We all know that communicating is much more than just speaking. In fact, body language can account for as much as 70% of communication. Because of this, it is a great idea to practice using body language to project the right message through body language. Here are some great speaker training tips that focus on body language.

Your posture may seem like an obvious thing, but in reality before you practice proper posture, you may be surprised to find just how bad your posture really is. When giving a speech, you want to look poised and confident. Slouching or rocking back and forth can give the wrong message to your audience. If you slouch you may appear bored with your topic. If you rock back and forth, people might think you're nervous. In order to get the right message across you have to appear confident, clean and polished, and in control. To work on proper posture, record yourself speaking so you can see your own movement and where you need improvement.

Gesturing and how you gesture is also important for your speech. Making gestures can emphasize what it is your saying, but gesturing too much will make you look awkward. Have you ever seen someone speaking who was talking with their hands, going overboard with motions? You want your gesture to appear natural. If you rehearse your gestures ahead of time, it will look rehearsed and unnatural. Instead practice gesturing naturally. You may want to use a phrase like "on the other hand," or make a fist when using a bold statement. A good tip to look authoritative while giving a speech is to always keep your hands above your elbows. There are also many gestures you should avoid, like looking at your watch. This might make your audience also wonder what the time is, and make them antsy to go on break, or leave.

One of the most important body language tips when giving a speech is to make eye contact with the members of your audience. Your audience wants to feel involved with your speech, and like you care. The best way to make members of an audience feel like you're really talking to them, is to look them in the eye. An easy way to make eye contact, is to specifically look into the eyes of the people that are really paying attention to you. In a a way, they are actually seeking acknowledgement from you, so you should give it to them. Look your audience in the eye, and they will feel a connection to you and your message, and are more likely to invest in what you say, or what you're selling.

Communicating is so much more than speaking. Body language makes up a large percentage of communication. For a speaker, it is important to be aware of your body language, and what type of message you are putting out there through your posture, gestures, and eye contact. Practice these things and your whole performance should benefit.