Good Reasons for Smiling During Your Presentation
It is said that it takes forty-three muscles to frown and only seventeen to smile. You always make others more comfortable when you look happy. Smiling also keeps us physically and emotionally healthy and can actually improve your public speaking. When you display a positive and relaxed mood during your presentation you can better handle unexpected events such as negative feedback and tough questions.
Smiling Has Numerous Benefits:
It shows that you are passionate about giving your presentation. It also builds trust and rapport as it reveals that you appreciate your audience’s presence. As a presenter, your goal is to connect with your audience while delivering your message and having a nice smile on your face is more inviting so will help with this.
Smiling before you present increases your chances of capturing the attention of your audience members and engaging them for fully.
So, it is important to take advantage of this aspect of body language to reach your presentation’s highest potential with your audience.
Here are four more reasons you should smile when presenting:
- It Makes You Feel Better
Smiling helps you to feel more comfortable and also helps to reduce any tension you may be experiencing, especially when you are nervous before delivering your talk. Since it is contagious, it attracts a positive atmosphere that allows for a more engaging atmosphere.
- It Can Hide Your True Emotions
Smiling helps to mask any nervous feelings you may be experiencing and can make you more optimistic. Smiling more can actually change how you are feeling at that moment, helping you to forget those uneasy feelings so that you do not make your audience uncomfortable.
- It Demonstrates Confidence
Smiling helps to boost your confidence, making the audience see you as more competent and attractive. In addition, a strong tone of voice also helps to make the audience view you positively as you sound more confident.
- It Increases Audience Engagement
You must prioritize your audience’s needs. As your presentation is all about meeting the expectations of that audience, your goal must be to engage them and make them feel that they are involved in the presentation and that you are speaking directly to the individuals in the audience. Smiling helps to build positive relationships and gives you the confidence to establish direct eye contact with as many individuals as possible during your presentation.
Seal It with a Smile…..Smiling is one of your greatest assets as a presenter. It is beneficial for you and your audience because it establishes a positive aura, demonstrates confidence, hides fear, and increases engagement.
Sandy, to no great suprise all of your points, were right on target. When you smile in front of the people you are making your presentation you are giving off a positive impression. Your smile indicates you enjoy what you do in addition to being sincere. If for whatever reason you are having a bad day smiling may not be something you are capable of. Forcing yourself to smile is not a good idea. Your audience may very well pick up on your attempt to cover up how you are feeling. In the past, I compensated by giving extra attention to each person in the room or engaging in small talk. Obviously, this will not work for a large group. What is your best suggestion as to how to convey enthusiasm, warmth, likeability, etc. when you cannot smile?
I think it is up to the presenter to set the tone in the room and so they must look like they are in command, confident in what they are saying and enjoying themselves. If you think positively, you can smile and look like you mean it.
Glad you liked the article, Joel.
My friend Sandy writes with an arresting openness and honesty about who she is.
thanks so much. Have a great day.