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Cringing, "freaking out" and hyperventilating are typical reactions for many people when asked to speak publicly. There are probably a few rare folks who thoroughly enjoy orating before a group or crowd of people; however, the vast majority of people are terrified. To master the fear, present your message and keep your breakfast down, consider the following:

PREPARE AND EDIT

Yes, this means do your homework on the topic. Even if you are the authority, check and double check your facts thoroughly. Edit and update your material to keep your "knowledge" fresh so you stay interested in your message. There is nothing worse than someone speaking about "the same stuff" and sounding like they are falling asleep while speaking. Adding updated facts or providing current examples of how your "well known" facts apply to your audience can be the difference between an attentive audience and your audience going comatose.

PRACTICE AND EDIT MORE

Rehearse, practice and edit your message. If you're using humor, be sure to run through your speech with several people you trust to give you true feedback. What sounded like a terrific joke in the shower just may get you fired. Humor, if done well, can be a great way to relax yourself as well as your audience.

No one to practice with? Then give your speech to a video camera. Play the "movie" of your speech and look for those distracting hand and body gestures. Are you hanging onto a lectern with white knuckles? Listen to yourself. Can you be more to the point and do your "major points" carry the message through a beginning, middle and logical conclusion? Edit "out" any distracting "digressions" or personal anecdotes that compromise the potency of your topic.

If using a software presentation tool such as Microsoft PowerPoint, rehearsal is even more critical. Time your slides with your message. Be sure that sound files do not distract your audience from your voice. Edit your slides to include your primary points rather than writing your entire speech.

PARTICIPATE AND EDIT EVEN MORE

Toastmasters is a wonderful, self-help public speaking group. You can locate a group in your neighborhood through their website at www.toastmasters.org. Participating in the weekly meetings gives the novice to master level speaker an opportunity to practice with an audience of supportive people who are also actively learning to polish their public speaking skills. To "fine tune" your specific speech or gain more feedback, Toastmasters

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