Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Most people get excited before giving a speech. If you fail to control your internal anxiety, then it negatively affects the quality of your report. It seems to the listeners that you yourself are not completely sure of what you are saying. While it is very difficult to get rid of anxiety, learning to reduce anxiety can help you deliver more effective speeches that will have a significant impact on your listeners. And you will do it with more confidence.

Steps

1. 1 Get to know your audience ahead of time. This will not only help you prepare a speech for a specific audience, but also reduce the anxiety that usually arises in front of strangers. And giving a speech in a room filled with people you don't know at all can be very scary.
   • If you are performing in front of a group of strangers, then analyze the audience. Pay attention to the age, gender, education, beliefs, profession and cultural values ​​of the audience. This can be done through a survey or by talking to someone who is familiar with the audience.
   • If in front of you are those with whom you meet in your daily life, employees or classmates for example, then take the time to communicate with them. Ask them questions, observe behavior, and take notes of what they value and like to talk about.
2. 2 Check out the topic of the report. The better you know and understand the topic of your talk, the less anxiety you will have when speaking in front of others.
   • Pick the one that captivates you in your speech. If you cannot specifically decide on the topic, then at least try to present your speech from the side that is interesting to you and in which you are well versed.
   • Take enough time to study your topic well. The general rule of thumb for speaking in public is that every minute of speaking takes an hour of research. Not all the results of your labor will be in your speech, but you will gain sufficient confidence in the topic that you will explain.
3. 3 Prepare your report. The better you prepare, the less anxiety you will have. Write the words of the talk in a style that is inherent to you so that it is delivered naturally. Prepare relevant examples, illustrations, and professional-quality presentations.
   • Use audio and visual aids. If you prepare demonstration aids in your talk rather than using them, you will be even more worried. To prevent this from happening, rehearse using them.
   • Consider a fallback. Consider what you will do if the demonstration tools cannot be used due to hardware problems or power outages. For example, print copies of your slides in case the slideshow fails. Think about how to fill the time if it does not come out with a video demonstration.
4. 4 Take control of everything. We are usually afraid of things that we cannot control. No one can control the situation 100 percent. But the better you own the environment, the less you worry.
   • Find out what you cannot change in your speech. Most likely, this will relate to the timing and topic of your conversation with the audience.
   • Communicate your preferences to those in charge of organizing the event. For example, you may find it more comfortable to use a microphone in your hand than a headset. Also negotiate additional items that you will need: a chair, table, monitor, or slide screen. Please discuss such important details in advance.
5. 5 Practice pronouncing your speech. We all feel insecure about dealing with unfamiliar things. So take some time to practice. You do not need to memorize all of your speech, but the introduction, main points, examples and conclusion should be well remembered.
   • Rehearse in private. Read your talk aloud first. Get used to your voice. Check all the wording that appears in the text and make sure you understand them correctly. Then practice in front of the mirror or record your performance. So you can appreciate your gestures and facial expressions.
   • Rehearse in front of others. Ask friends, colleagues, or family members if they might want to be your audience during the rehearsal. Let them advise you. This will be a good preparation for performing in front of a large group.
   • If possible, do a rehearsal in the room where you will be delivering your speech. Familiarize yourself with the indoor environment. Assess how your voice sounds when you speak into the microphone. Even if the room is familiar to you, stand in the place from where you will make your speech and look at the room from there.
   • Pay special attention to the introduction.If you start your speech well, you are more likely to worry less throughout your speech.
6. 6 Take care of yourself. You need to get a good night's sleep before performing, then you will not look tired and your mind will be clear. Eat a good breakfast, it will energize you. Dress so that you feel comfortable.
7. 7 Find those among the listeners who are friendly to you. Some might say that eye contact will further increase the excitement, but in reality it is not. Find friendly faces in the audience and imagine that you are just interacting with them. Let their smiles cheer you up.
8. 8 Control your inner anxiety. Before speaking, straighten up, tense and relax your muscles. Let go of any tension. Take a few deep breaths. Instead of standing still, gesticulate - this will direct your inner tension in the right direction. It's okay if you take a step or two to the side, but be careful not to pacing the stage.

Tips

• Complete your presentation 2 to 3 days before your presentation.
• If before the speech you cannot get into the room where you will deliver your speech, find one that will be similar to it or recreate some kind of its analogue. Build something that looks like a podium, put up some chairs and a computer if you plan on using it, and practice a little.

Warnings

• Don't get too hung up on mistakes. Do not worry too much when you mispronounce some words or stumble somewhere. Most of those present won't even notice. Even if they do, it won't be a big problem until you pay attention to it yourself.