Public Speaking - How to Speak With Confidence

Public Speaking - How to Speak With Confidence by Edward Hope

Most people experience "nerves" when they speak in public. Both skilled public speakers and novice speakers experience this anxiety. The difference is in how they use it when they present because of the actions they take and their attitude towards it.

The way to speak with confidence is:

1. Preparation

Careful preparation naturally leads to self-confidence. This involves researching your topic thoroughly so you can build your expertise in it. When a selecting a topic it helps greatly if you are interested in it because when you stand up to speak to a group you are merely expanding the conversation you will have had previously. Once you have researched the topic the next step is to organize, outline and write the speech. When beginning in public speaking, it is advisable to write your speech out in full, so you get a fully thought through speech. Keep the sentences short. Use spoken language rather than written language especially if you are considering reading your speech. (Note it is difficult to convey confidence when reading a speech).

2. Practice

Thorough practice builds confidence. The more familiar you are with your speech the better armed and confident you will be in delivering your speech. The number of times required to run through your speech will depend on the nature of the speech and the natural skills of the speaker. The practice speech delivery should include presenting in front of friends and family. If possible have a dry run at the venue will help you get used to the actual circumstances of the delivery.

3. Performance

When it is your time to present, keep a confident expression on your face and walk purposefully to where you will present from. Stand firmly on both feet placed slightly apart and stand up straight (don't lock your knees). This gives over an air of confidence. Pause and take a few deep breaths and smile (but not like a Cheshire Cat) to settle your nerves. A smile is contagious and also conveys confidence. Be natural, move and speak like you would in normal conversation. This includes looking at your audience. Looking down or away from your audience can be interpreted as "nerves" or lack of preparation. The more often you speak in public or to groups the easier it becomes and the more confident you become. 4. Self Talk

Talk to yourself in a positive way. Keep focussed on the success of the talk rather than what could go wrong. Just before you go on to speak, really go overboard on the positive self talk so you are bursting with "positivity" when you speak.

Experienced speakers can still have "nerves" before they speak. They see this as a spur to give the best speech they can. Others see it as excitement. The same feelings are experienced but a different attitude towards them makes a big difference.

Speaking with confidence comes from exercising a little courage. Many talents are denied the world because it is not exercised. The forest would lack much music if only the birds that sang were the ones with the best voice.

Persistently speaking in front of groups builds confidence. It is by consistently practice and doing, that public speaking is improved. By taking the first step and realizing that the key to success is in your own hands the first "bud" of confidence appears. With proper care and attention the "bud" is developed so that you become more effective and speak with confidence.



Discover how to speak with confidence in public speaking and conversation with "The Art of Great Conversation." To claim your free preview visit http://www.SelfConfidentSpeaking.com

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Controlling Your Fear of Public Speaking

Controlling Your Fear of Public Speaking by Edward Hope

To persuade, a speaker must talk fluently with courage and confidence. When fear or timidity becomes evident, an audience loses confidence in a speaker's ability to persuade. Obviously, if he cannot control himself how can he hope to persuade others?

The fear of public speaking is common to most people around the world. It is very often one of the top three fears of people in surveys. However, stage fright must be learned because people have only two natural fears at birth — the fear of falling and fear of loud noise. As stage fright has been learned it is impossible to control and overcome the anxiety.

The common fears associated with public speaking are

- Fear of the unknown - new situations can be frightening. Remember the first time you were asked on a date or asked for one, or when you first began to drive.

- Fear of rejection - the feeling that the speech may be either criticised behind your back or openly.

- Fear of failure or making a mistake - you may forget part of your speech or mispronounce a word etc

Now we know what the fears are and that they were learned, how do you control them? Here are 8 techniques to use overcoming the anxiety;

1. Emerson's quote "Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain" is true. George Bernard Shaw suffered from stage fright and overcame his fear by speaking at every opportunity. Make many short speeches as this is far more helpful in overcoming fear than delivering only a few long ones.

2. Have an attitude that, "I'm giving them my best. I hope that's good enough. At this point I couldn't do better. And if someone is unhappy with my speech, so what? Without worrying a second about any speech I've already delivered I'm going to put all my energy into the next speech."

3. Mentally play down the importance of his speech. Who is going to remember it a hundred years later anyway?

4. Learn to grin at an audience and go right on speaking when you make a mistake, people will forget the mistake and remember the grin. A mistake always looks much bigger in the mind of the person who made it than in anyone else's thinking because he is so near it. Other people are so busy thinking about themselves (and their own mistakes) they won't remember someone else's error long.

5. Talk about something you really know. Something you know from your heart not through memorisation

6. Practice this speech drill either on your own or with someone - Choose a favourite hobby (your most active one.) Tell and show an imaginary audience how to take part in it. Do this with much pep. Put zip, spirit, and sparkle into your tones. Let your feelings show in your face, eyes and body. Overdo it! Feel that people must share your hobby, not tomorrow or next week, but as you talk about it. Do this again and again.

7. Properly prepare and practice your speech - know your subject intimately and practice as often as you can in front of the mirror, in front of friends. If possible run through the speech at the location where you are to give the speech.

8. Visualization. Visualize delivering your speech successfully as often as possible with intensity and passion.

Public speaking anxiety is something that can be overcome by all. It is a skill that is in the reach of anyone. Through a good attitude, practice and preparation it is possible for all to become proficient speakers



Edward Hope is editor and publisher of the recently released ebook "The Art of Great Conversation." To claim your free preview visit http://selfconfiddentspeaking.com


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