Body Language TipsFor Your Presentation

By : Margaret Lakra

At the end of this session you will Know

• Body language during presentation Dos• Body language during presentation Don'ts

Body Language Mistakes

Standing Too Close This just makes people feel uncomfortable.  Most people

consider the 4 square feet of space immediately surrounding their body to be personal space.  Cross this invisible boundary with good friends and intimate mates only.

Public Distance Public Distance - 12 to 25 feet

Physical distance at this level is often used in public speaking situations. Talking in front of a class full of students or giving a presentation at work.

Social Distance Social Distance - 4 to 12 feet

This level of physical distance is often used with individuals who are acquaintances. With someone you know fairly well, such as a co-worker you see several times a week, you might feel more comfortable interacting at a closer distance.

Personal Distance

Personal Distance - 1.5 to 4 feetPhysical distance at this level usually

occurs between people who are family members or close friends. The closer the people can comfortably stand while interacting can be an indicator of the intimacy of the relationship.

Intimate Distance

Intimate Distance - 6 to 18 inchesThis level of physical distance often indicates a closer relationship or greater comfort between individuals. It often occurs during intimate contact such as hugging, whispering, or touching.

Keep Your Hands Out Of Your Pockets

Standing with your hands in your pockets may send several signals to those around you, probably none of them what you intend. Unless you are trying to look less confident, as if you are holding yourself back, you are bored, or you are hiding something, then take your hands out of your pockets.

Avoiding eye contact / Staring at single point in the audience

Avoiding eye contact is something insecure people do

unconsciously to avoid confrontation.

Do Not Read Your Notes or Slides

Doing so will lower your energy level and lead your audience to feel less engaged

Lean Way Back or Slouch / Turn Your Back On The Audience

Turning your back to the audience will make you lose your audience that very minute.

Leaning too far back while engaged in conversation puts off a negative signal, saying you are too confident in yourself.

Slouching down in your chair tells others that you are not interested in what is going on.

Don’t Cross Arms and Legs

When you cross your hands and legs you send a subtle message that your not open to questions. You may come across as defensive.

Walking Too Fast and For Too Long

Although it is advised to walk around the space you have, don’t over do it. If you're

constantly walking or walk too fast people will think your nervous and they will start feeling nervous too.

Fidgeting

Fidgeting means nervousness and nervousness is a total distraction. An audience ends up focusing on the fidgeting and not paying attention to what’s being said.

Forgetting to Smile

If you don’t smile at your audience they will probably see you as a serious person and will certainly not participate in an discussion you may want to start

Speaking Too Fast or Too slow

If you speak too fast people will have a hard time following, if you speak too slow they will fall asleep.

Presentation Do’s

Boost Your Confidence

Open your chest and arms and keep your back straight.

This position will make you breathe better and you will feel more relaxed

Smile at your audience

Smiling is the most powerful Weapon

Engage People • Gesture with your head, arms and hands is a natural

way and vary your gestures

• Looking your audience in the eye people always makes people pay attention

• Ask Questions – Make your audience think

Demonstrate Authority

Keep Calm – Use small and stiff gestures. This way people will trust you and view you as a confident person

Use The Classroom As A Stage

Move around to engage and interact with your audience. Do not stand in one spot the entire time. Move with purpose; do not walk aimlessly.

Develop A Teaching Persona

Decide how you want to be perceived and what mannerisms you want to have. Whatever persona is right for you, aim to convey confidence and ease.

Point Directly

To draw attention to a certain element in the presentation Point directly at it and look at it on the screen. At the same time your audience will follow your eyes and finger.

Interact With and Pay Attention to Your Audience

Make eye contact with the audience, not with the wall or chalkboard. To encourage participation use open gestures. Walk towards people they tend to participate more when they have proximity to the speaker.

Make a Hard Question Seem Easier

To make a hard question seem easier- Pause, Breathe slowly. This will give you time to think and then answer while looking the questioner in the eye.

Make Your Audience Believe You To make your audience buy your story use positive

during the entire presentation.

Nodding, Open gestures, smiling, mirroring.

Thank You