Are you ready for a pop quiz? Define glossophobia. If you are thinking that this word means an intense fear of something, you are halfway there. Glossophobia is an acute fear of public speaking. Now raise your hand if you suffer from glossophobia. Chances are, your hand is high in the air right about now. Statistics have shown that public speaking phobia is right up there with a fear of snakes and death. It is clear that public speaking sends many to the depths of terror, but the good news is that there are methods that you can employ to overcome your public speaking phobia.

The first question to address when confronting a public speaking phobia is why the fear exists in the first place. For most folks, the thought of standing in front of a group of people makes them worry about how they will be perceived by the crowd. No one wants to be laughed at or seen as foolish, and putting yourself in the public eye seems to increase the odds of that occurring. You may be concerned that you will forget what to say, or that you will stumble over your words. If you suffer from this kind of fear of public speaking, here are a few tips to help you overcome them.

How to See your Audience

There is an age-old piece of advice that suggests you will be less nervous before a crowd if you imagine the people in the audience in their underwear. Most public speakers will probably agree that this is not the most effective way to approach an audience calmly and professionally. Perhaps a better method is to ponder the fact that these folks want to see you succeed in your public speaking endeavor as much as you do. Think of the group as pulling for you, and you will have a much better chance of connecting with your crowd. It also helps to count to ten once you approach the podium, and before you start speaking. This will give your audience a chance to prepare for what you have to say, and will allow you to take control of the room. Once you begin speaking, smile and make eye contact with your group to get them to respond to you with interest and enthusiasm. It may not be an easy task if your knees are knocking below, but it will help you to relax a bit and gain some confidence before beginning your speech.

Of course, overcoming a public speaking phobia begins before you ever enter the auditorium. If you have prepared your speech thoroughly, and researched the room that you will be speaking in, the crowd that you will be talking to and the resources that you will be utilizing, you will naturally approach the event with a great deal more confidence. It also helps to practice your speech a number of times before the big day. Don't rely only on the mirror for your practice time either (although this is one good technique). Practice in front of your family and friends, and allow them to offer constructive feedback to help you improve. This exercise will greatly help you to get past your public speaking phobia.

Finally, remember that many people suffer from the same public speaking phobia that you are experiencing. Even some famous performers still have to grapple with stage fright before a performance. Knowing that you are not alone in your fear will be a great help in overcoming your public speaking phobia. And once you have delivered a few of these speeches, the process will most definitely become much easier. Practice makes perfect or at least less fearful.