Public Speaking Tips: The Power of Eye Contact
The Power of Eye Contact: How to Engage Your Audience and Build Trust
Why Eye Contact Matters
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Build trust: Eye contact shows that you’re genuine and authentic, which helps to establish trust with your audience.
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Engage your audience: Eye contact helps to keep your audience focused and attentive, making them more receptive to your message.
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Convey confidence: Maintaining eye contact demonstrates that you’re confident in your message and yourself.
The “One Thought, One Look” Technique
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Focus on one person in the audience for three to five seconds.
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Deliver one key point or thought while maintaining eye contact.
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Move on to another person in the audience and repeat the process.
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Keep your audience engaged: By moving from one person to another, you keep your audience interested and involved.
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Convey your message effectively: Focusing on one person at a time helps you deliver your message clearly and confidently.
Tips for Effective Eye Contact
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Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your presentation in front of a mirror or with a friend to get comfortable with maintaining eye contact.
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Scan the room: Move your gaze around the room to engage with different audience members.
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Avoid distractions: Don’t get distracted by your notes or the audience’s reactions. Stay focused on your message and your audience.
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Be authentic: Don’t try to force eye contact. Be natural and genuine in your approach.
Conclusion
About the Author
Luke Hannan is one of Australia’s most Experienced, Energetic and Engaging Professional Conference and Event MCs who truly understands what it takes to keep the atmosphere electric.
He is a renowned Communications Coach and shares the wisdom from over 500 live and virtual events in his bespoke, In-Person and Online Self-Paced Communications Masterclasses. These help companies, teams, and Individuals to unlock their inner voice, connect with audiences & speak with confidence.
Across his career Luke has partnered with clients such as Westpac, Google, IBM, BUPA, CPA Australia, Dell, Oracle, SAP and Citrix to deliver over 500 seamless live and virtual events spanning Financial Services, Marketing, Health, Government, Construction, Mining and Sport.
Luke has an MBA from the University of Technology Sydney plus held Senior Project and Risk Positions in a Banking & Finance Career spanning more than 20 years. He travels from Sydney where he lives with his Wife and 3 Children and loves Trail Running, Playing the Piano, and Motorsport.
