Speaking in public is high on the list of what people fear the most. It even outranks death for some. Given how scary speaking in public can be for some, it is best to prepare in advance for it by following some suggestions. Use the following tips to help you with speaking in public.

When you arrive at the podium take a deep breath and engage the audience with your eyes and smile. Take a moment to calm your nerves and use your nervous energy as a way to energize your speech. Allow your audience to feel your excitement for what you are talking about.

Know your audience when giving a speech. Test your voice in it to see how far it projects if you aren’t using a microphone. Practice using any equipment you need so that you know how it works. Make sure you know the right way to use visual aids or any relevant equipment. Figure out how much eye contact you must make.

Avoid fidgeting when speaking in front of an audience. Playing with your hair, chewing on your nails and other similar behaviors serve to distract the audience from listening to what you have to say. Instead of remembering your message, they may remember that you continually smoothed your hair. If you find it difficult to stop fidgeting, clasp your hands together in front of you or behind you, or place them on the lectern.

Whether you are new to public speaking or it is something you have done dozens of times, watching videos of the pro can be helpful. Viewing them allows you to see what the experts do and say to engage their audience. You can then try using these techniques when you give your next speech.

Take a look at the venue before you make your speech. See how big the room is, how many seats there are, and what the lighting is like. You will feel less nervous when you know what environment you will be dealing with. Also, try standing at the podium to get a feel of the stage.

Look your audience in the eye. People will trust you when you look them in the eye. This doesn’t mean that you should stare intently at them; however, when delivering a speech, let your gaze wander around the room. This technique will help you engage the audience and make them feel comfortable.

Many people start a speech with a joke in order to grab the audience‘s attention, so keep this in mind as you are figuring out what to say. If you are going to tell a joke, make sure that it is tasteful and on topic. Otherwise, you risk alienated some of them.

As discussed, a lot of people are more afraid of speaking in public than dying. However, public speaking is an important skill, and it is important to overcome any fears you might have related to this skill. Utilize the information and advice contained in this article, and gain control of yourself in order to speak confidently in public.