Are you terrified of public speaking?

Public speaking is up there with spiders, heights and flying for a lot of people - absolutely their worst fear. We've all been there - the butterflies in the tummy, the cotton mouth, the sweaty palms - is it any wonder some of us will do absolutely anything to avoid public speaking? But it doesn't have to be this way - there are ways to overcome the fear, and maybe even enjoy the experience. Yes, really! Read on for eight tips to master the art of public speaking:

Know your room: Get familiar with the place in which you will speak - this will help you to relax and feel more in control. Arrive early, walk around the stage or presentation area and practice using the microphone (if there is one) and any visual aids. Triple check the technology available to you in the room and make sure you are comfortable with using it.

Know your audience: If possible, greet at least some of the members of your audience as they arrive and before they take their seats. It is a lot easier to speak to a group of people you know rather than to a group of total strangers.

Know your material: Practice your speech, in front of a mirror if you can, and see how it sounds out loud. Make any changes necessary so that it flows really well. If you're not familiar with your material, or aren't comfortable with it, you'll be even more nervous.

Do some relaxation exercises: Get your head in the right place and ease that tension with some relaxation exercises. Breathe deeply and affirm to yourself that you can do this. Visualise yourself giving your speech in a clear, confident voice. What you think about, you bring about, so think about confidence.

Your audience wants you to succeed: It's true - no one is sitting there wanting you to fail at this. They want you to be engaging, informative and entertaining - they're on your side, wanting to hear what you have to say.

Don't make apologies for yourself: Chances are, your audience won't know how nervous you are or any mistakes you may have made if you don't tell them - so don't tell them! It also starts you off on the wrong foot - apologising before you've even started sets you up to make mistakes. Stay confident - no apologies.

Concentrate on the message: Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. What you are telling them is interesting, and they want to hear it - imagine you are telling a friend a really good story. Take any nervous energy and turn it into enthusiasm for the great story you are telling all your friends in the audience - they'll love you for it.

Practice makes perfect: The more experience you have in public speaking, the easier it gets. Get as much practice in as you can - perhaps join the debating team at your university, or a Toastmasters Club - and notice that little bit of extra confidence you have each time you get up to speak.

Public speaking doesn't come naturally to most of us, but it doesn't have to fill you with dread. Try these tips out next time you have a presentation coming up - they really will help!

- See more at: http://www.thenakedceo.com/career-building-skills/are-you-terrified-of-public-speaking/?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=are_you_terrified_of_public_speaking&utm_campaign=outbrain-june_nzasia#sthash.p9C8Ywkj.dpuf

Public speaking is up there with spiders, heights and flying for a lot of people - absolutely their worst fear. We've all been there - the butterflies in the tummy, the cotton mouth, the sweaty palms - is it any wonder some of us will do absolutely anything to avoid public speaking? But it doesn't have to be this way - there are ways to overcome the fear, and maybe even enjoy the experience. Yes, really! Read on for eight tips to master the art of public speaking:

Know your room: Get familiar with the place in which you will speak - this will help you to relax and feel more in control. Arrive early, walk around the stage or presentation area and practice using the microphone (if there is one) and any visual aids. Triple check the technology available to you in the room and make sure you are comfortable with using it.

Know your audience: If possible, greet at least some of the members of your audience as they arrive and before they take their seats. It is a lot easier to speak to a group of people you know rather than to a group of total strangers.

Know your material: Practice your speech, in front of a mirror if you can, and see how it sounds out loud. Make any changes necessary so that it flows really well. If you're not familiar with your material, or aren't comfortable with it, you'll be even more nervous.

Do some relaxation exercises: Get your head in the right place and ease that tension with some relaxation exercises. Breathe deeply and affirm to yourself that you can do this. Visualise yourself giving your speech in a clear, confident voice. What you think about, you bring about, so think about confidence.

Your audience wants you to succeed: It's true - no one is sitting there wanting you to fail at this. They want you to be engaging, informative and entertaining - they're on your side, wanting to hear what you have to say.

Don't make apologies for yourself: Chances are, your audience won't know how nervous you are or any mistakes you may have made if you don't tell them - so don't tell them! It also starts you off on the wrong foot - apologising before you've even started sets you up to make mistakes. Stay confident - no apologies.

Concentrate on the message: Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. What you are telling them is interesting, and they want to hear it - imagine you are telling a friend a really good story. Take any nervous energy and turn it into enthusiasm for the great story you are telling all your friends in the audience - they'll love you for it.

Practice makes perfect: The more experience you have in public speaking, the easier it gets. Get as much practice in as you can - perhaps join the debating team at your university, or a Toastmasters Club - and notice that little bit of extra confidence you have each time you get up to speak.

Public speaking doesn't come naturally to most of us, but it doesn't have to fill you with dread. Try these tips out next time you have a presentation coming up - they really will help!  

- See more at: http://www.thenakedceo.com/career-building-skills/are-you-terrified-of-public-speaking/?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=are_you_terrified_of_public_speaking&utm_campaign=outbrain-june_nzasia#sthash.p9C8Ywkj.dpuf

Public speaking is up there with spiders, heights and flying for a lot of people - absolutely their worst fear. We've all been there - the butterflies in the tummy, the cotton mouth, the sweaty palms - is it any wonder some of us will do absolutely anything to avoid public speaking? But it doesn't have to be this way - there are ways to overcome the fear, and maybe even enjoy the experience. Yes, really! Read on for eight tips to master the art of public speaking:

Know your room: Get familiar with the place in which you will speak - this will help you to relax and feel more in control. Arrive early, walk around the stage or presentation area and practice using the microphone (if there is one) and any visual aids. Triple check the technology available to you in the room and make sure you are comfortable with using it.

Know your audience: If possible, greet at least some of the members of your audience as they arrive and before they take their seats. It is a lot easier to speak to a group of people you know rather than to a group of total strangers.

Know your material: Practice your speech, in front of a mirror if you can, and see how it sounds out loud. Make any changes necessary so that it flows really well. If you're not familiar with your material, or aren't comfortable with it, you'll be even more nervous.

Do some relaxation exercises: Get your head in the right place and ease that tension with some relaxation exercises. Breathe deeply and affirm to yourself that you can do this. Visualise yourself giving your speech in a clear, confident voice. What you think about, you bring about, so think about confidence.

Your audience wants you to succeed: It's true - no one is sitting there wanting you to fail at this. They want you to be engaging, informative and entertaining - they're on your side, wanting to hear what you have to say.

Don't make apologies for yourself: Chances are, your audience won't know how nervous you are or any mistakes you may have made if you don't tell them - so don't tell them! It also starts you off on the wrong foot - apologising before you've even started sets you up to make mistakes. Stay confident - no apologies.

Concentrate on the message: Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. What you are telling them is interesting, and they want to hear it - imagine you are telling a friend a really good story. Take any nervous energy and turn it into enthusiasm for the great story you are telling all your friends in the audience - they'll love you for it.

Practice makes perfect: The more experience you have in public speaking, the easier it gets. Get as much practice in as you can - perhaps join the debating team at your university, or a Toastmasters Club - and notice that little bit of extra confidence you have each time you get up to speak.

Public speaking doesn't come naturally to most of us, but it doesn't have to fill you with dread. Try these tips out next time you have a presentation coming up - they really will help!  

- See more at: http://www.thenakedceo.com/career-building-skills/are-you-terrified-of-public-speaking/?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=are_you_terrified_of_public_speaking&utm_campaign=outbrain-june_nzasia#sthash.p9C8Ywkj.dpuf

Public speaking is up there with spiders, heights and flying for a lot of people - absolutely their worst fear. We've all been there - the butterflies in the tummy, the cotton mouth, the sweaty palms - is it any wonder some of us will do absolutely anything to avoid public speaking? But it doesn't have to be this way - there are ways to overcome the fear, and maybe even enjoy the experience. Yes, really! Read on for eight tips to master the art of public speaking:

Know your room: Get familiar with the place in which you will speak - this will help you to relax and feel more in control. Arrive early, walk around the stage or presentation area and practice using the microphone (if there is one) and any visual aids. Triple check the technology available to you in the room and make sure you are comfortable with using it.

Know your audience: If possible, greet at least some of the members of your audience as they arrive and before they take their seats. It is a lot easier to speak to a group of people you know rather than to a group of total strangers.

Know your material: Practice your speech, in front of a mirror if you can, and see how it sounds out loud. Make any changes necessary so that it flows really well. If you're not familiar with your material, or aren't comfortable with it, you'll be even more nervous.

Do some relaxation exercises: Get your head in the right place and ease that tension with some relaxation exercises. Breathe deeply and affirm to yourself that you can do this. Visualise yourself giving your speech in a clear, confident voice. What you think about, you bring about, so think about confidence.

Your audience wants you to succeed: It's true - no one is sitting there wanting you to fail at this. They want you to be engaging, informative and entertaining - they're on your side, wanting to hear what you have to say.

Don't make apologies for yourself: Chances are, your audience won't know how nervous you are or any mistakes you may have made if you don't tell them - so don't tell them! It also starts you off on the wrong foot - apologising before you've even started sets you up to make mistakes. Stay confident - no apologies.

Concentrate on the message: Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. What you are telling them is interesting, and they want to hear it - imagine you are telling a friend a really good story. Take any nervous energy and turn it into enthusiasm for the great story you are telling all your friends in the audience - they'll love you for it.

Practice makes perfect: The more experience you have in public speaking, the easier it gets. Get as much practice in as you can - perhaps join the debating team at your university, or a Toastmasters Club - and notice that little bit of extra confidence you have each time you get up to speak.

Public speaking doesn't come naturally to most of us, but it doesn't have to fill you with dread. Try these tips out next time you have a presentation coming up - they really will help!  

- See more at: http://www.thenakedceo.com/career-building-skills/are-you-terrified-of-public-speaking/?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=are_you_terrified_of_public_speaking&utm_campaign=outbrain-june_nzasia#sthash.p9C8Ywkj.dpuf