If you want to feel more confident when speaking in public, start practicing these 7 language techniques.
Confidence is not just about what you say, but how you say it. These subtle changes in body language can instantly change how others perceive you… and how you perceive yourself.
I used to think that public speaking confidence was something you either had or didn’t have. Some people are born with the ability to organize work, while others of us have to struggle to make it through any presentation or meeting.
But over time, with the help of psychology, mindfulness, and some inspiring experiences, I’ve come to realize that confidence can be developed. Especially when it comes to how you use your body.
The truth is, your body sends you signals long before you open your mouth. This will show people your comfort level, your authority, and whether their ideas are worth listening to.
What’s the best? You can train these signals. If you want to look (and feel) more confident when you’re speaking in public, whether it’s a presentation at work, a toast, or even a meeting, these 7 tips are a great place to start.
Let’s get started
1. Stand as if your back is about to say something important.
You don’t need to blow your heart out like a superhero. But you do need to have some space of your own.
Psychologists call this the “gym stance.” Research shows that when we stand tall, with our shoulders back, feet shoulder-width apart, and our heads held high, we not only look stronger, but we also feel stronger.
This is because your body posture responds to your nervous system. Nodding your head shows humility. Grounding tells your brain, “I am safe. My place is here.”
Try this: Before you enter a room, pause for 30 seconds and lie down. Put your feet up, lift your chest slightly, breathe deeply, and imagine that there is a rope pulling your head up. It’s a subtle manipulation that changes everything.
2. Think of your hands as a storyteller, not an image.
Have you ever noticed how great speakers like Barack Obama or Brene Brown deliberately use body language? This is no coincidence.
According to a study from the University of Chicago, deliberately using body language during a conversation can help you appear more confident, confident, and assertive. It also helps you think more clearly.
Your hands are a natural extension of your message. The key is to keep them above your waist and below your shoulders, and to move them to support your words rather than distract from them.
Avoid: fidgeting with your clothes, clapping, or pointing your fingers behind your back.
Instead: Use open hand gestures when you’re making a statement. Show size or direction. Emphasize your point with vocal gestures.
3. Maintain eye contact, but don’t stare like a killer.
Here’s the key to eye contact: It’s thought that a lack of eye contact can come across as hesitant or untrustworthy. If you’re always talking, you’ll come across as nervous or confrontational.
Confident speakers make careful eye contact: hold it long enough to establish a connection, then move naturally toward the other person or idea.
Try the second method: focus on one person for about 3 seconds, then move to the other side of the audience. This makes the voice sound interesting but not forced.
Tip: If you are afraid of public speaking, look at people's eyebrows or forehead, not their eyes. The illusion of eye contact still works, but no one notices the difference.
4. Breathe from your belly, not your chest.
Most of us breathe deeply when we are nervous. You know the feeling: tightness in your chest, shortness of breath, shoulders raised and your ears hunched.
But confident speakers breathe slowly and deeply. Diaphragmatic (ventricular) breathing calms the nervous system and increases the sense of your presence. Before speaking, try these:
Chest breathing technique (used by the Marine Corps):
• Inhale for four seconds
• Hold your breath for four seconds
• Exhale for four seconds
• Hold your breath for four seconds
• Repeat 3-4 times
Not only will this help calm your nerves, but it will also make your voice deeper and louder when you speak.
5. Intentional Pauses
Many people are afraid to pause when they’re speaking. So they fill the void with panic and confusion.
But confident people pause on purpose. They know the power of silence. It gives more weight to what they’ve said… and builds anticipation for what’s to come.
Try this: After you’ve said something important, pause for two seconds. Let it sink in. This gives the audience time to digest it, and it gives you a chance to calmly reframe your thoughts.
I used to think that pausing would make me sound like I didn’t know what I was doing. Now I use it as punctuation: it’s one of the most powerful tools in public speaking.
6. Try to shift your weight
Have you ever seen a speaker walk with shaky or wobbly feet? It’s a feeling of anxiety that affects the entire body.
It’s a deep-rooted belief. This means you’re not swaying or shifting from side to side; your body is stable.
Let’s be honest:
• Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
• Distribute your weight evenly.
• If you need to move, take a deliberate step forward, then back down.
Walking with purpose, rather than out of habit, brings clarity and presence to your presentation. It also calms nerves and creates a physical connection with your audience.
7. Smile often (but don’t fake it).
A genuine smile attracts people’s attention. It will make it easier to approach and be interested, and according to Penn State researchers, it will make your voice warmer and more confident.
But here's a secret: don't force it.
Instead, think about someone you like. Or at a happy moment. Let that feeling comfort you. Then speak up.
It's a small change, but the public notices. A genuine smile says, "I'm glad I'm here," and that confidence is contagious.
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