While few people may appear natural in this but most of us dread the platform where have to address an audience or group of people. Whenever we try an unknown fear grips ourselves and the process becomes an ordeal.

Because it is not a pleasant experience we start avoiding the situation where we need to stand and speak. It could be a meeting, conference or a larger gathering.

But in today's world one cannot succeed without interpersonal interaction. On one occasion or other you will be asked to speak. So it becomes pertinent that this kind of fear needs to be resolved.
How this can be accomplished?

When we approach the stage usually we become clouded by the emotions that are result of the fear that accompanies us. We try to fight these emotions by suppressing them. Instead of suppressing your emotions try to use them in your advantage. Make them work for you instead of against you.

The most important thing, when you have a public speech, is to let your audience see the real you and not an image you are trying to project. If you try to go in front of them with a fake personality they will sense it and react negatively.

People are a lot more willing to accept someone who is a bit insecure or clumsy rather than accepting a person who is obviously putting on a mask and trying to cover his real personality.

Being you is easy as you need to behave the way you are doing that every day.

Observe your difficulties of speaking to a large audience. Examine and observe your reactions in context. Do not judge yourself. Just observe.

Warm up your mind and body before a presentation. Every muscle of your body should be relaxed and be up to the challenge of you standing up for a longer period of time.

The slightest physical inconvenience will affect your communication, so try to step on stage with a perfect mental and physical condition.

Harness power of breathing. Rhythmical breaths bring a feeling of order and balance exactly what you need before and while you hold your speech. Try to breathe deeply for about ten minutes before you go as this will bring oxygen to your brain, allowing it to function at maximum capacity.

Instead of avoiding make contact with your audience. Try to make eye contact with some audience members and adopt a relaxed posture. Smiling sincerely will always increase the chances of a good presentation. Remember that all those people in front of you are not there to judge you. They are there to receive the information. Therefore it is important for you to focus on the purpose of your speech rather than the attitude of the public towards you.

Your fears come from the fact that you are worried that the audience will pass negative judgment on yourself or your presentation. Ignore this thought end step on stage with the belief that you are there to share information or experience and that you will be met with acceptance and interest.

The more engaging is the presentation, the better everybody will feel.

Communicate with audience members and try to do this on a one on one level. By talking to a certain individual you personalize your performance you make it a part of who you are.

Make a statement and then pause and glance at the public. This helps in building a contact as a non verbal communication claims a vital role in your presentation and the way it is perceived by others.

Last but not the least is practice. Do it again. Analyze. Repeat. Observe gains. Slowly you will find that your performance is becoming better and you are no more afraid of the stage