Body language and presentation skills are closely linked, as the way you move and position yourself can affect how your audience perceives you and your message. Whether you are giving a speech, a pitch, or a webinar, you want to balance movement and posture to convey confidence and professionalism. In this article, we will share some tips on how to do that.
One of the most common mistakes that presenters make is to use gestures that are either too frequent, too large, or too random. These can distract your audience from your content and make you seem nervous or unprepared. Instead, use gestures that are purposeful, natural, and aligned with your words. For example, you can use your hands to emphasize a point, show a direction, or illustrate a concept. You can also use facial expressions, eye contact, and head movements to engage your audience and show your emotions.
When presenting virtually, make sure that any gestures you use will be seen by the meeting attendees. Your video will be small and it may be cropped so plan to make gestures closer to your face but not blocking your face.
Hand gestures could be a powerful way to drive home a point. However, as with anything else, too much of it can be off-putting. Eye contact and head movements are a lot easier to use without the fear of abuse in engaging with your audience. In our digital world, one needs to pay more attention to this. For instance, by ensuring you are looking into the camera and not the screen as this will give a semblance of eye contact.
Another way to balance movement and posture is to use movement strategically. This means that you move when you want to create a transition, a contrast, or a highlight in your presentation. For example, you can move closer to your audience when you want to build rapport, move away when you want to create suspense, or move to a different spot when you want to change the topic. However, avoid moving too much or too fast, as this can make you seem restless or anxious. Also, make sure that your movement is smooth and controlled, not abrupt or clumsy.
One way to use movement on a virtual platform is to stop sharing your slides when you want the attendees to focus on the emotions in your facial expressions. This keeps people interested because it switches from slides to your face and then you can share your slides again. Make sure to practice this technique in advance so you can do it smoothly.
Movement helps to keep your audience engaged, if used strategically. When presenting, you can take advantage of the black or white screen (in PowerPoint presenter mode) to help your audience redirect their focus from the screen to the point you are making. Also, using a suitable transition between slides can be very useful. I personally like the “morph” transition.
When training for a thesis defense, we were informed to use our movement strategically in order to emphasize specific points, but also to make use of the entire presentation space. Seeing the difference between someone presenting behind a podium versus presenting while incorporating movement, slow walking from one side of the screen to the other, not only evoked a feeling of confidence, but a sense of trust between the presenter and the audience. The movement without the reliance of staring at the screen, cards, or behind the podium conveyed that the presenter was deeply knowledgeable in the topic they were presenting on.
Finally, you want to adopt a confident posture that shows your authority and credibility. This means that you stand or sit straight, with your shoulders back and your chest open. You also want to avoid slouching, crossing your arms, or hunching your shoulders, as these can make you seem insecure or defensive. Additionally, you want to align your posture with your audience, meaning that you mirror their level of formality and energy. For example, if you are giving a formal presentation, you want to maintain a professional and respectful posture, while if you are giving a casual webinar, you can relax your posture and show more enthusiasm.
By following these tips, you can balance movement and posture to enhance your presentation skills and deliver a powerful message. Remember that body language is not only a way to communicate, but also a way to influence and persuade your audience. So, use it wisely and effectively.
You need a confident posture to get your audience's attention in the first place. To boost your confidence, ensure you are adequately prepared for the presentation, appropriately dressed, and you arrive early enough to try out your presentation setup (you don't want any unpleasant surprises). I find that taking deep breaths helps calm me in the few minutes leading to my presentation.