What are good tips for preparing yourself to speak in public...etc?
929406
I've done countless presentations globally to audiences up to 350+ sales guys eager to trip you up.  Preparation is the key.  Think through what you are going to say and maybe even write it down - but do not read it out parrot fashion on the actual day.  VISUALISATION is important. Before the event find out roughly how many people will be there, what types and imagine the questions that might be asked and think through answers.  Use a colleague or friend to help you.  Have a stock response to tricky questions.  "That's a great question which I asked my marketing guy" whoever" the other day.   He's looking at this area and I'll get back to after the presentation. What I do is also try to break the ice.  Start the presentation with a question to the audience - maybe plant a colleague to respond - so you get used to interaction straight away.  Finally, one tip is imagine that the audience is naked - you get the upper hand and own the room.\nHope this helps - Panther (aka Matt Brocklehurst, Head of Marketing for Latitude)
181799
With practice... lots of practice.  Best way is language tapes, and a personal recorder. Record yourself speaking, then play the recording back. Listen at how you sound. Practice speaking the words that are not quite right. In time, you will get better.
233244
Speak whenever you have the possibility to do so. Don't think a lot about grammar (I suppose you are non native speaker of English), say whatever comes to your mind.  I had the same problem, but with time I developed some self-confidence.Keep in mind that you are not the only one who has a fear of speaking, and it is something natural that must be done.Good luck!
963400
well, i'm kind of a perfectionist when it comes to things like this...i make sure know my material, and have all my note cards in order. then, about a 1/2 - an hour beforehand i start doing deep breathing and stretching...it really works. practice your speech while looking in a mirror so you can see your facial expressions...practice reciting it to friends/family and get their feedback. while you're giving your speech, focus on ppl in the audience you know, and look at them from time-to-time. if you don't have to stand at a podium, move around a bit as you give your speech. try not to say "um" a lot...it makes it sound as if you don't know your material. try to smile at specific points in your speech material...if it's appropriate. that will make you look comfortable to your audience. i'm sure you will do a great job!! best of luck.
738359
You should make your speech more interesting like.. hard words in it, which you can understand. You should have a clear voice and not be afraid to say it, and you should make sure that it's right and understandable.
212087
Nearly the most important thing to the content of your speech is that you speak slowly and as clearly as you possibly can.  Also, stand up nice & straight and don't fidget or sloch. Try to project your answer all the way to the back of the room.  Try to use words such as "like" or "um" as little as you possibly can.  Good luck - you'll do great!
405984
Just be the life of everything u do. Stand out, speak a little louder, smile more. dont be afraid to say something, to anybody. speak ur mind. dont be embarrassed.
536100
Appearance, well prepared speech, body language, voice techniques, presentation support material, sintony to the public. \n\nWithin this order. You must convince at the first sight. You must know about what you are saing and what will be the next phrases. Prepare yourspeech and prepare alternative material to suport your sequence (and alternative sequences). \nTry to not be funny.\nMonocordial voice will show nothing than boringspeechzzzzzz.......\nIf you have strong personality you can measure and adapt based on people response - look to them. If you are not soo hard, jut have trust in your trainings and materials.
152821
Body language is key! \n\nStudies have shown that people start judging a presentation from the moment the person is called up from their seat. So while sitting and  anticipating the moment, sit straight with a feeling of optimism, not with that of dread. When called upon, never schlep up front as though a sheep led to slaughter. Stand and walk with confidence with deliberate steps. Turn to your audience and talk "with" them....not "at" them. When I'm presenting, I often believe I'm only talking to 3 or 4 people vs. 200. It helps make your audience feel you are personalizing your topic just especially for them. If you "disconnect" yourself by speaking about a topic instead of pulling your audience INTO the presentation, you will lose your audience. Involve them......make them feel they are as integral a part of the presentation as you are! Gestures, proximity to your audience, facial expressions, laughter and smiles all are part of a positive presentation that will leave your audience clamoring for more! Good luck......and let us know how it goes!
877804
Almost everyone who goes up to do a speech will *ALSO* be nervous -- so don't be hard on yourself.   I use to get so nervous that I had to hold on to something so I wouldn't shake!\nNow, I am a "natural" at it, lol.\n\nThe best thing you can start off by doing is *really* knowing your topic.  The better prepared you are, the less chance you have to make mistakes.  So, preapre yourself and practice talking aloud to friends, family, or a mirror.\n\nKeep it simple.  Prepare numbered notecards that have KEY WORDS only.  The keyword is a prompt to let you know in what order you will be talking about the subject.  Again, number your cards in case you drop them.\n\nMake sure you allot a certain time for each notecard.  Maybe each notecard should be -- let's say --- 2 minutes worth of talking? A minute on the subject/area?\n\nWhen you are going up there,  never say "I"m nervous."  Go up there, smile and say hello and introduce yourself in a friendly, smiling way.  This is your notecard #1.\n\nYour last notecard should be asking the class if they have any questions (if that is appropriate), and/or THANKING everyone for the opportunity to share with them.\n\nI had trouble with keeping time, so I took a mini-clock up with me and put it on the desk, so that I didn't get nervous and talk to long.\n\nWell, good luck and I know you will do great!
197679
PRACTICE.\n\nI recommend doing a mock presentation and making sure you have everything down exactly as you want it, including timing, eye contact, etc.\n\nAlso if you want a long term improvement, you should join ToastMasters, an organization that will help you in this department. Try: http://www.toastmasters.org/
899672
My speech teacher had us look just over the top of the audience heads. He had up proactice at home in front of a mirror. I would practice my speeches with a tape recorder. I would have my husband or a friend listen to me. I found practice helped build confidence. Then the more you do, the easier it gets. Just practice...practice ...practice
987452
Make eye contact.\n\nHave the appropriate facial expression.\n\nIf you have a speech you read from, make sure to look up from it occasionally.\n\nSpeak clearly and enunciate.  Don't speak to fast, don't mumble, and speak with confidence.\n\nHope I've helped!
564223
First, get a big club.  Walk around the office with it.  People will start to fear you.  Thats a key component of being a leader.  Next, Do not speak unless all are hushed and at attention.  This shows that you respect yourself, and will make others respect you.  If a few of your coworkers begin having a side conversation during your speech, club them.  Strike them quickly and without remorse.  Also, always ask for input when you are thru with your presentation, this gives your coworkers the idea that you care what they think, whether or not you actually do.
538108
If there is someone in the crowd who is a friend have them listen to your speech before hand and sit as near the front as possible. Be VERY prepared and start out by looking at your friend who has already heard the speech. As it goes along you'll find yourself more at ease and able to look around.
851353
Online 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://www.speech-topics-help.com/good-persuasive-speech-topics.html\n\nhttp://www.historyplace.com/speeches/previous.htm\n\nhttp://library.albany.edu/usered/dr/speech.html\n\nhttp://www.history.com/media.do\n\nhttp://yahooligans.yahoo.com/school_bell/social_studies/history/speeches/\n\n\nSpeechTips\n\nLooking for Good Persuasive Speech Topics?\n\nhttp://www.top101persuasivespeechtopics.com/\n\nhttp://www.speech-topics-help.com/index.html\n\nhttp://www.goodpersuasivespeechtopics.com/persuasive.htm\n\nhttp://www.leeogle.org/byron/bhs/library/persuasion.htm\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.
959847
I would suggest to not memorize words, but learn the subject, understand the topic. \n\nMake a list of key points you want to make and then elaborate it with what you know. If you are allowed, bring in note cards with the key points to get you started. \n\nWhen you understand what you are talking about, it will become easier for you to speak about. You can also give it your own twist by putting your own personality to the presentation.  \n\nGood Luck!