Displaying items by tag: media training for businesses

Why Eye Contact Is the Game-Changer You’re Probably Overlooking

This week, I sat in on a presentation that reminded me of something so fundamental — yet so often overlooked — in both presenting and media interviews: eye contact.

The presenter had clearly put time into their slides. Their content was solid. But something felt off. And then it hit me — there was no real connection. They were looking above the audience, glancing at their notes, speaking into the space, but not to the people in the room.

It was a powerful reminder of just how important eye contact is — and why it’s something we work on so much in our media training sessions here at The Presenter Studio.

The Power of Eye Contact — More Than Just a Gaze

Eye contact isn’t just about where you’re looking. It’s about how you’re making people feel. And the benefits of getting it right go far beyond just ticking a box on your “body language” checklist.

Here’s what strong, intentional eye contact helps you achieve:

1. Warmth and Connection

At its core, communication is about connection. When you make eye contact with someone, even briefly, you signal: I see you. I value you.

In a presentation setting or during a media interview, this helps build a sense of trust and approachability. The audience feels included rather than talked at. It turns your delivery from a lecture into a conversation.

In our media training, we coach clients to look directly into the eyes of their interviewer, their camera lens, or key people in the audience. Why? Because it softens your tone, humanizes your message, and makes everything feel more genuine.

2. Pulling People In

Without eye contact, your audience can drift — and fast. We live in a world full of distractions, and if you’re not making the effort to draw people in visually, they’re more likely to tune out.

A well-timed look in someone’s direction can re-engage them. It invites them back into the moment. It says, this part is for you. That kind of personal connection is what elevates a good talk into a memorable one.

3. Showing That You Care

When you look at someone while speaking, it shows you care about whether they understand you. Whether they’re with you. Whether they matter.

Too often, people speak over others — especially in media interviews or panels — without ever making eye contact. It can come across as dismissive, cold, or worse, arrogant. Just a moment of eye contact can shift that impression completely.

At The Presenter Studio, we teach media spokespeople to use eye contact to project empathy, credibility, and emotional intelligence — the things that separate a forgettable soundbite from a powerful moment.

4. Reading the Room (Literally)

One of the most underrated benefits of good eye contact? It helps you read the room.

When you actually look at your audience, you can pick up nonverbal cues: Are they nodding? Smiling? Looking confused? All of this feedback helps you adjust your pace, energy, or tone in real time.

In media interviews, this is crucial — especially when you’re on camera. If your interviewer looks puzzled, that might be your cue to clarify. If they’re leaning in, you know you’ve landed something.

No script or teleprompter can replace the real-time feedback you get through eye contact.

5. Grounding Yourself

Ironically, one of the best ways to calm your nerves when presenting or being interviewed is to make eye contact.

It gives you something to focus on other than your own anxious thoughts. It reminds you that you’re talking to real people — not just “an audience.” And it often results in a more natural rhythm and tone, helping you sound more confident and relaxed.

Why We Make Eye Contact a Priority in Our Media Training

Eye contact might sound simple, but it’s a skill — and like any skill, it can be learned and strengthened. That’s why it’s one of the core areas we focus on in our media training courses.

Whether you’re preparing for a high-profile interview, a panel discussion, or a brand presentation, we help you:

• Find your natural eye contact rhythm (not too much, not too little)
• Work with cameras and screens (where “eye contact” means looking into a lens)
• Use eye contact to manage nerves and build presence
• Avoid the “scatter-gun” effect of trying to look at everyone at once

Eye contact is subtle — but its impact is huge.

Final Thoughts: Never Underestimate the Eyes

What I saw this week wasn’t a terrible presentation. But it lacked heart. It lacked that intangible quality that makes a speaker memorable. And more than anything, it lacked connection — all because of something as basic as where the speaker was looking.

If you want your message to land, your story to connect, and your audience to care, eye contact matters. It’s the thread that ties everything together.

And that’s why, at The Presenter Studio, it’s never just about what you say — it’s about how you make people feel when you say it.

Ready to Improve Your Presence and Impact?

If you want to communicate with more confidence, warmth, and connection, join one of our media training sessions. Whether you're preparing for live TV, a boardroom pitch, or a keynote speech, we’ll help you master the techniques that make all the difference — starting with something as simple (and powerful) as eye contact.

Contact us today: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/media-training