1.
100 EXPERTSSHARE STRATEGIES ON HOW TOOVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF PUBLICSPEAKINGHi, my name is Akash and I’m a presentation skills coach andauthor of “Public Speaking Secrets of the Champions”. I asked over100 public speaking experts, “What’s the best way to overcomeyour fear of public speaking?” The responses below are the bestanswers I received on how to overcome the butterflies whenspeaking.Akash Kariahttp://www.CommunicationSkillsTips.com

2.
PrepareA simple but unrivaled-in-importance response in one word: Preparation Gerry T. Kierans www.mgtopen.com 1I am someone who had terrible stage fright and learned to conquer it. As a theatre major incollege and an aspiring actress, that was not a good thing at all!I learned so much from my mentor and former employer actress Olympia Dukakis. Sheprepared by rehearsing over and over so the words came easily. She also found out inadvance about her audience so that her remarks were relevant and meaningful. And she gotto the venue with time to spare to feel the space.I now do all of these things and the stage fright has blessedly gone away. The message andthe desire to be understood becomes far more important than the fear of speaking. Goodluck! I feel your pain and wish you all the best.

3.
Bonnie Low-Kramen www.bonnielowkramen.comJust going ahead, with as much preparation as possible, and doing it, is the best way I haveso far managed to overcome my fear of Public Speaking:) Mohammed Naveed Usmani www.facebook.com/ABWALSoftI find that preparation and practice are the best methods to overcoming publicspeaking. Also know your audience- get to the event early and talk with attendeesbeforehand. Marsha Haygood www.stepwiseassociates.comPrepare; and then prepare some more. After youve done all of that preparing do one lastthing; prepare and practice some more.!! David Roussel

4.
Practice withan audience 2One of the things I recommend and have my do is practice their speeches in front ofloved ones, and in class in front of small groups (3-5 people). This accomplishesseveral things.First, it forces my students to speak out loud just as if they were actually giving their speechto their intended audience. Second, helps them work out all the um’s, ahhs, and OK’s. Third,and most importantly, it gets them accustomed to speaking in front of people. I have usedthis simple strategy with great success. Typically my students are terrified of speaking infront of a group of people. Using this strategy helps ease them into public speaking. Renato Amarena

5.
Practice withVideo 3My number one tip for overcoming the fear of public speaking is to PRACTICE WITH VIDEO.While it is helpful to practice before friends, family and the mirror; none of these can be aseffective as recording yourself speaking and then watching it on playback.Practicing with video allows you to actually see what the audience will see. You getto hear your own voice coming into your ears through the air and not through your head as itnormally does (a lot of people are surprised when they hear themselves for the first time.They cant believe how their voice actually sounds!)Video is the closest thing you have to the real audience.

6.
PS: I suggested using video because it is the best practically available option people have (atleast, everybody now owns a camera phone so, no excuse). However, not even video comesclose to the "curative" effects/powers of VIRTUAL REALITY (VR). If you can afford a VRtreatment, go for it. The simulated experience of actual immersion in front of a dynamicvirtual audience is totally un-paralleled! Jonas Ezeanya www.livespeech.org

7.
Stage TimeThe longer you speak, and the more prepared and comfortable you arewith each passing speech, there is very little fear, if any.At least thats how it has been for me. 4Plus, I just focus and concentrate on my message, which is to help other recovering addictsget better, and I really do not feel any fear or nervousness at all.There is no replacement for experience, and those who still do have fear and get nervouswould be wise to channel that energy towards their audience. Gary GoldsteinSpeak more frequently. In front of an audience. Everything else comes after. John Chappelear

8.
Power PoseFor 5 minutes before each presentation, take on a Power Pose - this isstanding tall and straight with shoulders back, loose arms and open stance- this facilitates the diaphragmic breathing. Posted by Gareth Humphris 5 www.edvantagechina.comStand tall, shoulders back, head up so that the head and spine are aligned, eyes to thehorizon, shoulders down and arms relaxed Peter McCann www.mccaconsultants.com

9.
Start with aStory from 6Your LifeStart with a story from your life. That will calm you down and youll get your brain in the rightplace. Lorie Eber www.AgingBeatsTheAlternative.com

10.
BreatheBreathing: take several quick, short breaths through the nose and exhalefrom the mouth; then a long, slow inhale through the nose and a long slowexhale through the mouth; then, a long, slow inhale through the nose and 7hold for five seconds, then a long, slow exhale through the mouth and hold empty for fiveseconds. (This breathing takes practice, maybe for a week or more to become skillful andnatural.) Peter McCann www.mccaconsultants.comBy taking a deep breath, exhale slowly before going in front of a group of people. Madeline Case

11.
smileWhen you practice and when you speak, look out to the middle of theaudience. Smile at someone in the middle and imagine that person isfriendly and interested. Speak to that person for a few seconds. Then, look 8to the left or right side and smile at someone and imagine that person is friendly andinterested. Continue. (And, people are almost always friendly and interested!) Peter McCann www.mccaconsultants.com

12.
Know the VenueIf possible, get to the venue with time to spare.Stand at the place from which you will present, look into every corner of the 9room/hall/space, take a deep, slow, mindful breath, filling your lungs. Exhale slowly andallow your positive energy to fill the room.You might then go to each corner of the room, turn and look at the space or place from whichyou will present, and, again, fill the room with your positive energy - get a sense of theproportions of the room and fully realize the implications of filling it with YOUR energy, intowhich you will welcome the audience! Michael Mallows http://www.craftylistening.co.uk

13.
Be GenuineGenuinely You: Remembering that a true diamond has flaws,excellence is your goal, not perfection. 10Genuinely Interested: Be more focused on your audience and their needs,versus how you are being perceived.Genuinely Engaged: A succesful speaker understands that a presentation is a conversation,not a lecture, and that its important to listen to the audience with your eyes and ears toengage them fully. Fear naturally disappears when youre focused on the value of what youhave to give.... Rebecca Herrera

14.
Focus on YourAudience 11Focus on the Audience and ask yourself: "What can I offer them?", "How can I add value tothem?". When your thoughts completely at the audience, they are away from youand fear cant exist. Georg Wanek

15.
Embrace theFear 12Fear of speaking is often fear of being afraid! Welcome the nerves. Embrace the fear. Fearinitiates adrenaline flow. Adrenaline creates energy that generates the will toperform with enthusiasm, engagement - even excitement. Share adrenaline-induceddynamism with your audience. Revel in and thrive on their reflected vitality. When thepheromones start pinging round the room, know that you’ve overcome the fear and trulyconnected with your audience. Roger Harding

16.
Don’t Worry 13about MakingMistakesI heard somebody advise once that the best thing to keep in mind is that the audience isthinking "glad its not me" and they are on your side - so if you do make a mistake, theyunderstand... Susan Walker

17.
DisplayConfident 14Body LanguageDisplay confidence via body language. Negative body language tells the audience you arenervous. Avoid touching the head/neck, looking at your feet, shoving hands in pockets. Actlike you know what you are doing. Harry Hall www.harryhallspeaks.com

18.
Wrap UpSo, next time you feel the butterflies in your stomach, use the following 14 tips shared by ourexperts:  Prepare, prepare, prepare’  Practice in front of a group of people  Practice with video  Get as much stage time as possible  Use the power pose  Start with a story from your own Life  Use breathing techniques to calm down  Visualize  Know the Venue where you will be speaking  Be genuine  Focus on your audience  Embrace the fear  Don’t worry about making mistakes  Display confident body language