The document provides tips for speaking confidently in front of audiences. It discusses the importance of proper posture, vocal qualities like volume and articulation, intentional hand gestures, pacing oneself at 145 words per minute with pauses, and making eye contact with the audience. The overall message is that public speaking is a skill that can be improved by focusing on these key presentation elements.

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Speak With Confidence
SpeakWell Partners
presents…

2. 1. Posture
2. Voice
3. Gestures
4. Pace
5. Connection
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Then the words…
The Big

3. Posture
Feet facing front
Soft knees
Hips under ribs
Ribs on a shelf
Shoulders down
Chin neutral
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Adult audiences won’t listen to or even believe someone who stands in front of
them hunched over, looking down, sitting into one hip – anything that conveys an
unwillingness to command the space and be heard.

4. Vocal Qualities
Volume level
Articulate each word
Avoid uptalking
(speaking every sentence
like it was a question)
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You don’t have to sound like James Earl Jones to capture the attention of an
audience, but you do need to use your instrument effectively. If you are a soft
talker, the only way you will increase your volume is if you feel like you’re yelling.
Emphasize consonants and open up on the vowels.

5. Gestures
Enhance the words
Quiet base position
Ambidextrous
No bouncing!
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The only thing more important than a defined hand gesture is keeping your hands
quiet when not gesturing. Most speakers use their hands constantly (without any
enhancement to verbal delivery) or hide their hands in pockets, behind the back, or
crossed in front in a defensive position.

6. Pacing
Slower is better
145 WPM
Pause between key points
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Practice pausing with the quote below. Punctuation is just as important
when spoken as it is in writing.
Woman without her man is nothing. Or…
Woman: without her man, is nothing. Or…
Woman: without her, man is nothing.
Don’t barrel through your delivery like you were trying
to get home in time for the Super Bowl kick-off.
Slower is often better. Also, use pauses effectively -
silence improves the spoken word.

7. Connect or Perish
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Without eye contact you cannot influence or persuade – especially when your
audience is not aligned with your message to begin with. Just 2-3 seconds per
person. If you are nervous, begin by looking toward the back of the room instead
of the floor or ceiling. Then when you find a friendly face, start making eye contact.
It only takes 2 – 3 seconds!

8. Now it’s time for words!
“The tongue
can paint
what the eye
can’t see.”
- Chinese Proverb
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9. Final Thought
“Always be a first rate version of
yourself, not a second rate version
of someone else.”
- Judy Garland

10. Like what you see and want more?
Contact us!
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barbara@speakwellpartners.com charlotte@speakwellpartners.com