Body language is important

Your body language influences your audience and the impression you make on them. You may be a confident speaker, but if your physical actions say otherwise, then they’re going to get the wrong idea of who you are and what you’re about. When you’re giving a presentation, pay attention to your posture and how you move.

* Stand up straight with your shoulders back – this shows confidence and openness

* Keep your hands free from holding anything – this conveys openness and speaks to an interest in the topic

* Move around so that your audience can see you better – it’s not enough to just stand there and speak if people can’t see you well. Moving around will show that you are present in the moment.

Stand up straight

Many people have a tendency to slouch. This not only looks unprofessional, but it can cause pain and tension in your back. It is important to sit up straight at all times, whether you’re giving a presentation or waiting for one.

Keep your head up and back straight

Posture starts with the head. Your eyes and thoughts should be forward and looking at your audience, not at your notes or slides. Keeping your head up shows you’re confident in what you’re saying and that you know what you’re talking about.

When we think of posture, many people automatically think of the shoulders. But don’t forget to keep your back straight. Slouching can make it difficult for listeners to pay attention to what you’re saying, which is the whole point of giving a presentation! Keep your back straight and shoulders down when speaking to show confidence in what you have to say.

Many people find themselves crossing their legs when they stand in front of an audience. If this is happening, stop it! Crossing your legs not only makes you less engaging but could also cause pain in the future. When standing, keep both feet on the ground and one foot slightly behind the other so that your weight is evenly distributed on both legs.

Watch your gestures.

Gestures are a huge part of body language and can be very distracting when done incorrectly. They’re also distracting for the audience if you don’t do them in sync with what you’re saying. Practice your gestures ahead of time to make sure they don’t take away from what you’re saying.

Breathing from the diaphragm.

Breathing from the diaphragm helps to maintain a good posture. This is because it flattens out your stomach and makes you feel more confident. Practice taking deep breaths throughout your presentation to keep your posture strong.