If you're about to speak in front of a bunch of people (presentation, speech), how do you remain cool and not make a complete fool of yourself?

I had to develop public speaking skills which I then used for decades. My trick was to know my subject and then take brief notes on 3×5 index cards. It got easier as time went on.

For a worrier, I suggest giving the speech several times in front of several good (and courteous friends, who won’t tease or mock you.) Have them ask some questions afterwards in order to see how you with ex temp. answers. One reasonable answer is “I’ll have to do a little research. May I get back to you? See me when I am finished here.”

I agree with @gailcalled….practice is invaluable. As you practice and gain some comfort, your delivery will likely speed up. It does with me and I find I must consciously slow things down a bit. See ya….Gary/wtf

I practice, practice, practice.
Then I make sure some of the key words are on the slide I am presenting. That way I can glance over at the slide and it will jog my memory.
I never read the presentation.

I pretend I’m talking to just one person. It usually helps if that person is your friend.

I take five minutes and imagine myself standing in front of the crowd, giving my speech. I let the fear, anxiety and blushing (that’s the worst part) wash over me. I acknowledge it then tell myself I can feel like this later- right now it’s time to change gears. Basically, I let myself feel those feelings so I can get them out of the way.

Instead of fighting the wave I try to ride it, then come up from behind it, get up and ride on home.

Agreeing with @gailcalled and more. Practice is one part but if you can also imagine the people to be ‘your people’ it will help. Public speaking can carry with it huge weight and you have either been selected for the knowledge to pull it off or for being in the selection process for one who is in the know. By ‘your people’ I mean they have come to learn or see you perform, so think of them as yours, THEY want you to succeed. Practise saying it out loud, if you have questions on certain aspects of what your speaking then ask those to your friends proir to speaking it. Say it in the mirror. But by all means get comfortable with sounding out the knowledge, you know it and we the audience want to hear it.

Mostly, public speaking is a skill acquired over time, with a great deal of practice.

Here are a couple of tricks that might help you.

1. It is better to stand when speaking. Psychologically, this gives you an advantage over others because you are in a “superior” position.

2. When standing, keep one foot pointing more or less forward and the other foot more or less at right angles to the other. People tend to default to having their feet parallel. This position can be maintained only for a short time without tottering and getting off balance.

3. Practice in front of a mirror if you expect to give a speech. If you get bored watching yourself it will probably mean you are ready to deliver the speech before others.

4. Avoid trying to “memorize” a speech. Instead have a plan of the sense of what you are going to say. Speeches by rote are invariably wooden.

Good luck.

I agree with what everyone else above me had suggested for you…..
Pratice makes perfect!

I have to say that I enjoy public speaking, and it doesn’t scare me at all. I guess as a uni lecturer that is an advantage. However, I understand that many people do find it threatening. I once heard someone say that they coped by imagining the audience was naked. When they imagined how funny that would be, it helped them relax.

Be prepared.

@Harold” That naked audience concept is a shibboleth. One cannot keep that image in mind while standing on a stage and simultaneously remembering the speech.