Afraid of Public Speaking Simple and Helpful Tips

Okay so apparently public speaking is more terrifying to some people than actual death? Like statistically people rank it above dying in surveys which is WILD to me but also I totally get it because Ive been there standing in front of a room full of people with my heart pounding so hard I thought everyone could hear it.

The good news is you can get better at this. Not through some magical confidence transformation but through practice and a few specific techniques that actually work. Heres what Ive learned from bombing multiple presentations and then figuring out how not to bomb them.

First – and this sounds so basic but bear with me – PREPARE. I dont mean memorize every word because thatll make you sound like a robot and then youll panic when you forget a line. I mean know your material cold. Know it so well you could explain it to a five year old or your grandmother or anyone. When you really understand what youre talking about the words come easier.

Second practice out loud. Not in your head. Actually say the words with your mouth. Record yourself if you can stand to watch it which honestly most of us cant but do it anyway. Youll notice weird verbal tics and places where you stumble. Fix those before the real thing.

Third accept that youre going to be nervous. Fighting the nervousness makes it worse. Let it be there. Tell yourself its excitement not fear. Your body doesnt really know the difference and this reframe actually helps. Professional speakers get nervous too they just know how to channel it.

Fourth make eye contact with individuals not “the audience” as this scary abstract blob. Find friendly faces. Look at one person for a sentence then another person for the next sentence. It turns a terrifying performance into a series of small conversations.

Fifth have water nearby. Dry mouth is real. Nothing breaks your flow like a coughing fit because you forgot to hydrate.

And finally? Its okay to mess up. No one expects perfection except you. The audience wants you to succeed. They really do. Most people are too worried about their own stuff to judge you harshly anyway. We are all just doing our best out here trying not to embarrass ourselves and honestly thats pretty relatable.