In our last Tip of the Month, we dealt with eye contact, specifically the idea of using eye contact as a powerful listening strategy. We reinforced the idea that most everyone loves a good listener, and that eye contact can help convey your interest in listening and learning.

In this TOM, we want to look at another powerful way to leverage eye contact - as a part of your presentation delivery skill set. As we have all probably heard before, an audience will learn and remember more from your non-verbal delivery than they will from your verbal delivery. Your use of eye contact allows you to show your audience that you are confident, prepared and passionate. So here are a few things to remember about using eye contact in a presentation:


Make eye contact with every attendee
If you are presenting to a large group, make eye contact with individuals in each section of the audience - don't skip around from one member of the audience to another too quickly
In order for eye contact to be effective, you have to hold it for at least 2-3 seconds
Don't settle in on one person (it's easy to do when you find a friendly face in the crowd)
Don't avoid the gatekeeper (it's a natural urge)
Don't let your gaze wander (for instance, out the window), as it will cause your audience to wonder what you're looking at or look themselves
Focus your eye contact early and often on the decision maker
Rehearse effectively, so you can present the first few pages of the presentation while making strong eye contact instead of looking at your presentation
When it is time to ask the closing question, focus your eye contact back on the decision maker.


Using eye contact is a skill like many others; to get better at it, simply practice it. The payback is worth it!