Most people experience some form of anxiety when they are required to speak in public. For some this anxiety only amounts to mild nervousness, a case of the jitters or butterflies in the stomach. For others the idea of speaking in public produces severe social anxiety attacks that can include physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling and even pounding in the chest. Fortunately, by observing a few common techniques most people can control their public speaking nervousness.

Accept the Symptoms
The first thing to do when trying to overcome nervousness about a public speaking engagement is to realize that when it comes to public speaking, most of your peers are equally as nervous as you. Additionally, the vast majority of what you experience as nervous reactions does not register with your audience. People in the audience can't see butterflies in your stomach, feel the sweat on your palms or hear how fast your heart is beating. Accepting that the symptoms you are experiencing are typical for most people in your situation will make speaking in public easier to handle.

Be Prepared
People who speak in public are expected to know what they are talking about. Do your research to ensure that you are completely comfortable with the topic you are discussing. This does not mean you should write out you speech verbatim. Speech readers appear stiff and formal and sometimes fail to connect with the audience. Neither should you memorize your speech word for word. If you forget a line, it will throw you off and make you more nervous than ever. Instead, make notes in an outlined format to keep you on track. Refer to them if you need to, particularly if you will be providing specific facts that must be conveyed accurately.

Practice
Never give a speech to an audience that you have not first given to yourself. If possible, have a friend videotape you giving your speech so you can see how you look. If you discover you are using odd gestures or making unflattering facial expressions this will help you isolate and eliminate these problems. If video taping is not an option, practice delivering your speech in front of the mirror. Again, observe your facial expressions and gestures to ensure you come across confident with the information you are relating. Practicing for yourself or in front of a small group of friends or family that you are comfortable talking to will help alleviate the jitters when you speak in front of people you may not know.