If you had to speak in front of an audience, in public, would you be "nervous"?
140207
I used to be, but then I joined up with toastmasters international.  It is a group that is designed to help you not only overcome your fear of public speaking but also improve your speaking ability.  It is also a great way to network with successful people in your area.\n\nIf you are nervous about speaking in public you should look into it.  Good speaking skills are valuable in most jobs :-)
29536
Public Speaking is easy, I assume you don't think so, having asked these questions, so here's how I do it:\n\n* Know your stuff - know *about* what you are going to say, not *what* you are going to say\n* Don't prepare a speech and try and learn it. If you miss a line, you'll panic. Instead, remember what points you want to make, and the general flow of the speech. If you know your stuff, you'll naturally fill in the blanks\n* Time yourself talking about the subject - talking aloud to nobody is a bit weird, but it helps cement in your mind what you'll say, and check it meets the time slot given.\n* Slow down. It's easy to panic, rush through your stuff, and run out of material.
636504
You would not be nervous talking to any of these people individually, right?  You know your material, right?  \n\nThink of this presenation as a way of killing 2 birds with one stone, so to speak.  Just have the same conversation with the group that you would have with the individual and you will come off looking very relaxed and in control of the situation - and you only have to say it once instead of over and over again.  \n\nThis type of thinking takes this task out of the "Big deal" category and puts it in the "regular Everyday" category.  Truly, the only real way to overcome this type of nervousness is to simply do it a lot, until it does become mundane.\n\nAnd remember - we very often get what we expect in this life, so expect this to be easy and great!
174865
don't stutter that might make her nervous act calm
546480
you are not alone,  public speaking is one the biggest fears faced by people.  you must feel confident, make sure your dressed to the tee, you smell good, your hair is done right.... beleive me the way you look influneces the way you feel about yourself.\nsecond,,,,,prepare,,,,  know whatever your speaking about.knowledge is power. power boosts confidence. \nthird, practice in front of mirror. \nthis sounds funny but it works , this is a sales technique , if you look convincing , you'll sound convincing. \ndont look anyone directly into the eyes. look above them but change the general direction of your look so they feel you are talking to the whole crowd.\nand lastly....... relax.you know what your doing.youll bee all right.... it will be over soon.
1013433
It sound like you have a fear of public speaking, even in small groups.  It is very common and nothing to be worried about.  If you would like to work on it, force yourself to start up conversations with strangers you come into contact with.  If you want to get real bold and see real improvement, check into taking a public speaking class or acting class.  Even if you feel like your embarressed all the time in those classes, they will give you the practice you need to overcome your fear.  Most public speakers will tell you that they have a little fear all the time even if they seem totally confident on the outside.
67711
don't be scared or nervous. take it from me a performing upcoming artist. everyone you see when you stand before a crowd is human just like you. maybe even worse than you. but think of how many people could do what you do when your before the crowd. pay attention to the crowd, and they'll pay attention to you. to pay attention costs nothing, but not paying attention costs everything. be yourself. the rest is up to you.
1055772
Probably not nervous per say, just anxious for it all to be over so you can begin your new life with your beautiful bride.  Congrats!!!
896533
Learn from the professionals and gain some inspiration.\n\nOnline Speech Bank\n\nIndex to and growing database of 5000+ full text, audio and video (streaming) versions of public speeches, sermons, legal proceedings, lectures, debates, interviews, other recorded media events, and a declaration or two.\n\nhttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/\n\nhttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speechbank.htm\n\nhttp://yahooligans.yahoo.com/school_bell/social_studies/history/speeches/\n\nhttp://www.popgoeslethal.com/orationreadalouds.html\n\n\nSpeechTips\n\nThis is a very good site with very easy to follow step by step instructions.\n\nSpeechTips.com Your free guide to speech writing and public speaking for eulogies, graduations, best man, father of the bride and any other public speaking engagement.\n\nhttp://www.speechtips.com/index.html\n\nhttp://www.speechtips.com/preparation.html\n\nFREE Articles on Public Speaking\n\nThis site has so many tips that I was unable to pick any, you will need to see for yourself and see which, if any are useful to you.\n\nhttp://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-articles.htm\n\nThis site seems OK but once again see what is useful.\n\nhttp://members.shaw.ca/toasted/services.htm\n\nI liked this one.\n\nThe fear of speaking to a group of people is one of the most common forms of social phobia. Here are several suggestions for working with this fear.\n\nhttp://www.rpeurifoy.com/anxiety/pubspeak.htm\n\nPublic speaking do's and don't's\n\nhttp://www.lifehacker.com/software/feature/public-speaking-dos-and-donts-161531.php\n\nGood luck.\n\nKevin, Liverpool, UK.
834367
I sure do. Intently, and without wavering. Does that make you nervous?
178174
jus practice your speech so you know what your saying and make sure you understand it, that is the best advice to help nerves because if you do not understand what you are talking about then you are going to mess up. People say imagining the people in front of you naked is the best idea but that would just make me laugh so i suggest trying out your speech in front of friends or family first. Just don't worry to much, its only natural to be nervous. Good luck!
1113167
Lots of people get nervous speaking in front of people. It is very daunting to see all those people who are hanging over your every word.  When you get really nervous, take a deep breath and count to 3, then just try to continue speaking. Realize that people aren't judging you and are probably more focused on what you are reading rather than the way you are reading it. If worse comes to worse you can just look for a familiar face in the crowd, like maybe a friend, and focus your attention on them. Make it seem as if you are just there reading to your friend.
73584
I have to agree with the other posters, it is just practice.  Once you get used to doing your stuff in front of the audience, then you'll be OK.\n\nIt just starts in the beginning, then quickly, it all disappears.
570543
I used to be afraid of public speaking, too, but I found that with practice and experience, I slowly overcame my fears and learned to enjoy public speaking. A few hints:\n\n1. Practice makes perfect: Practice speaking in front of a small, sympathetic crowd such as a group of friends or your family. Practice speaking extemporaneously (without a written speech) on a subject that you know well, such as personal beauty tips or a favorite activity, as well as working with a short, prepared speech using notes. Start off doing this in your own home, then start doing it in public places such as a park or office, but still just in front of friends or family. If you can get your friends to cooperate and support you emotionally, this can be quite helpful.\n\n2. Try to empathize rather than impress: Concentrate on slowing down your speech a little bit. Pick out a sympathetic face in the crowd and act like you're talking to him or her alone, then modulate your speech as if you're trying to impart some knowledge that he or she will benefit from. Try to play the role of a "caring mother" rather than a "knowledgeable professional" and you'll feel less pressure to perform to perfection.\n\n3. If you know you're going to be speaking publicly, prepare a few calming techniques to keep on hand: Bring along some lavender-scented lotion and apply it to your hands with gentle, calming strokes briefly before speaking or entering the meeting. Breathe in and out slowly while concentrating on a "mantra" or affirmative saying. Visualize yourself enjoying the company of your friends or coworkers at the lunch or party afterwards; remember that these people want to see you do well and will strive to receive your message no matter how imperfect the delivery.\n\n4. It's ok to admit you're nervous: Feel free to laugh at yourself a little and tell the crowd you're not a born public speaker. Thank them for their patience and ask them to bear with you. Acknowledging your fears to them and asking politely for their cooperation will win their sympathy and will buy you a little time to get your thoughts together. And remember, mistakes can always be corrected. If you misspeak, it's not against the rules to correct or restate something you said earlier.\n\nJust remember: public speaking is one of the most common phobias out there. Chances are good that the majority of the people you're speaking to are afraid of public speaking just like you! So don't sweat it; they understand what you're dealing with and will be more than willing to listen patiently so long as you try to handle your fears in a positive way rather than becoming negative or argumentative about it.\n\nBest of luck!
942554
Because with regular people, you're just relaxed and confident and being yourself, youre cool, then that hot guy/girl comes around and nerves get the better of us. We become unsure of how to act or what to say...we start blabbing to avoid awkward silences...its like being under a spotlight and youre crush the only audience peering at you...
758238
Public speaking is a common source of stress for everyone. BELIEVE ME!!!!!  Many of us would like to avoid this problem entirely, but this is hard to do. Whether we work alone or with large numbers of people, eventually we will need to speak in public to get certain tasks accomplished. And if we want to be leaders or achieve anything meaningful in our lives, we will often need to speak to groups, large and small, to be successful.\n\nThe truth about public speaking, however, is IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE STRESSFUL! If you correctly understand the hidden causes of public speaking stress, and if you keep just a few key principles in mind, speaking in public will soon become an invigorating and satisfying experience for you.\n\nPurpose Of This Report\nThe purpose of this Special Report is to help you overcome the fear of public speaking. It begins by discussing ten key principles to always keep in mind. If you approach any problem in life with the right starting principles, everything else will fall into place. On the other hand, if you start with the wrong guiding principles, you can try all you want, but there is little chance you'll improve.\n\nThis Report also reveals eleven "hidden" causes of public speaking stress. I have summarized these eleven causes, along with the ten key principles, at the end of this Report, so you can easily review them.\n\nKey Principles\nPrinciple #1--Speaking in Public is NOT Inherently Stressful\n\nMost of us believe parts of life are inherently stressful. In fact, most of us have been taught to believe that life as a whole is very stressful!\n\nTo deal with any type of stress effectively, you first must understand that life itself, including public speaking, is NOT inherently stressful. Thousands of human beings have learned to speak in front of groups with little or no stress at all. Many of these people were initially terrified to speak in public. Their knees would shake, their voices would tremble, their thoughts would become jumbled . . . you know the rest. Yet they learned to eliminate their fear of public speaking completely.\n\nYou are no more or less human than they are. If they can conquer the fear of public speaking, so can you! It just takes the right guiding principles, the right understanding, and the right plan of action to make this goal a reality.\n\nBelieve me, it's not difficult. I'm a good example of someone who conquered the fear of public speaking. And while I didn't do it overnight, it wasn't difficult. All it took was approaching the problem in the right way.\n\nPrinciple #2--You Don't have to be Brilliant or Perfect to Succeed\n\nMany of us have observed public speakers and thought to ourselves "Wow, I could never be that smart, calm, witty, entertaining, polished . . . or whatever." Well, I've got news for you-- you don't have to be brilliant, witty, or perfect to succeed. That is not what public speaking is all about. I know it may look that way, but it's not. You can be average. You can be below average. You can make mistakes, get tongue-tied, or forget whole segments of your talk. You can even tell no jokes at all and still be successful.\n\nIt all depends on how you, and your audience, define "success." Believe me, your audience doesn't expect perfection. I used to think most audiences did, but I was wrong! Before I discovered this, I used to put incredible pressure on myself to deliver a perfect performance. I worked for days to prepare a talk. I stayed up nights worrying about making mistakes. I spent hours and hours rehearsing what I was going to say. And you know what? All this did was make me even more anxious! The more perfect I tried to be, the worse I did! It was all very disheartening (not to mention unnecessary).\n\nThe essence of public speaking is this: give your audience something of value. That's all there is to it. If people in your audience walk away with something (anything) of val
281012
4get that u r nervous !!! U need 2 build up confidence in urself and hold ur self at a high position !! Y the hell should v b nervous ...it should b the opp.person who should b affected by our persona not ourselves...Cheer up !!