Eye contact is super important when you’re giving a speech. It helps you connect with your audience and makes your message clearer. Studies show that using eye contact can help people remember what you say by up to 70%. This happens because eye contact creates a warm and trusting bond between you and your listeners.

Why Eye Contact Matters

1. Building Trust:

   • When you look at your audience, they see you as more confident and trustworthy. In fact, about 93% of how we communicate is through body language, and eye contact is a big part of that.

2. Keeping Attention:

   • Making eye contact gets people involved. A study from Gallup found that folks are 50% more likely to pay attention when speakers look at them regularly. This means more interaction and engagement during your speech.

3. Lowering Nervousness:

   • When you connect with your audience through eye contact, it can help ease your nerves as well as theirs. According to a report from the National Communication Association, 68% of speakers feel less anxious when they use eye contact.

Tips for Better Eye Contact

• Look Around: Make sure to glance at different parts of the audience so everyone feels included.
• Hold Your Gaze: Try to maintain eye contact with someone for about 3-5 seconds before looking at someone else.

In conclusion, using eye contact is a key tool for successful public speaking. It helps engage your audience, makes it easier for them to remember what you say, and makes you look more credible.