Fear of the podium is very common for most public speakers. Sunday School teachers, even the preacher, experience fear when they speak to their audience. Nobody wants to have their knees knocking every time you get up to tell a story, a joke, or give a serious documentary.
Some folks tell us that podium anxiety is only temporary for the newbie. I'm not so sure about that as many old timers seem very nervous on their feet too. Usually, a new audience causes some anxiety for the speaker, always wondering how they'll react to our story. Can we expect courtesy from these guys? Will they be kind to the speaker or try to challenge various theories? Public speaking has some risk for those who deal with serious topics and the super intellectuals. Many aspiring business executives miss an excellent opportunity to grow and advance in their career by refusing to speak in a group meeting.
Public speaking can be nerve rattling, cause us to get confused and break out in a sweat. Even a blank stare can haunt us at the podium. Some speakers experience eyes burning and watering before they begin. Fear of being embarrassed or made fun of can surface as another fear with a particular audience. Practice is very important to all speakers who aspire to excel in the industry and be recognized as an industry expert and professional.
Before jumping off the deep end, it's best to begin your training with small groups familiar with you and your subject matter. Usually familiar faces will be comforting to the speaker. Later you can expand to other less familiar groups who invite you to speak to them. Networking in your industry is a primary key to your future business growth and success.
It's helpful to recognize that all audiences want you to succeed. Most executives have been in your shoes when called on to speak with a group so they are aware of your anxiety as the speaker. One huge step in overcoming fear and concern is to look at your audience. Watch for a head or two expressing agreement with your comments early on which will be reassuring that you've connected with at least some folks in the audience.
Remember, any goof ups are soon forgotten. Your audience is not there to catch you in an error or to see you make a serious error in comment or judgment. As a public speaker it's your challenge to bring quality ideas, new information to your audience. You'll miss the hot button with some in the audience but that's an OK. Not everyone is equipped with the same education, exposure to the issue, or there may be a distraction from other sources you're not aware of from the podium.
Everyone one of us needs feedback from our audiences. Maybe some of your friends have been to hear you speak previously or they're with you now.... ask them for feedback. Did they get what they came for? Why did they come? Was your speech on target as they understood the purpose? Ask and ye shall receive is reality. Most of us are reluctant to be critical of fellow workers in the vineyard.
If you make mistakes and falter, you can always correct yourself with a familiar audience. Also, your goof ups will be among friends who care about your success as a speaker. However, mingling with your audience prior to facing them from the podium will ease your fears.
Hopefully, you took the time before the meeting to seek out some folks personally, talk with them about their business or life in general. Call their name and recognize their expertise when you can. People like to feel important and you can be the one to bring a big smile when acknowledging someone in the audience who has shared a few personal minutes with you.
Familiar faces or a familiar subject will ease your fears. Make sure when you start out as a public speaker that everything is not all new to you. Pick old faces or an old topic you can talk about with your eyes closed or recite the message without notes. Don't try to be a hero with the newest and latest.
Try to connect with your audience as quickly as possible. Tell a funny story with a good punch line. Be sure to practice telling it or you may fall flat which is not a good thing. Don't talk over folks head using big words you don't understand either. Talk at about the 8th grade level or sometimes 5th grade is better. Mainly it's all about being prepared as wide and deep as possible. No winging a speech off the cuff or you'll flounder around and hear hissing from the audience.
Public speaking can be fun as well as rewarding in many different ways. Ty Boyd, a member of the National Speakers Bureau, has an excellent training institute for aspiring speakers located in Charlotte, NC. Hundreds of trainees have gone on to head corporations and excel in life and business with the confidence gained from attending Ty Boyd's classes. Been there done that many years ago.
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