Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: 5 Essential Tips for Success – Part 4

In this article, we delve into the fourth strategy (part 4 of 5):

Strategy #4: Master non-verbal communication skills!

Gaining proficiency in non-verbal communication is essential in both social and professional contexts. What constitutes non-verbal communication skills or body language elements? Non-verbal communication includes stage positioning, tone of voice, gestures, posture, facial expressions – they imply and convey meaning in addition to spoken words.

You might ask “Why the need to understand the importance of and acquire non-verbal communication skills?” Ever heard of the saying “Content is King, but Delivery is Queen”? You may have the best-structured presentation (well-timed and well-crafted at every point on the timeline) and compelling content or stories/ anecdotes, but if the delivery is flat, unengaging, or uninspiring, that won’t be an effective presentation. Delivery encompasses non-verbal communication skills/ body language aspects such as vocal variety/ tonality, facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, and stage positioning.

According to research, in some situations, nonverbal clues might explain as much as 93% of the efficiency of communication. This emphasizes how important posture, facial expressions, and gestures are to effectively communicating ideas.

Let’s start with – Stage Positioning

One myth that frequently surfaces in our class is the idea that stage location necessitates active, almost frenetic movement across the stage. You might picture a speaker who exudes unending energy and is always on the go.

GIF of someone running about on stage

*** Stage Positioning is NOT equal to Stage Pacing or worse…Running ***

Instead, we think that stage placement needs to be controlled and organized. Above all, it ought to have a purpose! Even though it could seem a little stiff at first, a stage positioning map could give you the early confidence you need to give this method a go.

Here are three ideas for giving your movement more meaning. Decide on your spots early in the stage. To help you navigate the stage, try to identify three to five basic regions. Think of each place as a magnet that draws you to the designated spot and holds you there. Secondly, decide on the route you wish to follow to reach your chosen stage places. Think twice before making large movements when a small adjustment to your body’s angle would do the job just as well. For instance, your route can include a lengthier “rest stop” in the middle of the stage if you are assigned a large platform to present on. Lastly, utilize your stage locations as a guide for the topics of your speech. For instance, designating each area of the stage for a significant segment of your speech could serve as a mental reference point for your listeners!

We then layer that with – Eye Contact

We’re going to go in a different direction here and advise you to consider where you should be stopping as much as where you are traveling when it comes to stage positioning. Strong speakers glide effortlessly across the stage, switching between focused, purposeful motions and composed, grounded physical pauses. Make use of these breaks to reinforce your message or bring the audience’s attention back to you.

However, we recognize that you may find the thought of standing motionless unsettling. Keep these three comforting factors in mind when you try out different physical pauses! First, make purposeful use of the pause; a suitable point could be a speech transition or a major point. Secondly, make sure to keep eye contact with your audience while anchoring your point. How to “keep the eye contact with my audience” you may ask? Here’s a tip – treat them like babies. Yes. You heard me.

Ask yourself this. What do babies crave? They can’t use spoken words at their age, so why do babies cry? They need something and someone to attend to their needs. They cry to get parents’ attention. Essentially, treat your audience members as attention-craving babies and in order to give them sustained eye contact – you pivot yourself squarely at that one audience member of “patch” of audience. It’s not about giving EVERY audience member eye contact. Face your entire body towards that one audience member. Give him or her your fullest eye contact. After 10 seconds or so, move on to the next audience member.

image of a person looking intently at another

We have already prepared a training video on How To Capture Audience Attention Without Saying A Word (Body language & Pause & Eye Contact): Click YouTube link to watch – https://youtu.be/VP6rdR1p29s?si=YV_GO5OU2zDyOSuQ

Lastly, you enhance the presentation with – Vocal Variety

When it comes to public speaking, one of the main things that our clients usually concentrate on for their voice projection. It is not unusual to have questions about the best ways to portray confidence or talk louder on stage. In fact, this is one of the key indicators on stage that might convey confidence when speaking. The difficulty is in attempting to become proficient in all of your communication environments.

There’s more to mastering or improving vocal projection than merely turning up the volume. In order to guarantee sustained adherence to the habit, this needs to be done with intention and sustainability. More significantly, voice projection opens the door to voice modulation, which alters our vocal characteristics to produce a certain impression or style. Voice projection is an excellent habit to develop, whether it’s to project confidence or emphasis a punchline or main point!

Vocal variety is pivotal in storytelling – An animated vocal, for instance, would include aspects such as increased vocal loudness, a faster speed, or a higher pitch when speaking on the “conflict” in the story and the “climax/ turning point” of the story. A sombre, deeper tone, for instance, would include aspects such as softening of vocal loudness, a slower speed, or a lower pitch when speaking on the “resolution/ learning point” in the story. Acquiring the ability to harmonize these disparate elements might also assist our emerging communicators in engaging, enthralling and entertaining their audiences when public speaking.

Stay tuned for Part 5 (final) in which we share tips with regard to the fifth strategy on Seeking Feedback for Continuous Improvement!