| Be prepared. If you're naturally nervous about | | | | Rehearse, at least a couple of times, preferably |
| public speaking, then being poorly prepared will | | | | at least one day before your speech. Once you |
| only make matters worse. Make investment and | | | | are familiar with everything written on your note |
| take the time do your homework properly. Plan | | | | cards, you'll have no trouble telling people about it. |
| what you're going to say, do the research, and | | | | And "sleeping on it" does wonders for helping you |
| take thorough notes. Knowing you are ready | | | | remember facts and figures. |
| before you get up on stage will give you more | | | | Prepare yourself mentally, like an athlete before a |
| confidence. | | | | competition. Immediately before going out onto |
| Speak from notes, don't read a pre-written | | | | the stage, take a few moments to be by |
| speech. It takes a highly-trained, professional actor | | | | yourself and "psych" yourself into a positive |
| to be able to read sentences from a page and | | | | frame of mind. Repeat the following phrase to |
| make them sound like natural speech. If you have | | | | yourself several times: "I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad |
| those acting skills, you certainly don't need to read | | | | you're here. I know what I know." |
| this information. But if you're like most of us, it's | | | | When you're in position on the stage, wait an |
| best not to read a speech. A few notes with key | | | | extra moment before you start. Take a deep |
| words or phrases written on index cards will | | | | breath, and try to remember to keep breathing. |
| remind you of what ideas you will talk about. | | | | If your mouth is dry, have a glass or bottle of |
| Structure your talk with an introduction, middle | | | | water handy and take a sip. |
| and conclusion. Tell what you're going to say, say | | | | Direct your speech to one person. Imagine that |
| it, then tell what you've said. | | | | someone you like and trust, and someone who |
| Be yourself. Make it real. When you're talking | | | | likes you, is way in the back of the audience. |
| about something familiar to yourself, you will feel | | | | Address the majority of your speech to her or |
| more natural and your audience will accept you | | | | him. Of course, don't just stare in one spot. Once |
| more readily. So think of how your topic relates | | | | you've gained momentum, pick out a few other |
| to yourself, and include stories that relate to your | | | | friendly faces in different parts of the audience |
| own personal experience. | | | | and include them in what you have to say. |