In presenting it is imperative to become aware of body language as a feedback mechanism to you the presenter. Your audience will be sending you signals consistently, however, if you judge and make meaning of all these signals you will be so engrossed in reading body language, that you might well forget the purpose of why you are presenting in the first place.

In addition, consider a situation where a person in your audience has their arms crossed, you might make a judgement and conclude that they are bored or annoyed with you. This conclusion may create negative thoughts in your mind and that will distract you from your goal in the presentation. Masterful Presenters become attuned to the energy from the collective audience and from this energy they raise their awareness of body movement. If the energy is buzzing, energetic, enthusiastic and attentive, then give yourself a huge pat on the back. If not, then action is required, because rapport is out of alignment.

Rule: Read the signals and understand what they might mean, apply the information as feedback to you the presenter, and make the necessary changes to attain high levels of rapport. Do not make self-judgements.

Below is a selection of the body language tactics that are useful to you as a presenter. These will assist you in re-aligning your behaviour and body language, change levels of rapport, alter your voice patterns and assess the audience's mood. This information is critical in order to ensure you attain the highest levels of rapport possible.

• Body language is a term for communication using body movements or gestures instead of, or in addition to, sounds, verbal language or other communication. It forms part of the category of paralanguage, which describes all forms of human communication that are not verbal language. This includes subtle movements that many people are not aware of, including winking and slight movement of the eyebrows. In addition body language can also incorporate the use of facial expressions.

• Although they are generally not aware of it, many people send and receive non-verbal signals all the time. These signals may indicate what they are truly feeling. The technique of 'reading' people is used frequently. For example, the idea of mirroring body language to put people at ease is commonly used in interviews and presentations. Mirroring the body language of someone else sends an unconscious signal that they are understood.

• One of the most basic and powerful body-language signals is when someone crosses his or her arms across the chest. This can indicate that they are putting up an unconscious barrier between themselves and others, they are demonstrating a level of annoyance or irritation. It can also indicate that their arms are cold, which would be confirmed by the action of arm rubbing or shoulder huddling. When the overall situation is amicable, it can mean that they are thinking deeply about what is being discussed. And this would be signalled by the placing of their hand upon their chin or leaning on their hand around their cheek area. But in a serious or confrontational situation, it can mean that they are expressing opposition. This is especially so if the individual is leaning away from the speaker. A harsh or blank facial expression often indicates outright hostility.  They are not an ally, and may be considering contentious tactics.