Communication Tips
Module 6 * Part 3
As mentioned before, your pitch is a presentation, so your non-verbal communication strategies are just as important as word choices. Here are a few things to pay special attention to when you are pitching to your audience.
- Show your passion by making consistent eye contact and smiling
- Align your verbal and non-verbal language
- Constantly watch your audience's reaction and adjust accordingly
- Make use of your hands and arms. Open them up for acceptance; close them to show concern; show a fist for emphasis; use your fingers to indicate different points
- Stand up straight and face your audience by opening up your shoulders
- Avoid crossing your arms or legs or folding your shoulders in; you would appear to be fearful and not confident
- Avoid seeming restless by having unnecessary movement.
- Mean your gestures. Do not use a gesture if you are not sure what it would do. Be very definitely about how you want to pose with a gesture and never back track.
- Avoid repetition in movement. It would make you seem robotic and you would seem distracting.
- Take meaningful pauses when you are presenting. A powerful pause can drive home a message. Do not speak too quickly for the sake of getting the presentation done.