Snakes? Yawn. Death? Eh. Public speaking? Eek! Now that is scary! Studies have shown the No. 1 fear among human beings is getting up in front of a crowd of people and talking. People stutter, people sweat, and audiences stare. Unfortunately, public speaking is part of many of our lives. Whether it’s giving a presentation in front of a class, speaking clearly and confidently in front of a board of directors, or just sharing your opinion at a meeting, most of us are faced with several opportunities in a given year. But hey, don’t stress! We’re here to help with some tips.

Okay, so picture it. You’re looking down at some note cards or up at a PowerPoint presentation. Every eye in the room is on you. Suddenly, it seems like it’s getting a bit warmer in here, doesn’t it? Breathe deeply, relax, and try these seven strategies on for size:

• Early introductions. When delivering a presentation, get to the room early. Talk to some of the people who you’ll be speaking in front of and make some connections. Shake hands. Make introductions. Immediately, these people will feel more at ease, which, in turn, will make you feel more at ease.
• Pick some winners. In every group, there are always a few people who you can immediately tell are excited to be there. Maybe they’re wearing a big smile or maybe they laugh at all your little jokes. Use them. Look at them when you are speaking. When people see everyone else having a good time, they’ll likely hop on board.
• As easy as 1, 2, 3. Pick out three people, one on the left side of the room, one in the middle toward the back, and one on the right. Use these three individuals for eye contact. If you spread out your vision among the three, it will appear as if you are looking at everyone in the room–even if it’s only for a quick second.
• Walk with purpose. When walking around during a presentation, have a purpose. Go from side to side, but only stay in a one spot for a few seconds. This will keep people more alert, as your voice will sound different at different times. Also, engage the audience. Walk up and down rows or around a big circle. An interactive approach will help put everyone on the same page.
• Embrace your mistakes. Yes, you will make mistakes. It’s inevitable, but who cares? Cover them up. Great singers and comedians roll with the miscues. They make mistakes all the time, but by switching gears, pausing for effect, or laughing at themselves, mistakes quickly becomes fleeting memories.
• Be prepared. Whether it’s a small presentation in front of a group of your peers or a new idea you are trying to sell to a group of managers, know your stuff. Do some research and look at the topic from as many angles as possible. If you feel prepared walking in, your confidence will show.
• Bring some ENERGY. The crowd will feed off you. If you are reserved, talking softly, and you don’t believe in what you’re saying, your audience will be hitting the snooze button. If you’re vibrant, colorful, and fun in front of the crowd, they’ll have fun, too.