Always stand up when you are addressing others. When you are standing, your voice is projected more clearly and loudly, and this too will help with your confidence levels.

Have a prop if you need it, such as a presentation, or a flip chart and pen. Don’t be afraid to put your back to the audience if you need to write on a flip chart. People would prefer to see your back for a few minutes than be unable to read what invaluable snippet you’ve scribbled on the flip chart!

Whilst it’s true that you should know your subject when public speaking, you don’t have to be an expert. There are very few true experts in this world, and those that profess to be can’t possibly know everything about their chosen subject.

People are generally very forgiving, and if you are new to public speaking, tell them!

If you know your subject but are lacking in enough confidence to be able to present it well to others, then sum up all your best acting skills and pretend you have confidence. This may sound like easy advice, but try it. Take a few moments to close your eyes and tell yourself you can do this, you know your subject and these people want to hear what you have to say.

Try to gauge your audience and pitch your presentation accordingly. Thats not to say insert lots of jokes to a younger audience, but more in the language you are using. Try not to use jargon, but if you do, explain it as you use it.

Prepare your presentation in advance and practice it. Don’t be afraid to use a crib sheet as a pointer, but please don’t read directly from a script. If you are unsure of timings, keep a clock in close range to ensure you don’t run overtime. Usually, when presenting you may find the opposite happens, and you finish far more quickly than you expected. Don’t panic, turn it into a Q&A session. Throw it back to your audience for their input. This will also help increase your confidence as it will be a positive affirmation that people are listening to you.

As with anything, the more you do, the easier it gets! The first time for anything is always the hardest.