Win Life with Body Language and Dress Code Part 3
The Secrets to Using Your Body Language and Dress Code to Ace Your Business Presentations and Speeches
In
the two previous posts, I talked about the importance of body language and
dressing in getting people to like you and even, be influenced, by you. Then,
for that hopeful job applicant preparing for a job interview, I gave tips on
how to speak, how to carry yourself, how to sit down, what to wear and a host
of other valuable info.
If
you haven’t yet read the last two posts, you can read them here:
This
post will tell you how you can use your body language and dress code for a
major business event, such as a presentation or talk or speech, to help you
achieve the results you desire.
Let’s
say you have a speech to give to shareholders in your company or, maybe, you
have a presentation you’re to give to your customer’s top-level management
team…
How
do you use your body language and dressing to influence your audience and make
them like you?
Acing
the Business Presentation
Before
the Presentation
Things
to Remember:
§ Consider the audience demographics and size, plus their
knowledge of your topic
§ Remember your presentation should have a beginning, middle
and end
§ Put only key points in your presentation. You get to
elaborate these points in front of your audience
§ Wear a straight-cut dress or skirt or trousers. Make sure
it’s something you’ve worn before
§ Your dress should match the tone of the presentation. Dress
a little better than your audience
§ Your clothing should focus attention only on your face,
especially your eyes. Wearing a light or colourful piece of clothing or
accessory near your face brightens the face.
During
the Presentation
Things
to Remember:
§ Before you start, look around at your audience, smile, nod
at one or two people and get their attention
§ Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head up. Your arms
should be hanging at your sides. Don’t cross your arms or put your hands on
your hips
§ Keep your eyes on the audience as much as possible, giving 4
- 5 seconds of eye contact per person
§ While talking, look to one side of the room and then, to the
other side
§ Smile frequently
§ If you’re standing in front of a podium, put your hands on
top of the podium, unless you’re making deliberate gestures
§ Use clear, deliberate gestures that emphasize your point
§ When in front of a large audience, use large, expansive
gestures. For smaller groups, use smaller gestures
§ When enumerating points (1, 2, 3), count them out on your
fingers. This helps to impress the points in your audience’s minds
§ Take up your main position in the centre of the room. Move
from there only with purpose. Move toward the audience as you make a key point.
Move away when you change the subject
At
the End of the Presentation
Things
to Remember:
§ At the end, ensure that you issue a call-to-action. What do
you want the audience to do right away or as soon as possible?
§ Also, repeat your key points
Acing
that Speech
§ Lift your chin, smile and nod at your audience
§ Speak about 20% slower than your normal rate. Modulate your
speech; going from up to down, from soft to loud, depending on the importance
of the points you’re making
§ Move fast when you’re talking about less important ideas.
Move slowly when you’re talking about things you want the audience to remember
§ Repeat over and over again the things you want your audience
to fix in their minds
Use emphatic
and clear gestures:
§ Point an index finger to emphasize a key point
§ Put a hand over your heart to show you’re sincere about what
you’re saying
§ Spread your hands, show your palms. This means you’re open
and expressive
If
you want more people to like, respect and trust you every time, everywhere, it’s
important to always use the right clothing, accessories, makeup and hairstyle
that suits your unique body shape, face shape and skintone.
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