We’ve searched high and low for the best tips we could find on how to be a good – no, excellent! – public speaker. Public speaking is ranked as the number one fear on earth, and to face this fear is not only important, it’s essential. Public speaking can be terrifying, but if done right, extremely liberating and confidence-boosting! Here are our top tips to ensure the next time you get up in front of a crowd (be it at a wedding, at work, or even just at the dinner table), you walk away beaming, not sweating.

1. Tell great stories
Think about stories you can tell that are interesting but also have a lesson learned in them. We all have stories we can tell, but will those stories resonate with an audience? Will the audience be able to relate to them? Stories are far more interesting and relate-able than facts and statistics.

2. Make it relate-able
Make sure you relate to people during your speech. Share a little of your journey with your listeners. One of the most powerful ways to create rapport with your audience and win their trust as your presentation unfolds is to have them understand that you are subject to the same human frailties and vulnerabilities as they are.

3. Be yourself
I know this sounds so typical of an article like this, but it’s absolutely important to remember. The more you try to act like someone you’re not on stage, the more people will see right through you. The more you act like yourself, the more confident you’ll seem, and the more the audience will be able to relate to you.

4. Know the audience
Greet some of the audience members as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to strangers.

5. Remember your value
Value your own self-worth and have a sense of this in your speech or business presentation. Take stock of your ‘lessons’ and achievements in life and acknowledge your right to consider yourself an expert through experience in some areas.

6. Visualize
Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and confident. Visualize the audience clapping – it will boost your confidence.

7. Invest in visual aids
Imagine a presentation with beautiful PowerPoint slides and even more impressive notes given to each of your audience members. Half of the time, their eyes will not be on you. They will read through the notes and your fancy slides. This will help a lot as you can then speak to the people who are not looking at you. When they look at you, you just change your focus to other people who are not looking. Giving a speech to people who are not looking at you is always easier.

8. Make mistakes intentionally
This is another trick I encourage you to try. Once I “accidentally” dropped my notes on the floor, and while picking them up, I warned the audiences that the presentation will be more confusing after this. I heard some laughter from the floor.
The idea is to gain control of your audience. If you can make them laugh and be more interactive with you, your presentation will have that casual feel to it which will make it more memorable than others. Ultimately you will find it easier to do.

9. Speak to one person at a time
One of the most terrifying things about public speaking is the crowd. Just by looking at the crowd, all in silence just to hear you speak, will send shivers down your spine. To overcome this, you just need to speak to one person at a time.
Choose one member of your audience and dedicate your whole presentation to him or her. Just assume that everyone else is not paying attention. When someone asks you a question, change your focus to that person and answer the question as if the two of you are in a coffee shop chatting away. Isn’t that the most relaxing way to handle a crowd?

10. Finish your talk with impact
Finish your talk with impact and on a high note. Many speakers finish in a tentative, wishy-washy way with lackluster comments like: “Well, that’s about it…” Make sure your final words are crisp, clear, and deliberate so they won’t forget!

Sources: Toastmasters, Entrepreneur.com, Panic-Free Public Speaking, LifeHack

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