--- ---  # How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking and Give a Great Presentation by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker May 7, 2014 4:01 AM UTC  Man giving presentation using overhead projector, arms raised Man giving presentation using overhead projector, arms raisedBarry Rosenthal—Getty Images by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker May 7, 2014 4:01 AM UTC That Dilbert comic is pretty accurate. **Gallup says 40% of people fear public speaking — and some people fear it more than death.** Jerry Seinfeld interpreted this as meaning that at a funeral, more people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy. Via [Nerve: Poise Under Pressure, Serenity Under Stress, and the Brave New Science of Fear and Cool](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047Y16GC/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0047Y16GC&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): How do you get over public speaking fear? I’ve given great talks at MIT, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania and other places. Here are 6 tips from experts and research to help you do the same. ## 1) You’re Not Perfect – And That’s Normal In Scott Berkun’s excellent [Confessions of a Public Speaker](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VL1CGM/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VL1CGM&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20) he points out that anytime we talk it’s a bit of a mess. **Even the unedited speeches of great orators like Martin Luther King and Churchill have numerous errors.** **People know this and are naturally forgiving.** Berkun references Michael Erard’s book [Um](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VSPVLO/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000VSPVLO&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): Take your errors in stride. **The audience will look to you to decide how serious a blunder is and if you’re cool, they probably will be too.** Via [Confessions of a Public Speaker](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VL1CGM/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VL1CGM&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): ## 2) How To Prepare Obviously you have to prepare the material. But how can you prepare for the_fear_? Susan Cain, author of [Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307352153/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0307352153&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20), and an introvert herself, is now a professional public speaker. **How did she overcome public speaking fear?** **She practiced in front of small, supportive groups to desensitize herself.** From [my interview with Susan](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/susan-cain/): ## 3) Know The First Minutes Cold [The Art of Public Speaking](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GXCJ0M/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008GXCJ0M&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20) makes an excellent point: **work especially hard practicing your intro**. Not just because it grabs the audience and sets the tone, but **research shows having the beginning down cold can help with jitters.** Anxiety levels drop after a few minutes so having the intro well-rehearsed gets you through the toughest part of the talk. Via [The Art of Public Speaking](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GXCJ0M/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008GXCJ0M&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): ## 4) Reduce Stress Ahead Of Time Scott Berkun also has excellent tips for making sure things go well — which makes sure you don’t have to _worry_ about things going well. Via [Confessions of a Public Speaker](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VL1CGM/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VL1CGM&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): ## 5) What To Do If You Do Screw Up Scott Berkun recommends looking for a face in the crowd that seems supportive. That’s your emotional base. Look to that person for support to keep you moving forward and build from there. Via [Confessions of a Public Speaker](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VL1CGM/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VL1CGM&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): ## 6) Cheat: Make Friends Ahead of Time Yes, there’s a way to cheat your way through public speaking fear. Berkun recommends **talking to a few audience members before the presentation, and referencing them by name during the talk.** This has three benefits: * Now the audience members aren’t all strangers to you. * Those people feel special and engaged when you mention them. * The rest of the audience feels like you’re part of the group. Via [Confessions of a Public Speaker](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VL1CGM/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VL1CGM&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): ## Simply Put What sums up the thrust of all six tips? **Spend a lot of time preparing and make every effort to connect with your audience personally.** If you forget everything else, keep that in mind and you’ll still see dramatic improvements in your ability. Need more help? * Here’s more on [how to give a great presentation](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/presentation-techniques/). * Here’s [how to boost confidence and be fearless](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/fearlessness/). **Join 45K+ readers.** Get a free weekly update via email [here](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD). Related posts: [Presentation Techniques: 6 Secrets To Giving Amazing Presentations](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/presentation-techniques/) [The top FBI hostage negotiator teaches you the 5 secrets to getting what you want](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/01/interview-negotiation-secrets-learn-top-fbi-hostage-negotiator/) [Susan Cain Interview: 5 Things You Need To Know About Introverts](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/susan-cain/) _This piece originally appeared on_ [_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/)_._ How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking and Give a Great Presentation ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/89814/how-to-overcome-fear-of-public-speaking-and-give-a-great-presentation/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/89814/how-to-overcome-fear-of-public-speaking-and-give-a-great-presentation/"},"headline":"How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking and Give a Great Presentation","datePublished":"2014-05-07T04:01:52.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:54:03.108Z","description":"That Dilbert comic is pretty accurate. 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