Toastmasters

[Coito ergo sum]

..given enough booze.

I've done so much of it, if someone asks me to talk for 1/2 hour on a topic, I can basically do it. Just give me 15 minutes to map out and outline, and I'll blather on.

It can be reduced to a formula.

Intro and pleasantries.
If possible, through in a joke or funny statement to relax everyone.
Tell them what you're going to talk about.
Talk about the major points.
Conclude by summarizing what we've learned today
Make some self-deprecating comments.
End.

[Bella Fortuna]

..given enough booze.

I've done so much of it, if someone asks me to talk for 1/2 hour on a topic, I can basically do it. Just give me 15 minutes to map out and outline, and I'll blather on.

It can be reduced to a formula.

Intro and pleasantries.
If possible, through in a joke or funny statement to relax everyone.
Tell them what you're going to talk about.
Talk about the major points.
Conclude by summarizing what we've learned today
Make some self-deprecating comments.
End.

You forgot the critical last step of throwing self off bridge to avoid the horror in future.

[Bella Fortuna]

How big of a group does it take to trigger fear of speaking to a group? I'm having trouble imagining what the point is of overcoming such a fear if you don't have a job requiring public speeches. My guess is you're talking about potentially such a small minimum group that it could be triggered in routine social groups that almost can't be avoided (without being antisocial), but that's not my idea of "public speaking".

That's an interesting question... depends on how well you know the audience, I think. The more familiar with them I am, the easier it is. The more they are strangers or passing acquaintances, the fewer of them it takes for me to feel nervous.

[Coito ergo sum]

..given enough booze.

I've done so much of it, if someone asks me to talk for 1/2 hour on a topic, I can basically do it. Just give me 15 minutes to map out and outline, and I'll blather on.

It can be reduced to a formula.

Intro and pleasantries.
If possible, through in a joke or funny statement to relax everyone.
Tell them what you're going to talk about.
Talk about the major points.
Conclude by summarizing what we've learned today
Make some self-deprecating comments.
End.

You forgot the critical last step of throwing self off bridge to avoid the horror in future.

I don't know why you would be afeared....you ought to be commanding the room with those big blue eyes...

[Bella Fortuna]

I'd rather have sex in front of a bunch of people than speak...

...oh wait.

[Coito ergo sum]

I'd rather have sex in front of a bunch of people than speak...

...oh wait.

Will you be in the southeast anytime soon...

[Bella Fortuna]

In one scenario you imagine your audience naked to be able to relax... in the other, you don't have to imagine.

[Bella Fortuna]

I'd rather have sex in front of a bunch of people than speak...

...oh wait.

Will you be in the southeast anytime soon...

Not now that I'll be busy since some arsehole challenged me to make cookie ice cream sandwiches...

[Coito ergo sum]

In one scenario you imagine your audience naked to be able to relax... in the other, you don't have to imagine.

Just imagine your audience masturbating, I suppose.

[Bella Fortuna]

In one scenario you imagine your audience naked to be able to relax... in the other, you don't have to imagine.

Just imagine your audience masturbating, I suppose.

Imagine.... yeah.

[Coito ergo sum]

I'd rather have sex in front of a bunch of people than speak...

...oh wait.

Will you be in the southeast anytime soon...

Not now that I'll be busy since some arsehole challenged me to make cookie ice cream sandwiches...

[amused]

I was the 'ah' counter at last night's meeting. I counted the number of times people used filler words or sounds while speaking, and then reported the count at the end of the meeting. One fellow made it up to 25+ before I stopped counting.

It's not so much the size of the audience that makes it a public speaking event, as it is the fact that you may be speaking to a group of people that you don't know well. Many of the club members are there because they are newly involved in some sort of marketing work where they are required to speak to potential/existing clients. A visitor last night was there because she wants to speak at industry events for her profession, and she wants to hone her skills.

[hadespussercats]

I was the 'ah' counter at last night's meeting. I counted the number of times people used filler words or sounds while speaking, and then reported the count at the end of the meeting. One fellow made it up to 25+ before I stopped counting.

Funny, just last night I was watching the news and thinking Obama needs someone like that. He can be a brilliant speaker, but at least half his day-to-day speeches are "Ahhhhh..."

[apophenia]

..given enough booze.

[apophenia]

The only imaginary scenario in which I'm comfortable speaking in front of a group of people involves a semi-automatic weapon and plenty of plastic drop cloths.