Body Language To Get Everyone On Your Side

If you have a small business, or just like to go out in public, then it’s usually a good idea to make sure you’re giving your best impression. For a powerful online impression, the team at Dilate can do all the hard work for you, but if you’re out meeting people face-to- face, then that’s all on you buddy. When we interact with others, only a part of the communication is speech. The rest is done through subtle cues which you express through your body language, which is a more subconscious form of communication, so body language is an important faculty to be aware of. It can indicate whether or not you care, whether you’re telling the truth, whether you’re listening, or how you’re feeling. Humans are social beings, so knowing a few body language tips will be helpful when liaising with clients, meeting prospective investors, ordering a coffee… Well, when you do anything, really.

Turn Your Body To The Person Speaking:

By only turning your head, you are physically suggesting that the speaker has part of your interest, but only for a brief moment. By turning to face them fully, you are projecting your undivided attention towards them, so that they feel like you value what they have to say.

Smile:

This one is a bit of a given, but can easily be forgotten. What’s your ‘listening’ face? If it’s a grimace, people may be feeling unnerved when they’re trying to talk to you, rather than at ease. When someone is speaking, take a brief moment to ensure your face isn’t resting in a scowl- as many people are actually rather prone to this-, and practise softening the eyes and welcoming a small lift at the corner of your mouth, so show openness. Note: A demented grin and wild eyes can be just as terrifying as a scowl or sneer.

Correct Posture:

Your posture can affect how people view you, and how you view yourself. Make it a goal to keep your posture straight, and open. Walk with your head up, shoulders back, and spine stacked neatly above your hips. This usually results in a sensation of confidence, and other people will perceive this attitude, and naturally be drawn to you. By walking with a slouch, with arms crossed in front of you, you look as though if you could retreat further from the world then you would, which makes people feel less inclined to respect your presence.

Eye Contact:

The eyes are the window to the soul, so if yours are constantly darting around then you may look shifty or stressed. Keep your eyes relaxed, and trained on to the eyes of the person you’re speaking with. However, some people find eye contact to be a little intimidating when it is relentless or intense. If the person you’re speaking to seems nervous, dial back the death stare. Unless you’re a police investigator, in which case you’re probably getting close to cracking them.

Personal Space:

Personal space is something which everyone has different levels of comfort for. For a person raised in a densely populated city, perhaps they are comfortable standing shoulder to shoulder during conversation. For someone who hails from a small town or rural outpost, they’ll need a bit more space to avoid mild symptoms of claustrophobia. This can also be affected by the type of relationship between speakers and the situation, but it’s a good idea to read the other person’s body language to gauge their comfortable distance.

It should be a breeze to get people on your side in the real world when you use these skills, but the digital world doesn’t speak body language. So if you need someone to show you how to make your website stand out, then call the team here, at Dilate, to ask about our free marketing consultations. We specialise in fine-tuning a digital presence which is just right for you, so that you can get the best results for your business.