Fears of Public Speaking And Apps That Can Fix Them

It’s presentation day at work, and you’re shaking in your boots. Know that you aren’t the only one in the room who doesn’t care to stand up in front of a group of people, and pitch a ground-breaking idea to the company. Experts estimate that about 75% of the population has a case of glossophobia or the fear of public speaking. Some of the most common fears American’s report they have about public speaking are:

• Fear of doubt
• Fear of nervousness
• Fear of forgetting
• Fear of technology
• Fear of tough audiences
• Fear of time
• Fear of the unexpected

Fear of the unexpected is interesting in that you have no way of controlling the future or how people will react to your presentation. All you can do is your best and show your confidence. The more confidence you exhibit, the more positive reactions you will get from your audience. Build up that confidence with these four apps that will train you to give great presentations.

LikeSo: Your Personal Speech Coach

If you are someone who has a problem using filler words, download LikeSo for some training on how to avoid stuttering through your speech. App creator Mann Cronin tells Fast Company, “We all want to speak in a way that compels others to listen, but when we insert too many ‘likes,’ ‘sos,’ ‘ya knows,’ and ‘totallys,’ we lessen our credibility, water down our meaning, distract our listeners, and invite unnecessary judgment.” The app monitors your speech’s pace and brings attention to which words you are frequently using. With awareness, you’ll be able to avoid using these types of words often.

Confident Public Speaking

For those who have severe anxiety about public speaking, the Confident Public Speaking app can coach you through your next speech. The app uses mediations and informational videos to explain better where your stress of giving a presentation stems from, and what you can do to combat it. 

SpeakerClock

Are you someone who fears going through a speech too quickly because you want to get it over with? Or maybe fear has you tongue-tied, causing your presentation to go slower than you’d like. If this is an issue you can relate to, try SpeakerClock. Similar to those who give TED Talks, you’ll have your own clock to monitor as you speak so you can time everything just right. 

Orai

For those whose first language is not English, Orai is here to help with your next presentation to an English speaking audience. Drexel University engineering students Danish Dhamani and Paritosh Gupta created the app when they moved to America. The two explain that they found going on job interviews and networking events was difficult because of the language barrier. Orai focuses on sharpening your speaking habits with daily exercises. The app also features prompts to practice and get feedback on your progress. Dhamani puts it perfectly, “Public speaking is like going to the gym. You can’t go once and get bigger biceps—you have to train on a consistent basis.” Whether you’ve lived here for years, or recently moved to the U.S., Orai, along with the rest of these apps, will help with all of your public speaking fears.

While experts don’t recommend to recite your speech in its entirety for memory, we advise having it mapped out to strengthen the delivery. After you’ve “wowed” your peers, keep in touch with them using our How to Talk to Anyone to Advance Your Career online course. In this course, we’ll help you build relationships that can build momentum in your career. You’ll learn how to improve your communication, networking, and social skills so you can find the job you love and reduce anxiety around social situations. Good luck with your presentation, and we look forward to hearing from you soon!