Most people dread the thought of speaking before others. Some people have even ranked their fear of public speaking above their fear of death! Yet, public speaking is a skill that anyone can master. Here are some tips to help you overcome the fear of speaking in public:

1. Give your audience something of value. In other words, concentrate on the message, not on yourself or your own anxieties.

2. Don’t think of your speech as a performance. Treat it as a conversation. Try to connect with your audience, not as a mass, but as individuals, just as you would in regular conversation.

3. Have a positive mind-set. If possible, try to greet some of your audience as they arrive. Try to see them, not as enemies, but as friends.

4. Prepare your speech far enough in advance so that you have enough time to practice.