You might ask the audience for a response and tentatively raise your
hand in the hopes that they will, too. However, the tips of your own
fingers may not even go above your head. How will the audience react?
They, too, will be reluctant to raise their hands because they are taking
their cues from you. Go big with your gestures. You should let it
out like you mean it. This doesn’t mean going so far outside of your
own comfort level that you are not being genuine, but understand that
the audience needs to see the energy and enthusiasm of an effective
gesture.

The audience wants to get the most out of the physical and nonverbal
aspects of your speech. If you are giving a sly smile, don’t
make it quick. Give a pause with the slow emergence of a smile so
the audience gets the full effect. A friend of mine who is an experienced
swimmer always talks about the full extension of the fingertips
through the water. The same concept should apply here with your gestures,
vocals, and any other pieces of the speech that can stir the audience.
In a speech, if you mention being a sprinter in a race, take a few
quick, bursting steps. You should fully embrace the emotion you want
to evoke in the audience. The audience should definitely know how
you are feeling and what you are doing—don’t make them guess or
assume. Their ability to view and immediately grasp your every move
will enhance their engagement, involvement, and understanding.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book , eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

We hear “public speaking” and obviously think about the spoken
words. We invest a lot of time as speakers in selecting the perfect
word for the perfect situation. As we prepare and practice, we should
remember to work on the complete package, beyond memorizing the
words and vocalizing. In our speech development, we sometimes lose
the physical aspects of the speech that can make the presentation come
alive.

Physical aspects of the speech include facial expressions and gestures.
Imagine a speaker sharing a “shocking” story with a blank look
on his or her face. Like a punch line in comedy, you need your face
and body to emphasize the emotions of the words to bring them alive.
In the “shocking” example, you would probably expect wide eyes or a
gaping mouth. Let the audience share the experience with you. Your
facial expressions may not even need words if your feelings can be
seen and related to by the audience.
Gestures are also important in moving the speech along, and you
must remember both the importance of timing and the naturalness
of the movements. You don’t want your movements to come across
as staged or prescribed. Although practicing the gestures to get them
to the point where you want them is imperative as you put the whole
package together, you do not want them to come across as acting. The
physical aspects of the speech are one more way to look at the speech
process holistically.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book , eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

You can have the most thoughtful and powerful words ever written,
but if they don’t come from your heart, they will land flat. Always
give your audience credit for the ability to see through speakers who
may not believe in what they’re talking about. Your own credibility is
at stake, and your ability to show the real you, including your personality,
values, and beliefs, will always connect with an audience.

At times you may want to exaggerate a point, to set the tone, or to get
the audience to visualize the message. Many public-speaking books
say that it is acceptable to stretch the facts a little to ensure that the significance
is grasped. However, even with tall tales or embellished stories,
you have to show that you, yourself, believe them and can execute
them with a burning passion because they are coming from your heart
and soul. An audience may not always agree with your points or message,
but they must always believe it is the real you.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book , eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

Have you ever had a presenter stand in front of you and lethargically
say, “Hi, my name is John, and I’m really excited to be here.” My
first thought is always a sarcastic, “It looks like it.” What am I supposed
to look forward to as someone in the audience? Energy is contagious,
and the audience needs to feel the passion and enthusiasm you want
to share with them. Your ability to genuinely exude your hunger and
to motivate and inspire your audience will get the group hungry to
receive your message. Words without energy are just words without
meaning—until you bring them to life.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book , eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com