Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. Some sources say that up to 75% of adults suffer from glossophobia. You don’t have to hate it though, and can work to overcome the fear.
When I was a graduate teaching assistant at Central Michigan University, I taught speech classes. There were three required speeches in the class. I had one student, a young lady, who was terrified of public speaking but had an impressive drive to improve. So we worked on it together. For her first speech, she practiced in front of just me. We would sit in my office and she would read her presentation, word for word, looking down at the paper the whole time, hands and voice trembling. Then I asked her if I could add a fellow graduate teaching assistant to the room. She agreed and practiced that way several times. Then we added all my fellow teaching assistants to the room and she practiced more. Then I told her it was time for her to deliver in front of the class. She did but only after I asked the entire class of students to turn around and face the back of the room, and we turned off the lights, using only natural lights in the room. When it was time for her second speech, we went through the same pattern. When it was time to present in class, I asked the students to face forward but look down at their shoes. By her third and final speech, she went through the entire process once again, but in the classroom, the students were able to face front with their eyes on her, and we just needed to turn the lights off (there was plenty of natural light so it wasn’t all that dark).
The student wanted to getter over her fear and she did. She did the NUMBER ONE THING that you can do to get over your fear – PRACTICE. Keep reading for more tips on working toward getting over your public speaking fear.
1) PRACTICE – When I am preparing for a presentation I practice often. In my car, while on the treadmill, in front of a mirror, in my office, in front of a friend, while taking a walk, while cooking dinner. All the time. Practice at least a few times in an environment as close to the one you will be presenting the real thing in and run through start to finish without stopping, even if you make a mistake. Make edits/changes the next time you practice the presentation.
2) Ask for input – practice in front of a friend, or if that’s too awkward, give someone your script and ask for feedback. Ask questions about specific areas of the presentation. A few examples: Is the humor corny? Is it audience appropriate? Is the call to action clear enough?
3) Start early – Give yourself plenty of time to prepare so you also have plenty of time to practice.
4) On the day of the presentation – breathe yoga breaths, stay hydrated, and don’t overthink it! If you practiced, then you are prepared – you need to trust yourself.
5) Practice some more – This really is key to a good presentation and getting over the nerves.
It doesn’t sound like much, but the reality is that there are no tricks to getting over the nerves other than preparation and practice. Picturing everyone naked doesn’t work (and could leave you scarred, running off the stage), and looking above the heads/faces of people to the back wall might help in the moment but you are still fully aware that you are up in front of people delivering a presentation, and are then likely wondering if people can tell you aren’t really looking at them.
Use these tips to get over your glossophobia. You’ll be glad you did when, for your next presentation, your nerves are under control.