How to Cure Your Dread of Public Speaking

Speaking in front of an audience is stressful for many people. If you dread having to talk in front of a group, take these three lessons from stand-up comedians. First, it’s OK to “die.” Death is a frequent metaphor for comedians; when they have a terrible set, they “died” on stage. You are more concerned about the consequences of a bad talk than anyone else is, so accept that even if you give a bad talk, it’s unlikely the audience will remember. Second, work out your material on the road. Take advantage of opportunities to give several talks on the same topic. Watch the audience closely and get feedback about what resonated. Lastly, remember the role of three. When preparing your talks, figure out the three things you want people to remember, and focus on them. Resist the temptation to add more content. Less is more.