Speaking vs. Lying
Some of the world’s most famous speakers have freely admitted to nervousness and stage fright. Mark Twain said it best: “There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars.” Everyone, even experienced speakers, has some anxiety when speaking in front of a group of people. This is perfectly normal. The best way to deal with this anxiety is to first acknowledge that this fear is perfectly normal and you are not alone. To reduce your fear, you need to make sure you properly and thoroughly prepare yourself before you speak. Proper preparation and rehearsal can help to reduce this fear.
If you can greet some of the audience as they arrive and chat with them for a moment, this will also help alleviate some of your nervousness. It is easier to speak to a group of friends than it is to speak to a group of complete strangers.
