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How to Be Confident During a Presentation

Last Updated: April 13, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Gale McCreary . Gale McCreary is the Founder and Chief Coordinator of SpeechStory, a nonprofit organization focused on improving communication skills in youth. She was previously a Silicon Valley CEO and President of a Toastmasters International chapter. She has been recognized as Santa Barbara Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year and received Congressional recognition for providing a Family-Friendly work environment. She has a BS in Biology from Stanford University. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 85,833 times.

Giving a presentation and speaking in front of a room full of peers can be a stressful experience, but there are ways to project confidence and authority even when you are nervous. It is normal to get tense before a presentation, but you do not want to project that tension to your audience. If you use confident, secure body language, project your voice, and prepare for your presentation in advance, you will feel like a confident, expert speaker.

Using Confident Body Language

• Good posture conveys to the audience that you are confident, credible, and sure of your subject. Speaking with proper posture also allows you to project your voice, making your speech clear and assertive. [2] X Research source

• Don’t stand too close to the audience, and don’t move beyond the first row of seats.
• As you move toward the audience, think about staying there for a period of 30 seconds. When you step in another direction, spend about another 30 seconds there. [5] X Research source Think about trying to reach everyone in your audience, and try to make eye contact with several audience members as you move from section to section.

• Don’t cross your arms during a presentation. While this may be a comfortable position, you may be projecting negative cues to your audience. This closed-off position may make you seem inexperienced, uninterested, or nervous.

• While giving a presentation, maintain eye contact with an individual for periods of 3 to 5 seconds. [9] X Research source Eye contact will demonstrate that you are trustworthy and passionate about the topic, and it will help keep your audience’s attention. [10] X Research source

Speaking with Confidence

• Lie down on your back, and keep your abdominals and stomach relaxed. Keep one hand on your abdomen, and think about moving it up and down as you breathe in and out.
• Find out in advance if you will be using a microphone for your presentation. This can help you plan ahead and adjust the volume of your voice accordingly.

• Try to incorporate these variations in speech while giving your presentation, and pretend as though you are having a conversation with a friend or a colleague.
• Practice these variations by reading a poem, a play, or another piece of literature aloud. [11] X Research source

• Stretch out your vowels to slow your speech. Pretend that the vowels are italicized and focus on speaking each one clearly. Practice this technique to ensure that it sounds natural.
• Break your presentation up into sections. Plan to pause for a moment or two when you reach the end of each section. Allow for one second to pause before moving on to the next point. [13] X Research source

Practicing Your Presentation

How Should You End a Presentation?

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• ↑ https://mayfieldclinic.com/pe-posture.htm
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247737
• ↑ https://blog.ted.com/a-ted-speaker-coach-shares-11-tips-for-right-before-you-go-on-stage/
• ↑ https://www.presentationprep.com/body-language-body/
• ↑ https://sixminutes.dlugan.com/connect-with-your-audience-move-closer/
• ↑ https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/famelab-whats-science-behind-smile
• ↑ https://liveboldandbloom.com/10/self-confidence/body-language-tips
• ↑ https://www.inc.com/sims-wyeth/10-reasons-why-eye-contact-can-change-peoples-perception-of-you.html
• ↑ https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324809804578511290822228174
• ↑ https://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14466/1/How-to-Look-Approachable.html
• ↑ https://www.presentationprep.com/body-language-voice/
• ↑ https://ethos3.com/how-to-slow-down-nervous-speedy-speech/
• ↑ https://sixminutes.dlugan.com/vocal-variety-speech-breathing/

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6 Ways to Look More Confident During a Presentation

• Kasia Wezowski

Here’s what the best leaders do.

Several years ago, colleagues and I were invited to predict the results of a start-up pitch contest in Vienna, where 2,500 tech entrepreneurs were competing to win thousands of euros in funds. We observed the presentations, but rather than paying attention to the ideas the entrepreneurs were pitching, we were watching the body language and microexpressions of the judges as they listened.

• Kasia Wezowski is the founder of the Center for Body Language , the author of four books on the subject, and the producer and director of Leap , a documentary about the coaching profession.

Partner Center

What Is The Role Of Confidence In Successful Presentations

Table of contents.

So, you’ve crafted your slides and gathered all your information. Now it’s just time to prep and present your slides.

For many people, presenting and public speaking comes easy. But for many others, public speaking incites crippling fear and anxiety. Having self-confidence when you create your sales, marketing, academic, or personal presentations can have a major impact on the success of your presentation .

In this blog, we will look at the role of confidence in presentations and how you can prepare ahead of time so that your presentation is a success!

Why Is Confidence In Successful Presentations Important?

You’ve probably heard the saying “Confidence is key.” The same proverb can be used in the world of presentations and public speaking.

When you feel confident, the rest of the presentation is affected. From the engagement of your audience, to the motivation to act, to the overall success of your presentation. Additionally, confidence and strong self-esteem can allow you to focus on your audience, speak clearly, build trust, and make the sale.

Simply, confident speakers are able to get the key message across and maintain their audience’s attention throughout the entire presentation.

Can Your Audience Members Tell If You Are Nervous Or Confident?

The short answer? Absolutely.

Think about a speaker you’ve listened to recently. A nervous speaker will be fidgeting, looking down, stuttering, mumbling, or speaking too quickly. In short, a bad speaker can quickly lead to a bad presentation.

On the other hand, confident speakers will have good posture, maintain eye contact regularly, speak at a moderate pace , and deliver their main points clearly.

The goal of many presenters is to feel comfortable speaking in front of people. When you’re able to feel comfortable talking in a presentation, your audience will notice the difference!

How Can You Look Confident During Your Presentation

Great speaking skills aren’t just about your voice and the information you are presenting. Here are a few tips that can help you look confident while presenting.

Make Eye Contact

First and foremost, making eye contact is key. A confident person can maintain eye contact while speaking with someone. The same goes for public speakers.

T his small step can not only help you look more confident , but it can also engage your audience. Additionally, eye contact builds trust with your audience.

If you want your audience to buy into what you are saying, you have to make a connection and build trust with them. Eye contact is one of the easiest and best ways to connect with an audience.

Keep Body Language Open

Body language is a powerful communicator, often revealing more than words alone. If feeling confident while speaking is your goal, then you have to be open. No arm-crossing or defensive stances – we’re going for welcoming vibes.

Stand tall, connect with your audience, and let your body speak the language of confidence . It’s like a silent symphony that your audience won’t be able to resist.

Keeping your posture open and welcoming can significantly impact how your audience perceives your confidence.

Maintain good posture, stand tall, and avoid crossing your arms, which may signal defensiveness. These subtle gestures create an inviting atmosphere, allowing your audience to feel more engaged and receptive.

Use Gestures

Another important aspect of confidence in public speaking is gestures. Effective hand gestures can enhance your message and boost your confidence.

S trategic and purposeful gestures can emphasize key points, add dynamism to your presentation , and boost your self-assurance. Whether the gestures are for comedic effect or to key in on a point, a well-timed gesture can stick out in your audience’s mind.

However, be mindful of excessive or erratic movements, as they may distract from your message. Additionally, avoid fidgeting as this will reveal your nerves to your audience!

Instead, practice using gestures that feel natural to you, ensuring they complement and add interest rather than overshadow your verbal communication.

How Can You Sound Confident During Your Presentation

Your voice is the conductor of this confidence symphony. Speak clearly and let your words create a beautifully composed melody. Vary your pitch, modulate your tone – become the maestro of your vocal performance!

Practice makes perfect, so hit those high and low notes until you’re ready to take center stage with a voice that commands attention.

Sounding confident is as important as looking confident. To project confidence through your voice:

Speak Clearly and Slowly: Enunciate your words clearly, and maintain a moderate pace. Rushed speech can make you sound anxious, while clear and deliberate speech exudes confidence.

Modulate Your Voice: Vary your pitch and tone to avoid monotony. A well-modulated voice captures attention and conveys authority. Practice speaking with different intonations to find a style that suits your presentation.

Practice, Practice, Practice: Familiarity breeds confidence. Rehearse your presentation multiple times, focusing on your tone, pacing, and emphasis. The more comfortable you are with your material, the more confidently you’ll deliver it.

Avoid Using Filler Words: Filler words, such as “um,” “uh,” and “like,” can undermine your credibility and make you appear less confident. While it’s natural to use these words occasionally, excessive use suggests uncertainty

Pause & Collect Yourself : Embrace moments of silence instead of relying on filler words. Pauses can emphasize your points and provide you with a moment to gather your thoughts.

How Can You Feel More Confident During Your Presentation

In general, the more confidence you have, the more you will engage your audience. Whether you’re presenting in front of a small group or an auditorium full of people, feeling confident is the most important aspect of maintaining a fully engaged audience.

Here are a few tips that can help you as you present your slide deck.

Thrive On Engagement

While practicing is an essential step in the process of preparing for a speaking engagement, sometimes you have to take what your audience gives you.

When you’re audience is engaged, interact with them! Maybe talk to an audience member or two, make a few observations, take questions, and go with the flow! Not only can this capture your audience’s attention, it can also help you feel more comfortable as you present.

Run With The Momentum

Going off of the above point, you should also run with momentum. If an audience laughs at your jokes or seems particularly interested in one of the important points in your presentation, take it and run with it.

Don’t be afraid to go a bit off-script if your audience is up for it! In fact, doing so could actually be even more successful!

Is It Possible To Improve Your Confidence While Public Speaking?

If your next presentation is leaving you with a dry mouth, anxiety, and nightmares, fear not! Here are some things that you can do to improve your confidence to make the best presentation possible!

Practice & Preparation

A good speaker knows the power of practice. If you have a presentation coming up, prepare by reading literature aloud, going through the presentation a number of times, and practicing deep breathing techniques or taking deep breaths before the presentation to get more oxygen while you speak.

Start In Front Of Smaller Audiences.

Additionally, if you’re relatively new to public speaking, you might be nervous to even speak in front of one person. To build up your confidence, start practicing your presentation in front of small groups and work your way up to a larger audience.

Take Tips From Presentation Experts

Just as many people learn skills through watching and learning from experts, the same can be done with presenters.

If you’re trying to boost your self-confidence and become a better presenter, start by watching some other presentations. Sift through some popular TED Talks, sermons, keynote addresses, or other presentations you might find on the internet.

Make note of what the speaker did well or what took away from the presentation. This can help you focus on how you can become a better speaker.

Arm Yourself With Killer Slides

One other support piece you can pull from is your slide deck. Informative, engaging, and clear slides can make a world of difference. However, your slides mustn’t take away from your information or become too distracting to the audience.

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Confidence Builds Trust And Makes Your Presentation More Impactful

In summary, confidence has a key role in the success of your presentation. While most people might not consider themselves great public speakers, there are many tips and strategies that you can use to help you crush your next presentation .

You Work On Your Confidence, We Will Work On Your Presentation Design

Our team of designers has decades of experience building presentation decks that cater to your target audience and encourage participation to the very last slide.

Want to learn more about our Powerpoint Design Services ? You can either visit our presentation design portfolio or Contact us today to see how the geeks can help you!

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