Why Do Public Speakers Make More Money Than You?

Why Do Public Speakers Make More Money Than You?

Jul 19, 2021 | Public Speaking

This is a question that I get asked a lot: “Why do speakers earn so much more money than you?” It is a fair question and it deserves a reasonable answer. 

First, let’s look at why earning money has ever been important to humans. In all the cultures of the world, people have always been trying to improve the state of their lives by earning money or augmenting their income.

We hear stories about people who live in extreme poverty who still managed to send their children to school. 

Now, let’s say you are in a similar situation to the poor people of the world. You have goals you’d like to achieve. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that if you worked hard enough, you would eventually get there? That someday you might be able to buy your own home and have your own car?

“A good speech should be like a woman's skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.”
Winston S. Churchill

Well, if you’re like most people in the world, this is pretty much impossible. You might earn a little bit of money here and there, but compared to what you’d have to give up, giving up is a much better choice. 

This is where the importance of income comes into play for public speakers. These speakers can actually command huge incomes simply by giving a speech.

In fact, some of the most famous stars in the world earn their entire living from speaking, traveling, or creating a company from their speeches. The same is true for authors, athletes, doctors, lawyers, etc. 

This raises a very good question: How did the rich and famous get to where they are without any effort on their part?
The answer is simple: They made themselves rich through hard work and dedication. There are a lot of people in the world who think that public speakers just come to speak, give a speech, and then disappear into the void of oblivion. This could not be further from the truth​.

Action Item

Film every talk so you get the most value out of it. Post the talk online. Share it with your networks.

In order to become a speaker, you first need to learn how to speak. You need to practice your craft and polish your skills until you’re perfect. 

After that, you need to build your portfolio, or your portfolio consists of all the speeches and workshops you’ve ever given. You can also sell your speeches and writings online, and network with other speakers and experts. 

This way, when you give a speech at an event, no one will know who you are or how much you’ve made through your previous speeches and writings.

Pro Tip

Practice is the way to overcome fear.

Once you have built up your portfolio and your business, you can then use the hard-earned money to give speeches and presentations. 

Most speakers make between six and eight thousand dollars per hour, so don’t let this number mislead you. This is simply the tip of the iceberg.

The best public speakers in the world make well over a hundred thousand dollars per hour, which means if you were to ever do an interview on an evening news show, and you were to compare the amount of money these speakers make to the salary of an average college student, you’d find that these speakers would have made much more. 

If you want to get paid for giving a speech, you can certainly do it.

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How Do You Put Together Motivational Speaker Branding?

How Do You Put Together Motivational Speaker Branding?

Jul 16, 2021 | Public Speaking

A lot goes into putting together motivational speaker branding. You need to have clear, concise messaging that sticks in people’s minds. It needs to be memorable and unique so that you stand out from the other speakers who are doing what you do. 

And of course, it needs to touch on your strengths and set you apart as a leader in this space. In this article, I’ll discuss how to put together motivational speaker branding for yourself or someone else! 

What is the speaker's style, personality, and a voice like?

  • A speaker who wants to be seen as an authority and expert in their field.
  • Speakers should share anecdotes from the stage that demonstrate how they are qualified for this position of authority.
  • If you can create moments where people connect with you on a personal level, then it is more likely that they'll go away feeling uplifted or inspired by what they've heard.
  • Find ways to make yourself stand out at every opportunity possible through managing tone (whether serious or lighthearted), language choice (determined by region), or topic selection.
  • Try to mention your credentials while you're on stage - share a story from the past and use it as an example of how you can speak with authority.
  • There are plenty of opportunities for speakers to build their personal brands.
  • This includes everything from social media presence (in particular LinkedIn) through speaking style or quality.
  • Promote yourself in any way possible, so people know who they'll be listening to when they buy tickets for future events or come along to see you speak live at venues around the world.
“He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense.”
Joseph Conrad

How are they different from other speakers on the same topic

  • Motivational speakers are not necessarily experts on the topic they speak about but use their personal experiences to inspire others.
  • Motivational speakers usually focus on an emotional connection rather than facts and figures, which is why it's important for them to be relatable as well as compelling.
  • The key skills that make a successful motivational speaker include charisma, humor, intelligence, confidence, authenticity, and empathy.

Action Item

Create and maintain a speaker website.

What are the most important qualities of a motivational speaker?

  • Charisma, humor, intelligence, confidence, authenticity, and empathy.

What are some of the most common techniques used by motivational speakers to connect with an audience?

  • Using their personal experiences and stories to get the point across. If they have ever been in a situation similar to one that someone else is going through, there's usually high empathy between them both which helps build rapport.
  • Keeping things lighthearted but still serious enough, so people know what you're talking about or at least care enough not to tune out completely. You need balance in order for it all not to be too heavy or overwhelming because then nobody would want any part of your message!
  • It's important for motivational speakers' interactions with audiences when speaking live include: eye contact, smiling, and lots of hand gestures!

Why should people go to this event instead of others?

People usually attend a motivational speaker event because they want to be inspired or filled with hope. They may also have been feeling low and need some advice on how to bounce back from their current situation. 

Other times, people come for the sole purpose of hearing new ideas about how to overcome challenges in life so that they can take away practical strategies which will help them feel more in control of their lives again.

A lot of audiences are looking for different things when attending these events, but one thing is always clear: whatever it is you’re looking for, this type of content has something relevant for everyone!

What is their backstory, and what makes them qualified to speak about this topic?

The backstory of a speaker is often the most compelling and memorable part of their presentation. A lot can be learned just by listening to someone’s story. 

As you’re developing your brand, consider what makes each person different from other speakers in this space. What does that make them qualified to speak about? How do they bring value or provide unique perspectives?

What’s the speaker’s story? How did they end up in this space? What made them want to pursue a career as an inspirational speaker or subject matter expert? Have we done anything to address any personal obstacles that have been faced on their journey (e.g., disabilities, lack of mentors)?

“It’s much easier to be convincing if you care about your topic. Figure out what’s important to you about your message and speak from the hear.”
Nicholas Boothman

Who influences them and how do they use that influence in their speaking engagements?

Many speakers are influenced by other motivational speakers that they’ve listened to or come across. How do you use this same influence in your own engagements? 

There’s a lot of pressure on the speaker, and it can be hard for them to know how much is too much when talking about their influences.

  • What ways have you seen influencer branding work best in regards to speaking engagement: You may want to talk about something like what an audience member might not expect from someone with your background - maybe discussing some facts they didn't realize before hearing you speak.
  • It could also mean posing questions back at the audience during your presentation or Q&A session - if they're unfamiliar with who has been influential for me as a speaker, they may have had a similar experience with someone they've listened to or come across. How do you use this same influence in your own engagements?
  • What can speakers learn from the influencers that are attending their event: There's no right answer, but it might be helpful for them to hear what other attendees think and why - just like any speaker would want feedback on their presentation content!

Pro Tip

Claim your space and showcase your skills.

What are some common topics they give speeches on?

A motivational speaker will typically speak on topics such as the power of positive thinking, achieving your goals, and using discipline. Other common subjects include success in sales, leadership skills, and time management.

Final words

Your personal branding is the way that others see you. It’s how they come to know and understand who you are, your values, and what you’re all about. A great speaker can have a lot of success with effective branding and it doesn’t need to be complicated in order for it to work! 

Learning more about yourself will help make this process easier – if nothing else, just ask family or friends what words they would use when describing who you are as an individual; their answer might surprise you!

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10 Tips to Gain Confidence in Public Speaking for Introverts

10 Tips to Gain Confidence in Public Speaking for Introverts

Jul 13, 2021 | Public Speaking

Public speaking can be overwhelming for anyone, but introverts often find it especially challenging. Small talk with strangers or talking to large groups of people can feel like an insurmountable task for someone who has a social anxiety disorder. However, there are ways to build confidence and get started in public speaking if you’re an introvert. 

This blog post will offer 10 tips on how to gain confidence in public speaking as an introvert.

Practice your speech beforehand

You may be thinking, “who has time to practice their speech beforehand?” The good news is that you have plenty of opportunities to do so. You can work on your public speaking in the car, at home, while walking around town–anytime and anywhere!

Practice rehearsing out loud until it sounds like a natural flow from start to finish.

“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Find a supportive friend or family member to listen to you practice and give feedback

You already know you can’t get over your fear of speaking in public on your own. You need a friend or family member to help you practice so they can give feedback and point out any mistakes you made during the speech.

Know that it is okay if you mess up - just keep going!

The first thing you should know is that it’s okay if you mess up. The most important thing in public speaking is to keep going – as long as what you say after the mistake has value, then no one will care too much about your previous error!

  • It isn't a bad idea to have an "oops" plan beforehand for when things go wrong (have notes on index cards or remember where something was discussed).

Action Item

Find a supportive friend or family member to listen to your practice and give feedback.

A lot of people find public speaking nerve-wracking, and introverts are no exception. The first thing you should know is that it’s okay if you mess up – just keep going! It isn’t a bad idea to have an “oops” plan beforehand for when things go wrong (have a friend in the audience who will help or bring your speech on index cards).

Face the audience with confidence, even if you're not feeling confident inside

  • Face the audience with confidence, even if you're not feeling confident inside. The more eye contact you make with your listeners or viewers, the more likely they'll be able to connect with what it is that you are saying and find common ground.
  • Smile! When people see a smile (especially on camera), they feel happy too. And remember: everyone in the audience has been quietly sitting there for as long as 10 minutes waiting for you to speak, so don't rush through your presentation because of nerves; take all 10 minutes just like any other speaker would.
  • If at all possible, stand up while speaking behind a podium--this way, your voice will project better throughout the room without relying solely upon mics which can cause feedback issues.
Face the audience with confidence

Smile Before, During And After Speaking; People Will Be More Receptive To What You Have To Say

A smile doesn’t just make someone feel good- it can also make you seem more confident! Smiling increases your self-esteem, putting you in a better mood which makes others like the things you say more. A study found that people who smiled during their presentations were perceived as more confident than those that did not. 

When talking with an introvert, try smiling at them to help put them at ease when speaking to crowds or handling large groups of individuals.”

“Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you.”
Les Brown

Speak from your heart, rather than reading off of notes or a script

When you write, your brain is scanning the page to find meaning. When you speak, it’s a direct connection from your mind to other people’s minds. When we read words aloud, our brains start looking for ways to make sense of them and often get distracted by what could be going on around us instead. 

That means that when we attempt public speaking without using notes or a script, there are fewer distractions in their head.

Pro Tip

Don’t Read Unless You Have to.
  • Speak with conviction
  • Make eye contact
  • Be passionate about what you're talking about
  • Use pauses for emphasis
  • Practice, practice, practice!
  • Know your audience and speak to their needs. Speak in a way that will resonate with them.
  • Put yourself out there without worrying about what other people may think of you. You're not making speeches in public; you are simply talking to people who want to listen (and, more importantly, need to hear) what you have to say!

Give yourself time in between public speeches so that when it's time for another one, they won't feel like the first one all over again

Give yourself time in between public speeches so that when it’s time for another one, they won’t feel like the first one all over again. This will also allow you to get your thoughts together and make any necessary changes before presenting them to an audience. 

You’ll start feeling more confident with each speech because no matter how long of a break you take from speaking publicly, by the 10th or 15th speech, nerves should have dissipated substantially.

Tell yourself "I can do this"

The first way to gain confidence in public speaking for introverts is by telling yourself, “I can do this.” It’s important that you believe in yourself and your abilities before the day of your presentation. If you start feeling doubts or worries about the possibility of failing at some point during your speech, remember what got you here – YOU! 

You have worked hard and are prepared for this moment; no one else has been through it like you have. The only person who knows how difficult it was to get where they are right now is them. So tell themselves, “I am going to kill it!” with conviction because if there’s anything an introvert needs when they speak publicly, it’s a little more self-confidence.

Talk about something that interests you

Now, when you’re talking about yourself and your interests to people, this is something that will make them more interested in you.

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.”
William Morris
  • You can do this by sharing pictures on social media of what interesting things are happening in your life (i.e., vacations, new purchases).
  • Or talk with the person/people who want to know more about you for a long time before moving onto other topics or meeting someone else like they suggest - if it's possible!

Keep breathing! It helps calm down nerves

Public speaking is a form of performance art, and that means you’ll have to get in the zone before starting. One way to do this is by breathing deeply–it will help calm down your nerves. 

Take deep breaths through your nose for at least 10 seconds each time, then exhale slowly through pursed lips or nostrils (whichever feels more comfortable) for another 10 seconds. Keep doing this until you feel relaxed enough to speak.

Action Item

Face the audience with confidence, even if you’re not feeling confident inside.

Before walking into the room

When waiting outside of the speech venue beforehand, take some deep breaths as well so that when it’s time to start speaking, you won’t be totally out of breath and find yourself gasping for air halfway through your talk!

Final Words

You may be surprised by how much you can accomplish with a little practice. So go ahead, get up there and speak! It’s worth it to make your voice heard. Be sure to subscribe for more tips on self-care as well.

Final Words

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The Best Call to Action Speech Examples

The Best Call to Action Speech Examples

Jun 28, 2021 | Public Speaking

It is important to have a strong call to action in your speech. It can be difficult to know what should go into a call to action; the best call to action speech examples are those that inspire. They motivate people to take the next step and do what they need to do. 

The best speeches are also those that evoke emotion and make it easy for the listeners to connect with them. But there are some examples that you can look at. The following are the best call-to-action speech examples!

Action Item

Use different words than you did with the doers since they’re not the ones that are going to be hitting the ground running to complete tasks.

Best call-to-action speech examples!

Call to Action Speeches are one of the most popular types of speeches. The goal is for the speaker to encourage and inspire listeners, motivate them into taking an action that benefits both themselves or others. 

Call To Action Speech Examples are a great way for speakers to find some inspiration as they write their own addresses. Here are some of our favorites:  

Best call-to-action speech examples

"We're not just a company; we're a community."

Apple CEO Tim Cook 2014 Keynote Address

"You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes; you can steer yourself any direction you choose."

Dr. Seuss' Oh! The Places You'll Go! (1990)

"Now go and get them. I don't want to see you again until they're done."

The Shawshank Redemption

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. So go ahead and dream, big boy!"

Dr. Seuss' You'll Be A Hero! (1975)

"I have a vision for this country where people are judged not by what they look like but by who they are; where opportunity knows no color lines, achievement has no gender or ethnic barriers, and economic security will be as important as physical security."

Senator Barack Obama 2004

"The best way to predict the future is to create it."

Peter Drucker

"Money doesn't talk; it swears."

Bob Dylan

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Franklin D Roosevelt

"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion."

Alexander the Great

"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."

Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)

Life isn't about finding yourself; life is about creating yourself! You can always find others that will tell you how to live your life and what path you should take in order for them to approve or be happy with your decisions, or you can make your own decisions and be the person you want to be.

"Don't try to live up to a standard that someone else has set for you because then you're living their life, not yours."

Gareth Cliff

The only thing we have is right now, so don't wait until tomorrow or next month!

"Decide what it would mean if everything in your life was going exactly as you wanted."

Jim Carrey

"Every day I get out of bed, I tell myself: Today's the day! You don't know which one will bring success, but that achievement starts with just getting into action today. So what are YOU waiting for? Get moving already!"

Kevin Hawkes

"You can't be too careful about what you wish because when your wishes come true, they just might go the way of all flesh."

Joss Whedon

"No matter how bad a day is going, no matter how many people are trying to bring me down or make it hard for me, I say, 'you know what? It's my decision.' The only thing that matters is this moment right now and decide if I'm happy with myself or not. And if I am, then everything else falls into place in some form or another. If not, well, there's always tomorrow! Such an easy choice, really."

Gareth Cliff

"I mean, what does anyone get from making somebody else sad? What are we getting out of that other than seeing them hurt, which isn't an uplifting feeling anyway? It's not satisfying at all because there was no gain for yourself."

Hugh Laurie

"The best call to actions speeches are ones that inspire, empower and motivate the audience while addressing their concerns or needs for change. They focus on the benefits of following through with what is asked rather than dwelling on any potential negative consequences."

Joss Whedon

"What I want you all to know is just because something doesn't go our way at times and we don't achieve our goals on this round of things, that's not an excuse because life goes on; keep working hard. That's my message: If you work hard enough as long as you're willing to put forth the effort - anything can happen."

Serena Williams

No matter how bad a day is going, no matter how many people are trying to bring me down or make it hard for me, I say, "you know what? It's my decision." The only thing that matters is this moment right now and decide if I'm happy with myself or not. And if I am, there's no one to stop me.

The best call to actions speeches inspire, empower and motivate while addressing any concerns or need for change from our audience’s perspective. They focus on the benefits of following through with what was asked rather than dwelling on any potential negative consequences. 

How to improve your speech call action

  • Start with a clear and concise goal for your speech.
  • Make sure that the audience knows what you want them to do at the end of the call to action.
  • Offer tangible benefits like incentives, such as discounts on products or free time off work so people can participate in an event like a voting day or volunteering opportunity.
  • Acknowledge any reservations or concerns about taking immediate action and encourage attendees to overcome those barriers together by focusing on shared values and common goals.
How to improve your speech call action

Pro Tip

Start with a clear and concise goal for your speech.

Call to Action Speech Examples can be a powerful tool in directing your audience towards an intended goal. 

Include these tips when crafting your next speech! The best Call To Action Speech Example is the most well-researched and persuasive speech.

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How to Get Public Speaking Experience in Any Economy

How to Get Public Speaking Experience in Any Economy

Jun 24, 2021 | Public Speaking

Public speaking is a skill that people can be afraid to develop, but the truth is it’s an incredibly useful and valuable skill. The problem for many would-be speakers is where to start. There are so many opportunities in public speaking, yet they all seem out of reach. 

This blog post will help you find your way into the world of public speaking with five steps that will leave you feeling confident, knowledgeable, and excited about what lies ahead! 

How to get public speaking experience in any economy

Join Toastmasters

If you want to get better public speaking skills and gain experience in a low-stress environment, consider joining Toastmasters. 

The best way to improve your speech is by practicing it with a group of people who can give constructive feedback on what you’re doing wrong. And that’s exactly what Toastmasters does for its members – they provide an opportunity for meeting new friends while getting the chance to practice giving speeches (and even potentially winning awards). You’ll also meet other budding leaders and find inspiration from their stories as well.

Toastmaster clubs are located all over the world, so no matter where you live, there will be one close by!

For help finding local groups near you, you can search on the Toastmasters website.

In a low-stress environment, consider joining Toastmasters.

"Powerful, impactful leaders know there is not a monopoly on intelligence."
Carla Harris

Ask your company or organization if they need a speaker for an upcoming event

If your company or organization is in need of a speaker, you are already ahead of the game. You may be able to do this for free (check with management), and it will give you experience, which makes other speaking opportunities more likely down the road. 

If not, there is another route that can also get you some valuable experience without costing anything: Ask friends who have an interest in public speaking if they would like to trade services one time and speak at their event instead. 

Ask your company or organization if they need a speaker for an upcoming event
  • Trade services by having them speak at yours.
  • Speak on behalf of someone else's nonprofit organizations.

Neither option costs money, but both options provide excellent practice! What about when we’re looking beyond paid gigs? How does someone get started with volunteering? 

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for public speaking at nonprofits. Just do a quick web search, and you’ll find dozens of organizations that could use your help. 

Speak about something you're passionate about at a local meeting, such as the neighborhood association or church group

These groups are usually looking for speakers and would be more than happy to have someone with fresh ideas. Just ask the person in charge if they need a speaker at their next meeting. It’s always nice when someone who isn’t known locally offers something new. 

Public speaking experience can also come from public service announcements on television or YouTube videos that one creates as an individual freelancer. If you’re not sure where to start, visit some of these sites: The National Speakers Association (NSA) website or googling “public speaking opportunities,” which will yield many results, including message boards and volunteer opportunities where people offer services such as facilitating workshops or hosting webinars on topics like freelance writing!

The NSA also offers a training program for speakers that covers everything from public speaking skills to marketing yourself, and they don’t charge any fees.

Some other ways you can get experience are by volunteering with your local Toastmasters Club or community theater group. Volunteer opportunities will also be posted on these organizations’ websites as well as the NSA website, where one of their programs is networking.

Regarding social media, it’s always best to start small before diving into more challenging platforms such as Twitter which has 140 character limits per post! Starting off slowly then building up confidence in what you’re doing is just fine because there are no deadlines and timelines when utilizing social media; remember, this medium isn’t about perfectionism but rather an authenticity!

Action Item

Search on the internet for speaking events.

Start teaching English to students in your country and begin with basic phrases like "hello" and "goodbye"

  • Teach English to students in your country and begin with basic phrases like "hello" and "goodbye."
  • Make it fun! Have a competition between classes. Whoever can say the most words without making any mistakes wins!
  • Videos are great for this activity, too: put up two videos on a screen side by side or have one of them projected onto the front wall in class while everyone else watches from their seats. The videos could be about greeting someone you just met, introducing themselves at an event they're speaking at, etc. Ask questions throughout so that students will use sentences with different tenses (present tense vs. past tense). This way, we'll also reinforce concepts like question word order and direct/indirect questions.
  • Have students do this activity in groups of three or four, rotating between partners every few minutes so that everyone has a chance to practice their skills with different people and use different tenses as well.
  • Take turns speaking for the group: if you're working with your partner one minute and someone else's partner the next, make sure you have something interesting to say about yourself! Remember--especially when it comes time to speak aloud--show don't tell! Make eye contact with each person in turn and give them an opportunity to respond while they are talking (this is good modeling too). If anyone does not want to talk due to shyness or fear of making mistakes, ask them what they would like instead: "Do you want to draw a picture of what we're talking about?" or "Do you want me to read this article and then tell the class what I think is happening in it?"
Start teaching English to students in your country

Offer to speak at schools, churches, libraries, or community organizations

If you have a speaking topic that’s appropriate for schools, churches, libraries, or community organizations (or just want to talk about something in your area of expertise), offer to give a presentation. Some people do this once and never again; other speakers enjoy giving talks regularly at different venues. It can be lots of fun and offers excellent practice! 

  • Identify the type of venue — school, church, library, or community organization
  • Find out who is responsible for booking presentations
  • Get permission from the person in charge before sending an email offering to speak
  • Offer your services: identify what date(s) are available if they're flexible on when it happens + how much time commitment will be required by you
  • If they're interested, have a preliminary conversation over the phone to talk about what is expected from you for the presentation
  • Follow up with an email confirming your date and time availability + any other details that may be important for them (PowerPoint slides, length of speech)
  • Send follow-up emails as close as possible to the event, so it's on their mind but not too much in advance either. In some cases, this is okay because people might want to review or ask questions before then. But if there are no requests, just send one reminder closer to the day itself—or even call when appropriate. This will keep you top of mind without being intrusive!

Pro Tip

Gear your content to your listeners’ knowledge, experience, and interests.

Volunteer to speak on behalf of charities that are important to you

If you want to volunteer and get public speaking experience, but don’t have the funds for classes, find a charity that is important to you. If it’s not too much trouble, offer your skills in exchange for free services they provide like homesteading or landscaping. 

You can also offer pro-bono consulting work if you’re an expert on certain things like marketing or accounting; just make sure their needs are aligned with what you do well, so both of you benefit from this arrangement. For example, “Marketing mavens” could consult some small businesses about how to attract new customers while receiving valuable public speaking practice at the same time! 

Volunteer to speak on behalf of charities that are important to you

Final Words

I’m sure you didn’t think there was a way to get more speaking experience in any economy. But, it turns out that if you want public speaking practice without shelling out money for the privilege of doing so, then these are some ways you can do just that. There may be other things too! 

Try them and see what happens-I bet they work for you as well at no cost or very low investment upfront. Remember this old saying? “A penny saved is a penny earned”? Well, when your goal is to save money by getting free public speaking experience (or anything else), “a penny not spent is still one less than before”–so don’t let those pennies stop rolling in! 

I hope you enjoyed this post. If there is anything I can help with, please let me know in the comments.

Action Item

Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points.

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Body Language Presentation

Body Language Presentation

Jun 21, 2021 | Public Speaking, Publicity

Many people think that body language only matters when you are in person talking to someone. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When you give a presentation, your body language can help or hurt your message depending on what it is and how you use it! 

In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for presenting, which can help improve your body language and increase the impact of your presentations. 

Body language presentation

What is body language, and why does it matter

Keep in mind that body language is an unspoken conversation. It communicates 70% of the message, whereas speech only communicates 30%. 

Body language tells us what a person really thinks about their topic, how they feel, and what kind of attitude they have toward you and your presentation. When someone’s posture or expression changes from positive to negative, it has been scientifically shown that people are more likely to conform with their opinion than when those emotions were originally neutral. 

In other words: if you make them laugh at the beginning, then tell them something serious later on – chances are they’ll still find it funny! This can be used as a powerful tool for persuasion because most people don’t want to go against public consensus, even if they disagree.

It can be used to build rapport with the audience, it can highlight certain parts of your message and shield off others, and it can help you maintain a positive mood throughout – all without having to verbally speak at all! But there are also some pitfalls that body language presenters need to watch out for: negative body language will distract from your main points; too much smiling might make people think you’re insincere or arrogant (unless this is what you want); crossing your arms may convey hostility; being animated but not moving around enough could show boredom or indifference on stage; overly enthusiastic movements may seem like desperation. 

When in doubt, tone down those gestures before giving your next presentation.

“Your body language shapes who you are.”
Amy Cuddy

How to read others' body language

“How can you interpret body language?” I ask. “There are a few things to watch for,” he says. “Eyes, hands, and gestures – they all say something different.” 

I nod in agreement as he continues: “If someone’s looking at the ground or their feet, it could mean that they’re shy or embarrassed.” He pauses before continuing with his next point: “But if someone is moving around constantly and shaking their head while talking, then chances are there might be some anger going on.”

The most common interpretation of hand movements includes crossing one’s arms to signal disagreement, shaking one’s head, or pointing while talking in order to disagree with a point being made.

Some other hands and arm gestures that can be interpreted as negative are grabbing the back of one’s neck (to show frustration) or tapping their fingers on something repeatedly when they’re bored.

An open palm is also usually considered an inviting gesture that signals openness for conversation, but it could just mean that someone is waiting for you to say something more. Flat palms facing down most likely means “no” if used quickly – but if someone is telling a story and pantomimes with their hands, it might mean “but that’s not the end of the world” or “I’m getting to something important.”

In particular, nodding one’s head while talking can be used as agreement. But many think they’re lying when in fact, they are just polite because there could also be disagreement behind what you say too.

It has been said that people unconsciously mirror each other during a conversation which means you may notice others’ gestures on your own – so keep an eye out for body language clues.

Action Item

Watch some speaking events and take note of how the speakers act and move.

Tips on how to improve your own body language in a presentation

Practice in front of the mirror. 

Stand up straight with your shoulders back and look directly at the audience without staring down anything that could distract you. – Smile, but don’t force it if you’re not feeling genuine happiness or joy for what you are saying. 

Your body language should match how you feel inside to project authenticity when presenting on stage. If necessary, use humor to lighten things up a bit, so people will remember your presenters’ personality better than how they felt about the topic being presented!

Don’t slouch or allow yourself to slump forward while talking; this can be interpreted as laziness by those watching from afar. It may seem like common sense, but good posture is key to every presentation and should be practiced before your presentation as well.

When you are presenting on stage, keep eye contact with the audience – not the screen! This is a good chance to know if they are engaged in what you’re saying or simply reading about it behind their computer screens.

Make sure that when speaking from an outline or other written script, you emphasize important points without sounding like you’re being read off of the paper. Be deliberate but natural; this will help make people feel more involved in the topic at hand and less distant by comparison to where they would have been had there been no demonstration whatsoever.

If you have slides accompanying your speech, try not to look down too much while talking. You should only be looking down at the slides for an occasional glance, not a full sentence or paragraph.

If you have trouble with public speaking in general and feel that it is having a negative impact on your work life, there are many courses available to help address this issue. Remember that being able to speak well in front of others will make you more successful both personally and professionally!

Tips on how to improve your own body language

Reasons for using body language in presentations

  • It can help make a connection with your audience.
  • It shows the speaker is confident in their message.
  • Body language can show how an idea is being received by the listeners, allowing you to adjust your presentation accordingly.

Pro Tip

You can study their body language and see how they use facial expressions, movement, and gestures to help them convey their ideas.

Examples of bad and good use of body language in presentations

Bad: says “I’m sorry”
Good: [smiles] 

The first example shows a speaker who is apologizing, and the second one shows someone smiling. Good body language, such as smiles, reflects enthusiasm or confidence in what they are saying. On the other hand, bad body language can lead to mistrust with your audience due to things like nervous ticks, tension-filled jawlines, etc., which distract people from listening to you speak because they’re distracted by trying not to stare at them. 

This could be seen when an individual says ‘sorry’ while gesturing apologetically with their hands – this gesture could come across as genuinely remorseful, but it also signifies weakness of character that might make some participants feel uneasy.

Should you use hand gestures or not during a presentation

There are two schools of thought on how to use hand gestures during a presentation. 

Some people feel that it is important to continually move the audience’s focus back and forth between the visual aids (e.g., PowerPoint slides) and themselves, while others believe that gesturing too much will distract listeners from what they’re saying. Which camp should you join? 

It all depends on your goal for your talk: Are you trying to entertain or inform? If informing, then limit movements; if entertaining, then don’t be shy about getting some movement in there!

Some people think it’s important to make sure the audience pays attention not only by using verbal cues but also with their body language — namely through eye contact and occasional hand gestures.

Eye contact matters as a general rule of thumb — but many speakers gesture with their hands during presentations without realizing how distracting this can be. Gestures are great for emphasizing key points visually but try not to overuse them, so they don’t become distracting.

“Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words.”
Deborah Bull

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