Create A Great First Impression

Your audience is very fickle, the first sign of insincerity and they will start to doubt you.  Why bother writing a wonderful speech if people are going to stop listening because they no longer trust or believe in what you are saying.

Unfortunately these decisions can be made before you utter your first word. Some audience members will take one look at you and decide there and then if you are worth the bother.

You are worth the bother aren't you?

You do want to be heard don't you?

Well don't give your audience the chance to dismiss you.

Do you know how long you have to make a positive first impression?

Seven seconds. 

Yes, it only takes up to seven seconds for your audience to decide what they think of you. Will they like you or loathe you?

Why is the answer important? Well this is how long you will have for your audience to decide whether they like you or loathe you.

There are many different factors that contribute to your first impression and one of the most importance is your posture.

Posture

Whatever type of speech or presentation you are giving the way you stand is very important.

If you have bad posture it can undermine what you are saying.

Audience members assign immense importance to your posture.

More Information About First Impressions

First impressions are made the moment you are noticed.

So whatever the occasion, the moment you walk into the event you have to behave as how you want others to see you.

You might be in the audience waiting to be introduced.

Or you might be on the sat on the stage.

You might be with a group of friends or colleagues waiting for your turn to speak.

Wherever you are, be aware of what you are doing.

To help you appreciate the importance of this, take a look at a few scenarios.

Scenario 1

You are in the audience seated near other audience members who have no idea who you are and won't do until you are introduced.

You need to behave like the majority of the audience members. In other words don't sit there reading through your notes, this shows how nervous you are.

You will also appear rude because you are not listening to the current speaker.

This behavior is likely to create an unfavorable first impression.

Scenario 2

You are sat on the stage waiting for your turn.

This is probably the worse place you could be but you can cope with it.

Audiences are easily distracted and any of your movements (even tiny ones) will bring you into focus. So sit still.

Try to act calm and professional (even if you don't feel that way) and look like you are listening to the other speakers.

Scenario 3

Your audience probably knows you (they may be colleagues or friends) and so you may think you don't have to worry about making an impression.

That might be true if you already have a repuatation as as a confident speaker, but what if you aren't.

This is the time to surprise them and gain their admiration when you stand up tall and show them how mistaken they are. Just imagine the look on their faces.

To recap, first impressions are really that, FIRST. Not the moment you start your speech, not standing up to walk to the podium, but from the minute you walk through the door.

You want your audience to believe in you, but for them to do that, you need to believe in yourself first.

You have already learnt some methods to achieve this, but the good news is, I have some more for you.

If you want to learn more about creating a good first impression, check out my first impression checklist in the speaker's handbook ( you to need to sign up for access)

Related Pages

Public Speaking and Panic Attacks

Public Speaking Anxiety Help

Making Eye Contact

Overcoming Public Speaking Fear

Jo Barry's Panic Away

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