There is one tried and true method to improve your public speaking skills, that actually works.
No matter what anyone tells you, we learn to do by doing.
That's why I love Emerson's quote "do the thing said Emerson and you shall have the power" those are not empty words, but words of wisdom.
One chief way, to put you at ease, is to put your audience at ease, by doing this you relax the audience, like a snake charmer, charms a snake.
The ability to charm your audience, is priceless, it's like perfume to a flower.
By telling an opening joke or humorous story, you will have the audience eating out of your hand.
If you've ever heard the Christian Pastor Joel Osteen speak, you would never know that this man, has never had any formal training in public speaking.
He tells the story of our he was always a behind the scenes guy, and had no desire to pastor a church.
Then his father passed away, and he was called on to lead the church, with no prior speaking experience, he just did it, and found his voice.
He now has one of the largest churches and congregations in the United States, his church is considered a mega-church.
Joel uses humorous storytelling to his advantage, he never starts a sermon, without telling a funny story, and you should do the same.
Joel Osteen's story is one of Inspiration, and motivation, and shows you, whether you've ever done public speaking before or not, to do less stressing and more doing.