1. Fear of public speaking (Glossophobia)
2. Fear of death (Necrophobia)
3. Fear of spiders (Arachnophobia)
4. Fear of darkness (Achluophobia, Scotophobia or Myctophobia)
5. Fear of heights (Acrophobia)
6. Fear of people or social situations (Sociophobia)
7. Fear of flying (Aerophobia)
8. Fear of open spaces(Agoraphobia)
9. Fear of thunder and lightning(Brontophobia)
10. Fear of confined spaces(Claustrophobia)

75% of those surveyed say they suffer from speech anxiety. It’s unfortunate that so many people fear public speaking and presenting, but there are many techniques and tips you can use to overcome your nerves during a speech. There are five main tips for overcoming the fear and anxiety of public speaking:

1. Accept it
   • Nerves happen. When I speak in public, I am often very nervous (I’m nervous thinking back to speeches as I write this), but I just accept that nerves come with it and calm down as the presentation progresses.
   • Use it as energy for your speech! Nerves can help keep your senses at peak performance and provide energy for your presentation.
2. Be prepared
   • You need to be prepared for your speech. Better speech preparation techniques will help you overcome nerves.
   • Follow the preparation tips – but focus on practicing your speech. The more rehearse, the better you will feel about your speech.
3. Be natural – be yourself
   • Have confidence: you know your stuff!
   • Your audience trusts you to present this material, otherwise, you wouldn’t be up there.
   • Your boss and coworkers trust you are the best man or woman to give this speech! You are the right person at the right time for this presentation.
4. Know your audience
   • The better you anticipate what your audience will be looking for in your speech, the better you will present.
   • Understand attributes about your audience: age demographic, careers, marital status, commonalities, differences.
   • Talk to audience members before your speech. A few friendly faces will help you present.
5. Maintain physical control
   • Learn how to control your breathing and pacing. I am a fast talker so I must deliberately pace my speech and insert pauses to make sure I do not talk too fast for my audience.
   • Breathe deeply when you need to. This helps calm the nerves and gives you a break from speaking.
   • If you get a difficult question, take a drink of water. This will allow you to pause and gather your response before addressing the question.
   • Repeat the question or make a comment thanking the questioner to gain another moment to collect your thoughts.
   • Move a little during your speech – don’t remain frozen in one spot.
   • Don’t pace too much!

These tips will help you prepare for your next public speaking engagement:

• Get plenty of the rest the night before the speech. Your nervous system will react with poor sleep the night before the presentation.
• Drink plenty of water during the day before you speak. Other drinks, such as milk or cola, can make your throat sore or cause mucus which will make your presentation less pleasant.
• Do not eat too much before your presentation. Eat lightly throughout the day.
• Use the restroom before your speech and make sure you check your appearance such as your tie, hair, and clothes.

Following these tips on the day of a speech or presentation will help calm your nerves for a successful speech!

First, you need to know your audience. How many times have you sat through a presentation where you could tell the presenter didn’t understand his audience. Ask these questions to understand who your audience is:

• How many people will be in attendance?
• What is their profession or job?
• What is their current knowledge level of your topic?

Next, you need to clearly state what you want to accomplish in your presentation. Are you there to motivate? To explain a topic? To find new clients? What is your purpose for the presentation?

• State 3-5 key points you want your audience to know from this presentation.
• What is the end like? Always prepare for a speech with the end in mind.
• When you are writing your speech, tell your audience what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them.
• Be confident – you can do this!

Prepare for the questions which will come from your presentation. You do not need to cover everything in your presentation, you can set some questions up which you have rehearsed. If you anticipate your crowd to be uninvolved, plant a few questions to get things started.

• Think about the questions your presentation is likely to cause.
• If you presentation causes an emotional response, think about how you will respond.
• Think about areas of your presentation that your audience will challenge you on.
• Strategize every possible situation.

Finally, practice, practice, practice. I find I have to usually practice a speech a half dozen times to a dozen times before it’s memorized and I have the key points ready.

• Practice in front of a mirror.
• Practice in your car on trips.
• Rehearse in front of friends or family members.
• Video tape your presentation and critique it.