Moving is one of the most challenging aspects when presenting in public. Or at least moving effectively. A skilled public speaker always asks himself: how do I use my hands? How do I move? How can I make the best use of my body?

Movement can be a powerful communication tool, but it can distract the audience if misused.

Here are three tips for using your body effectively when speaking in public.

Move with a purpose

Pacing back and forth on the stage or around the meeting room is pointless. When you decide to move, always do so with a purpose. It could be to engage a specific side of the room, establish eye contact with a person or a section of the audience, or approach someone (especially in meetings) and ask them to put away their distracting cell phone. Whatever the reason, move with intention.

Your hands, these strangers

Hands are also a communication tool, and it’s important to use them consciously. To do this, practice is essential. Not only to rehearse your speech but also to understand how to complement your verbal message with hand movements.

For example, if you’re talking about three things, you can accompany your words by raising three fingers with your right hand. Then, as you list them, lift one finger at a time. ‘I’d like to talk to you about three things’ [gesture with three fingers]. The first is… [raise your thumb], the second is… [lift your index finger], and so on.

Practice is essential to make gestures effective, deliberate, and natural.

Beware of nervous gestures

Playing with your hair, fidgeting with your hand in your pocket, and making senseless gestures are all signs of nervousness. Worse yet, these gestures are usually involuntary, so we don’t even realize we’re doing them. You must first become aware of what you’re doing to prevent your body from taking over. That’s why recording yourself during rehearsals or having someone (perhaps a coach) point out any involuntary actions is crucial.

Movement is one of the keys to making your public speaking exceptional. Learn to manage and use it to your advantage, and you’ll find that your audience will pay even more attention to what you’re saying.