Learn How To Use Your Voice And Hands To Rock Your Next Presentation or Video

Did you know that body language – how we speak and use our bodies to communicate – contributes 93% to how credible the audience thinks we are? So, it’s imperative that you get this part right.

From parts 1 and 2 of my series, we’ve already learned how to figure out what message we want to convey, what action we are trying to elicit – and we’ve created a killer presentation. Now it’s time to deliver it.

But the scary part is – first impressions are a really big deal. So, the way we present ourselves is very important. Let’s start with how we can use our voice and hands to improve our delivery.

Use Your Voice

There’s no question that deeper voices are considered more credible. But that doesn’t mean we women are out of luck. We tend to have a broader range of pitches to our voice; we simply don’t use the full capacity of what we were given.

In order to leverage the full capacity of our voices, and present in the most interesting and engaging way, remember the four P’s:

1. Pace – be mindful of how fast or slow you talk. It should be slow enough for people to understand you easily but fast enough to not be dull. Super-fast talkers appear nervous which can make the audience uncomfortable.
2. Pitch – vary the highness or lowness of your voice to keep your storytelling interesting. Low voices can be used to share sad or somber content. Higher voices may convey excitement or urgency.
3. Power – the volume of your voice should be loud enough for the audience to hear easily, without appearing as if you’re shouting.
4. Pauses – varying the timing of your speech is probably the most underutilized tool in anyone’s kit. When you pause, it displays confidence. Don’t feel the need to fill empty spaces with “umms” or “you knows.” Think of a pause as simply the length of time it takes to tap your foot.

Now that you know how best to use your voice in your videos, it’s time to practice. Before you hit record, warm up your voice by using this strategy. First, read through your script silently. Next, read the script aloud in a normal way. Finally, read the script aloud, but add drama, and elongated pauses, in an exaggerated way as if you were reading a story to a child.

Play your voice like a piano. It can be melodic, strong and purposeful. And when combined with appropriate hand gestures, it can really enhance your presentation.

Use Your Hands

Have you ever noticed that even babies talk with their hands? Hand gestures are often referred to as our “second language” because they can convey so much. In fact, studies have shown that proper use of our hands during communication can increase the effectiveness of our message by up to 60%! But notice I said “proper use.” There are a few important things to remember so that your hands add value to your video rather than prove to be a distraction:

Stay in your box. Create an imaginary box from shoulder to shoulder and hip to hip. During your video presentation, make sure your hands stay within these parameters. Why? Well, any movement outside this box will likely be cut off the camera frame and can appear to be distracting.

Use the “hand gesture dictionary”. You’ve likely seen effective speakers do all of these moves without even noticing that they were doing them. Give them a try; when used properly, they can help boost likability, trust and respect:          

• The fist – shows intensity, conviction and strength.
• The point – adds emphasis, but make sure you point up and not out, as pointing toward the audience can be perceived as scolding.
• Palms up – extending your hands out with palms up shows you are open to receive. But make sure your hands aren’t spread too wide because that implies you’re asking for something.
• Hands to chest – conveys vulnerability and relatability with your audience.

• Hold a (pretend) object – remember how Steve Jobs always held his hands in front of his chest as if he were holding an imaginary ball? This was a very non-threatening posture that conveyed confidence and control. And heck, if it worked for Steve Jobs it can work for you.
• The steeple – tenting your fingers is non-threatening and a very comfortable place to keep your hands while presenting.

So practice using some of these gestures— it’s important that they correlate properly to the content and tone of your message. They will add a dimension that might leave your listeners spellbound.

This is Part 3 of a 4-part series on how to effectively use video to grow your business. Stay tuned for my next article which will focus on How To Look Like a Star In Your Next Video.