Participants of the Detroit Fearless Presentations ® Public Speaking Class discovered the importance of making good eye contact and smiling at the audience. Many individuals who feel nervous while speaking in public often struggle with maintaining eye contact. However, this is a significant mistake for any public speaker.
Establishing good eye contact is crucial for building a positive connection with the audience. Overcoming the fear of making eye contact involves seeking out smiling faces and nodding heads among the listeners. Focusing on engaged individuals helps alleviate the inner nervousness that often accompanies public speaking.
But what if no one is smiling? Well, in such cases, smile at them! Often, the lack of audience smiles can be attributed to a low-energy or overly serious speech. As a speaker, smiling at the audience can encourage them to reciprocate. It’s a natural human response.
So, when the fear of public speaking starts creeping in during a presentation, remember to smile at the audience and maintain good eye contact. These simple gestures can make a significant difference in establishing a positive connection with your listeners.
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