Bennie Buiten

There is a movie playing on the screen and you want your audience's attention, what now? This can be in a presentation, but can also be as a guide at a museum. The visitor's eye is drawn by the movement in the image. So make sure the audience can't look at the screen by having them turn around. They also look where you are looking. So when you, as a presenter, look at the screen, the audience will follow your gaze. If you look people in the eyes, they won't be able to ignore your gaze and look at you.

If you stand on the street and look up, people around you will watch. Your strong focus affects the focus of the people around you. So if you want their eyes on something on stage, look for yourself.

You can stop and think about something and say something in passing. These expressions literally indicate how (no) movement has meaning while telling a story. We are used to a story going from left to right. We find it exciting when someone comes forward, approaches you. Polar bears are tiring to watch. Someone who just stands stock still loses attention.

If you play someone who has a lot of power, you move in a controlled manner. Once you have a sentence for your audience that summarizes the purpose of your story, pause.

Articulation, voice volume, speed, all tools to make your story reach the audience more clearly. Silence, between words or sentences, can give so much more meaning to the message you have. Shouting requires attention, but you demand attention if you speak clearly and distinctly. By completing your sentences, down to the last word, the importance of saying these sentences becomes clearer to the audience.

You can distort your voice to play a role. The challenge often lies in being able to keep this up. For a presentation it is especially important that you are understandable. Articulation is more important than voice volume.

Standing behind a lectern feels safe. Clear spot on the stage and you can be sure you won't get lost. But if you have a PowerPoint, it is sometimes nice to stand next to it so that the audience can look at it. Sometimes you just want the attention and it is better to stand in front of it. You can also place your audience around you like an arena. You are then the center and the audience also sees each other. And if you turn on a movie, you can also sit in the audience.

In the theater the stage starts in the wings, even there something can happen. During presentations, only a small part of the stage is often used. While with the right movement you can fill the entire space.

Being aware of how you stand, where your hands are, whether your legs are crossed or wide, whether you are standing upright or leaning to one side. One is not always better than the other, but you do communicate with it.

If you play a character, you look for an exaggerated attitude. If you want to appear confident, relax and discover how you stand upright.