Body Language, Communication, Public Speaking
Public speaking is a skill and you can learn it. While the content is the key, your presentation skills will make a difference in how the audience will respond to it and how much they will benefit from it.
Are you preparing to deliver a presentation and feeling nervous and agitated? You have all the materials, knowledge, but still feel anxious about speaking?
A good presentation requires a relaxed and confident speaker, that will gain the trust and respect of the audience. This is especially crucial, if you are speaking before an audience that doesn’t know you. The first few seconds are key, because the first impression will impact how people perceive you during the speech and how much credit they give you at the start.
Here are a few tips I would like to share with you today on how to create a bold stage presence, so you appear comfortable, trustworthy and convincing.
1. Get introduced
As a speaker, you want to have someone who will take care of the organizational details and all the announcements, from switching off mobile phones to the silent mode to details of the coffee break and the location of the restrooms. You should be invited to the stage with a short introduction. Think of a few words you would like the master of ceremony to use when inviting you to the stage.
2. Walk in with confidence
Your body language says more than words and in these first few seconds you are communicating with the audience before actually speaking a single word. Walk onto the stage with confidence and adjust the pace to your topic. If you are running an exciting event, show the excitement in your moves, be energetic, make bigger steps, smile and relax. If you are making a strategic announcement or delivering tragic news, adjust your movements to the situation, walk at a slower pace with smaller steps, ground yourself before speaking. In both cases it is important to appear confident and in control.
3. Keep eye contact
Whether you are talking to a small group or big crowd you need to keep eye contact with the audience. Scan the audience before you start speaking and maintain the contact throughout your speech. Every few seconds, choose a random face in the crowd and speak just to him or her.
4. Use pauses
A pause can be as powerful as the content. Plan a few pauses in your speech, let the audience have a few seconds to reflect on what you sad. A pause means you remain silent and your body motionless. Remain still and watch the audience. Then move before continuing your speech. If you move during the pause, you distract the audience and the impact it lost.
“There are two kinds of speakers – those who get nervous and those who are liars.”
Mark Twain
5. Make a few distinct gestures
Think about your body language when you prepare your speech or presentation and add a few bold gestures to illustrate the key elements of your speech. Plan it ahead and practice. It is important to use those bold movements or gestures to help your audience to visualize but also to refocus on you. Confidence in your movements will help you to establish your stage presence.
6. Control your hands
Hand movements distinguish a confident and relaxed speaker from a nervous one. If you do not know what to do with your hands, rest them in front of you and use them to make distinct points during your speech. You can also hold an object – clicker or pointer, if you use slides or marker, in case you write on a board. You may hold some notes, but make sure they are on a smaller piece of paper, between a business card and A5, you don’t want to shuffle big pieces of paper in front of you.
7. Control your body
It is important you are aware of your body balance. Try to ground yourself from the beginning and come back to this position every time you are making a strong point. Try to avoid balancing on your feet, but do not lock your knees either – both those positions indicate a nervous speaker. Every now and then try to bring your awareness to your body, check your position, relax any tension you may feel. You should try to move purposefully.
8. Breathe!
Your voice is an instrument, it only works if you breathe properly. If you control your breathing, your voice will be stronger and clearer. Before you start speaking, take a deep breath. It is important your brain gets the oxygen to function properly. It also helps you to relax, if you start feeling anxious.
9. Use the space around you.
The bigger the stage or space the more you should use it. Don’t be afraid to come closer to the audience, particularly when you reach the climax of your speech. The stage is your territory, claim it, own it. In a big room, it is important you use not only the center, but also the sides, so the audience can get a fair share of you.
10. Make them laugh...
It may not always be appropriate, but a dose of humor will certainly make your speech better. People want to be entertained and even if it is a professional presentation, you can always find a way to deliver it with a twist. Think about a funny quote or an anecdote you may share with the audience. Make sure it is connected with the subject and adds value to your speech.
Don’t forget to have fun! Presenting can be a great experience and it is down to the speaker to make it one for the audience. You are delivering the message, make sure it is worthwhile.
Body Language, Communication
I have never been shy of standing in front of a crowd, big or small. I have to admit, I enjoyed being in the spotlight and surely I love to talk. Years of company training sessions, various professional presentations and I thought I knew it all.
When I went to my first Toastmasters meeting, I was truly surprised how structured and organised it was. I was impressed from the beginning to the end and I realized I still have a lot to learn. It was a perfect opportunity for me and I was sure I had to join. Years passed by and I am still a member of the distinguished Amsterdam Toastmasters Club and would like to share with you key ingredients of a good speech.
Lessons learnt…
1. Organize the speech – My problem was overconfidence. Years of speaking experience, especially in the area of my expertise, gave me a false feeling I do not need to organize and prepare too much. The result was a loose structure and, as a result, I always ran out of time. Trying to share too much, going into details in one area and then skipping elements to wrap up, because the clock was ticking.
At Toastmasters we learn from the beginning to get organized, to ensure the speech has an opening, body and closing and we make sure the transitions are smooth.
2. Keep it simple and get to the point – trying to say too much, making digressions and not having a strong message? I’ve been there. Sometimes there is just so much I want to share! If I am passionate about the subject, have researched it well and have all the data and information in my head, I just want you to have it too!
With this overload of valuable information, it is difficult to point out what is most important. The best approach is to keep it short and simple with a strong opening, three key elements, summary and a strong closing message!
3. Respect the time – one extra minute, maybe five, oh well, we can just shorten our coffee break. I learned to respect the time. If I am scheduled for a 7-minute speech, I have 7 minutes and 30 seconds before I will be interrupted. There is no excuse, we have to be on schedule and the ability to fit a speech into a precise time frame is a skill I owe to Toastmasters. It helps to keep me on track, focus on key elements and deliver a message before I see the red light.
4. Body language and voice – speech is not only about what you say, but how you say it. The more powerful the expressions, the more impact you will make on those listening. Using body dynamics to show emotions, playing with the voice to strengthen the message. Sometimes it requires going out of our own comfort zone or use some acting skills. In a safe and friendly environment of Toastmasters meetings, we are allowed to experiment with our body language to enhance the speaking experience.
5. Show your emotions – giving a presentation in front of a client, running a training session in the office, I always kept a professional tone and distance. All wrong! A speaker has to play on the emotions of the audience both head and heart. Using emotions in a speech is important and should not be feared. A seasoned speaker has to light a fire in a heart, turn any topic into an interesting story, gain audience trust and take them for a journey. And yes, company speeches and presentations can be inspiring, otherwise, why should we make them?
We are approaching the end of the year, a time for celebrations and looking back at the last 12 months. It is a time of Christmas parties and speeches. If you want to find out how to deliver a winning speech at the end of the year, read my next article.
NOTE: Julita Davies advanced in the Toastmasters over the years, competed and judged in numerous international speech contests. She is a professional speaker, presenting and running workshops on a regular basis. For more information on her speaking engagements please visit this page>>>
Toastmasters-International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.
Through its thousands of member clubs, Toastmasters International offers a program of communication and leadership projects designed to help people learn the arts of speaking, listening, and thinking.
For more information, please visit Toastmasters International official website.
Body Language, Communication, Image
Body language impacts how others perceive you. What really matters, it is not what you say, but how you say it and, most importantly, how your body conveys that message.
According to the research studies – words, tone of voice and body language – account differently when it comes to our perception of another person. And while we like to think that it is the content that matters, only 7% accounts for the words. The tone of your voice is more important 38%, but the real focus should be on body language which accounts for 55%. Your message is only as strong, as convincing is your body language and tone of your voice.
Your body language also reveals how you feel and think about yourself. The way you enter the boardroom or the meeting, can make a good first impression, build credibility and trust if you feel good and confident. Your posture, your walk, speed of movements, hand gestures can show your confidence and high self-esteem.
5 tips on body language to make a good first impression
Posture
Good posture makes you look confident, shows good energy and health. Remember to keep straight, roll back your shoulders and keep your chin up. Try to avoid crossing arms, while it may be simply a comfortable position but it may be taken as you are not open to the conversation.
Walk
If you walk confidently, you will be able to build instant credibility and the reaction to you will be noticeable different. Try to keep a moderate pace of your walk. If you rush, you look stressed and chaotic. But if you are very slow in your movements, it may be taken as a sign of poor confidence, insecurity or health issues.
Handshake
Give a firm, confident handshake when you meet your client or business partner. Do not try to power the other person down. Offer a straight vertical hand instead of palm down one to take control. Avoid the ‘wet noodle’ handshake that comes from timid and easily intimidated people.
Keep a comfortable space between you and the other person. If you are too far away offering a handshake you will have to lean forward and bow, if you are too close the handshake may feel uncomfortable as you are invading someones personal zone.
Eye contact
Eye contact is essential to create successful personal and business relationship, but so many of us find it difficult to do it effectively.
Keep an eye contact when shaking hand and maintain it during the meeting. Inconsistent eye contact is a sign that you are either not interested or extremely unconsidered.
You also do not want to look down when making a point, as it may look like you are uncomfortable or unsure with the statement.
Smile
Smile to show you feel comfortable and relaxed in business or social gatherings. Use smile at your business meeting to greet clients and partners, respond with smile if the conversation is to break the ice and of casual topics. But avoid smiling during serious negotiations as it may be taken for a sign of insecurity.
