Only a small percentage of people say that they have nothing against speaking in public. For the vast majority, the prospect of delivering a speech in front of an audience is as terrifying as the thought of death.

If there’s one thing all public speaking experts agree on, it’s that to minimize anxiety and give a memorable speech, you have to prepare. It’s during the preparation process that you’ll perfect your presentation and deliver your message in a way that leaves a lasting impression. Here are some proven preparation strategies for giving an impactful speech:

Set your goals – To motivate yourself and focus your efforts in the right direction, you need to think about your goals. Do you want to educate your audience or do you want to make a successful call to action? Think carefully about what your presentation will look like and what kind of information you want to deliver.

Remember that practice makes perfect: practicing your speech is the most important part. You need to start well in advance to learn everything there is to know about the topic. By mastering each and every word that comes out of your mouth, you become believable. It will also perfect the delivery of your message so that it reaches the audience.

Rehearse with an audience, don’t just read your presentation/speech, rehearse it. Ask your family and friends if they would like to hear you speak in public for them. You will surely get some volunteers. Although it’s just a small-scale experiment, it will serve you well to replicate how you feel in front of a larger audience. It’s a fantastic way to overcome the anxiety that comes with public speaking. Don’t forget to ask for feedback from people! This is a great way to find out if there are any problems with your speech.

Make a video of yourself: If you can’t get anyone to listen to your speech, you should make a video of yourself. This is another clever way to see your skills in action. By observing yourself, you can spot potential issues with your tone of voice, body language, and even content.

Learn more about the audience – Knowing the type of audience you will see goes a long way in giving a successful speech. It will also help you select the right approach to breaking things off with a joke and melting the ice between you and everyone else. Believe it or not, this will also make you feel better with the audience, since it will no longer seem like you’re talking to strangers.

These are all great tips for preparing to deliver the speech of a lifetime. Keep them in mind and you will be very successful.