Fear of being unprepared. This fear is actually rational. If you're unprepared, you really should feel afraid. The source of your anxiety is the idea that you'll forget what you planned to say, you won't think of examples that the audience will find convincing, and you'll present your key points out of order. The best defense against this, of course, is careful, thorough preparation. Do your research, think extensively about your pattern of organization, look for motivation and proof the audience will find compelling, and practice what you plan to say.

Fear of being evaluated. No one likes being judged by others. It's a potentially humbling, embarrassing experience. The fact is, though, the audience will take their measure of you and form a judgment regarding your expertise, competence and relevance. Take that as a challenge and prepare for it. What matters most to them is what you can do for them, so make absolutely certain you have ideas and concepts they can use. Focus on issues that are of the greatest concern to them; deal with their fears and provide them with information that will make their lives easier, better, safer and more meaningful. When they compare the experience of listening to you with how they might have spent the time 32 somewhere else, you'll get a favorable judgment.