When public speaking, first off, know your topic. The better you understand the topic, the easier it will be to talk about it with confidence. You know the saying: practice makes perfect. Practice in front of people you know and ask for honest feedback. Focus on your material, not on your audience. People mainly pay attention to new information — not how it’s presented. Visualise your success. Positive thoughts can help decrease some of your negativity about your social performance and relieve some anxiety. Lastly, practice some deep breathing before you head on stage – this can be very calming.