Our physical communication style tells more of our expertise as a keynote speaker than even the words that we choose. Most professional speakers agonize over the utter use of a punctuation mark, pause, voice inflection and provoking thought concepts. Yet it’s the way we stand, the use of our hand gestures, intonations and the openness of our body language that will engage our audience.
Motivating an audience is one of the biggest joys of speaking. There is something phenomenally empowering about inspiring others to change what isn’t working in their lives. A key component to involving your audience is thinking in the same terms in which they are involved. What keeps them up at night? What stops them from embracing their happiness? Do they allow stress to control their decisions?
When you learn to use your body language to engage your audience, you will endear yourself to them in a long term effect. That is what the ultimate goal of a professional speaker should be. When you have finished your presentation, are you inundated with questions and requests for more information? If you are, then you know you have reached the definitive of a keynote speaker’s goal.
Sharyn Abbott 
August 26, 2009 at 6:24 am
Thank you for your helpful tips! I have clients that come to me for tips on public speaking. I believe that by working on their fear at an inner level and changing their story there first, they will be able to make progress.
February 21, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Hi Sharon I’ve been thinking about doing a series with others who assist speakers on becoming a better speaker. Are you interested in participating?
My best, Sharyn 925 939-1801 http://www.sharynabbott.wordpress.com
August 30, 2009 at 2:56 am
Our body language also builds our crediblity. Our listeners will judge whether we are believable or not by what they see.
They may not realise why they don’t quite trust us, but it will be that our body language is not supporting our spoken message. Belief is an emotion and we respond to non-verbal signals emotionally.