|
Facial Expressions Tutorial
Facial expression is another way to connect with your audience. Even when your topic is serious, you can engage the audience by smiling, nodding, and raising your eyebrows. This is another way that you can introduce variety and interest into your delivery.
How:
- Smile naturally as often as possible.
- When you make eye contact, nod at the recipient as you make your point.
- Raise your eyebrows when expressing a significant idea.
Why:
- People respond positively to a presenter who seems to be enjoying him/herself.
- Your face is another vehicle for expressing your ideas.
- It's hard to watch a deadpan presenter.
Practice Ideas:
- Videotape yourself conversing with a friend. Notice your facial expressions. Try to use the same ones when you present.
- Watch other people present. Observe their facial impression. Decide what you find to be the most effective.
- Videotape yourself presenting in a way that you consider to be animated. View the presentation with the sound on mute. Evaluate how convincing and confident you look.
Watch Out For:
- Feeling that since your topic is serious, you shouldn't smile.
- Smiling too much, or in a false way.