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I love perfoming, I really enjoy it. I've been performing for a few times before. And I'll be competing with the other schools' participants for public speaking within a month. I was just wondering if any of you whom are experienced at public speaking could give me some tips for not being so freaking nervous and enhance my abilities to speak in front of the audiences. :)
Look at foreheads instead of eyes when making "eye contact" with people. To them, it seems like you're locking gazes.
Oh, and don't follow the "imagine everybody in their birthday suits" advice. Common sense alone will tell you that it's a waste of energy.
Video record yourself several times while making your speech. Then you can watch it afterwards and see what needs improvement;the practice helps make your vocal tone/pitch more relaxed and natural. Keep your shoulders back (it tricks your brain into feeling confident). Adjust your gaze every few sentences as you speak: left, centre, and right ...and repeat often.
Idk if this will help but if you have trouble speaking clearly in front of audiences because of being nervous but I pick this trick up while I was in college for a speech class before we had to record ourselves reciting a script. It's silly but you get a wine cork and put in between your teeth and talk like that for 5 minutes. Your mouth might get sore but it will help you pronounce your words better and clearer.
As for the nervous part I always try to add a few jokes when I talk in front of crowds to relieve the tension for a bit. Laughing always helps relieve stress. Sorry if that stuff wasn't so helpful.
You should visuilize yourself during the public speaking, say what you would say, try to come off as you would like to come off. Imagine the crowd cheering and interested in what your saying.