Delivery Good delivery does not draw attention to itself but subtly adds impact to your words.

Body Language is the strongest component in our communication. Words, surprisingly, count for as little as 7% of the meaning conveyed by our whole communication.

Seven Factors  Proxemics  Appearance  Body Posture & Movement  Gesture  Eye & Face Behaviors  Voice  Using Notes  Visual Aids

Proxemics  Podium use— credibility/casual  Personal space/ intimate space  Audience seating  GaggleTube (Close Talker) GaggleTube

Appearance  People judge us by our appearance/clothes.  Our appearance/clothes influences our mood and self- concept.

Posture  Relaxed vs. Tense body tension  Posture Video (Gaggle Tube)

 1. Leaning Back too much — you come off lazy or arrogant  2. Leaning forward — can seem aggressive. Aim for a neutral posture  3. Breaking eye contact too soon — can make you seem untrustworthy or overly nervous. Hold eye contact a hair longer, especially during a handshake  4. Nodding too much — can make you look like a bobble head doll! Even if you agree with what’s being said, nod once and then try to remain still  5. Chopping or pointing with your hands — feels aggressive  6. Crossing your arms — makes you look defensive, especially when you’re answering questions. Try to keep your arms at your sides  7. Fidgeting — instantly telegraphs how nervous you are. Avoid it at all costs  8. Holding your hands behind your back (or firmly in your pockets) — can look rigid and stiff. Aim for a natural, hands at your sides posture  9. Looking up or looking around — is a natural cue that someone is lying or not being themselves. Try to hold steady eye contact 10. Staring — can be interpreted as aggressive. There’s a fine line between holding someone’s gaze and staring them down  11. Failing to smile — can make people uncomfortable, and wonder if you really want to be there. Go for a genuine smile especially when meeting someone for the first time No: 11  12. Stepping back when you’re asking for a decision — conveys fear or uncertainty. Stand your ground, or even take a slight step forward with conviction  13. Steepling your fingers or holding palms up — looks like a begging position and conveys weakness  14. Standing with hands on hips — is an aggressive posture, like a bird or a dog puffing themselves up to look bigger  15. Checking your phone or watch — says you want to be somewhere else. Plus, it’s just bad manners

So, what should you do?  Aim for good posture in a neutral position, whether sitting or standing.  Stand with your arms at your sides, and sit with them at your sides or with your hands in your lap. Pay attention so that you naturally hold eye contact, smile, and be yourself.  If you discover you have a particular problem with one or two of the gestures on the list, practice by yourself with a mirror or with a friend who can remind you every time you do it, until you become aware of the bad habit yourself.

 Purposeful movement accomplishes 3 things:  Audience attention  Visual transition  Release excess energy

Gestures  Natural  Varied  Appropriate Same advantages as purposeful body movement.

Eye & Face Behaviors  Facial expressions are most expressive nonverbal behaviors we exhibit.  Facial expressions must fit mood of speech.

Eye Contact  Gains attention  Sustains interest  Builds trust

Voice  Intelligibility —pronunciation, articulation, volume & rate  Variety —rate, pitch & volume  Fluency —rhythm, nonfluencies  Pleasantness —breath control  Make like a roller coaster (ups, downs, changes in voice)  Make a recording (or put folders by ears) & listen to yourself!  Look at Gaggle videos on voice

Using Notes  Preparation —include main ideas, must trigger your memory

Flexibility —not word-for-word, may include quotes & statistics

Directness —practice with notes, hold in one hand/lay on podium if absolutely necessary

Security —don’t overly depend on them; use large, easy to read lettering, one side only. (Gaggle Video)

Visual Aids Functions  Adds interest  Clarifies what you’re saying  Serves as note to trigger memory  Helps audience to understand & remember key points

Types of Visual Aids  The speaker (you)  Objects  Whiteboard  Models (when object is too large)  Pictures, drawings, sketches  Charts (graphs, maps, diagrams)  Audiovisual equipment (video, audiotape, Smart Board, Power Point)

Rules for using Visual Aids

1. “Reveal it when ready; conceal it when done.”

2. Make it visible to the entire audience.

3. Talk about it while you are showing it.

4. Talk to the audience, not the visual aid.

5. Don’t overdo it!

6. Keep it simple!

7. Know your visual aid !

8. Pass around objects at your own risk.