Communicate with Confidence: Body Posture and Breathing [Yes, really!]

[@HighValueWriting]

Thank you for sharing your expertise with us, Scottie! I know many speakers and writers who get nervous about workplace communication (or communicating in English in general) will benefit from your technique!

[@englishlanguagecoach8160]

So fun to be on your channel! These posture and breathing techniques are life long skills to help you think clearly in any language! Thanks for having me!

[@HighValueWriting]

Absolutely!! Thank you, @englishlanguagecoach8160! I'm not only going to share this with people who may be nervous about using English-but try it myself if/when I get nervous using Spanish!

[@pervaizyaseeni8937]

Thank you so much for sharing useful information. Could you please share some body language tips for delivering scientific papers at the conferences? How to use PowerPoint slides?

[@HighValueWriting]

Thanks for your question, Pervaiz. Here are a few tips on body language and PPTs for conferences. Body language: - Most people speak faster than needed, without realizing. Make sure you keep a slow, steady pace. - Use a confident body posture by keeping ears, shoulders, hips, feet all in a line. - Move your eye contact around the room. Many people suggest finding someone in the middle, and on the left, and the right, of the room, and taking turns looking at each. This way your attention moves around the room. - Don't be afraid of silence. It's ok to pause and think, or to ask a question and then wait while participants think. - If nervous, have something to fiddle with or hold if needed-a remote, something in your pocket, etc. PPT: - Make only 1 main point per slide. - Avoid paragraphs or multiple lines of text. - Use bullets and headings. - Use "visual rhetoric" when possible-allow the design or look to speak for you and convey content via arrangement. - Avoid "gimmicks" like graphics that move around too much. - Lead the discussion yourself, with the slides as back-up-rather than the slide dominating.

[@scottiespurzem6666]

@@HighValueWriting I would also add making time to do a walk-through of the venue, stage, microphones, lighting etc. so that it will be familiar when you actually give your presentation. Practice the body posture and breathing exercises every day leading up to the event so that you will be ready to go on presentation day! You can practice your presentation in front of a mirror while recording and timing yourself.

[@HighValueWriting]

Such a great idea! As a presenter myself, I have noticed that when I don't have time to get familiar with the room, I am more likely to feel nervous. It really helps to take some time to get used to the space and even come to feel like one "belongs" there. Thanks for these tips!