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5 Underrated Tools for Public Speakers A Guide for Professionals to Master

As a public speaker, you are in the business of convincing people through your words. But what if I told you there were ways to be more captivating and memorable than just having a great speech? Here are five underrated tools that will help you stand out from the crowd

Movement.
Eye contact.
Facial expression.
Tone.
Passion.

These qualities may not seem like much on their own, but when combined with an excellent speech, they can be a powerful force. It's important to remember that people tend to only retain about 20% of what is said in a presentation; therefore, using these tools will help your audience remember you and your message long after the event has ended.

Movement
According to The New York Times article The Power of Posture, body language accounts for over half of all communication. That means that even when we're not talking, people are still forming opinions about us based on how we carry ourselves. So why not use this information to our advantage?

Letting your hands fly around as you speak or pacing back and forth can show excitement and passion without saying a word.

Eye Contact
When giving a presentation, it is important to make eye contact with the audience. Looking down at your notes too often will make you seem nervous and unprepared; however, staring directly into someone's eyes for too long can be uncomfortable. The key here is balance—try looking up from your paper every few sentences while scanning around the room.

Facial Expression
We've all seen that one person who has no emotion when they talk (and maybe we are that person). But did you know that facial expressions play a huge role in how people perceive us? According to a study by Princeton University, 55% of communication is based on tone and inflection; therefore, smiling or frowning at appropriate times will help your audience understand your mood.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.