4 Ways Public Speakers Can Use Colors to Feel Confident on Stage

In the modern attention-deficit world, getting people to listen is more challenging than ever. There’s always a glossier event somewhere, a better-prepared orator lurking in the shadows. Luckily, as public speakers strive to make their voices heard, we have exciting new things to try.

Color psychology is hardly a new concept. Researchers generally agree that colors can evoke specific cognitive and emotional responses in people. Marketers have used this finding for years, pitching white for cleaner towels and yellow for sunshine-bathed houses. Interestingly, public speakers can also use colors to captivate the audience.

1. Spotlight on Stage Lighting

This one pertains more to the event management guys, but try to get the word across for a more effective presentation.

Using red or green elements in lighting can add purpose and action to your speech. In contrast, shades of blue or purple are quieter and calmer. So, you can tweak the stage lights based on the intent of the talk. For example, do you want the audience to complete a survey or practice deep breathing before bed?

The optimal color temperature is critical: you want to look bright and crisp when you talk, but it shouldn’t be jarring for the audience. Ensure the lights match your skin complexion, bringing out the right undertones, not the anti-sweat powder!

These guidelines are safe in most situations, letting your gut have the final word. Verywell Mind notes that color-emotion associations often have universal qualities, although more empirical research is necessary.

2. Colorful Visual Aids to Capture Attention

Even the best speakers often rely on visual material to tide them over a lull in the content and distraction from audience members. Moreover, some subjects, like data analytics or advertising revenue require decks, videos, and charts.

Balancing colors and aligning them with your brand will keep the focus centered on your content. Busy visual aids with multiple colors may deviate from the flow of your talk. 

The Conversation reports that images with high color complexity promote higher audience engagement. In general, 70% of people prefer image-based content over text on social media – and, possibly, in presentations.

Outdoor events require a creative and sustainable take on supporting material. Sticker Mule’s recommendation is protecting visual aids from sunlight and rain damage. You don’t want the colors to dull or the material to scratch. Vinyl can be a good option for creating durable stickers for audience engagement. 

Creatively designed aids in premium finishes elevate the audience’s expectations and, likely, their reception. Specially designed stickers can be great for conversation starters and team tags for the attendees. To avoid feeling nervous about missing on-stage materials before your speech, review the design and number well before.

3. Wearing the Colors of Confidence

Dressing for confidence? As Chandler from Friends may have remarked, could it be any more pretentious? Well, there may be a legitimate basis for power-dressing. And some colors look better than others on a podium.

The link between clothes and feelings is not that far-fetched. The right colors boost your self-image, lending confidence that resonates on stage. A straightforward way to pick the color of your outfit is to coordinate with the undertone of your complexion. For example, people with a “summery” skin undertone look better in lighter hues.

However, depending on the setting, some colors may denote particular meanings to your audience. Most people find blacks sophisticated and leader-like. Many C-suite executives favor it for their wardrobes. 

The BBC puts it perfectly: black transcends everything without fuss or complexity. It is also versatile enough for diverse events, from board meetings to fashion influencers meetings.

On another tangent are reds and yellows, frequently associated with passion, creativity, and fun. Blues and greens are good colors for the stage to radiate trust and harmony. 

Many cultural taboos around colors have prevailed for years. Some believe red is forbidden in Japan or that it’s unlucky to wear white in China due to its association with funerals. For the most part, contemporary individuals dress according to their personal preferences. However, it cannot hurt to consult a public speaking specialist about your wardrobe before a critical event.

4. The World of Vocal Colors

The final tip to make your speech more colorful relies on abstract colors, but the impact is tangible.

As a public speaker, you’re familiar with the effect of varying your vocabulary or tone on the audience. Vocal colors expand your repertoire of engagement by adding pitch, tone, pause, and pace. 

As a rule of thumb, talking slowly and loudly gives you an authoritative vibe – what you might need in a business meeting. But if you speak deliberately and quietly, the colors that emanate are reminiscent of calmness. 

You can vary these tools to add different colors to your speech. For example, delivering a talk rapidly but at a lower volume than usual can generate colors of excitement. Think of revealing something to your audience, like the face of your ad campaign or the celebrity guest at the event.

Public speaking can be rewarding; there’s immense gratification in making your point and holding the attention of a crowd. Whether you’ve given Ted Talks or have started taking lessons at your community center, never sideline ways to up your game.