Research shows that more than half of all human communication is non-verbal. In fact, we constantly send non-verbal messages. When you speak in public, your audience judges you and your message based on what they see. Of course, people in the audience also evaluate what they hear. Let’s see how we can effectively use body language when speaking in public.
You send two types of messages
When you give a speech, you send two types of messages to your audience. Your voice transmits a verbal message. At the same time lots of information is conveyed by your appearance, your movements, and your behavior. In fact, when you speak in front of a group, these people base their judgment of you and your message on what they see and what they hear.
The best tool to use when speaking in public
When you speak in public, your body can be an effective tool for adding emphasis and clarity to your words. In addition, it is also your most powerful instrument for convincing an audience of your sincerity and enthusiasm.
At the same time, you need to pay attention that your physical actions do not distract the audience or suggest meanings that do not agree with your verbal message. In fact, it is crucial to be aware of the fact that your body can defeat your words.
In other words, whatever is the purpose of your speech (to inform, persuade, entertain, motivate etc), your body language must be appropriate to what you say.
Understand how your body speaks
To become a competent speaker, you must understand how your body speaks. For instance, even if you can’t stop sending your audience nonverbal messages, you can learn to manage and control them.
It is important for you to learn how nonverbal messages affect an audience and what kinds of information they transmit. In addition, it is also important to figure out how nervousness can be softened by purposeful physical actions, and how to make your body speak as fluently as your words.
Keep in mind
To use your body as a tool to make you a more effective speaker you need to determine your nonverbal strengths and challenges. In addition, you also need to eliminate any physical behavior that diverts attention from what you say during a speech.
