2. Keep a positive mental attitude. Use positive imagery to visualize yourself speaking confidently and feeling proud. This has been proven time and time again to yield positive results. What we believe to be true creates the reality.

2. Warm up. The last time you are alone before giving your speech, warm up your voice by singing up and down the scale, just like singers do before a concert. Read aloud, changing your volume, pitch, rate and quality. Do some stretching exercises. Touch your toes (if possible), roll your head from side to side, and shrug your shoulders a few times.

3. Practice deep breathing. This is a great way to calm your anxiety, and get the quiver out of your voice, and can be done anywhere. Breath in slowly through your nose, hold for the count of five, then very slowly exhale through your mouth. Let your body and mind relax as you exhale. Repeat a few times until you feel yourself relax.

4. Spend more time planning a good introduction. Short humor, a personal experience, or a question are often good starts. Practice with a trusted friend who will tell you if the content is inappropriate.

5. Concentrate on the content. Try to forget how you look or sound, and focus on getting your meaning across to your audience. Watch for nonverbal clues from your audience that they are confused, or, the opposite, if they get your point, and wish you would move on. Keep your primary focus on your meaning and whether your audience is getting it, rather than on yourself.

6. Use visual aids. They will help your audience follow along and understand your main points, and help you to keep your focus and move along toward the conclusion."