Public Speaking and Mones

[sigma]

I have a series of presentations to give at the start of the fall semester to recruit students into my fraternity, many in front of classrooms that seat 150 people or so. As President of my frat I’m more or less at the forefront of these presentations, only problem is I get nervous as hell speaking in public. My conversation skills in more intimate and casual situations are top-notch…I’ll knock people dead in an interview, but I can’t help but feel highly uncomfortable speaking in front of large groups. 20 people or so is fine, 50 or more and I tense up.

I can get through a presentation in front of large groups just fine, and speak coherently enough to make a general point, however, I always get so worked up that these presentations hardly ever go the way I want them to.

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions on mones to use to ease the nerves a bit? Or any general tips in feeling more comfortable and natural in large groups. It’d be nice if I had the luxury of having a lot of public speaking opportunities so I could grow more accustomed to it just by experience, but that just isn’t the case.

[attractor]

I believe the only way to get better at public speaking is through practice. Toastmasters is an outstanding international organization with meetings in every us city devoted to better public speaking. You will speak in every meeting in a very supportive environment where you can gain constructive feedback. The speechs are both formal and off the cuff. I too was very uncomfortable with public speaking until I joined this organization. Go to www.toastmaster.org and you can find a local chapter.