Amber Mac's guide to conquering your fear of public speaking

Amber MacArthur is no stranger public speaking. Between her television and podcast appearances, and regular key note speaches where she stands in front of hundreds or even thousands of people, it's hard to believe that this huge part of her job was once her biggest fear. She overcame the anxiety and wants everyone to know that if she could do it - so can you! So we asked Amber to share her best tips for becoming the confident public speaker you've always wanted to be. 

DON'T WING IT

Not knowing where to start can pressure many people into winging their public speaking gig, however, being unprepared almost always makes things worse. Even if you’re nervous, the audience will appreciate that you’ve prepared. Whether you bring a collection of cue cards with you to organize your thoughts or write down a completed speech, you can prepare in any way that best suits your needs. Having anxiety or panic attacks are common experiences and avoiding both caffeine and exercise before you speak can help keep things under control. 

DON'T RUSH THROUGH IT

Another common occurrence of nerves is to speak too quickly. Try to slow down your thoughts and words by being mindful of your audience. Practicing your pauses is a great activity that will encourage annunciation and effective flow. 

DON'T TRY TO BE SOMEONE ELSE

While getting inspiration from your favourite speaker, whether it be Brené Brown or Barak Obama, is a great tool, try not to put too much attention into moulding your personality to fit their traits. Attempting to be like other speakers might take away from your individuality. Remind yourself that you are unique before getting up on stage. Smile, relax and be ok with getting through it rather than focusing on making it perfect.

DON'T FORGET YOU HAVE SUPPORT IN THE ROOM

When entering the space of your public speaking event, tell yourself that the people in the room want you to succeed. Making eye contact, engaging with the audience and smiling can help you find a friendly face during your speech that will boost your confidence. If you're able to, tell one person from the audience how you feel and ask them to be your nodding encouragement in the crowd of people.