cantdrv55:
I do this for a living - give semianrs every week in front of 10 to 500 people - mixed bag from diesel mechanics to CEOs. It comes down to wanting to be the center of attention. A great presentation is like a performance. Granted you have to have some chops, got to know the material, but I have also hadto give seminars with minimal knowledge of the subject matter and turned out great.

There are a few "tricks" but it boils down to confidence. Anytime I speak, I am confident that I know more than anyone in the audience but I never let them know that. Here are few things that have helped me;

1) Do not stand behind the podium - change your position - walk around a bit - keep their attention.
2) Start by telleing what they are going to learn, learn'um, themn tell them what they learn'd. This seems redimentry but it releives expectations.
3) Be loose but don't be too 'foksy" - preofessionalism is what you are striving fpor but not too casual.
4) Get them involved - ask them questions and look for feed back during your pitch.
5) Remember, everyone learns differently, appeal to the visual, auditory, tactical and kinetic in the bunch.
6) A stupid little trick is to ask questions and reward with candy's - sounds Pavovian but the guys love it when you start throwing eats around - sets up a little like a Carnaval!
7) Have Fun - if you are enjoying it, they will as well.

PM me - I have some secret tactics as well. Good luck!

Ahem...If I could say a few words..........I'd be a better public speaker.

- Homer Simpson

I took a public speaking class when I was in college. That was the best thing for me when it came to public speaking. Now, I have much more confidence whether speaking to large crowds or people I have meet for the first time. The constant practice of speaking in front of the class was what did it. One exercise we did was drawing a random topic out of a bag and talking about it for 2 minutes. That is very hard when you pull out, "The grass is greener on the other side". I started talking about fertilizer and landscaping techniques.

There's some great advice here.

Anything I was going to say was covered by Superman, LubeMaster, and Teutonics. I work in sales and present to audiences from 5-50 every week.. ...and the best thing to get over the nerves is "seat time".

I was scared witless the first couple presentations I did. After 3 months of doing it once or twice a week.. ...well now I feel just as comfortable on a stage talking to 50 people as I do talking to a single person. Even if you know the material it helps to have your "schtick" down.

...then again it helps that I'm an only child and think nothing's better than everyone listening to me. ;)

I hear ya cstreit - I'm a twin and the youngest, been fight'n all my life for attention.:D

Being a ham pays off. I would almost think that instead of Toastmasters, take a drama class at a local comm college. Great place to meet the ladies as well!