Did you know that a fear of public speaking “glossophobia” is an actual condition, and that 74% of the population suffer from it? It is most likely that at some stage during your internship (and throughout your entire career) you will be required to speaking in front of people. Let’s face it, while some of us don’t feel the apprehension when they face those situations, many of us would rather run and hide at the thought! Learning how to speak in public will not only help your professional life, but can also be a great asset in your everyday life. For those who are not lucky enough to have that natural gift, here are some strategies on how to become a better public speaker:

Before the speech:

The best thing to do is to relax – being anxious can make things worse, remember that 74% of the population fear public speaking, so most of the people in the room can empathise with the fact that you do not want to be where you are! Take a deep breath and have a few sips of water to help calm the nerves.

Prepare and Practice…. The more familiar you are with your material the more you will be able to inspire your audience’s trust and confidence. Familiarise yourself with the words and phrases in your presentation. Play around with different volumes and see how well you can hear your own voice.

During the speech:

Don’t panic, if you get confused at one point, refocus and start a new sentence from the beginning.

Try to connect with people through eye contact. Regularly shift your focus around the room, not so that you look nervous, but to help involve as many people as possible in your talk. If you are too nervous a tip is to look at the top people’s head in your audience. Avoid reading notes - this can make you lose focus on a connection with the room and make your voice monotone.

After the speech:

Congratulation you did it! You can breathe and enjoy! It might not have been perfect but it’s by practising that you will learn! Ask for feedback from colleagues and friends; those around you. The more you know the more you can grow!