Body language is fundamental when delivering a speech.
Have you seen our great leaders fidget or make unnecessary movements while addressing the nation?
Since you are the center of attention while making the presentation, you should mind every move you make so as not to bore or distract the people listening to your speech.
So you already have a speech prepared, know the topic well, and now standing in front of the audience.
They are in for a treat because you have prepared an excellent presentation, yet you also know they have a very short attention span.
How would you keep them interested in what you are saying?
The answer is to maintain eye contact.
This is one public speaking technique that great speakers use when addressing a large group of people.
Here are some tips on how you can use this "trick" to keep your audience interested while delivering a speech:
Once you have started speaking and given your introduction, look at your audience.
Refrain from being nervous if you see one or two people frowning, as you are not sure of exactly what they are thinking.
Instead of looking out for unfriendly or blank faces, please search for people smiling and nodding their heads.
Try to focus on this person for a few minutes and look them in the eye. This way, you would have an immediate "friend" in the audience from whom you can look and gain confidence. This will not just increase your confidence but also relax you in the course of your speech.
Gaze steadily at your audience, moving from one part of the room to another. This way, you would immediately grasp their attention.
Never read your speech. Just create an outline of your speech and only write the important points you can expand on.
If you have visuals, do not read the bullet points, as this might imply that your audience cannot read that themselves. With this, you are instantly creating a 'bond' with your audience as a speaker since you do not have to keep looking at your notes throughout your speech.
The key to delivering a great speech is just to breathe, relax and make eye-to-eye contact with your audience. Thus, you are not just making a physical connection with them but also ensuring that you come out as a sincere speaker who wants to inform and interact with the audience through your speech.