The Secret to being Instantly Liked in Public Speaking.

A few years ago, I walked into a room full of strangers. I was the guest speaker, and within the first five minutes, I could tell—some people were leaning in, engaged, smiling… while others? Scrolling through their phones, staring at the ceiling, looking half-asleep.

I knew I had to win them over—fast.

So, I did three simple things. By the end of my talk, the same people who looked uninterested at first were nodding along, laughing, and even stayed back to chat with me.

Here’s what I did:

Mirroring – The Subtle Superpower

Have you ever felt an instant connection with someone like you’ve known them forever? Chances are, they were subtly mirroring you—your tone, gestures, and energy.

When I noticed that some people were reserved while others were more animated, I adjusted my delivery. I matched their energy, made my tone inviting, and boom—they started warming up to me.

Lesson: People like people who are like them. Mirror your audience, and they’ll feel an instant connection.

Say Their Name – It Works Like Magic

There was a guy in the front row, arms crossed, looking sceptical. Instead of ignoring him, I asked, "What do you think, Mike?"

He blinked, sat up straighter, and suddenly, he was part of the conversation.

Why? Because a person’s name is their favourite word. It makes them feel seen, valued, and involved.

Use it naturally—don’t overdo it—but trust me, it works.

The Two-Second Eye Contact Rule – Just Enough, Not Too Much

Avoided eye contact so much that it felt awkward? Or someone stares you down like a predator?Both are uncomfortable.

The sweet spot? Two seconds. Just enough to show confidence, but not too much to feel weird.

During my talk, I made sure to scan the room, holding eye contact for about two seconds with different people. It made the entire audience feel included.

Balance is key!

Want to Instantly Connect with Any Audience?

These three things—mirroring, saying names, and balanced eye contact—make people feel comfortable around you. And when they feel comfortable, they like you. And when they like you? They listen.

Want to master this and more? Let’s work on it together.

Book a public speaking session with me, and let’s turn you into a speaker who commands attention and wins hearts.

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