates, coworkers, or other peers that you are familiar and friendly with, you should be able to determine whether humor is appropriate, and if so, to what degree. If you will be speaking publicly to a group that you are not familiar with, it's usually ok to have a funny ice breaker or two. However, keep it clean and P.C., and keep it to a minimum. A good, clean chuckle will lighten the mood and put you more at ease.

Pinpoint your presentation. People tend to tune out if they're overwhelmed with information. A good analogy is someone trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose; all they want is a refreshing swallow and instead they end up soaked and probably knocked over! Decide on two or three main points to speak about. If you are familiar and comfortable with those topics it will be much easier to speak on them. Weave anecdotes or human-interest stories into your presentation, as people are automatically drawn to these types of tales.

Break your presentation into three sections. Remember what your teachers used to tell you when you had to write a composition? First, tell them what you are going to tell them! Speak about your presentation, basically giving the audience an overview of your presentation (if you have a PowerPoint presentation, slide hand outs are helpful here). Second, tell them! Speak about your main points, using your funny and interesting stories. Third, tell them what you told them! Sum up your key points and, if you so desire, open the floor for any questions.

Put your best foot forward. Wear something that is attractive and comfortable. If you are tugging your collar or standing in shoes that squeeze your feet, you simply won't give your best presentation. Ideally you have that one go-to outfit. This is not the day to try out your brand new high heels.

During your public speaking engagement, a few simple tricks will help you keep your cool. Keep a glass or pitcher of water close by. When you're nervous it's common for your mouth to become dry. And a tickle in your throat can drive you to distraction. Take small sips of water throughout your presentation, but don't chug it or you'll find yourself doing an embarrassing "potty-dance!" Keep aware of your breathing. When you are stressed you may hold your breath, which in turn raises blood pressure. If you find yourself doing so during your speech, take a few slow, deep breaths. Speak slowly and clearly. Nervous people tend to speed up there speech, making it harder to understand. And finally, smile, smile, smile! Smiling lifts your mood, lowers your blood pressure, alleviates stress, and makes you appear more confident and approachable.