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Whether you’re speaking to a full auditorium or giving a casual work presentation, getting up in front of an audience can be daunting — even terrifying. If you feel paralyzed with fear before approaching the podium, you’re not alone: Public speaking is America’s top fear.

Unfortunately, public speaking is surrounded by an aura of negativity, largely perpetuated by a series of misconceptions. Don’t let these common myths deter you from delivering an amazing speech.

1. You’ll look stupid if you mess up.

Want to know a secret of the pros? You and only you know what’s coming next in your speech, not your audience. So if you forget the next point or mess up a transition, don’t panic. By maintaining a sense of composure, no one will know you’ve gone off track.

One mistake novice speakers make is preparing a fully memorized, flawless speech. This is a sure way to set yourself up for failure. One miscue and you’re flailing. Instead, give yourself room for error. Prepare just your main points so you can adjust when minor flubs occur.

However, if your mind goes blank, don’t worry. Just try one of these handy tactics: Ask a dramatic question, recap your prior points or stop for a dramatic pause.

2. Introverts aren’t good speakers.

This one’s just nonsense. Half the population isn’t automatically discounted from public speaking because of their preference for private time.

You may not be a charismatic, over-the-top presenter, but your strengths lie in other areas. Maybe you’re especially skilled at presenting information in a compelling manner. Maybe you can incorporate humor into an otherwise dry talk.

The key is to get your message across using the qualities that make you, well, you. So introverts, feel free to be yourself and engage your audience in your own unique way.

3. Only rookies get nervous.

What you call nerves the pros call an adrenaline rush. Regardless of what you call stage fright, virtually everyone experiences that pre-speech, heart-pumping excitement. The key is harnessing that intense energy to make your speech more powerful.

That said, even experienced public speakers like Sir Richard Branson aren’t exempt from pre-speech jitters. To calm your nerves, experts suggest you should be well-practiced beforehand, avoid caffeine in the hour before your speech and practice proper breathing exercises before hitting the stage.

Try this simple breathing exercise. Stretch your arms up over your head and breathe deeply right before you go on stage. This triggers a relaxation response. For more tips on overcoming stage fright, check out my blog post on the subject.

4. The lectern is your friend.

While gripping the lectern may provide you with a sense of momentary comfort or security, your clenched fists send the opposite signal to your audience. Instead of hiding behind the podium, become comfortable with your space.

If you want to appear confident (as I discuss further in this article), step out onto the stage and try to connect with your audience in a genuine, personable way. Make purposeful eye contact and gesture with open palms.

Remember: The lectern isn’t going to protect you from the big bad audience. But do you know what will? A stellar speech.

5. You need humor to be relatable.

The pressure’s off — you don’t have to be Will Ferrell to deliver a memorable speech. While you certainly can incorporate humor, don’t feel pressured to open your speech with jokes and witty banter. In fact, more often than not attempts at humor backfire.

Instead of a corny joke, engage your audience by offering exclusive information, introducing an intriguing prop or starting off with a personal anecdote. Learn more about engaging your audience here.

Bonus tip: Revisiting your opening technique is a great way to close your speech with a bang.

About the Author Ken Sterling