Here's how you can project confidence and assertiveness through your body language during a speech.

Your body speaks louder than your words. Aim to be intentional with your body language instead of leaving it up to chance. Before you even step on stage or go on camera, practice using your body language in addition to practicing your message. This will ensure that you're paying attention to your entire delivery, and not just your words.

Avoid closed body language wherever possible. You don't need to talk with your hands if it's not comfortable for you, but wrapping your arms around yourself or clasping your hands together gives the impression you're nervous or scared, and neither of those things project power. Try the "I'm a little tea pot approach" - one hand rests loosely on the front of your hip or upper thigh, while you gesture with the other with an open sideways facing palm

Most people think about body language as it relates to speaking to an in-person audience. Posture is even more important when giving a speech virtually. Here are a few things to consider when presenting virtually: 1. Stand up when giving your presentation as it will help you project and breathe more naturally. Standing up will also allow you to project more energy. 2. Check the distance from where you will be standing to the screen before the presentation by logging into the test meeting with your phone. Mark the optimal standing spot with tap. This is where you ought to stand during your presentation.

?? Mastering Confidence in Public Speaking ?? Projecting confidence during a speech is challenging but quite easily achievable. Start by calming yourself — breathe deeply and take a moment to compose yourself before speaking. Adjust your posture and collect your thoughts, using natural pauses like checking notes or adjusting microphones to center yourself. A simple smile and sigh can naturally relax both you and your audience. When you begin speaking, aim for a deliberate pace, speaking slowly and purposefully to maintain control and clarity. This approach helps manage nervousness and ensures your message comes across confidently.

Your body language communicates more than your words. Surprising but true. Having an open body posture, standing still and strong (no swaying from one foot to the other), and holding your hands at waist height (moving them to emphasize your speech) will project confidence.

Believe it or not, staring someone directly in the eyes while speaking can come off as a bit intense. Instead, you can focus on their nose – it still gives the impression of eye contact without being too much. Make eye contact to gauge feedback; you'll see who's interested and who isn't. Use this feedback to adjust your presentation. Avoid staring at one spot or nervously shifting your gaze, as this can make you seem disengaged or anxious.

Moving your gaze around the audience, looking people in the eyes in turn, will ensure that you create a connection with your audience who feels that you are talking to them personally, and also avoid looking at any one person in particular with too much insistence. We want to connect better with people, not to creep them out!

Eye contact and actually looking at people when you speak to them conveys trust and shows that you value and believe in them. It also engages the audience and gets them involved. I help my clients work on eye engagement for the big stage or for zoom calls or even live video. It makes a huge difference for connecting with people. Remedial speaking trainers will tell you to focus on a point on the back wall and just stare there so you don't get nervous. High level coaches will help you learn to become comfortable with eye contact with participants and audience members, to look out and connect with people, and create a more conversational and interactive presentation. Learning to do this will set you well above most speakers.

Eye contact is definitely one of the most dreadful part of any presentation or public speaking exercise. Here are a couple of tips for mastering this skill : - Find a person in the audience that looks most pleasing to you. Someone you can trust and have an eye contact with them. In the first 2-3 mins have an eye contact with this person on and off to give the audience (and your sub-conscious) a sense of confidence. - Look in between two people. This way you can navigate the treacherous path of eye contact without actually having eye contact, while your audience believes in your confidence.

Occasionally, when making a statement, bring one lower arm sideways and down with the palm down to convey authority and competence

It's important to move in order to seem more animated, enthusiastic and confident. But do not go overboard and gesticulate frantically. Using hand movements to emphasise your main points, as well as facial expression, will make you a lot more engaging.

With great power, comes great responsibility! There is nothing worse than a presenter who is out of control with their gestures. Pointing at everything, clapping or shaking their arms for no reason, over using their expressions, or flapping their arms like a chicken. Gestures should be used to add to the speech or slightly emphasize some points. NOT distract or detract from the message. The best way to learn this is watch some masterful speakers, then watch some "bad" ones. Both with the sound on AND the sound off. Does it look too extreme or goofy? Does it add to the speech or distract you? Model the greats! Since body language communicates more than your words, you MUST be careful with how you use your movement and expression.

Facial expressions are a great way to project confidence while speaking. Remember that when your mouth stops speaking, your body starts to do the talking. As you speak be sure to maintain a smile and be expressive with your expressions. Let your expressions be receptive and always accompany it with a bright smile.

I have my clients video record themselves and watch their expressions while doing a short talk. 1. Do they match up with the tone or what they want to convey? Are you giving off confusing cues or conflicting facial signals? 2. Do your expressions seem tooooo large or not subtle enough? (This must be adjusted for environment. On camera should be more subtle but on a Broadway stage the expressions may need to be larger) 3. If you turn the sound off and watch, what comes up? How do those expressions make you feel? Ask a friend to watch too. We are often unaware of some of the expressions we make. Being willing to work on these and learn to become more purposeful with this will really help ramp up your presentations on video and on stage!

Changing your tone, varying the volume of your voice to compel attention can be very effective. It is worth practising on video and rewatching or with a sympathetic friend or colleague as this is a more advanced level. But it will definitely have a big impact for projecting confidence.

There's nothing worse than a mono-tone presenter who just rambles in run-on sentences and bores us to death.............. You have so much ability to vary your vocal tone but so many of us stopped exploring that at a young age because we were told to be quiet or fit in. Taking some singing lessons, a few acting lessons, improv classes and just learning to let loose and explore your vocal range can make a HUGE difference to the way you speak and present. Emphasis on certain words, pitch changes, tone, adjusting tempo ...these can all help you create so much more variety and interest for your speeches or videos!

Voice projection is crucial and can definitely be improved through regular practice. To add spice to the pot, incorporating feedback can significantly enhance this improvement. However, be mindful not to over-practice to the point of losing the essence of your message. Authenticity is key; being genuine and not faking it will better showcase your confidence.

You should incorporate movement into your public speaking style, whether you walk or raise your hands, count points on your fingers or go around the room to interact with the attendees. Attendees love direct interaction and seeing things move the most; otherwise, if you just keep talking, they'll sleep or check their mobile phones.

There is definitely a right balance to strike to show confidence through moving with ease and taking up your space. But you should definitely not gesticulate or have a repetitive movement that you seem not to control, as this will have the opposite effect and will also add as a distraction. The best movement should be matching your words, i.e. used as a way to emphasise parts of your speech or presentation. It can be very effective, much like modulating your voice to stress important ideas.

The way you move can send a strong message to your listeners 1) Be intentional: when you practice, stand and plan out the major movement. For example, if your speech has three parts, pick a place on the floor for each one, take a few steps toward that point while delivering your transition, then stop to deliver the point itself. (This is called blocking) 2) Be natural: while it's good to plan out moves and gestures, practice them until they are natural for you. Nobody likes to watch a robot march across the room or stage. 3) Be flexible: if there's not enough room for your movments, take smaller steps, or don't move at all - you might strike off your points with gesture instead

Wise-planned movements are crucial in public speaking, especially when you're presenting different perspectives, for several reasons: ~ Emphasizing Points: Deliberate movements can help emphasize key points. For example, moving to a different part of the stage when shifting to a new perspective or argument can visually signify a transition and help the audience follow your train of thought. ~ Creating a Connection: Moving around the stage allows you to connect with different parts of the audience, making everyone feel included. This is particularly important when discussing various perspectives, as it can symbolize inclusivity and consideration of all viewpoints.

Interestingly some coaches have said about being demonstrative and having movement in speeches, to appear relaxed. Whereas some others have said about being still, as it's distracting for the audience. There is a middle ground - be natural though is key, try not to be too self conscious as that can look uncomfortable. Be aware of your space and what you're talking about and the audience, perhaps some movement is more suited to some parts of your talk? It may take time to feel like you've mastered your movement on stage, so don't put too much pressure on yourself. Everyone's style is unique!

It is a lot easier to be engaging if you are speaking spontaneously (obviously having prepared). Reciting a script in a convincing manner requires excellent acting skills and most of us do not have them. Imagining that you are going to have a conversation with the people in the room about a number of pre-prepared points will make you more engaging, create a deeper connection with the audience and show a lot of confidence.

If you can: stay AWAY from your script or notes. And I mean WIDE away, physically. Don′t keep any paper in your hands when speaking. Practice until you know you won′t need to look at your notes. Take them on stage if you want, put them somewhere they don′t disturb you, but don′t get anywhere close them, don′t turn pages, don′t look at them.

- Stand tall with your shoulders back and maintain a relaxed yet upright posture to exude confidence. - Make deliberate eye contact with various audience members to create a sense of connection and authority. - Use purposeful gestures to emphasize points, keeping your movements controlled and meaningful rather than fidgety. - Keep your facial expressions open and positive, smiling when appropriate to convey approachability and assurance. - Move around the stage with purpose, using the space effectively to engage different sections of the audience. By aligning your body language with your verbal message, you enhance your credibility and presence, making your speech more impactful and memorable.

For the body and face to do what you want, the main influencer of this is the way you’re thinking, which gives you an emotion, which then impacts on your body. For example, thoughts like: -I’m scared -They’re not going to be interested -I’m going to forget what I’m going to say -I’ve got tons to get through These all have the potential to impact on your face and body. So try to do whatever you can to relax and tackle any of those thoughts by preparing well, but without worry.

Some advices received when in Toastmasters: - try to relate personal experiences to the topic to make it more personal - write and rewrite the speech without looking at an earlier version - practice in front of family member or friend