This will help improve your public speaking...No megaphone required!
Have you ever had to speak in front of two or more people at a business meeting, product launch or at any other time, not know what to do with your hands and felt very nervous because of it?
Well this little trick that the  professionals use will put an end to that…
The Pen
By simply using a pen as a prop when doing your talking, it will subconsciously take away any nervousness or doubt about what to do with your hands.
But you can just hold it any how…
Hold it as though you are giving someone an autograph
Hold the pen in your dominant hand as if you were going to give someone else an autograph (i.e. you’re about to write) as shown below:
When your palms are facing upwards
When your palms are faced downwards
Why it works
Truth be told, I actually don’t know why it works. But it does and I find it makes a huge difference.
Next time you watching a talk show, or watching someone give an interview see if they have a pen in there hand. I notice it all the time now that I am aware of it.
It’s a professional secret.
As an example one of Australia’s top interviewers and television presenters (Eddie Maguire) never usually uses it as he is a really good, confident public speaker.
However, a couple of years ago, he had to do a very controversial interview, with one of the best players in AFL football who had been suspended indefinitely due to drug use.
As it turned out, to combat some of his nervousness during the interview, he reverted back to using the pen in his hand like a lot of other presenters do and also as he did in his early days of interviewing and presenting.
The $900 tip
I learnt this at a professional public speaking workshop done by a man who works with high level politicians.
It cost $900 for the day.
And this was the most valuable tip that I got out of the day.
Take Action
- Next time you have to speak in front of any sort of crowd (i.e. more than two people) try using a pen in your dominant hand and see if you notice the difference. It could be at a business meeting, in your bosses office, at an even, or even at a social gathering (make sure it doesn’t look too stupid to have a pen in your hand at a social gathering though).
What do you think? We all do some sort of public speaking; some of us just don’t call it public speaking because we are not in front of an audience of 200-300 people. What sort of public speaking do you do, and what tips do you use during?
Not sure that this is true:), but thanks for a post.
Bodyc
@Bodyc
Thanks for the comment.
Personally, I find it to make a huge difference. I even use it when I am talking in meetings and groups of people.
If your watching any politician talk I now notice that they all do the same thing.
All the best
Schmidty
This works. Several people I know that have taken public speaking courses beyond basic speech in HS and college do 2 things consistently. They make eye contact all over the room, and they make small gestures with their hands…usually palms inward and slightly up. Most of them have a pen in their writing hand, or tend to have a small space between their pointer and middle finger as thought they were holding one.
Hi mate, ahh the old pen trick. Works well with a drink as well or even some food as long as it is done in a way that is not perceived as rude, a more relaxed presentation perhaps.
Another quick $900 dollar trick is to breathe in deep just before starting, works well with entering a room as well, and then breathe out naturally as your first start to speak. Not sure why it works, just one of those things. Worthwhile trying next time.
At the end of the day, if it doesn’t work you can always threaten them with a pen stabbing. :)
wow! i’ll try this one the next time we’ll be doing a case presentation. i sometimes find myself having cold palms whenever i speak in front of the class for a report. :p