Has your fear of public speaking caused you to miss out on career opportunities or has it hampered your educational experiences? If the shakiness and nervousness you feel is something you have not yet been able to conquer, have faith. By using the tips that you will see below, you will have what it takes to be a great public speaker.

Know the audience that you will be speaking to. To help you get to know the audience, greet people as they enter and engage them in some conversation. By doing this, you will feel more comfortable when you go to the podium. It is much easier to speak to people you know.

Do not allow anything to distract you while you are speaking in public. It is crucial that you don’t participate in activities like twiddling your thumbs or jingling keys. This will give your audience the idea that you would rather be doing something else than be there talking to them.

The tone of your speech should depend on who you are giving it to. For instance, if your speech is work-related, your speech should be professional. On the other hand, if you are around friends and have to make a speech, you can be more personal. Base your whole speech on your audience.

Do not use a laser pointer to run over words as you read them from a screen. This gives your audience the idea that you think they are incapable of reading for themselves. Once they begin to feel insulted, it will be much harder for you to convince them to listen to you.

Make sure that the beginning of your speech is a moment to relax. Greet and address your audience. Then pause for three seconds. This gives them a chance to focus on you, while you get a moment to transform your nervous energy into enthusiasm for the material you are about to deliver.

Deep breathing can really help to calm your fears before a public speaking engagement. Taking some deep breaths and then exhaling all the way before giving a speech can reduce nerves. Inhale through your nose for a four-count, and exhale through your mouth for a five-count. Do this approximately five times to feel a difference in how calm you feel.

Practice all that you can prior to your speech. Try recording yourself giving the speech. Listen back to the tape to identify any areas of weakness. The best way to improve your speech is to practice with family members and friends. They are capable of providing you with constructive criticism.

Arrive half an hour early for your speaking engagement so that you can familiarize yourself with the room. Determine where you will be during the presentation. Figure out what path you will take to get to the podium. Be sure to have a glass of water placed on the podium. By taking care of these small details, you will feel more comfortable while speaking.

If you are one of the many individuals whose fear of speaking in public has cost them numerous opportunities over the years, you are not alone. The hesitation you have felt in the past is about to melt away to nothing. Use the information above as needed, and you can control your own destiny when it comes to public speaking.