[tanin]

For an absolute beginner in public speaking who has fear of public speaking, I'd recommend joining Toastmasters.

A Toastmasters club is like a simulated environment for public speaking where everyone is extremely supportive. I was still anxious even I knew that at the beginning... even when everyone insisted anything was okay.

After 100+ speech giving at a club in Bellevue, now I don't feel anxious anymore speaking in front of 50+ people in a real-world situation where everyone might not be supportive. I can just get up and speak.

It's funny how our minds even work. It turns out simulation is good enough for training our minds.

The quality of public speaking is a separate aspect. Toastmasters do help with that but I can't claim I am good at it yet. But, for anxiety, I now feel almost nothing.

[FatherOfCurses]

100% agree. Additionally Toastmasters will improve: your ability to think on your feet (a portion of the meeting is impromptu speaking); your ability to provide constructive feedback (members provide feedback on speeches delivered); and your ability to lead if so desired (every club is a volunteer organization that needs leaders to operate).