Stage Presence in the studio.
Not every big moment comes with a spotlight and velvet curtain. Sometimes, your “stage” is a meeting room, a podcast studio, or even that Zoom call where everyone suddenly goes silent and stares at you. Stage presence isn’t about lights and microphones it’s about how you carry yourself when the room is yours to influence (and it almost always is).
Body Language Projects Confidence
Your body speaks before you do sometimes louder than your words. A straight spine, open gestures, and steady eye contact say, “I’ve got this,” even if your brain is whispering, “I hope they buy this.” The trick? Look grounded, not frozen. Nobody’s convinced by a statue, but they’ll believe in someone who stands tall and looks like they belong.
Energy Fills the Room
Energy is contagious, and you’re the one passing it around. Walk in with spark, and people notice; drag in like you just lost a battle with your couch, and they notice that too. A smile, a little movement, even a playful inflection in your voice all of it tells the room, “Stay with me, this is going somewhere good.”
Presence Builds Authority
Presence isn’t about being the loudest it’s about being the most intentional. Ever notice how the calmest person at the table is the one everyone ends up listening to? Authority comes when you’re dialed in, centered, and sure of why you’re there… even if part of you is secretly wondering if you left the oven on.
You don’t need a stage to own a room you just need to show up like you mean it. Confidence in your stance, energy in your delivery, and presence in your focus will take you further than any spotlight. Whether it’s a studio, a boardroom, or your favorite coffee shop, your presence is the stage and the applause? That’s people leaning in
From Fearful to Fearless:
Every confident speaker once shook in their shoes.
How to Answer “Tricky” Questions
When you stay calm, clarify with repetition, and bridge back to your core ideas, you guide the dialogue rather than chase it. The result? You come across as thoughtful, credible, and persuasive exactly the qualities clients and colleagues remember.
How Humor Can Lighten the Room
A smile can make your design pitch twice as memorable. Humor, when done right, isn’t about being a comedian it’s about being human. A little laughter reminds everyone that design is supposed to bring joy, not stress. So the next time you walk into a presentation, bring your sense of humor along with your fabric swatches. You’ll leave behind not only a beautiful concept but also a positive impression.
Creating Connection: The overlooked power of eye contact
Eye contact is the designer’s secret to presence. It’s what transforms a presentation from mechanical to magnetic. Slides may show your ideas, but your eyes show your confidence and that’s what clients and audiences remember most.
Why Every Designer Should Practice Their Speech
In design, presentation is persuasion. When you practice speaking as much as sketching, you build trust, authority, and excitement around your ideas. A polished pitch can make the difference between a “maybe” and a “let’s do it.” Remember your voice is part of your professional toolkit. Use it well, and let it sell your vision as powerfully as your designs do.
NETWORKING …. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
Networking is more about follow-up than first impressions.
Sound as Good as You Look
Trade shows can showcase your talent and brand but shouldn’t cost you your voice.
The Designer’s Elevator Pitch:
If you can’t explain your vision in a minute, you’ll lose the moment. In the world of design, opportunities often appear unexpectedly,a quick chat at a showroom, a brief meeting at a networking event, or a chance encounter with a potential...
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Advanta Strategies, LLC
814-360-1950
linda@advantastrategies.com
Love this, Linda! You captured so beautifully that ‘stage presence’ isn’t about the spotlight, but about how we show up in everyday moments. I especially appreciate the reminder that energy is contagious – it’s such a powerful truth. Thank you for the inspiration to bring more presence and intention into every room we enter. There’s definitely something I can learn from you!
“Energy is contagious, and you’re the one passing it around.”
This is so true! Nothing sucks the joy out of a room faster than a grouch.
Spread your joy!!