In 2005, I spent a weekend in Oregon on a personal pilgrimage. I was there to learn from 2004 World Champion of Public Speaking, Randy Harvey, who is a master at the art of ‘Speaking in 3-D.’ Randy’s concept is so simple to implement, but its impact on your speeches and presentations will be noticeable.

Use choreography to separate ideas:

Picture yourself in the middle of an empty auditorium. You’re facing toward the stage. Most people simply see an empty stage. But not you, oh no! Because you are an educated speaker, and because you see the value in captivating your audience, you see so much more.

When you look at a stage, you see ‘zones.’ You see the possibility of dividing your ideas into distinct physical spaces. You don’t just see a stage; you see stories, each in their own unique setting.

Most presenters haven’t thought much about choreography, and will tend to stand in one place; generally behind a lectern; a sort of safe zone from which they deliver their entire address. Geographically speaking, the entire flow of information proceeds from the same place.

But when you start to think three-dimensionally, the very space available to you on a stage can be used to visually segregate ideas. In other words, placement of speech-sections becomes a visual aid.

Example:

Say you wanted to deliver three key points in your speech. Using choreography, you might ‘place’ your first idea in the centre of the stage. You would then place the second idea, for example, on stage left and the third on stage right.

Now, as you deliver your three key points, you would move to each location as you speak: Point one in the middle, points two and three on the left and right. You would literally walk to each location and then deliver your point there.

With this simple technique, which most people in the audience won’t even notice, you will have given a visual cue that there are separate ‘chunks’ to what you are saying. They will follow you more easily, even if they don’t know why.

So, when do I move?

Inexperienced speakers often ask whether there is a rule regarding when to move and when to stand still. The answer is: no, not really. But there are some useful guidelines. My take on the subject is this:

Move with intention. Otherwise, stand still. 

Moving with intention means that you might be telling a story, or getting passionately caught up in your point. By all means move around in patterns commensurate with your passion. But when you are simply talking to the audience, stand still.

Please note that this advice only refers to your mobility in the room. DO NOT switch off your body language and stand perfectly still. That sort of statue-imitation just looks silly. Your body language should be in action at all times. But in terms of movement around the room: Move with intention. Otherwise, stand still.

My personal guideline is generally this: Move when telling a story. Stand still when making a point. But again, that’s merely a guideline and by no means a rule.

Up and Down, Back and Forth:

You are not limited to merely placing three points in three places. Your movement up and down and back and forth also creates certain effects, which can be used to make your message come alive.

Let’s start with back and forth. If you step forward, towards the audience, the effect that you will create is a positive tone. This is useful if you are trying to sell a new idea or make your audience feel good about something.

If you step backwards, away from them, the effect is negative.

If you stand upright, the tone is ‘chatty.’ If you crouch or sit, the tone changes entirely. Crouching down creates intensity. Sitting down creates intimacy.

You create distinct moods and types of energy according to your use of space.

So the next time you’re asked to present, consider the space available to you. Take your speech blueprint along, and lay it over the physical venue like a table-cloth over a dinner table.

Now go out and enjoy playing with your new toy!

Douglas Kruger is a professional speaker and trainer. Follow him on Linked In or Twitter: @Douglaskruger, email: Kruger@compute.co.za or view motivational speeches and skills-development articles at: www.douglaskruger.co.za