When you’re presenting (virtually or in person), you need to demonstrate energy to captivate and engage the audience. Even excellent content will be lost if you speak in a lifeless monotone while slouching with your arms hanging stiffly at your sides.
Here is my VHFP
formula to develop and convey energy when you’re presenting:
Voice
Your voice
needs to have variety in all its aspects, including tone, volume, rate and
pitch. These changes signal meaning to the
audience in the same way that punctuation signals meaning to a reader. For example, you can pause slightly before an
important word or speak louder with more enunciation when saying a significant
phrase.
Hands
You can convey
energy by using your hands for natural gestures to illustrate what you’re
talking about. When not making a
gesture, your hands should be hanging loosely at your sides, not clutching your
notes nervously or jammed in your pockets.
Face
You also need
to be aware of your facial expressions.
They should match your content and show that you’re alert and
confident. Make eye contact with people
in the audience and when appropriate, smile - and not just a little smile with
your mouth, but a smile that “lights up” your whole face and reaches your
eyes.
Posture
An energized
posture means that you stand up straight, shoulders back, with your weight
evenly distributed on both feet. Your
knees are relaxed, not locked. You are
not standing at attention like a soldier or slouching like a teenager hanging
out with friends.
Following the
VHFP Formula will enable you to become an energized presenter, help your
content come alive to the audience and keep their attention engaged.
(C) Gilda Bonanno