Public Speaking Tricks | Dominate The Podium

Relaxing Before A Speech

Posted on 11. Dec, 2008 by Crazy J in Preparation

Public speaking is one of the most common phobias people have and is a source of major anxiety even for those who are experienced with it.  The idea of standing in front of a large group of people and addressing them is enough to make most people’s blood turn cold, which is a real pity because as a marketing tool, public speaking is one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal.

This anxiety towards public speaking is a little unusual, because by its nature, public speaking is rather contrived and places the speaker at a physical and psychological distance from his audience. Some people find it far easier speaking to strangers than people they know, which seem to contradict the first issue i.e. of “intimacy” and being judged by peers.

Whilst many people feel completely and utterly helpless whenever they are engaging in public speaking, they fail to recognize that they are the ones in control. It is the speaker who controls the pace, direction, tempo and content of the speech, and whilst the speaker may feel ill at ease with so many people watching them intently,  this little revelation is usually enough to bring some confidence back.

One of the worst public speaking “sins” that can be committed is the speaker rushing through the material, either through nerves, a desire to be finished as quickly as possible or a combination of the two. Public speaking is intended to engage and to inform, and so speaking at such a fast rate that your audience struggles to keep up will mean that neither objective is achieved.

Speaking too rapidly will also mean that you will be more liable to make mistakes and lose your place; again, fumbling with your speech trying to find your place is a major faux pas. Speaking in a slow tone and pace, will mean that you are able to more effectively convey the information, more easily engage with your audience, and will also force your body and mind to slow down.

Meditation is simply absolutely concentrating on a mundane task, and so by intensely focusing your energy on speaking slowly and clearly will allow your rather jangled nerves an opportunity to settle. Another powerful relaxation technique is to visualize you delivering the speech in calm, articulate and engaging manner, doing so will help to break the cycle of negative emotion.