Many people suffering from fear of public speaking believe that they are alone in feeling so frightened. The truth is that most people just don't want to talk about their fear of being in front of a group.
Called by many names - stage fright, speech anxiety, shyness, fear of speaking, performance anxiety, and speech phobia fear of public speaking can have a negative effect on careers and the ability to get things done.

Has anybody got a fear of public speaking? Do you have any tips on how to make things a little easier to cope with in these situations?

I think I am allergic to public speaking!

Alissa

What actual situations have you been in to make you think you have a fear of public speaking? I havent got a fear but just get very very nervous. Writing things down first and lots of practise beforehand helps me.

Quote:Many people suffering from fear of public speaking believe that they are alone in feeling so frightened. The truth is that most people just don't want to talk about their fear of being in front of a group.
Called by many names - stage fright, speech anxiety, shyness, fear of speaking, performance anxiety, and speech phobia fear of public speaking can have a negative effect on careers and the ability to get things done.

Has anybody got a fear of public speaking? Do you have any tips on how to make things a little easier to cope with in these situations?

I am horribly afraid of public speaking! I get nervous and think about all the things that could go wrong.
Before I have to present I usually practice continualy until I feel that I have it memorized perfectly. Then when I get up to speak my throat gets dry, my palms get sweaty, my face usualy goes red and my mind goes blank.
I also have fears of speaking infront of large groups and sometimes have trouble talking in busy places. Like when teachers go around the class at the begining of the year and ask you to state a few facts about yourself -I get soooo scared. I have to try and think about what I'm going to say and memorize it or I'll freeze up.

I get nervous and stutter. This even happens sometimes when answering questions in class, because I keep thinking "I may not be at the front of the room, but everyone can hear me talk..."

I hate being up in front of people, knowing they are all looking at me. I don't speak clearly, I talk really fast, lose my plac,e am really nervous, get sweaty and my voice and hands shake. I'll memorize what I want to say, but as soon as I'm in front of people I forget. It's terrible being in school and having to give speaches or reports in class or even answering simple questions when a teacher calls on me. I am an A student, but man do I hate public speaking. It makes me really sick to my stomache too.

Alissa

Barrucadu Wrote:I get nervous and stutter. This even happens sometimes when answering questions in class, because I keep thinking "I may not be at the front of the room, but everyone can hear me talk..."

I know how you feel.
I hate speaking infront of people, even just speaking from my desk. I hate it when the teacher calls on me for an answer and I just sit there with a blank mind.

I dont think any of you are alone here because there are lots and lots of people who not necessarily have a phobia of public speaking but just get very nervous when doing it. I always hated it at meeting when they go around the table asking you to introduce yourself, i always thought i was going to say something silly or something that didnt make sense!

Jonnyjonny_uk Wrote:I dont think any of you are alone here because there are lots and lots of people who not necessarily have a phobia of public speaking but just get very nervous when doing it. I always hated it at meeting when they go around the table asking you to introduce yourself, i always thought i was going to say something silly or something that didnt make sense!

That's true, that everybody tends to get a little nervous but I've always envied those who get up there and have no trouble at all!

I have what I think to be an interesting perspective on public speaking. I do stand up comedy and although I love speaking in front of crowd, there still is a bit of anxiousness before going onstage. Once you get up there and get that first laugh though, it's heaven.

I think once you have one really great public speaking experience, it starts to become more of a hobby than a burden.

If anyone has any public speaking anxiety about upcoming events, post them here. I would love to be one of the people here that uses my experiences to try to help someone else!

Oh wow a stand up comedian!!!!! Where do you do your comedy? Pubs and clubs? Do you think its necessary to get that first feeling of anxiousness to deliver a good performance though?

Thats great if you can manage to pass off some of your tips to help others who might have an important public speaking occasion coming up whether it be a wedding speech or a presentation at work etc etc.

Thanks

Words Waywith(ps is that your stage name lol?)

Ha!
No I don't use a stage name. If I did, it wouldn't be "Words Waywith"
That puts too much pressure on me to have a good show. What if my name was Words Waywith and I had a bad show? I could get sued for false advertising! I actually got the name Words Waywith, because someone said I had a way with words earlier, and for some reason that popped into my head when I registered here.

I do primarily bars with the occasional restaurant or random gig here and there. I'm not a comic by profession, but I get onstage anywhere people will listen{and some places where they don't}

I don't know if the anxiousness helps the show or not. Basically it is just energy wanting to get out, so once I start speaking, I'm not anxious.

If you can, exercise before you go onstage.{When I say before you get onstage, I mean before you leave the house. I don't want anyone that is speaking at a wedding to play leap frog over the wedding cake or anything like that }
I prefer yoga, because it brings relaxation and releases all tension, but most exercise should help you to some degree. Try not to get too hopped up on caffeine etc either.

Try to be as prepared as you can. You don't need the added stress of wondering if you are going to say the right thing.

So your stage name is "Tellem WayI"?? Ok now i know why I wasnt a comedian lol!!! I better give up with the jokes now a pro is here :lol:


So do you manage to get plenty of work? What area do you cover if you dont mind saying? I have been to see a few comedians, Jim Daidson, Bernard Manning(One of the best Ive seen), Jethro.

Interesting techniques for relaxing though. I thought playing leapfrog over the wedding cake might break the ice though lol, or maybe just break something else :lol:

I actually haven't been onstage for a while because this overbearing cretin by the name of "Life" has happened for the past 18 months or so, so I've been focusing on writing.

I live in the US and I do gigs primarily in the Southeast region{mostly Florida}

I am not a pro though, I would say I'm kind of in between amateur and semi-pro. I'm not trying to self promote here, I just wanted to answer your question and hope my experience will be helpful to our fellow boardmates.

Yeah life does seem to get in the way of things pretty often. I dont know why but I thought you was from England at first :lol: Dont worry about self promotion, I think its great to have a little humour mixed in to keep the atmosphere good here!!! Hopefully you can help out a few of the members overcome there stage nerves.[/quote]