643: How to Make a Better Impression on Camera, with Mark Bowden

Mark Bowden: Winning Body Language

Mark Bowden is a world-renowned body language expert, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. Voted three times by Global Gurus’ as the #1 Body Language Professional in the world, Mark’s unique GesturePlane™ system of nonverbal communication helps audiences maximize the power of using their own body language to stand out, win trust, and gain credibility every time they communicate.

As the founder of communication training company TRUTHPLANE®, Mark’s live and virtual keynote speeches and training prove invaluable to business leaders and teams from influential companies including Zoom, Shopify, Toyota, KPMG, American Express, the US Army and NATO; and prime ministers of G7 nations. His bestselling books on body language and human behavior are: Winning Body Language*, Winning Body Language for Sales Professionals*, Tame the Primitive Brain*, and Truth & Lies, What People are Really Thinking*. His highly acclaimed TEDx talk The Importance of Being In-Authentic continues to reach millions of people, as does his own YouTube Channel.

Most professionals are on video more these days than they ever thought they would be. As a result, making the best first impression on camera is more essential to our work than ever before. In this conversation, Mark and I explore several of the key principles that will help us start better in virtual interactions.

Key Points

• We make judgment calls very quickly depending on how someone shows up visually.
• It’s your duty to influence and persuade — and we all do this in some way already to change outcomes.
• While we’re used to viewing content on screen (television, movies, YouTube) we aren’t used to interacting and collaborating on screen.
• Use video in short, consistent ways. Tools like Loom can help us do on camera what we already know works well in person: regular interaction.
• Your smile can set the tone for an interaction and it’s important to use a visual aid to remind you of this if you’re staring at black boxes on screen.
• Bring your gestures into the camera frame. Gestures that match the cadence and rhythm can help connect your audience with your message.

Resources Mentioned

• Winning Body Language* by Mark Bowden
• Truth and Lies*: What People Are Really Thinking by Mark Bowden and Tracey Thomson
• The Importance Of Being Inauthentic by Mark Bowden (TEDx talk)
• Best Tips for Virtual Presentations by Mark Bowden (YouTube)
• Mark Bowden on LinkedIn

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