Tricks for public speaking?

One thing that people tend to do when they speak publicly is talk too quickly. Just remember to pace yourself and try to enunciate each word so everything is clear. Also, if you are holding a piece of paper from which you are reading, I have a handy trick to keep it from trembling in hour hand. If you hold the paper with two hands from the paper margins and pull a little bit, your hands will not tremble as much.

Keep something to drink nearby in case your throat gets too dry. It may also help to focus on one spot on the wall in the back of the room, and use that as your comfort spot if you get nervous.

Good luck!

Imagine that everyone is naked.

yea no thanks

but at least you’re trying. thanks

It is scary at first, so the only way to reduce your stagefright is to keep speaking in front of an audience. Remember to go over your presentation beforehand so that you don’t keep your head down and read. Look up from time to time. Will you have a podium? That helps. You can clutch it if necessary. Use large bold font on your notes.

Deep breath. Smile and knock ‘em dead. (And remember, these are your classmates and not strangers. They will all be up there sooner or later. Show them how it’s done.

yea but one of them is a huge jerk. and no podium…nor notes

Go to the bathroom right before you present. Take your ipod or whatever and listen to a calm / uplifting / motivational song, then go back out and just do it.

volunteer to go first because the other people’s speeches wont drown yours out if its really good, and nobody will remember it if its not as good as everyone else’s.
you also have to stay confident. confidence is the best steroid for social interaction.

I have to go first

Well, keep in mind that there will be at least one jerk in the audience. The only important rule is to know your material really well. And anyone who uses “nor” correctly should have absolutely no trouble.

Speak to one person at a time. You talk to people all the time, so pretend you’re doing that. Talking to people is easy.

If you’re nervous, try to turn that energy into excitement and enthusiasm. And thanks for asking for and being open to contribution here!

I don’t exactly have tricks for public speaking because I’ve never been a nervous public speaker. I just make sure I know what I’m going to say and then once I’m up there I remind myself that everyone else is even more nervous than I am and therefore not very likely to judge if I screw up.

My best trick for public speaking is being prepared. Go over your speech till you know it backwards and forwards. If you aren’t completely SICK of it yet, you haven’t gone over it enough. You must be able to give the same speech if woken up @ 4 am. Ok, I exaggerate a tad, but here’s the thing, if you know you are prepared, its a lot harder to be nervous. You know your subject, breathe, you will do great !

Open with something humorous. You’ll feel more comfortable after the audience responds in a positive way with a laugh early on.

Of course, if you make a joke and no one laughs, you’re dead meat.

Practice, practice, practice. Be it in front of a mirror, friends, or family.
Also, posture is very important. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, and don’t worry, with all of these tips you should shine!

Thanks for asking this question, BTW. Public speaking is one of my big fears in life, and I’ve learned a lot from reading this thread.

Practice and preparation!
Do a few dry runs, go over what you will say, how you will say it and when. Also practice your mannerism, gestures, looking to the audience, etc.
Make sure you’re well prepared, have your hand-outs, slides, any props set up and so on.
Get there in plenty if time, do not let last minute stress become a factor.

If you get up there, knowing everything is prepared and set up and you’re confident in your content and how you will deliver it, you can draw strength from that and it will help you a lot!

Good luck!

I like to have a “buddy” in the audience that I can look at during the presentation. This way you have a friendly face you know is supportive who will be smiling or looking interested in what you are saying AND it makes sure that you are keeping eye contact with the audience. Then you can be their buddy when they present.

constant eye contact and engaging eye movement;
poise;
speak slower, rather than faster and pace yourself;
brief pauses if necessary;
go with the flow…if you go off on a tangent, finish it, don’t be afraid to deviate;
belief and love of your speech;
try to smile up there, if appropriate, and be easy!

Enjoy it, embrace it. If you are too confident you may not do as well as if your nervous. Whether I am in front of one or thousands, there is always some nervousness. And I have been doing this for over 30 years.

Too, imagine your Monty Python. Your on a quest to help your audience and slay your fears. Do not tell a joke. Do not try to be humorous. Just think, “Some Call Me Tim?”

Hope this is not too late.

How ever you fare, may you fare well.

Act. Play the part. Your character is engaging, intelligent, self-confident and will not crumble under pressure.

Everyone has a phone voice, why not do something similar for your speech.

Hope it goes well, who knows if I’m in time!