10 body language tricks to become a confident speaker
I used to think confidence in speaking came from having the perfect words. But the more I paid attention to great speakers, the more I realized something—what they say is only part of the equation.
The way they move, stand, and gesture plays a huge role in how people perceive them. In fact, body language can make or break your presence as a speaker. The good news? Confidence isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s something you can show.
And by using a few simple body language tricks, you can instantly appear (and feel) more confident. Here are 10 body language moves that will help you become a confident speaker:
1. Stand tall
Confidence starts with posture. When you stand tall with your shoulders back and your head up, you instantly look more powerful. And the best part? Your brain picks up on these signals too, making you feel more confident.
Think about the last time you saw a speaker who looked nervous. Chances are, they were slouching, shifting their weight, or making themselves smaller. That kind of posture tells the audience—and your own mind—that you’re unsure of yourself.
Instead, plant your feet firmly on the ground, keep your spine straight, and own your space. It’s a simple shift that makes a huge difference in how others perceive you—and how you see yourself.
2. Use your hands
I used to keep my hands glued to my sides when speaking because I thought moving them too much would be distracting. But instead of looking calm and in control, I just looked stiff and uncomfortable.
Then one day, I watched a video of myself speaking and realized something—without hand gestures, my words felt flat. There was no energy, no engagement. So I started making a conscious effort to use my hands naturally. I’d gesture when emphasizing a point, use open palms to show honesty, and avoid crossing my arms, which can come across as defensive.
It felt awkward at first, but the difference was huge. Not only did I look more confident, but I also felt more connected to my message—and so did my audience.
3. Make eye contact
Eye contact is one of the fastest ways to build trust and authority when speaking. Studies have shown that people who maintain good eye contact are perceived as more confident, persuasive, and even more intelligent.
But there’s a balance. Too little eye contact can make you seem nervous or disengaged, while too much can feel intense or unnatural. A good rule of thumb is to hold eye contact for about 3–5 seconds with each person before naturally shifting to someone else.
If speaking to a large group, try the “lighthouse” technique—slowly scan the room, making brief connections with different sections of the audience. This makes everyone feel included and keeps you from staring at one spot for too long.
4. Slow down your movements
Nervous energy often shows up in the form of fidgeting, pacing, or rushed gestures. The problem is, when you move too quickly, it can make you seem anxious or uncertain—even if your words are confident.
Slowing down your movements instantly changes the way people perceive you. Deliberate, controlled gestures signal confidence and authority. Instead of shifting your weight constantly or making rapid hand movements, focus on being intentional with how you move.
A great way to practice this is by recording yourself speaking. You might be surprised at how much extra movement you make without realizing it. Once you become aware of it, you can start training yourself to move with purpose rather than nervousness.
5. Mirror your audience
People naturally feel more comfortable around those who are similar to them. That’s where mirroring comes in—it’s the subtle act of matching the body language, tone, or gestures of the person (or people) you’re speaking to.
This doesn’t mean copying someone’s every move like a mime. Instead, it’s about naturally reflecting their energy and posture. If your audience is relaxed, a stiff and overly formal stance might create distance. If they’re engaged and energetic, matching that enthusiasm helps build connection.
Mirroring helps create a sense of trust and rapport, making your audience more receptive to what you’re saying. It’s a simple yet powerful technique that great communicators use instinctively.
6. Open up your body
Confidence isn’t just about how you speak—it’s about how you show up. And one of the biggest signs of confidence is openness.
When someone crosses their arms, hunches their shoulders, or keeps their hands hidden, it sends a message of defensiveness or insecurity. But when you open up your posture—keeping your arms relaxed, your chest lifted, and your movements unrestricted—you create a sense of warmth and approachability.
Think about it: The most engaging speakers don’t shrink themselves. They take up space. They welcome their audience with open gestures and an inviting stance. The way you hold yourself can either pull people in or push them away. So if you want to connect, start by opening up—not just physically, but in the way you present yourself to the world.
7. Control your breathing
There was a time when speaking in front of others felt overwhelming. My heart would race, my chest would tighten, and before I even got my first words out, I felt out of breath.
What I didn’t realize was that my breathing was working against me. Shallow, rapid breaths made me feel more nervous, which only made things worse. But once I started focusing on slow, deep breaths before speaking, everything changed.
Deep breathing calms your nervous system and gives your voice more power. It helps you slow down, think clearly, and project confidence—even if you don’t feel it at first.
Before stepping up to speak, take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a second, and exhale slowly. Do this a few times. It seems simple, but it can make the difference between feeling scattered and feeling in control.
8. Pause more often
Most people think confidence comes from speaking smoothly without hesitation. But the truth is, confident speakers, pause—a lot.
Silence can feel uncomfortable at first, but when used intentionally, it’s one of the most powerful tools you have. A well-placed pause gives your audience time to absorb your words, adds weight to important points, and makes you appear more in control.
Nervous speakers tend to fill every gap with “um” or rush through their words to avoid silence. But those who pause create presence. They show they’re not afraid to let their message breathe. So instead of trying to fill every second with sound, embrace the space between your words. It’s in those moments of stillness that your message truly sinks in.
9. Smile with purpose
A smile is one of the simplest ways to appear more confident and approachable—but it’s not just about plastering on a grin. It’s about when and how you smile.
Smiling at the right moments can make you seem more engaging, trustworthy, and in control. It puts your audience at ease and helps create a connection. But if you smile too much, especially when discussing something serious, it can weaken your message or make you seem nervous.
The key is to smile with purpose. Use it to warm up your audience when you begin speaking, to reinforce positive points, or to show enthusiasm. But don’t force it—let it come naturally, and it’ll have a much greater impact.
10. Own the space you’re in
Confidence isn’t just about standing tall or using the right gestures—it’s about fully owning the space around you. Great speakers don’t shrink themselves. They move with intention, take their time, and command attention without demanding it.
Whether you’re standing on a stage or speaking in a small group, the way you carry yourself tells people how to perceive you. Step forward instead of backing away. Use the space available to you instead of staying locked in one spot. Let your presence fill the room. When you act like you belong there, people believe you do.
Bottom line: confidence is in the body before the mind
We often think of confidence as something that starts in the mind—that we have to *feel* confident before we can look confident. But research suggests it works the other way around too.
Psychologist Amy Cuddy’s well-known studies on body language show that how we hold ourselves doesn’t just influence how others see us—it changes how we see ourselves. Expansive, open postures can actually increase feelings of power, while closed-off postures can make us feel smaller and more uncertain.
In other words, confidence isn’t just a mindset; it’s a physical presence. Sometimes, the way to become a confident speaker isn’t to wait until you feel ready—it’s to start moving like you already are.
Source: Smallbiztech
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