Have you noticed that unless you’re delivering a graduation speech or commencement address, you’re probably not behind a podium? So if you’re not at a podium during your talk, then where are you? And that begs the question How am I supposed to pace the stage? Just think for a moment about all those great TedTalkers out there … you may have admired the way they pace with such ease and grace. 

In one of my YouTube videos I mentioned that you should avoid the podium… because your energy is not released to the audience. But it’s not enough to tell you to pace, there is a bit of an art to it, so today I’d like to share some strategies for pacing.

Pacing done well is a way to help the speaker connect with the audience on a more personal level. The idea behind pacing is that you give everyone in the audience equal attention. Since you are not restricted to a podium, you are free to walk. And we’re not talking about leisurely walking on a promenade or hurried walking on the busy streets of New York City. 

Here are my strategies for pacing like a TedTalker for maximum effect.

How: Move with purpose

Don’t be robotic about it and don’t do it mindlessly like you would scrolling through Facebook. Stage pacing is different from pacing when you’re on your phone. While the former is done deliberately and with purpose, the latter is not so much.  Don’t pace for the sake of pacing – if you walk around too much your audience will focus more on where you’re moving than the points you are making. Aimlessly wandering on stage can be a major deterrent and detract from the potential impact of your talk. 

When: Walk during transitions

Avoid trying to walk and talk simultaneously. That is also distracting for your audience. If you do the walk-and-talk you run the risk of your voice not carrying well, especially if you’re looking down at your feet as you walk. Instead, walk during transitions. Find the relevant pauses in your talk and walk then. You could also walk when describing less important details. However, when you make a salient point stand in one place. As you turn to face the audience take a step forward, make a sweeping hand gesture and give your next point. More effective delivery tips include, making eye contact, projecting your voice, and using gestures for emphasis. 

Where: Middle of stage and both sides

Be sure to be careful about not favoring one side of the stage over the other. Give equal weight to stage left and stage right. Naturally, you’ll spend most of your time in the middle; and everyone has that vantage point so it makes sense. Remember that whenever you resume speaking after pacing, you should take a step towards the audience and anchor your feet for delivery of the next important message so that they know to give you their undivided attention. All too often when we get excited and enthusiastic about a topic, we start to talk a mile a minute. But if you want to achieve maximum effect during the delivery of your message then project your voice, use pause, and stand still. Don’t be afraid to slow it down when you have a punchline, food for thought, or study results to share with the audience. Whatever juicy information or ideas you’re sharing, slowing down your speaking will allow the audience to retain the information better. It’ll also be quite a memorable talk for them because of not only the content but also your TedTalker delivery and pacing skills.

The next time you pace the stage think critically about the “how,” “when,” and “where” that we reviewed in this article. When done properly, pacing can be an excellent way of connecting with the audience. See, aren’t you happy that you don’t have to be shackled to the podium?

Happy Explearning 🌠

About the Author and the Explearning Academy:

Mary Daphne is an expert in communication, executive interpersonal skills, and personal development. She is the founder of the Explearning Academy, a platform dedicated to helping individuals enhance their social fluency, boost their careers, and elevate their social game. Through immersive group coaching programs like the Executive Communication Lab and self-guided journeys, participants gain the social superpowers and career catapults they've been searching for. If you're ready to take your negotiation skills to the next level and connect with like-minded individuals, visit academy.explearning.co and explore the various plans available. Join the Explearning Academy community and unlock your full potential.

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