Nice.

Look up and smile - that works better. Try it. Weird, huh?

wonderful. you are inviting us to be fully present with THESE people in THIS moment. Actually caring transforms presentations. And looking like we care can help us care.

Thanks.

Wow Christopher, that’s cool. Smiling with the head level vs. smiling while you’re looking up makes a big difference.

Jon, YES. Too many forget that presenting is communicating — it’s conversation — bring the audience along with you!

There’s great stuff about being in the moment- when you are off thinking about other things, it shows on your face and body, and people know in a sec. Be where you are, when you are there- worry about the other stuff later.

I read somewhere recently that if you think to yourself “I like this person,” your facial expression and body language will be more welcoming.

I’ve been meaning to do a post on walks myself for a while. I took modeling classes many years ago. Women were taught to walk leading with their hips and to put one foot in front of the other, like walking a tightrope. Men were taught to walk leading with their chests and to have their feet parallel to each other (like walking two tightropes, I guess). I don’t think either of these model walks are how people naturally walk.

In the U.S., making eye contact is important. Following up on that eye contact is even more important. Shows you’re actually interested in meeting/speaking with/listening to that person.

Don’t put your hands in your pockets. It looks like you’re hiding something (and by extension, is a potential barrier to trust-building with your audience). For a look of openness and confidence, put your hands behind your back, or let them fall to your sides when you’re not using them to gesture.

These are the kinds of tips I teach to our Netguides (computer tutoring volunteers) at my library. When it comes to smiling, I tell them to smile even if they’re frowning on the inside, which they find entertaining, but really helps.

I like these tips because they’re simple, and one of the best things you can do when talking to people in any situation is to keep it simple. Don’t feel too compelled to add to much flourish to your style, the *content* is the star, you are the mouthpiece.

Besides, the simpler it is, the better they follow; the better they follow, the more they learn; the more they learn, the more highly they think of you as a presenter.

Look at the person with love in your eyes. When you look at them, say ‘I love you’ in your mind, and mean it.

This is almost directly out of ‘The Greatest Salesman in the World’

Great suggestions.

When you need a reason to smile, rather than forcing it, consider the people, ideas, things, experiences and dreams that you can be grateful for.

Feeling grateful always makes me smile!

I love the succinctness of this post. I’m glad it was listed on the 70 Public Speaking Blogs post.

There was a comment by Benjamin Bach. He said:

“Look at the person with love in your eyes. When you look at them, say

Thank you for this nice short review of the important non-verbal tips to help create a powerful image on the podium. What about the vocal image? We often forget that very critical part.

I’d add to speak slowly. Eliminate qualifiers (I think, I believe, I feel). Eliminate fillers (um’s, uh’s, ya know’s, dah). Don’t end your sentences with a question mark (upward intonation), and do not apologize for what you are saying.

You can add lots of confidence to your presentation by paying attention to both the visual and the vocal messages–what you see and what you hear.

Join a virtual group called Speak Up for Success. Check it out on my website: http:/www.TotalCommunicationsCoach.com

Great Ideas!! Stumbled!

Here are some more…”caution” - these are unconventional ideas and you may not agree with all / some of them -

http://tickledbylife.com/index.php/avoiding-death-by-powerpoint/