Do you enjoy public speaking or does the thought of standing in front of an audience give you the chills?

Whenever you see a list of the top fears, public speaking is usually close to the top. There are many reasons for this trepidation, such as concerns about forgetting their speech or being seen as a fool. Yet the skill of public speaking is often required to succeed professionally at high levels. Therefore, how can someone overcome their fears and become a better speaker?

On their website, the Bright Network has an interview with Chris Anderson – Head of TED – the non-profit devoted to spreading ideas. From his experience watching and assisting people perfect their talks on the TED stage, he has compiled five important tips for effective public speaking. They can be applied by anyone from novice speakers to the most experienced orator. For Chris, the starting point is the idea.

The most successful presentations focus on one, coherent idea – something that will change the way your audience thinks, acts and approaches the world.

Your idea should take centre stage, not you. As a speaker, your job is to successfully share your knowledge with those listening. Think of it this way – you’re offering your audience the gift of an idea and your presentation is the wrapping paper.

To learn the other four tips, please read the short interview on the Bright Network.