how do i get over my fear of talking infront of a crowd?

Heineken Helen

I dunno... ya still need something to help you with confidence! There have been several issues that I feel very very strongly about... but when I'm put on the spot and somebody asks me 'why' I'm completely blank sometimes! It pisses me off... ok, speeches usually aren't being put on the spot.. but knowing the topic inside out often isn't enough :(

That's why I picture them all naked

mca47

I'm not really the nervous type but...

I'm my brother's best man for his upcoming wedding and I'll have to give the toast in front hundreds of people. That kinda freaks me out a bit. I was thinking about just winging it (I'm usually good "on the spot") but I think if I try that in front of so many people I might end up f'ing it up.

I think I'm just going to put back a few shots beforehand. LOL

Flannel Shirt

mca47 wrote:

I'm not really the nervous type but...

I'm my brother's best man for his upcoming wedding and I'll have to give the toast in front hundreds of people. That kinda freaks me out a bit. I was thinking about just winging it (I'm usually good "on the spot") but I think if I try that in front of so many people I might end up f'ing it up.

I think I'm just going to put back a few shots beforehand. LOL

I was best man for a bud of mine and I was going to wing it, until that morning. I spend the first four hours of the morning sitting at my table working to come up with something. The thought of the possible embarrasment of having nothing to say and stumbling over my words scared the shit out of me that morning for some reason. I wanted to create a balance of the nice things I said about him and her, and I could imagine myself saying "and she is nice too....a toast to them". I think its kinda odd when the best man only has stories and things to say about the groom.

A few beers/shots to loosen up helped.

prytocorduroy

The only way to get comfortable is to practice. So speak in front of people as often as you can. Make it become a normal activity.

AmentsChick

One word...

alcohol

JOEJOEJOE

If I rehearse too much, I get nervous that I will forget something, so I usually just have an outline to follow, and my spontanoeus mind takes it from there.

Who Princess

People have given a lot of good advice. I used to teach and I've done a lot of public speaking. I was always very nervous when I first started out but I got over it with time. So by 'practice' I don't think it means practicing your speech over and over--just get as much experience speaking as you can. That helps you with those unexpected questions and interruptions.

The best preparation, as other people have said, is knowing your subject. If you're really familiar with it you'll feel comfortable talking about it. If you're interested in it your enthusiasm will come through and you'll really look good.

As far as picturing people naked and silly stuff like that, it never worked for me. I've always felt like I had to earn a group's trust and that wouldn't happen unless I knew what I was talking about.

And if it's appropriate, smile! If you look like you're having a good time the audience will too.

libragirl

Sometimes at meeting I have to talk in front of a lot of my coworkers and I feel self conscious. We have these semi annual staff meetings that include these icebreaker activities, I hate that.

Rhinocerous Surprise

A tip I picked up from a Dilbert book:

If you're feeling really nervous a little bit into your speech, stop, and look at the person at the back of the crowd you're talking to. Ask him/her if they have a question. They'll say no, since you're just picking them randomly. Then you say "Sorry, you just looked really confused." That way, you've shifted everyone's judgement onto that person, and you look smart already.

JOEJOEJOE

Join the WuTangClan...they have alot of members on the mic, so you'd just have to grunt into the mic a few times, and RZA and GZA would do the rest.

Fighting Hellfish

The only way I "got over it" was by doing it. A lot. I was a terrible public speaker when I started grad school. But we had to make a bunch of oral reports, and I got 100X better just by doing it.

mca47

For me the anticipation is more nerve racking than actually being up there doing it.

TrixieCat

AmentsChick wrote:

One word...

alcohol

yep

FinsburyParkCarrots

Tell yourself you're going to enjoy the experience. And then, when you're up there, make sure you do. Treat the audience as one person rather than a mass of different people. As long as you project your voice so everyone can hear you, you can treat the talk as a conversation. Remember that you have information to impart, and your audience is hardly going to heckle you. You'll be fine. Just don't talk too fast, and in fact, go as slowly as you like as long as you maintain enough momentum to keep people interested.

Whizbang

some great advice! practice and knowing your subject are great. Practice in front of a mirror helped me a ton with speaking as well as some sign language classes. I agree that you don't want to over practice so that it sounds too rehearsed (and thus one "out of order" question could throw you off). Have an outline with highlights and anticipated questions.

Ask your family if you can give your speech to them...sitting at the dinner table. Sitting takes some of the "spotlight" nerves away from you. It will seem more like a casual conversation, easier to touch upon things you realized you might have missed; easier to study your subject further.

If you miss something, who cares? keep moving and if a question comes up about the thing you missed? Thank your inquirer for reminding you, circle back to it and answer their question. And seriously? if someone stumps you? Admit it! "got me on that one, let me get back to you".

If you're well prepared, it will go smoothe. It's still not my favorite thing but it was easier with practice and preparation. Remember the 6 P's: Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.

Good Luck!

Medicated-Genius

shaggy10680 wrote:

What are some of your ways of talking in front of crowds. I usually practice alot think i have the material but botch it. Then the sweat starts comming down my forehead.

Some classes I can speak fine others I get really nervous. I just don't get it. Most classes I get to know everyone in class and this still happens.

Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT....... google it.

FinsburyParkCarrots

That's not that Tony Robbins bloke with the teeth, is it?

Medicated-Genius

FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:

That's not that Tony Robbins bloke with the teeth, is it?

EFT? Nah, not toothy tony! Tiz interesting though

traveljunkie

know1 wrote:

Toastmasters

This was going to be my suggestion.
Toastmasters is great for overcoming fears of public speaking.
They have chapters all over the country.