How To Project Confidence Even if You Don’t Feel It (Yet)

If you come across as genuinely confident, you are perceived as trustworthy, intelligent, and capable. People are more likely to listen closely to what you say and consider your perspective. The good news is that you don’t have to feel confident in order to portray confidence. There are specific things you can do to help you appear more self-assured. With practice, you’ll become more confident, too.

So, if you need a boost before going into a job interview, a first date, presentation or even a challenging conversation with a family member, try these techniques to put your most confident foot forward.

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Lights, camera, practice. Whether you’ll be leading a virtual presentation or hanging out with your in-laws on video calls, set up good lighting and a clutter-free background and use a headset for better quality sound. Do a test run with a friend so you can fine-tune your system and get feedback on your setup and demeanor. Consider recording your test session so you can go back and watch for things like shadows on your face, spotty audio, or a distracting background.

Pause before, during, and after. Since we naturally talk faster when we’re uncomfortable, rushing through what you’re saying can make you come across as nervous. Take a breath and pause to get your thoughts in order before you begin talking and insert strategic pauses into your speech. The ability to be calm through silence makes you appear more confident, and a pause comes across as being more polished than covering up that space with filler words like “um” or “uh.”

Hit the perfect pitch. Stress can make you talk in a higher pitch, which is a dead giveaway that you’re feeling uneasy. Slow down, keep your tone within its natural range, and enunciate to project confidence in your voice. Watch your inflection and avoid trailing off or ending statements with an upswing, as though you’re asking a question.

Sit up and smile. Body language matters, even if no one can see it. Whether you’re in person, on camera, or on the phone, sit up straight and smile as you speak. You’ll feel more cheerful and energetic and your voice will sound stronger, so you’ll come across as being warm and welcoming. Chances are, you’ll make others smile, too.

Eliminate caveats and apologetic phrases. Tentative language may be appropriate for brainstorming sessions, but if you’re trying to come across as an expert, avoid the impulse to apologize or say things that make you sound unsure. Phrases like “That’s just my opinion,” or “But I could be wrong” weaken your message and make you appear less confident. Express your thoughts directly and succinctly, and leave it at that.

Remember, practice makes perfect. While these techniques may not come easily right away, in time they’ll feel so natural that they’ll become automatic. You won’t always be faking it. In time your confidence will rise to every occasion.