America's Biggest Fear: PUBLIC SPEAKING

I've never understood how public speaking is higher on America's list of fears than death or, in today's world, the economy.  What's the big deal? Some people say to picture the audience naked or imagine that they are dressed as clowns, but the audience is still there along with your fear of speaking in front of them. 

Public speaking has never been one of my greatest fears.  I think there are far worse things in life to fear.  I'm not saying that I've never been scared to speak in front of a group of people, but that had nothing to do with the audience receiving my speech.  

It is all about being prepared.  If you know your audience and your have prepared a speech, then I am completely comfortable speaking in front of a group of people.  If you know your audience, then you can also figure out what they want to hear so you won't bore them to sleep instead of listening to what you have to saw.  

In Ed Barks article, "The Truth About Public Speaking: Somebody is watching you",  Barks talks about the other little things that you need to be prepared for in any speech.  

"Uh"s and "Um"s don't cut it, ever.  You have to sound confident to receive credibility from your audience, and "Uhing" and "Uming" doesn't exactly make you sound confident. 

When Barks attends a speech he also pays attention to how the speaker engages an audience.  Part of being prepared for a speech is coming up with ideas to make what you're saying more interesting.  It won't matter how important the words are that are coming out of your mouth if the entire audience has fallen asleep because of a monotone voice or lack of visuals.  

If you want more advice about public speaking so you don't get stuck in fear, go see Ed Barks article at aboutpublicrelations.net.