Speaking Skills Training – How to Make The Most Of Your Facial Expressions

There are many elements to developing good speaking skills. Training courses which use video to record your presentations can give you good feedback on all the facets of your delivery, including your facial expression.

Throughout your presentation your listeners will be watching your face, looking for clues as to your feelings and emotions. Your face is the most powerful part of your visual presence so make the most of it! Don’t allow nerves or self consciousness translate into a deadpan expression.

The most helpful tip I’ve ever heard about using facial expression is to really concentrate on and feel your message. Not only will this reduce your public speaking anxiety, but it will naturally cause you to show appropriate emotions in your face. If you’re really feeling sad, happy, angry, fearful or surprised when telling a story or making a point, then your face will express these emotions too. Your audience will see how you’re feeling and will become involved in your speech.

However, don’t overdo your facial expressions for the sake of it. There is nothing worse than appearing false or fake. Stick to expressions that are natural for you.

One of the best ways to ‘practice’ your range of facial expressions is to become conscious of how you use your face in daily conversation. Remember that presenting to an audience is just another form of conversation. If you can naturally talk to a group of people using the facial expressions that you use on a daily basis, then this will come across as engaging and not at all superficial.

Effective speaking skills training is one of the best ways to work on all aspects of your public speaking delivery.