Just talk to person in the audience in front of you.

Hi Remandeep, I taught myself to speak well by copying newsreaders. It was Ann Sanders for me. She had the reputation of being the best one around at that time. I am not so sure how I would go at doing a talk or lecture but reading to a large gathering s no problem for me as I am confident in my ability. When you get a bit of confidence with reading perhaps joining Toastmasters, an international organisation that teaches public speaking. There are many branches; in most cities. If you would like to see a movie about someone who is nervous about giving pubic speeches I suggest The King's Speech. It is about Queen Elizabeth's father who had not been groomed for the position but was suddenly thrust upon the thrown when his brother abdicated. He had a really bad stutter and had to overcome it fast. "That thing while speaking in front of public" - imagine how he felt.

Working as a service cashier in a busy supermarket I was always able to speak to many people and found it easy but now I am retired I'm not sure if I will have the courage to speak to many people publicly.

I used to be very shy and hated speaking even in front of a class. Then I did Avon selling for many years and got a lot more confident at talking to people. Have recently talked at a few public gatherings ... never thought I would.

Me, Always. It's not that I don't know what to say, but It's about nerves! and picturing everyone in front of me in their underwear, as is always recommended, DOES not work!

Take a few deep breaths beforehand and focus

The more you do it the better you get. Planing what you are going to speak about, gives you more confidence.

I’ve always had a fear of speaking to a large group.

Me as i cry. Tips stop its.

I definitely do not like speaking in public and i would be on committees mostly as secretary and had to read minutes of previous meetings. I used to get bad butterflies in my stomach. And when i TY come time to read them i had settled enough to feel i would get it done. I do still get the same feeling if i need to speak to a lot of people.

Not a problem for me.

No problem recently I had to speak at my fathers funeral, it was no problem but because I was crying I could not read my words but managed to remember most

don't have any problems/anxiety speaking in front of public

Deep breath, relax and speak to just a few people in the front row - like having a conversation with them

No way will you EVER get me addressing a crowd.

i decided a long time ago that it wasn't worth even doing anything to cope with public speaking and that avoidance was my coping mechanism. I had an unexpected but horrendous panic attack when a bridesmaid for a dear friends wedding and willed myself not to faint or collapse or run off but standing up there beside the couple was the longest time ever and shaking so bad. I am so glad i didn't ruin it for them and the camera's and all the people watching etc but decided i would never be in a position like that again.Edited 29-Jan-23 18:40pm

I'm not sure if I have that or not. Sometimes I can do it and other times, no way. I think it depends on the audience and the subject matter. Being comfortable with the people around me is the key. I have developed my self-confidence recently, and that helps more than anything. Love yourself as others do, and have the confidence to know you'll do well, and if you stumble or forget, no one cares! Laugh it off, because it doesn't matter and move one. Just have fun (depending on the circumstances) and go with it. Giving a eulogy is a whole different thing, and then people are so upset themselves, they won't even remember what you said. Give your audience credit for not being there to judge you, but to listen to you and doing something they probably couldn't!

It is always good to keep breathing

you do know its the NUMBER ONE thing ppl are scared of, and hence probably get some anxiety about. So you are not alone. But there are many things you can do to train yourself to be more confident in public speaking and lessen your anxiety. know your subject you are speaking of. breathing (don't forget to!) Imagine they are all sitting there naked. Have some notes. etc etc

i never had problem .i manage well when i get in front of public

no i never had problem about it

Just treat the audience as one person you are talking to, Yes prepare but relax a bit and say what you feel as well.

I had to give a speech at my sisters wedding. I froze so to not make the same mistake at my own day I wrote it down and stuck to it nearly all the time. I hate speaking in public the same as I don’t like photos unless in a group

I fortunately don't have to

Depends on situation

I ain't gonna lie, I always get anxiety when speaking to one person. But I have no problem speaking in public.

Never had a problem speaking in public

I did speak in church and that did not seem to be a problem as I tried to always be prepared,. I did seem to get nervous singing and I am not sure why,

I've performed in bands all my life but when it came to public speaking I was terrified, so I went to a group of women called the Penguin Club and overcame this fear.

I used to do a lot of dancing, singing and acting infront on crowds. No probs.

Have had few times to face public but when I have voice has become very shakey.

My greatest fear my entire life has been always been public speaking. Yet last year I had to overcome this as I was asked to run for senate in the Federal election that took place May last year. The worst thing for me was the increase in my heart rate that then made my voice tremble, then the breathlessness which made me feel self-conscious and my mind would go blank. What I did was watched a lot of videos that gave great advice for public speaking and how best to present yourself and what you have to say. However, the thing that really made it possible for me to overcome this fear was a prescription that my doctor gave me specifically for public speaking, it was a beta-blocker which meant that I could go on stage and give a talk without my heart racing or my voice trembling, it also stopped my hands from sweating and therefore increased my confidence (because I wasn't afraid of making a fool of myself with my breathless and trembling voice as these tablets totally stopped this from happening). I will admit that it doesn't take away your fear (not straight away anyway), however it does stop the racing heart, breathless trembling voice and sweaty palms which over time makes you feel more confident, the more times you do your public speaking. Eventually, you will have the confidence to do your public speaking without the help of the beta-blockers, which is what happened to me.Edited 29-Jan-23 14:18pm

One has to practice this and it becomes easier with time. Must admit if I am wearing a dress I like to be behind something so that people don't see my dress shaking with my nerves.

Just think to yourself that people really want to hear what you have to say. You can also just pick out one person in the crowd and just talk to them like they are the only person in the gallery. Finally, just practice, practice, practice.

You need to get confidence from school days. More teacher attention required.

It took a long time to speak in public I started by not looking up and read down on what I had to say but as time goes by you to look up .

OH one more thing. STAND up so you can be seen. SPEAK up so you can be heard, SIT down so you can be liked.

I margin them putting their underwear on one leg at a time. No worries.

I focus on the fact that if you doesn't go 100% well, that it will not matter a single bit to anything that happens to me in my future. Happiness does not come from doing one tiny speech but from the bigger picture.

We all have the power of our own minds, so simply imagine you are talking into a mirror, or to your best friend. You'll appear such a natural at Public Speaking, you will inspire the majority of people who are there. And as important, remember that every human has frailty, or fear, or self-doubt, and that is purely natural. You will do a brilliant job!Edited 29-Jan-23 13:27pm

I just can’t do it, I stumble and forget what I’m trying to say.

I'm very confident speaking in public, not so much Auckland mayor with an anger tantrum over his handling of Auckland floods communication on Friday. Other than that, if you're looking for advice, you should focus on your message to the public. End result is different for everyone. You'll be fine.

I don’t get anxiety

Got forced to do it once. I prepared for weeks, was terrified. Afterwards people came and told me what an amazing speaker I was! Helped me become a little more confident, but still hate it.

I dont like to speak in front of people

Some people are born to it. Others go to water. Don't like to do this.

Just forge ahead, at adds genuity to the performance.

Yes when I was younger but after years of speaking it was no longer a hassle. The trouble with a lot of speakers today they are not confident and do not emote but mumble away in a monotone

Can't do it, never had too.

Well I've found if you know what you are talking about it helps no end. I remember once upon a time I was asked to give the Bernina Club Meeting a short talk on Needles. I spoke for about 10 minutes told them the basics and then made the mistake of asking Any Questions. 3 Hours latter I was still answering questions about different needles and how they worked and no they did not come to a sharp point so they could not be sharpened most had special points that cut the fabric that they where designed to go through in different ways so when they lost their edge they had to be replaced to maintain the quality of sticking. Stranger thing is I was never asked again to give a short talk to that crowd because I wasted too much of my time answering questions.

Ramandeep, the key is to practice a lot in front of family and friends. It will ease some natural bodily responses if you expose yourself to real live people who are looking ONLY AT YOU. Give it a try.

I've done alot of public speaking and my lower lip will still do a quiver here and there. Takes practice. If you aren't doing it regularly, don't expect it to just happen naturally. Unless your a NATURAL. When I get my teeth fixed, I'll feel much better like I used to. Which reminds me.... I hate the dentist. But that's beside the point.

I am not one for public speaking, I really have never had to do it before. They do say picture every one in the nude but for me I think that would make me feel worse. Just get up there and be you and don't forget to breath.

If you feel daunted by your audience just take a moment and visualise them in your brain as if they are sitting there in the nude. Sounds silly, but it works. I used to be so shy but now I can speak in front of groups without any problems.

I've never been able to do this and have panic attacks and vomiting just thinking about it. Not for me thank you

It scares me to death, I hate being the center of attention.

I think confidence to speak comes with practice. The more you do it the easier it be omes

Not for me. I will Not speak in public. Total lack of confidence.

First time is always the worst but if you are sure about what you want to say you will be confident and that will grow the more you do it.

to relax and enjoy th company food and drinks

Find 3 - 4 people who feel as you do (friends) and once a week one person has five minutes to speak on a subject of their choosing. When you are all comfortable about doing this, consider enlarging the group a little or extending speaking time. I was so nervous about speaking in front of my colleagues that I lost my voice at my leaving do.

I am brilliant at this, however, that's in my dreams. In reality I am almost mute and stumble over every word. If only I had the confidence in real life as I do in my dreams.

Most important, product knowledge, know what you're talking about. Maybe focus on one person in the crowd, also.

I don't like speaking in the front of public in which I nervous and mess up in my words when speaking.

I hate public speaking

Just imagine everyone else is naked!

Never had a problem - my ex says I always liked the sound of my own voice!! Being a trainor, it came as second nature.

I just cannot do it when each time I try I pass out .

Has anyone tried Kava Kava? I'm a cannabinoid user who relies on a million and one other health alternatives. Ginger tea made from the raw ginger root is another good anxiety killer. I was surprised first time trying raw ginger tea. I'm not implying that a cup of tea or a root extract pill can work...but it does! I like many of us on here suffer from extreme levels of anxiety daily.

In one of Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy pieces, he says that people’s number 1 fear is public speaking, and their number 2 fear is death. He concludes that most people would prefer being in the box, rather than giving the eulogy!

I don’t know how to manage it other than to be prepared and gave your topic ready. But I avoid it at all costs

Actually it's rated as the number one fear that people have so you're not alone. You can join a group like Toastmasters who can help you build up confidence with public speaking, plus Toastmasters is well known and looks really good on your resume, and they have clubs all over the world. Alternatively I've heard that joining a stand up comedy club really helps build confidence speaking in front of a crowd. There's something about making a complete tool of yourself in front of people that helps break down the fear barrier. Good luck and hope this helps :)Edited 29-Jan-23 08:50am

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

To start, have all facts and figures available and know them. Pick 1 person from the audience and imagine that person is wearing a mankini. Know that , that person wants to hear what you are saying, and speak directly to that person. Forget the rest.

It's all about self confidence and if you have experience as a young person when speaking in front of a group as an adult. Maybe there should be a course beginning in the early grades and continuing until high school. As a bonus for the confidence, you develop, you will more likely ask questions in school and more participation will bring everyone together.

i had been trained as a kid, so no wories for me. i always ask the Holy Spirt to guide me, though.

I can talk in front of small groups and one on one with all levels, including ambassadors, royalty, celebrities, etc but put me in front of a large group and I clam up! Have never worked out why because I am a reasonably confident person.

It is easy ist start with a loud voice

I demand that everyone who attends my orations be naked! Really cuts down on the crowd.

I wonder if seeing every one naked really works

I always am anxious if I have to speak to a group of people, In one job I had to facilitate group activities, found this very challenging. Once I'm comfortable with the group and have practised speaking in a group, I'm ok.

Yes, I have always had it. I've had to talk in front of people many times, I've been to toastmasters a few years. Nothing helps, it would still be terrifying for me to be asked to do it

Work to master it

When I was president of our local art gallery I had to open some events at the gallery and I always spoke for the heart I didn't make notes

I always have followed that one must spend one hour pre-preparation for each minute of a formal speech. Has always worked for me.Edited 29-Jan-23 06:37am

How to manage it I don't know. Many years ago in High school I won a class speech contest then had to do the form contest, then was expected to do the school contest. I deliberately 'failed' the form one as was panicked by the class one. Now I have issues with "crowds" of more than bout 6. But on a one to one all is fine, even if my topics of conversation may be a bit "controversial"

I avoid crowds,but love to talk.

Not any more. Since I became a teacher all that left me.

I'll run away from it

I'm a very quiet guy, very little to say, I wouldn't speak to a crowd of people in public.

only if I am not comfortable with the topic

I’m sure even the best of us feel some type of anxiety when having to speak in public, ‘stage fright’ has happened to me alot in my lifetime, especially in front of a large gathering of people, when I was the manager of a pre school! Breathing helps 4 4 4, breath in for 4, hold for 4, release breath to the count of 4, slowly, do this several times. My brother in law joined Toast Master’s, he speaks at all our family functions now, counselling can also help. Edited 29-Jan-23 04:42am

JUST ASK ME ABOUT TRUMP I WILL TELL U HOW HORRIBLE HE IS FOR HOURS

I was on a jury once where nobody wanted to take on the role of foreman, until one brave lady said, my toastmistress would be disappointed if I didn't step up. She did a wonderful job and I found out there are public speaking groups that a person can join to learn how to speak in public

Public speaking is a talent that I have. It wouldn't bother me to speak in front of thousands of people. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to use this gift in several years. When I was young I was told to picture people in their underwear to overcome the fear. I never did this.

Know your subject. Find a friendly face in the crowd. Secret lol...in the old days female social workers never wore undies to court so when they were cross examined by nasty male barrister...they knew that they knew something that he didn't know LOL

Easy, I worked it out at my 21st birthday party. I had to give a speech. I knew that I could talk to each and everyone on their own so realised that I could talk to them all at the same time. Went very well. the thing is that you have to know what you are going to say.

CAN NOT WILL NOT TALK TO A CROWD

Very anxcious with this but I was the coordinator of a comference that that hadabout 50 people at. Just had to get on with it.

I still 'have not' learned 'how' to control anxiety - when speaking in public to strange faces (individuals I don't know on a first-name basis). FYI: I took a 'public speaking class' and I still freaked out - LOL!