A well delivered presentation can get you the promotion of your dreams or that investment for your startup. We have all sat through boring PowerPoint presentations, napping secretly while trying to appear interested. Hey, we might even have been delivering boring PowerPoint presentations ourselves, I certainly have. While content and slide design has been the focus of most discussions about improving presentations, body language and voice tone  are usually dismissed with a remark like “just be yourself.” Sorry to deliver the “whammy” but being yourself is just not good enough. Be yourself at your very best.

1. The  “7-38-55″ rule

According to Mehrabian, words account for 7%, tone of voice accounts for 38%, and body language accounts for 55% of human communication. That means 93% of human communication revolves around how you say what you want to say.

2. The “stand like a rock” rule

Some people move around during presentations like there is some invisible demon chasing them. Well, how do you stand like a rock? Just a moment before you start talking, mentally visualize your feet growing roots into the ground, or if you are not a visual person, feel the soles of your feet as they touch the ground. Although that may sound a bit weird to you, in a mere second you will program your brain to keep you literally “down-to-earth.” This will also help you to cope with any nervousness or anxiety. As an aside, using visual and kinesthetic experiences to change your own behavior are powerful and proven Neuro Linguistic Programming techniques.

3. The “conduct your audience like an orchestra” rule

You might be thinking to yourself that this is the most silly presentation rule you’ve ever heard. Admittedly, taken literally it can lead to some dangerous presentation behavior…Well, let’s see what we can learn from this metaphor. A conductor is in absolute control of his movements. His arms and hands move precisely along the rhythm and elegantly induce music and emotion in the orchestra.

• Control your movements: Make slow movements as they will make you look dignified and lend you credibility. Hectic movements and fidgeting will make you lose the connection to your audience. The extent of your movements should depend on how large your audience is. If the audience just consists of two or three people, small hand and finger movements will suffice. With four to nine people you can also use your arms and elbows. With audiences of ten or more people you can use movements starting with your shoulder and upper arms.
• Move your hands in the rhythm of your speech: Words and gestures should mainly be synchronized while the words should be slightly delayed with the gestures. First you point to something and then you explain it.
• Induce emotions: If you keep your arms down and point the palms of your hands towards the ground, you will induce a negative emotion. If you lift your arms toward your chest and make the palms of your hands face the ceiling you will induce a positive emotion. Do not play around with markers or other objects during the presentations because that will drive your audience nuts.

4. The “speak like the President” rule

By now you are probably thinking these rules are getting way out of hand. However, imagine an American president permanently speaking with a loud voice, conveying aggression; or speaking so quietly as if he was insecure; or speaking with a high pitched voice, coming across as tense and anxious; or with a deep voice, sounding like a complacent grandpa. It’s not going to happen.

Voices are only perceived as pleasant when they vary in accordance with the words. The more voice tone nuances you have at your disposal, the more impressed your audience will be. Create a little suspense by occasionally speaking more quietly. Use a soft fatherly or motherly voice when giving advice. Use a friendly voice tone when talking about an admired expert, or make your words roll out of your mouth with laughter to create a humorous atmosphere…

Use pauses to give your speech a natural rhythm and substitute your “um’s” with pauses because they more elegantly disguise your lack of words.  Never talk down to people. Speak with people as if you were sitting in the audience, enjoying your own speech.

5. The “look everyone in the eye at least once” rule

I once had an amazing professor who managed to look everyone in the eye at least once during a lecture and there were about fifty people in the room. You just got the feeling that each and everyone in the room was important to him. And I don’t need to tell you that every audience wants to feel special. When you are talking to a large audience, use a W-type movement in terms of eye contact, to capture everybody in the audience. Don’t jump around with your eyes too much, move along at a slow pace.

6. The “the face is the mirror of your soul” rule

Believe me, you show the audience that you have a wonderful soul if you smile a lot. Not that fake politician’s smile, no, the warm sympathetic one that comes directly from your heart. Change your facial expressions gently and avoid grimaces and frowns.

7. The “everything in moderation including moderation” rule

Don’t exaggerate anything, make your words sound smooth and your movements look natural but don’t overdo it because if you come across as too perfect, nobody will trust you. The best way to deliver a presentation is to appear both relaxed and enthusiastic. A low-key enthusiasm will do, if you are presenting in a conservative setting. You need to sound like you are telling your audience something really important, because if you do not believe in your message nobody else will. At the same time, remember to take your message seriously but not yourself. For example, make a little humourous self-depreciating remark and the audience will love you.

8. The “practice makes perfect” rule

Start practicing your presentation skills. Tape record yourself or better, get a video of your speech and examine it thoroughly while being absolutely honest with yourself. And always ask your closest friends for feedback after a presentation.