Tips for speaking in front of a crowd?

[anotherlaujgirl]

So my counselor has been trying to talk me into signing up for a scholarship where I have to speak in
front of an audience as well as sponsors.....

I'm not good with speaking in front of people I am not familiar with,

and even when i am familiar with the audience, I still stutter and get nervous..

Do you have any tips for me?

[kapeh12]

Basically it's just preparation and practice to be as comfortable with the material you are presenting before you have to deliver it.  When in the room, use some techniques that stage actors do - when looking at the audience, focus just slightly above their heads.  This way you appear to be looking at them, but you don't make too much eye contact (often times it's the eye contact that makes people more nervous).

Find a way to get yourself into a rhythm with your presentation which tends to give you more confidence and relaxes you.

When practicing, when you make a mistake, practice being light-hearted about it and push through.  Laughing helps you relax more than getting upset or flustered.  Probably everyone in the room with you has been in the same position and can sympathize.  They are more interested in the topic and not taking notes on your delivery.

What helped me the most - over time, I developed a "teacher's" mentality for presentations.  I found if I thought of myself more as an instructor, teaching children - it was easier to present my material.  Maybe if you like to teach/mentor others, getting into this frame of mind may help you too.

[vickysue]

I was never good about speaking in public, or taking care of customers unless i was behind a counter. I did not like people near me or in my face. Have gotten a little better about it, but still do have so problems with it. I don't think you ever get over it.

[bigfoot951]

It's a little different for everyone but I think a universal key is to be talking about something you really care about and you are knowledgeable about.  That tends to make it easier.  It also makes it easier for a lot of people if they through a little humor in there.

[anotherlaujgirl]

Basically it's just preparation and practice to be as comfortable with the material you are presenting before you have to deliver it.  When in the room, use some techniques that stage actors do - when looking at the audience, focus just slightly above their heads.  This way you appear to be looking at them, but you don't make too much eye contact (often times it's the eye contact that makes people more nervous).

Find a way to get yourself into a rhythm with your presentation which tends to give you more confidence and relaxes you.

When practicing, when you make a mistake, practice being light-hearted about it and push through.  Laughing helps you relax more than getting upset or flustered.  Probably everyone in the room with you has been in the same position and can sympathize.  They are more interested in the topic and not taking notes on your delivery.

What helped me the most - over time, I developed a "teacher's" mentality for presentations.  I found if I thought of myself more as an instructor, teaching children - it was easier to present my material.  Maybe if you like to teach/mentor others, getting into this frame of mind may help you too


Thank you. I'll try that.

[masked_brown_guy]

pretend you are not talking in front of a crowd.

[dcrotteau]

I know what you mean.  I hated speech class in school and now that I'm older I just can't see myself ever having to so.  Practice it a lot, deep breathing before you have to do it.  Good luck to you.

[rusgiftsaolcom]

Practice your speech in front of a mirror or your family members. Practice looking at and speaking to one person for about 20-30 seconds and then move on to someone else. You may also want to record yourself. When you listen to the recording don't worry so much if it doesn't sound like you everyone don't think recordings don't sound like themselves. When you finally do get up before the audience don't forget to look at one person for a few seconds and then more on to someone else and do the same.

[sak4kat]

Practice practice practice.  I was never good at all at public speaking.  Than I became an independent consultant with the Pampered chef based on the anybody can do it phrase.  I stuttered and knocked things over when I first started but with practice and becoming familiar with the product I eventually mastered the art of Selling the product to people.  And that's what your doing too...selling your story.  I went as far as recording myself and listening to the tapes in the car ... I bored myself.  So I practiced, practiced, practiced until I found myself exciting to listen to.  Being confident is key and stepping out of the box is scary.  You can do it though...just stay focused on the end result.

[penguinito]

my tip is sign up for toastmasters in ur area and they are really helpful.