Views of the art of public speaking. Why do I have a fear of public speaking?

Get constructive feedback

It can be scary to practice in front of other people, but if you can’t do that, then maybe you shouldn’t be performing in front of a larger audience. Asking for feedback prepares you for the idea that you’re being judged, and allows you to correct aspects of your speech and performance.

During the speech

The speech is about to begin. What can you do throughout your speech to make sure it gets a good reception? Here is some of our best advice.

Start and finish on time

This may sound simple, but it’s really important to start and finish on time. If you begin late, the audience might get annoyed before you’ve even started, and if it drags on for too long, the audience might lose interest.

Keep it entertaining

There are numerous ways to make sure your speech is entertaining, and this doesn’t mean it can’t be on a serious topic. Besides trying not to repeat yourself or only reading from your notes or slides, there are a few things you can try.

In this article about public speaking by Forbes, the writer suggests starting your speech with a “grabber”, which is something like a personal story or shocking statistic that will immediately get your audience engaged. It can also be a great tactic to follow a narrative, as an audience member will find it easier to follow and stay interested. Storytelling can also be a great tool to create social change.