Many years ago I read something that made talking to large audiences much easier for me. Reader’s Digest magazine has a section of humorous anticdotes from different areas in society. One of these is called “Humor in Uniform” and is about funny things that happen in the military. One issue had a story that went something like this:

A Captain (mid level rank) was scheduled to give a technical talk to a large group of Colonels and Generals (much higher ranking officers) as was worried about how they would handle being lectured about something. What he did was to start his talk with the following statement. “I am sure that there are a dozen men in the Army better qualified to lecture on this topic then I am. But I do not see any of them in the room so I will feel free to speak plainly.”

Think about it a minute. He knew that he was the best prepared and most knowledgeable person in the room to present his talk. So why should he worry? That is what I have tried to do – prepare enough so that I know I am the best prepared and most knowledgeable person in the room. After all people are coming to learn what I have to say. For me this preparation brings with it confidence and the result is the best possible outcome.

Edit: Follow on to a suggestion made in the comments about not showing fear. If you can't be confident, learn to fake it. :-)