One of the most common fears that people have is that of public speaking. Luckily for most people, they don’t have to face this fear on a regular basis or even at all. But for some, especially if they’re professionals in their industry, speaking to large groups is just part of the game. It can be daunting knowing everyone is looking at you (Check out Get Shave Advice. for tips on how to look your best-groomed self) Regardless of this, addressing big audiences can still make the most accomplished speaker nervous. So to help those preparing to make a big speech, here are three ways to prepare for speaking at a business conference or other large venue.
Use Business Meetings As Practice
Arguably the best way to get used to speaking to a large group of people is to do it as often as possible. However, not everyone gets the chance to speak to a lot of people on a regular basis. Luckily, you can get practice at this in many ways. According to Kaitlin Madden, a contributor to CNN.com, you can use any and all business meetings as practice. In this setting, you can get used to speaking confidently to the group and expressing your own thoughts and ideas without feeling self conscious or intimidated. By doing this, you’ll get used to hearing yourself talk and interacting with a group of people.
Get Familiar With The Area
To help yourself feel more at ease when speaking in front of people, it’s important that you do whatever it takes for you to feel comfortable. To help with this, Leslie Ye, a contributor to HubSpot.com, recommends that you take some time to get familiar with the venue before you have to speak. Spend a little bit of time walking the area and orienting yourself with how to room looks from on stage. By spending a bit of time in the area prior to speaking, you’ll be able to see what could be a distraction to you and what elements you might need to ignore or fix before you speak.
Steer Clear Of Alcohol
While you might be tempted to indulge in a few of the complimentary drinks often available at business conferences, Debby Mayne, a contributor to The Spruce, suggests that you steer clear of alcohol before you give your address. Although this might help to relax you and calm your nerves a bit, it could be easy for you to take it a little too far and lose control over yourself while in front of some very important and influential people. So to help you maintain your reputation, wait to drink until after you’ve finished speaking.
If you’re slated to give a business conference address soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for this potentially stressful event.
