Fear of public speaking stops many people from growing influence and opportunity. To reduce that fear, begin in supportive, low-pressure settings (small groups, teaching children, team meetings). Use structured practice environments - clubs, classes, or virtual meetups - to get regular feedback. Practice deliberately with short rehearsals and video review. Progress to larger venues step by step, and keep attention on the usefulness of your message. Nerves often persist, but you can learn to manage them and speak effectively.
Why public speaking matters
Many people fear public speaking. That fear keeps otherwise capable people from sharing ideas, building influence, and growing their careers. Speaking to a group scales your message: a single 10-minute talk can reach dozens or hundreds of people in the time it would take to repeat the same one-on-one conversation many times.
Public speaking also signals authority. Audiences tend to place more weight on a message delivered from the front of a room than on the same message delivered informally.
Start where the audience feels safe
Begin in less threatening settings. Leading a small study group, teaching a class for children, or presenting at a team meeting exposes you to speaking without a high-pressure audience. Smaller, supportive groups let you focus on structure and delivery while you learn what works.
If adults feel intimidating, teaching children or young learners can be an easier step. Many speakers find that explaining an idea to a smaller, forgiving audience helps build practical skills fast.
Join a structured practice environment
Practice with feedback. Clubs like Toastmasters International offer regular, low-stakes speaking slots and constructive evaluations. Community college courses, continuing-education classes, or local meetup groups provide similar structure and practice opportunities.
Since the COVID-19 era, many groups also run virtual meetings (Zoom, Teams), which are a useful step between private practice and large in-person stages.
Practice deliberately
Work on short, focused exercises: 1) craft a one-minute opening, 2) rehearse transitions, 3) record yourself and review posture, voice, and pacing. Aim for repeated, short practices rather than rare marathon rehearsals.
Seek feedback from people you trust. Use video playback to spot patterns you can change - fillers, pacing, or distracted gestures.
Progress gradually
Choose progressively bigger goals: a team meeting, a community event, a chamber of commerce dinner, then a larger conference. Each step should stretch you a little without overwhelming you.
You may not eliminate nerves entirely. Many experienced performers still feel stage fright but learn to channel the energy into clarity and presence. Johnny Carson reportedly felt stage fright before shows yet performed reliably for decades.
Keep the focus on your message
Shift attention from fear to usefulness. Prepare so your main points are clear and rehearse how you'll open and close. A clear purpose helps steady nerves and gives the audience something to take away.
Public speaking is a learned skill. With regular practice, structured feedback, and gradual exposure to larger audiences, most people become effective communicators who can share ideas where they matter.