Whether you are a professional speaker, presenting to your boss or coworkers, or participating in a virtual conference, you must look like you are in control at all times – In control of the words you are using, in control of the clock (don’t go too long or too short) in control of your emotions and reactions, and in control of your body language.

Body language is extremely important to help you engage your audience.  It helps your audience understand what you are feeling and what you are thinking. Body language influences breath which influences voice and helps calm nerves.

UCLA Professor Albert Mehrabian and Susan. R. Ferris published the study on communication in the Journal of Consulting Psychology in 1967.  Their study concluded that communication is 7% verbal, 38% vocal, and 55% visual.  Therefore, what your audience sees is more important than what they hear.

Body language should be developed within your speech as meticulously as you develop your organization and words.  If you follow these 12 Body Language Rules, you are well on your way to winning your audience over with your powerful and poignant body language.

12 Body Language Rules

1. Stand if you can. Standing allows you to use your entire body.  If you have to sit because you are part of a panel or at a conference table, sit straight and lean slightly forward.
2. Stand up straight with a balanced, strong stance, which psychologist and TedX speaker Amy Cuddy coined as the “Power Pose.” Power poses increases testosterone and decreases cortisol, helping you actually feel more confident and less nervous. Stand with your feet shoulder wide, weight evenly distributed, and arms in the neutral position.
3. Watch your posture, whether you are standing or sitting. Slouching and slumped shoulders indicate giving up, lack of confidence, or interest.  It also impedes your breath, which is critical for vocal control as well as controlling your nerves.
4. Claim the stage and own it! Occupy the stage you are given to show that you are comfortable in the spotlight.
5. Effective body movements must be natural, well defined, crisp, and help you emphasize your point. Every gesture must have a purpose. Overly repetitive gestures or odd movements pull attention away from your message.  Keep your arms hanging at a neutral position until you have something specific to do with them – a gesture that is meaningful.
6. Gesture sparingly and cleanly, but don’t overdo it: you are not a mime or a hula dancer. Don’t “sit,” “run,” or “ride a bike.”
7. Open body positions are welcoming and engaging. Keep upper body open (think of holding a huge beach ball) with nothing between you and your audience.   Rather than having your arms clasped in front or crossed at your chest, step away from the lectern and keep your hands where they can be seen.
8. Move with purpose, don’t rock or sway or pace. Swaying and pacing do not portray energy, rather it makes you look nervous and incompetent.  Take a step or two before you start a new talking point.  Walk to one side of the stage to indicate one point, and then to the other to indicate the counterpoint.
9. Don’t talk into your notes or into the PowerPoint screen. Point to the screen (look at your notes), and then look at your audience to say what you want to say.
10. When you acknowledge a member of the audience to answer or ask a question, welcome them with an open palm rather than an accusing pointed finger
11. Don’t hold a writing instrument unless you are using it. Use your props, don’t let your props use you.  Props are tools and should not be a distraction
12. Your face is part of your body and is vital to your communication. Facial expressions help you get your emotions, meanings, and subtle clues across.  Use a mirror to work on your facial expressions.  Consider practicing your speech without saying a word – just using facial expressions.  How much can you express without sound?

With these 12 Body Language Rules, you will not only look more like a confident and accomplished speaker, you will feel it too!