Should I move around during a presentation. Becoming a public speaker is an exciting opportunity to share
Move Around And Look at Your Audience.
Whether or not you choose to use a podium, avoid getting overly focused on your notes or other distractions. Scan the audience to acknowledge people seated around the room. In keeping with the tone of your presentation, smile, look thoughtful, or express other emotions appropriately. Make eye contact occasionally or glance over the heads of the audience so it appears you are looking at them. Don’t let your movements suggest that you are preoccupied with other thoughts.
Modulate Your Voice While Moving.
If you move about, be careful that your steps do not impact your voice range. Speak in a tone that fits the room logistics, using a mic if needed. Pace yourself to a comfortable rate without moving too slowly or too quickly. Use intonation to vary your tone and pitch. Pause for effect, both in movement and in verbiage, to let your words sink in. Raise your tone for questions or to emphasize a key point. Words are powerful, prepare yours to captivate the attention of your listeners while underscoring their importance.
Orchestrate Your Body Movements.
Feel free to use hand gestures and facial expressions to help convey an emotion. Depending on your personality, the topic, and the audience, you might want to use exaggerated facial expressions or move your hands to convey an idea. Body language can be very helpful in reinforcing verbal ideas, so give some thought in advance to any gestures or expressions you would like to use. You can also move around the platform where you are speaking if you are wearing a wireless mic. Some speakers hold their listeners’ attention by stepping to first one side and pausing, and then the other. Movement can help to keep both you and the audience more alert. Plan your movements in advance unless you are a naturally spontaneous speaker who feels comfortable in orchestrating bodily movements in tandem with the presentation.
Look Your Best.
You don’t necessarily have to wear a formal business suit, but you should dress the part of the presenter that the audience expects. That could be business casual or another type of attire, but find out in advance the type of venue it will be and prepare accordingly. Good grooming with neat hair and limited jewelry go without saying. As you move about while delivering your speech, you want people’s eyes to follow you with interest in your topic, not curiosity about your appearance.
Pace Yourself.
Public speaking requires a good sense of timing. Be ready to begin following your introduction by the host or emcee, and stick to the allotted time for your presentation. Practice in advance to get your timing right, as you don’t want to end too soon or go over your designated speaking time. Often, you can get one of the event coordinators to flag you from the audience when you have just a few minutes left. Your speech structure should also be paced to provide suitable time for the introduction, body, and conclusion. If you decide to move around the platform, avoid a nervous rush; instead, take deliberate, measured steps that flow with your talk.
Although some feel that public speaking is a gift, it is also a skill that can be mastered through study and practice. Help your body and mind work together in sync when you stand before a group of people who are ready to listen to whatever you say. This is a skill you will want to improve. For additional information, read my article on Tips To Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking.