Page 25 - Power Presntation

Eye Contact

As well as engagement, one of the key functions of eye contact is that it enables you
to read the audience. You should be looking for signs that people are staying with you
and that you have not left a significant number of people behind.

It is quite acceptable to do this more than once in order to engage everyone’s

attention before you begin speaking. The single biggest factor that prevents proper
eye contact is presentation nerves. If you are nervous then there is a natural
temptation to avoid eye contact. If you have prepared properly and are presenting
confidently than your eye contact will be natural and will serve its purpose of
engaging with everyone in the room.

As well as engagement, one of the key functions of eye contact is that it enables you
to read the audience. You should be looking for signs that people are staying with you

and that you have not left a significant number of people behind.

People will usually nod their heads and make eye contact when they are with you. It is

when they close their eyes or stare at the floor or out of the window that you can
assume that you are losing their interest. The early signs of this happening should
encourage you to pause and reengage with the audience either by summarizing what
you’ve already said and using a transition into the next part of the presentation or by
clarifying something that is causing confusion.

Whatever you do, do not overreact to any one individual. Some people may genuinely
have no interest in the item you’re presenting and may be there because they have
been told to or for some other purpose.

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