10 Body Language Mistakes During Presentations

1
10 Body Language Mistakes During Presentations

2
Non-verbal communication can impact your
presentation at large. Several studies have shown
that body language contributes both in a positive
and negative way to a presenters influence. Body
language is extremely important as you walk into
a room to deliver a presentation. Your behaviour
helps the audience to figure out your personality
and message much before you begin the
presentation.
3
1. Avoiding eye contact Lets start from the
eyes. Avoiding eye contact often implies deceit
towards the audience. Always try to maintain an
eye contact with the audience while making any
point even if it is for a short duration. But
dont break the contact too rapidly. Remember
Eye contact can help you persuade the audience
better on any particular matter since it
signifies the confidence of the presence.
4
2. Rolling of the eyes. Dont even think of
trying it since rolling the eyes sends an
attitude of disrespect towards the audience.
Rolling of the eyes tells your audience that you
are lying to them. Remember Try making a firm
eye contact to convey your preparedness towards
the presentation. A little smile can be a great
add-on.
5
3. Single spot staring Trust us you should
never stare at a single spot continuously. If the
audience notices that you are staring at a single
spot, especially at the roof, it makes you look
unprepared for the presentation. Remember Try
looking at numerous people so that the audience
members feel wanted. They will attend to the
presentation more carefully this way.
6
4. Refusing to smile Lets come to the face.
Yes, you should begin the presentation with a
smile. Your smile can enable the audience to
receive the message more willingly. Unless you
are conducting a presentation that delivers bad
news, it is always ok to smile, even during
business meetings. Remember A smile at relevant
timings makes for half the work done (usually).
7
5. Crossing your arms Keeping your arms crossed
may cast an impression on the audience that you
are very casual about your presentation. It is
best to keep your arms open, slightly distant
from the body. Remember Open arms will convey
your confidence towards the audience and create a
peaceful background for the presentation.
8
6. Hand movements Coming to the body, hand
movement plays a crucial role. Fidgeting, hiding
or clasping your hands flaunts under confidence
and weaknesses. Try to be conscious about your
body to avoid fidgeting. Remember Using precise
and smaller hand indications are a great way to
demonstrate any point with dominance. Going for a
presentation rehearsal is a good strategy to
control fidgeting.
9
7. Showing the back to the audience Remember,
your audience has come to see you and not your
back. Showing the back leads to boring the
audience who ultimately lose interest in your
presentation. Remember Face your audience in
the forward direction and turn your head
occasionally towards them. Like this, you can
look at the presentation screen more often.
10
8. Awful posture An awful posture is pretty
uncool while delivering a presentation. You can
hold your head upwards and keep the shoulders
back to maintain the eye contact. Remember A
comfortable posture enables you to breathe easy
and convey confidence while delivering the
presentation.
11
9. Pathetic body movement Gestures like moving
the legs and arms too quickly or for a long time
can give an odd feeling. Displaying too much body
movement can make you look nervous in front of
the audience. Remember Try changing your
gestures quite often and let them come naturally.
Your gestures should convey a clear message
instead of hindering communication.
12
10. Movement of the legs Finally, we come to the
legs. Committing the mistake of shaking your legs
and constantly changing your standing position
will send the signal to your audience that you
are restless with the presentation. Remember
Just stand in a confident manner during the
presentation. Make them believe that you are a
veteran when it comes to delivering
presentations.