Public Speaking International - Public Speaking Tips — Using Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication for public speaking means everything you communicate to your audience

apart from the words you say.

"My communication effectiveness has improved significantly as a result of using these methods. I feel even better about my improved self-confidence and focus in knowing how to utilize these tools for any situation requiring effective communication."

David Bean, Vice President of Finance
Vertex Pharmaceuticals

You’ve probably heard the term "nonverbal communication" many times. But what does it mean with regard to public speaking?

Nonverbal communication for public speaking means everything you communicate to your audience apart from the words you say. Your content in public speaking is a critical part of your message, of course. But studies have shown that what you look and sound like when public speaking plays a central role in how your message is received.

In research conducted at U.C.L.A. and published in 1981, communications expert Albert Mehrabian found that 93 percent of message reception in public speaking comes from nonverbal communication! That means that only about 7% comes from content. Imagine then that we only concern ourselves with the things we’re about to say (as many of us do). Is it really a good idea in public speaking to ignore 93% of an audience’s perception?

A classic example of nonverbal communication in action is the John F. Kennedy-Richard Nixon first televised debate in 1960. Nixon was the better debater, and those listening on radio thought he won the debate. But television viewers saw a sweating, uncomfortable Nixon, and a tanned and athletic-looking Jack Kennedy. Clearly, the visual component of public speaking in this contest favored one candidate over the other!

At Public Speaking International, we tell our trainees and executive speech coaching clients to spend less time on their content, and more time practicing their delivery. That means bringing your body and voice into public speaking. You’ll get on the wavelength of hearing and seeing yourself as your listeners do. Can you imagine any better preparation for being successful at public speaking?

Gestures, Body Language, and Use of Space

Most of us think of gestures when we consider nonverbal communication in public speaking. And gestures certainly are important. But other physical aspects of public speaking are equally important.

Have you ever thought about how you enter the room where you’ll be speaking, and how you approach others and introduce yourself to them? Do you look them in the eye, and give them a strong handshake? How about the way you carry yourself? Does all of this add or detract from how you come across in public speaking?

Public Speaking International clients and trainees spend time on their feet, becoming more comfortable and knowledgeable about body language for effective public speaking. We get them to understand how body positioning has an effect on audience perception, persuasion, and retention. They learn the secrets of the use of space in reaching and influencing listeners!

Finding Your True Voice

Our motto at PSI is Find Your True Voice. All of us who give business presentations have "just the right voice" for public speaking— and it happens to be the voice we use every day!

Great performers in public speaking, in other words, aren’t born— they’re made. Good speakers have simply learned the tips and techniques of “best practices in public speaking. And one of the key lessons we help them learn is that they already have just the voice they need to succeed at public speaking.

Audiences don’t want to hear Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King, Jr., or Hillary Clinton. They want to hear you. The reason YOU were chosen concerning this presentation or public speaking, is that you have the expertise and ability to get this message across— whatever it may be.

The key to good public speaking in terms of voice is, more than anything, being conversational. The best practitioners of public speaking don’t sound any different in front of a thousand people than they do sitting across the table from us at Starbucks. In other words, they sound like themselves, even when public speaking.

When we speak as ourselves, we sound honest and trustworthy, and not overly self-conscious and nervous. The voice that our listeners in public speaking need to hear is "our" voice. It’s one of the most natural and effective aspects of nonverbal communication for public speaking.

Public Speaking International can improve your public speaking skills utilizing our proven coaching techniques.