There is plenty of dubious material which suggests you can combat public speaking fear. Much of it includes fancy techniques such as 'visualisation' or 'breathing techniques'. Well, they might work. But this ten step system is GUARANTEED TO WORK. That's because instead of fancy tricks and techniques, this system of dealing with public speaking fear uses your body's natural defences against fear.STEP ONE Prepare well. Naturally enough,
more prepared you are more likely you are to feel in control, which will NATURALLY help your nervousness reduce.
STEP TWO Practice, practice, practice. You can't do too much practice. Don't listen to those people who say you can over-practice. Tell that to circus artists who practice day in day out for decades, just to get their act right. You don't hear actors and musicians complaining they had 'too much' rehearsal time. The more your rehearse, better.
STEP THREE Say your speech OUT LOUD. Whether you are in car, bath, or going for a walk with dog, say it out loud. Going through your talk 'in your head' means you don't benefit from something called 'psychomotor memory' - whereby memory for what you need to say is partly embedded in muscles of your mouth.
STEP FOUR Get to venue early. Get a feel for room. Sit where audience will sit so you can see it from their perspective. Walk around auditorium. Practice your speech on stage itself. The more comfortable you are with room, less your nerves will be.
