do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audience?

[Shoopy]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

As shy as I am, I do really well speaking in public. I do frequently and usually volunteer to present at work.

 

[Sha]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

I'm ok if it's a prepared speech, but I'm not good at speaking 'off the cuff'. I have to think things out before I say them - that's just how my brain flows. IT really makes me nervous when someone calls me to do something spontaneously - I hate being the center of attention and not being prepared makes it that much worse. I absolutely hate the spotlight. So much so that if I were a singer I would prefer to be a 'back up' singer instead of the star.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

I have given a couple of speeches in front of 150ish people. I was nervous but once I started speaking it went by really quickly. If something makes me uncomfortable it usually just means I need to do it more often. After the speech I feel amazing. I am always prepared because I am not talented enough to wing it.

 

[HollyS]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

I did my first public speaking in my late 20s, after I became active in a local civic group. I worked my way up the board of that group, into the president's position. At that point, I was on stage, speaking, every month; and conducting regional conferences, etc.

I was horribly nervous my first time (which was a banquet with at least one hundred in attendance), but you get used to doing it if it is a routine event. When you relax and understand that no one is scoring your performance, all they want is the information you are imparting, then it becomes like talking to your friends.

Job related 'performances' would be more difficult, I think. Like being a lawyer on a really important case, or presenting an ad campaign to a big client, etc. I can see myself getting some butterflies over that type of thing. Because HOW you say something can be as important as what you say.

 

[Mara]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

I don't love it at all, but in a corporate environment a lot of times you have to give presentations to larger audiences, including executives. It can be nerve wracking and I never fail to be nervous, esp if it's relating to my program which I feel reflects upon me so I want it to be construed positively. But Jennifer is right about it being easier when you know what you are talking about.

The one thing that gets me about it is questions--what if I am not totally prepared for all the Q's. It helps to remind myself that I don't have to have ALL the answers...as long as I can get them later.

 

[reader]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

I used to compete at public speaking contests in high school.

 

[rosetta]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

I don't like it, but have to do it a lot as part of my job (conferences etc)

 

[random_thought]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

Absolutely! Believe it or not, I participated in theater and speech in high school and college for FUN! I know, I must be nuts right

 

[monarch64]

Re: do you have the nerves to speak in front of a big audien

I have always been comfortable in front of audiences! I was a total ham growing up, was in theater, loved reading aloud in class, and was told by 6th grade that I should pursue a career that had something to do with public speaking! My first major in college was Radio/TV/Film. I ended up changing to Fashion Merch. and during my stint in retail gave a lot of presentations with different companies as well as emcee'ing a series of fashion shows for audiences of up to 500 people. It was great fun, but I will admit to being a bit nervous before going on most of the time.