Speaking of public speaking, has it ever occur to you when your called up upon to present a public speech/impromptu speech?
I have been in public speaking classes, giving impromptu speeches and been in a group discussion. We need to give out ideas, keep the facts on track, speak with confidence, know your audience, keeping your mind on subject needed to deliver and all these require a process called preparation. Preparation eh? That does not mean that anyone would not have stage fright after the first time on stage or minutes/hours/days of preparation. In fact, we all do have stage fright every time we step upon to present. If you have already present before on stage, this short post might help build up and learn more about stage fright. If you never experience speaking in public before for the first time, E-roti is here to help you prepare when the time comes! Let's get started...

What symptoms do you feel when you have stage fright?

  • rapid heart beat and breathing
  • dry mouth
  • trembling hands
  • trembling body
  • increased perspiration
  • shaky knees

After you have understand what stage fright is, the following is to guide you!
to a better understanding!
practices and giving you few hints and tips!USE IT!

How to overcome stage fright?
First of all, you need to identify the situation your in;

  1. is it your first time?
  2. are you giving an impromptu speech?
  3. are you given enough time to prepare for your speech?
  • If it is your first time be thoroughly prepared on your presentation. Of course for this, you need your note/report to be done earlier and use available time to practice before your presentation. Exercise your jaw, make sure you move your jaw and tongue muscle and also verbal exercise like
"AaaaaBbbbbbbbbCccccccDdddddd"
"LalalalalalaDadadadadada"
Do not freaked out if you seen someone in the toilet, talking to himself/herself in front of the toilet, he/she is probably practicing for a speech! THEY'RE NOT CRAZY!
You should learn from them! start practicing your speech in front of a mirror
this is to help project your pronunciation spontaneously before your speech.

Practice made perfect
  • Take your time before you start to speak. It it always a bonus if you could remember what you need to say during your speech, because your hand would come in handy to build up your speech as well. If you have plenty to say, having a note on speaker stand is not at all a big problem.
  • Always take a deep breath before you begin your speech. Most importantly, always establish good eye contact with you audience before beginning.

When your giving your an Impromptu speech, you would not have time to prepare yourself, in fact, you can prepare your speech when you walk towards the stage or speaker's stand.

Another way to overcome stage fright is by pretending that your audience is your friend and remember that nobody is perfect in this world.
Smiling to the audience to create rapport with your audience and also use body language to make your speech more interesting, natural and effective.

How do you do that?
Words and facial expression and wed it to your actions, the impact of your speech will be strengthened! The idea of body language increases the chance of not being afraid of stage fright and it will also help the audience to listen to you! No man is an island! That goes for your speech too!LET THEM HEAR YOU ROAR!

Here are few E-roti Cafe tips you can use to build effective body language

  • Always face your audience!
  • never show your back to the audience!it is not a good sight to see, your presenting, keep your eyes on the audience.
  • Keep both feet on the ground and slightly apart, like a separated V-shape.
  • Keep your spine ERECT! rotate you shoulders back.
  • Always remember to keep your head ERECT!
Posture! In other words, it give you an upper hand by sending message "Listen to ME! I know what I'm taking about!"

Public speaking is something that all of us have to do someday even though it might not be now but stage fright are just one of the few! Praying hard doesn't pay! Practice and practice to overcome the fear!
Good Luck!

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