Public Speaking: Body Language and Public Speaking

Speaking to a group can be a frightening experience for those who have no idea about The Art of Public Speaking. There are many factors that are involved in overcoming public speaking anxiety and the most important of those is being confident. You can show confidence both by your vocal quality as well as your body language. That’s why you need to be careful with your body language or what you do with your body while on stage. Remember - body language plays a very important role on how your presentation is going to impress the audience.  

It is important to show confidence while climbing the stairs of the stage before delivering your speech. Once there, many people tend to remain stuck in one position, where they deliver their speech and eventually step down at the end, without realizing that they have actually lost the audience with their stiff performance. Body movements are very essential for effective public speaking. It is important that you go to the place where you need to make your speech, settle in comfortably either by shaking hands with the previous speaker or by making eye contact with the audience. However, it is significant to remember that there should be no body movement while making the introductory words to the audience as this will take away the attention from the message and make the people concentrate on your movement, thereby defeating the whole purpose. 

Body movements can be movements across the stage or even while standing at one place. Dividing the stage into two or three parts to define different aspects of your speech will allow you to move across the stage while making your speech. It is important that you do not move nervously or unnecessarily across the stage. Rather, each movement should actually match what you are talking about. In case you have to stand at the same place or position because you are behind a lectern, you may lean forward or backward a little, which in turn can help you stress your points and make a mark on the audience. 

Public speaking and gesturing have a close link. Your hand gestures are a major part of gesturing.  It is important to add gestures and movements to your speech that not only stress a point but also show directions, especially if your speech is related to some training modules. However, it is important to match your hand movements with your speech or else, the audience may get confused.  

Attending public speaking classes will definitely help you understand more about body language and its importance while speaking in public. Attending such courses will allow you to develop new public speaking ideas for using your body effectively and engaging your audience, which will ultimately help you turn into a popular speaker.