I’m terrified of public speaking. Help!

Dear Aunty B,

I have done everything possible in my life to avoid public speaking because it terrifies me.

I run a small company and am fine doing small presentations but as soon as I am on stage with an audience sitting before me my throat dries up, I get shaky legs, feel sick and my voice trembles. I have a terrible fear of getting half way through and then forgetting the rest of the speech.

I have been asked to present at an industry conference next February, which would be great for the company and our profile, but I am already thinking of reasons not to do it! I am usually pretty confident so people don’t expect me to be nervous and actually don’t take it seriously.

Any tips?
AL

Dear AL,

We all set ourselves projects. And this is yours. For the next year you will set out to do as much public speaking as possible. Fear of public speaking is like any other phobia: it’s irrational. But everyone has it to some degree. It’s like flying. I mean, who in their right mind happily sits down on a flying chair?

When I first started my glorious public speaking career I had a few tricks to overcome my nerves. I would always make sure there was someone in the audience I knew (thank you to my sister and my then boyfriend) and I would block out everyone else and speak directly to them. Soon it got to the point where I could imagine them in the audience – not so mad when you consider that half the human race spend a fair bit of time on their knees every day talking to an imaginary being in the sky.

Second, I would also write down and practice my speeches so I was very familiar with them. My children grew up thinking all adults cooked dinner talking out loud about fast growth companies. I would also write my speech clearly so I can easily pick up by looking at my notes if I get lost. Third thing is just to do it. Over and over. So public speaking becomes second nature.

And lastly, always talk on topics where you are an expert.

Who cares if your legs shake? Who cares if your voice trembles? You have knowledge to impart and impart it you will!

Good luck!
Your Aunty B

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