Effective Use Of Body Language

Body language is what your audience notices about you, even before you begin to talk. Your body language is making the presentation as much as your voice is. Words alone are not enough to communicate what your wish to say. They must be aided by your body language; that is, you non-verbal communication must aid your verbal communication. Body language speaks louder than words.

Here are a few suggestions for the effective use of body language while making a presentation.

1. Stand with Body Weight Equally Balanced on Both Feet: Many persons stand with the weight on one foot or keep shifting the balance alternately on each foot. Do not lean against furniture. Do not put your weight on the lecture stand.
2. Avoid too Much Walking Around: This may distract the attention of the audience. Some movement is, of course, necessary, especially when using visual aids. At the same time, do not stand like a statue. The audience would find it difficult to stare for long, at one fixed spot.
3. Gestures and Facial Expressions should always Accompany Speech: They may or may not have independent meaning. Gestures can be used to express thought, even without using words at the same time. In a presentation, however, gestures cannot be used independently. They help you to express your thoughts and feelings better, and thus, they help the listeners to understand you better. Gestures are inescapable, but they should be relevant, consciously made, and controlled. Unnecessarily moving your hands constantly is irritating and distracts the listener's attention. A smiling face is pleasant to look at and wins over the audience. The success of your personality depends a great deal on your body language.
4. Physical Appearance should be Suitable for the Occasion: Physical appearance includes not only your dress, but also what you carry with you, and how you walk. Your dress should be formal. It should not be a source of disturbance to you, or a distraction to your listeners when you are making your presentation. In organizations like banks, staff members are expected to dress in sober colours, especially when representing the bank to the general public.
5. Confidence is necessary for a Good Personality: If you have confidence in yourself, you will carry yourself well. Your confidence can be easily seen in your facial expressions too. Don't be nervous. Being normal will help overcome the barrier of nervousness. Practicing your speech will create confidence.

When you make a presentation your main aim is to see that your listeners accept the facts or information that you give them. If you have introduced a new service, and want your customer to make use of it, how well you are able to persuade him, will depend on the confidence with which your speak. Your audience may agree with you that your new service is a good one, but they may have to be persuaded to avail of it. For example, someone accepts the fact that the ATM facility is of great help to customers, but he may not be willing to maintain a large amount in his account.