For many people, the thought of standing in front of a group and making a speech is paralyzing. It ranks in the vicinity of open heart surgery in terms of inducing anxiety. This should not be so. A speech should simply be the equivalent of talking that has the advantage of thought before the fact. This should eliminate most aaahhs and ahems and help your message flow. If these comments are too broad, here are some hints that should help you meet the moment.

Do this:

• Speak slowly. Let the audience appreciate the quality of your thought and chew on its nuances. Your great work in writing and practicing the speech will lose all its impact if you rush through the presentation.
• Pause for effect. Again, let your audience appreciate what you are saying. There is no rush. This is a moment for everybody to savor.
• Practice beforehand. This means reading your speech over and over and actually speaking it out loud. You can do this alone in your bedroom or in front of a friend. But make sure you read it numerous times and then practice it out loud.
• Be bold: Speak to be heard. You need not be thunderous, but the floor is yours and you should own it. People are there to listen to you and you should make sure they can.
• Use eye contact and body language: Don't simply read your speech. Raise your eyes and make contact with your audience. They are looking at you, so look back. Change volume periodically to emphasize key points or key words and sprinkle in pauses or special gestures to emphasize your points.
• Make it personal: Include an anecdote or personal story to help the audience relate to you and understand why this matters.

• Don't drink before giving the speech. Bad idea. It may give you some false courage but will not seem like a good idea afterwards.
• Don't read, speak. This is a speech, not a reading. Your audience expects you to talk to them, not read to them. Have notes available to key your thoughts, but don't simply read a prepared text. That is boring and unfair to your audience.
• Don't use ornate language. This does not feel real and it is not at all how you speak in real life. You may have an exotic flourish or two, but a speech is simply talking with the benefit of some prior thought. Keep your language straight forward.
• Don't be afraid. Remember, most of your audience is glad it's you and not them up there. Relax and help your audience relax with you.