So to this point in the course, we've talked about what to say and what sort of visual aids you should consider. But just as important as what is said, is how it is said. The number one trait that any audience wants from a presenter is enthusiasm. How the audience perceives your message is often more important than the facts or reality because for most people, perception is reality. The audience develops their own evidential truth, using their senses, what they hear, see or touch, how your audience feels about you will in large part determine whether they agree with your ideas and fulfill your call to action. How your audience hears you will be determined by your tone of voice, that clarity of speech and your use and choice of language.

Every word and phrase you speak is building or eroding their perception. Some things to consider are to add passion to your words, use different tone of voice. Use different paces of speech to emphasize important points talk more slowly than you normally would. This allows your brain to stay ahead of your mouth to avoid getting all tongue twisted. And don't forget to consider the powerful effect of a silent pause now and then, when you want your point to sink in with your audience. That second or two delay will force the eyes to think about what you last said for a moment or two longer, making it feel that much more important.

How your audience sees you is also very important in forming their perception. Your choice of dress and appearance should match your message. facial expressions and body language should convey your message just as much as your words and visual slides to move your eyes slowly from person to person in the audience. Consider your room setup and how that will impact your presentation. If you're on stage move around the stage and avoid hiding behind a podium. This can build more excitement and force the eyes to pay more attention to you.

Don't dim the lights as research has shown that darkness prompts the human brains penal gland to produce melatonin, and natural sleep hormone. You want your audience focused on you, while you at the same time allowing you to see your audience reaction to your comments. Your audience is going to give you cues as to whether they are following you or not. So learn how to adjust your presentation accordingly, which may include speeding up or slowing down. When presenting on stage Your hands should be kept at waist level or higher in front of you with your arms bent at a 90 degree angle. Use your arms to animate your points.

Avoid putting your hands in your pockets or above your head or behind your back. If you are seated, sit at a table with a chair at its highest setting. Sit on the edge of your seat without leaning back to maintain an erect posture. Keep your hands on the table In front of you as you present, avoid distracted mannerisms, such as twirling a pen or tapping your fingers or playing with your keys if you're on stage. Finally, you've got to practice your presentation. Some of you are pretty good at winging off the cuff presentations for internal meetings.

However, if you have an important presentation to make to the board analysts or other important public forums you need to practice I was asked by FBI a few months ago to present and one of their upcoming events. In conjunction with that event, I took it upon myself to apply the principles discussed in this course. Now, I've been practicing this presentation every day for the past two months. In your supplementary material, you can judge for yourself whether the techniques are more or less effective. So to wrap up this lesson, let's summarize three important points. Whether your audience adopts your message or not, is in large part determined by their perception of you.

Secondly, think of your tone of voice as riding on the waves in the sea, carrying your audience with you some Time's rising, sometimes falling, sometimes crashing sometimes silent. Third, consider your body language and how you stand and what you do with your arms and what your eyes are doing. A confident composed speaker will carry their audience to the desired destination. Regardless of perfect content. Keep in mind, the opposite is also true. In our next lesson, we're going to talk about the q&a session.

So till then, I'm Blair Clark.