same here! :( I always have troubles standing in front of people. I've been through alot of speeches esp impromptu and declamation pieces.

What i do before an impromptu speech is i listen to the previous question and practice answering it in front of the mirror (incase i'd get the same question). if its your turn and you're not comfortable looking at the audience eyes, what i do is just look at the bridge of their nose or look at my friends or someone you're comfortable with, and always walk around the space given to you. It helps lessen the nervousness when you walk around. And remember to always look at the eyes of the judges once in a while. :)))

Instead of staring at the audience, i stare at the object behind them. It might help if youre required to give eye contact

I tend to channel all my nervousness to my volume. So if i get more nervous i speak louder to cover it up xD of cos not to the extent of shouting xD and at the same time i realise that when i speak louder i dont stutter or mess up as many words. Speaking slower helps too, people tend to rush but it just makes things worse. I dont do much public speaking but i do rap performances in school sometimes and it helps when i concentrate on one person in the audience. It sounds weird but usually i just look straight at my boyfriend and pretending im talking to him. But of coz this advice wouldnt help if you're talking to a crowd of random strangers... x.x try to be engaging to the audience and keep ur head up. It shows that you are confident. And body posture is important, don't slouch and stand straight :) it will show that you're not afraid and automatically psycho your brain into thinking you're confident :) hope the advice helps!

You can try taking a deep breath so you're calm and when you're up, just take things slowly. If you rush, you'll stutter and excessively use ummms. No rush! Pretend the audience are your friends, or something you are comfortable with. Some people imagine them in underwear. xD

when i do public speaking specially if it was at school ofcourse you need to practice first..i really do it in front of the mirror (haha... sounds funny right? but thats true.) then on the day of the public speaking i dont practice anymore and just wait for my turn.. what i mean is when you already have the confidence and you know to yourself that you practice alot and already know what to do you'll feel comfortable instead of being nervous.. another one, if you are infront of many people avoid looking in their eyes..i know eye contact is important when public speaking but for me those who are already professional on it can do it..but if you can then it would be great ^-^ oh and don't make yourself feel pressure
i wish i can help > ->

Hehe...dear.... Everybody will feel nervous when it involves public speaking.... My tips based on my experience...all you have to do....dont look to the people's eyes...look straight...pretend that youre talking to urself..... Then u might feel comfortable...but firstly take a deep breath n let go..... Try it ok??

Sorry, I'm way too shy to speak in front of audiences. I don't have any advice for you, sorry! :(

1. Well just ignore everyone, imagine you’re alone at your room, it will make you feel more comfortable.
2. Practice what you're going to say a lot, it will give you more confidence
3. RELAX! Think about something funny or about good things before your speech.
I hope it helps, I normally don't get nervous at public speaking but I think that what matters is not what you say, but the way that you say it. Just be confident, after all, we all are humans and make mistakes, when you stop worrying about that, you'll see that public speaking is not as difficult as you thought ;) FIGHTING!

tell a LAME joke in the beginning :) keep your head up, but look at their hair or forehead not eyes (:

meee tooo but i sound like im crying so people ask me if im ok and so i nodded v.v my tip is just picture everyone is a pickachu or someone/thing you like.

I have the same problem. orz But what is good is while you're reading your speech, to look around. I was told to never ignore the audience and to make sure you look at everyone. But what I usually do is just look at the top of there heads and not make any eye contact. :DD orz Good luck. ^^

I hate speaking in public as well :/ But it all depends on what for you know, but you have to remember this is once in a life time. How I do it is that you go up there, and speak with confidence, you want to get it over with right? Be full of confidence when you speak and worry when you're sitting back down. You'll be happy with how well you were able to speak, think confident :) good luck!

sorry I'm the same..but what I do when I have to speak in front of a crowd is to just not look at the people watching you. Imagine your a actriss and what you have to say is your lines. but then when I have to sing in public that doens't happen ..O.e..but yeah good luck anyways V^^ ~