How can you match your tone, facial expressions, and body language to your message?

This may be obvious to some but truly knowing the content you're delivering will allow you to focus on other aspects like your facial expression, tone, body language. I recommend being intentional and spending slightly more time than expected reviewing your presentation + speech/answers/questions so you can present naturally & without relying too much on notes. The more well rehearsed and unnerved you are while delivering the content (in terms of speaking it aloud) the more bandwidth you have to focus on how enthusiastic you are, where your eyes are going, etc. Additionally, when you are confident in your presentation you will naturally match the tone and body language you need to successfully deliver.

The following technique can be used if your talk is more motivational/inspirational versus a lecture or a keynote. When you combine the purpose of your talk (the message you want to convey) with the problems your audience has your talk will instantly become a conversation with them about challenges and solutions. Words hold a vibration and a conversational talk like this will hit differently.

As speakers today it’s important to remember you won’t always be able to see your audience, whether because of the venue and stage lighting or because you might be delivering it online. Building on my previous point about purpose, when you tap into the problems your audience has your talk will enable you to speak to them. It goes without saying all speakers these days need to remember that their audience will be filled with neurodiverse learning styles, use your body, hands, slides and stage props to convey your message and elevate your ‘performance’, think EQ as well as IQ.

Just as a basketball player works on their shots, a golfer on their swing, a chef on their recipes a speaker needs to speak. You’ll never know how something could sound until you say it out loud, how a stage could feel until you stand on it, what content will resonate until you share it. As with all things in life ‘Practice makes perfect’, or as I like to say: ‘Practice makes Purpose.’ When you’re living your purpose, sharing your message on any and every stage you are being prepared for the performance of your lifetime! Fall in love with the process, practice because it’s who you are and your audience will resonate with your delivery as much as your content…beingness creates mic drop moments!

If you know the content well, it is easy to think you can "just wing it". In my experience, that is not always optimal. Knowing how you are going to accentuate a verbal "point" with body language ahead of time can help you position yourself for the greatest effect. If this is a speech or lecture that you will give repeatedly, having a routine makes it easier to adjust and improve based on your audiences reactions.

I use my body language to support the content I am sharing knowing that it will activate those who are at a crossroads in their life, plant seeds in the minds of those on their way and I accept that 2% of any audience will never resonate with what I am sharing and that helps me to remain authentic and not to try and force them to get on board too!