How to Avoid Stage fright During Public Speaking

Public speaking is a difficult task and most of the times it gives the public speaker butterflies in the stomach during the speech.  It can also be a common source of stress for most people who would rather be part of the audience than be the one standing on stage. Most of us would like to avoid being in such situation all along. However there are many of us who need to speak in public on a regular basis because it is part of their job and they need to get certain tasks done. The speech does not have to be perfect, what is important is you need to get your point across your audience.


Ø It is acceptable to be nervous just before your speech. Even the experienced speakers get nervous when they have to make a speech. However instead of being too nervousness, you may prefer to divert energy and excitement into something that can be used to improve the way of delivering your speech.

Ø Prepare to know what you mean. You can try getting up and walking as a practice out loud. Do not focus on how you are going to deliver the speech. The speech will be much better if you do not to have put anything in writing or memorized word for word. It is best to know more about the subject of your speech so you can always do adlibs if you miss a line or two.

Ø Practice does not mean that you’ll get things perfectly done; however it will somehow familiarize you on the speech or subject that you are about to discuss. You may want to try speaking to an audience, small groups are best way to test your skills. Dale Carnegie course would be a good way to sharpen your public speaking skills.

Ø Breathing exercises even for thirty seconds or more would help you relax before you give your speech.  Slowly and deeply breathe through your nose; and as you do the breathing exercise, you need to remind yourself to relax.

Ø As a public speaker, you need to concentrate on how you can keep your audience's attention from you. More often than not, the stage fright occurs when you start being too conscious on how we're doing as a speaker. If you pay too much attention to the way you are delivering your speech more than what you are saying; most likely stage fright would attack you.

Ø Before you set your foot on the stage, it is best to meet and greet some of the people in your audience before the presentation. If it is possible for you to do it, then learn a little from your audience. Then look into the eyes of your audience as if you were speaking to one person at a time. Maintain eye contact in the entire duration of your speech.

Ø Remember to smile, and maintain proper body posture. If you keep your head up high and you never fail to smile at your audience; then no one from your audience would know that you are about to wet your pants because of nervousness.  They would not have any idea that your heart is pounding out of your chest, your hands are both sweaty. No one would know that you already feel like you are about to lose consciousness because of the stage fright that you feel that moment. Keep your focus and don’t forget to smile.

It is very important to prepare yourself in every public speaking engagement that you are invited. Being a public speaker is not an inherit talent, but it is a skill that needs to be honed in order to become a better public speaker.