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10 Practical Tips to Instantly Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

by Mohit Negi SEO

Introduction

The spotlight is on and you just stepped onto the stage. You feel your heart racing and your throat grows dry—it's happening again. Your only thought is to flee as you prepare to speak in front of a large group of people.

We've all been there, right? The fear of public speaking can be paralyzing, turning all your best intentions into an anxious, sweaty mess. You're not alone, and there is a way out, so don't worry! This post is for you if you're looking for some doable advice on how to finally get over your fear of public speaking.

I'm here to tell you that feeling the fear and facing it head-on is the only thing that will set you free from this cycle of dread and hesitation. Here I'm going to share my top 10 tips on how to be courageous and overcome your fear of speaking in public. Ready? Let's get started!

Know Your Audience

The first tip to help you overcome your fear of public speaking is to know your audience. Before you go into a presentation, it can be helpful to know who you are going to be speaking in front of and what their interests are. Doing some research on the people attending your presentation is a great way to make sure that what you’re saying resonates with them.

If you don’t have a chance to do research, ask yourself some questions about your audience. Are they generally younger or older? Are they experts in the topic? What kind of language do they use? Are they familiar with the material? Having an understanding of who is listening will empower you and help tailor the content of your speech.

Practice – A Lot!

Are you thinking that the only way to overcome your fear of public speaking is to get up in front of a crowd and just rip the Band-Aid off? We don't blame you – but it certainly doesn't have to be your approach. To start, practice at home or in small groups with people you trust and feel comfortable with. This will allow you to get used to the feeling of being in the spotlight without having to face a huge crowd.

Organize each practise session into achievable steps to get the most out of it. For example, start by taking notes on what you'd like to say – this will help you structure your thoughts better. Then read it aloud so you can hear how it sounds and make adjustments as needed. Finally, when you feel ready, start adding dramatic elements such as hand gestures and facial expressions to convey your message more effectively.

The more practice sessions you do, the more comfortable and confident you'll become – and eventually speaking in public will become second nature!

Channel Your Nervous Energy

The next tip for conquering your fear of public speaking is to channel your nervous energy! You're probably experiencing physical sensations of fear—sweaty palms, accelerated heart rate—and you're likely thinking about all the ways things could go wrong.

So why not take that energy and put it to good use? Instead of running away from it or focusing on the fact that it's nerve-wracking, try using this energy to power your presentation. A few practical ways to do this include:

Speak With Intention

Take a few deep breaths before getting up in front of the crowd, and speak with intention. Choose your words carefully and be mindful of where you’re placing emphasis in each sentence.

Move Your Body

Your body language can also help you take control of your nervous energy in a positive way. Try standing up straight with your chin up, making eye contact with people in the room, and even taking a short walk if possible. Your movements will give you an extra boost of confidence.

Take Control Of Your Thoughts

If negative thoughts start creeping into your mind during the presentation, take a deep breath and find ways to turn them around so they benefit you instead. For example, if you catch yourself thinking “What if I forget what I have to say?” reframe those thoughts into “I’ve prepared well for this presentation today; I know my material inside and out!”

By being mindful of how you're speaking and using body language to power through your fear, plus taking control over any negative thoughts that inevitably enter your mind mid-presentation, you can tap into that pesky nervous energy

Take Deep Breaths

Feeling scared or anxious about speaking in public? Take deep breaths to instantly calm yourself down. When we experience fear or anxiety, our bodies kick into fight-or-flight mode and release adrenaline and cortisol, which can make us shake, sweat and feel short of breath.

Taking deep breaths helps counteract these effects by lowering your heart rate. Try this activity: You should close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing while you take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do this a few times until you feel calmer and more composed, and notice the difference in how you feel when you speak.

Here are some other ways to take deep breaths:

Inhale for 4 seconds, hold the breath in for 4 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds
Use aromatherapy—lavender is particularly calming
Breathe deeply from the stomach instead of the chest (think about filling your tummy with air)
Make use of visualization techniques—imagine yourself feeling calm during the speech

Put It in Perspective

The next tip for overcoming your fear of public speaking is to put it in perspective. Remember, you’re not giving a life-or-death speech, and the stakes are not particularly high. It’s ok to make a mistake and it’s ok to stumble over your words. A presentation is not a job interview or an exam to pass so you can relax.

Plus, remember that everyone in the room is likely feeling just as nervous as you are. That's why it helps to think about the fact that most people are more worried about how they appear than what you’ll say, so even if you only manage a few words, you're probably doing better than most people expect.

Finally, remind yourself that being able to speak in public will open up a lot of opportunities for your career or personal growth. Understanding what's at stake will help motivate you and stay focused on delivering the best presentation possible.

Visualize a Positive Outcome

Visualization is an incredibly powerful tool in overcoming your fear of public speaking. It can be as easy as picturing yourself on stage in a successful, confident mode. An exercise like this allows you to imagine the worst that could happen – like a slip of the tongue or forgetting a key point – and create strategies to counteract that. Your brain won’t recognize the difference between a real experience or one you’ve just visualized, so it will start to become easier and more natural when the time comes for you to do it for real.

Another way to use visualization is by breaking down your presentation into individual segments, then picturing yourself delivering each part confidently and successfully.

Here are some tips for visualizing an outcome:

Before you start speaking, take a few moments to quietly visualize how the presentation will play out and how you’ll handle any potential bumps along the way.
Picture yourself speaking with an energetic tone, making lighthearted jokes to break the ice and getting lots of laughs from your audience.
Imagine an audience that is enjoying what you have to say and paying attention throughout your entire talk.
Visualize yourself being strong in answering tough questions, pausing thoughtfully before responding and expressing your point in clear language.

Create an Anchor Phrase

Do you ever feel like your fear of public speaking is holding you back? If so, it's time to confront your fears and find ways to overcome them. One such way is to create an anchor phrase—a phrase that calms and steadies you the moment you say it.

An anchor phrase should be positive and meaningful for you, something that’s like a reminder of your why or a goal. It could be anything from “I am confident” or “I got this!” The idea is that once you start to feel stressed while speaking, take a deep breath, and then repeat your anchor phrase to yourself.

Creating an anchor phrase gives you an empowering tool in your arsenal when it comes to speaking in public. This simple technique can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety so that you can deliver powerful messages with confidence and grace.

Take a Public Speaking Class

Ready to take it to the next level? Enroll in a Public Speaking Classes. It’s never too late to gain skills you need—particularly if you’re likely to have to speak in front of your peers, colleagues or clients.

A public speaking class can provide the confidence and knowledge you need to get up and give a speech without falling apart. Plus, classes are a great way to practice speaking without the pressure of actual real-world events.

Benefits of Classes

Here's some benefits that come with taking a public speaking class:

A thorough introduction to public speaking, taking you through the basics of delivering high-impact presentations
A chance to practice with experienced instructors who can give you personalized feedback on your performance
Guidelines on how to structure your presentation and engage with your audience more effectively
Opportunities for networking and sharing experiences with other students also enrolled in the course

For those who are serious about their public speaking goals, joining a class may be one of the best investments you make. Who knows, by the end of your course, you may have even acquired enough confidence and skills that you start charging for speaking engagements!

Realize It's Ok to Make Mistakes

It's OK to make mistakes. You’re not perfect, and it’s entirely expected that you won't be. I know it can seem daunting when you know that you have an audience of people who are waiting for you to slip up, but if you make a mistake in your speech, simply pause, smile and keep going.

Don't worry too much about what the audience is thinking—they are probably more focused on your content than on any minor errors you make. As long as they can understand what you're talking about, they'll keep listening—and they'll appreciate the fact that you were brave enough to get up there and give a speech in the first place.

So take a deep breath and don’t be afraid to bring up any mistakes during your speech if needed. Acknowledge them openly and move on without being too hard on yourself—even professional public speakers make mistakes!

For example:

If you mispronounce a word or stumble over your words, don’t obsess over it. Just take a breath and keep going!
If an unexpected interruption occurs or someone starts talking while you’re speaking, stay calm and carry on with your speech - don't get distracted by the disruption.
If questions from the audience stump you or take too long to answer, let them know that their inquiry is something that needs further researching and then move on with your talk without feeling guilty about not having all the answers.

Create a Personalized Ritual

Fear of public speaking can be overpowering, but the good news is that there are practical tips that can help you instantly overcome your fear. One of them is creating a personalized ritual.

Creating a ritual helps you systematically prepare and feel more in control when it comes time to speak. Here are some tips on how to create your ritual:

Focus on your breath – Before you start speaking take some time to focus on your breath and ground yourself. Take deep, slow breaths and pay attention to the inhales and exhales.
Take breaks – Give yourself permission to take a break before you start public speaking by stepping away from the situation for a few moments, so you can mentally prepare.
Visualize success – To help reduce stress, try imagining yourself giving a successful presentation or finding ways to make the experience more enjoyable for you and for your audience.
Stay positive - Avoid negative thoughts before public speaking by practicing self-affirmation through positive dialog or mantras rooted in self-confidence and motivation.
Utilize technology – Use technology as part of your ritual by utilizing any tools that will help make the experience less overwhelming (e.g., printed notes or slides). This can also provide comfort that no matter what happens during your presentation, you have something to fall back on if needed.

Conclusion

Overcoming your fear of public speaking requires bravery and patience, but it is possible. Give yourself the chance to grow and to recognize that you are more powerful than your fear.

With time, you can learn to control your fear and become more confident in front of an audience. Remember, there are tips and tricks to help you, like those we covered above. Whether it's joining a public speaking class, rehearsing in front of a mirror, or just finding strength in your purpose, you can learn to face your fear and become a confident public speaker. Fear of public speaking can be overpowering, but the good news is that there are practical tips that can help you instantly overcome your fear. One of them is creating a personalized ritual.

Creating a ritual helps you systematically prepare and feel more in control when it comes time to speak. Here are some tips on how to create your ritual:

Focus on your breath – Before you start speaking take some time to focus on your breath and ground yourself. Take deep, slow breaths and pay attention to the inhales and exhales.
Take breaks – Give yourself permission to take a break before you start public speaking by stepping away from the situation for a few moments, so you can mentally prepare.
Visualize success – To help reduce stress, try imagining yourself giving a successful presentation or finding ways to make the experience more enjoyable for you and for your audience.
Stay positive - Avoid negative thoughts before public speaking by practicing self-affirmation through positive dialog or mantras rooted in self-confidence and motivation.
Utilize technology – Use technology as part of your ritual by utilizing any tools that will help make the experience less overwhelming (e.g., printed notes or slides). This can also provide comfort that no matter what happens during your presentation, you have something to fall back on if needed.