The Power of Eye Contact when public speaking

It often seems that some of the things that I talk about are very simple and may seem glaringly obvious, like the importance of eye contact.
For example when I am in a meeting, at a networking event or even giving a presentation, it's quite easy to not look at someone who I deem, for some reason, scary or intimidating.

When you take away your eye contact from someone it does affect them; How do you feel when someone doesn't look at you?

I often see presenters who don't look at the audience, their eyes look down...

It can trigger all sorts of thoughts ranging from... they are unconfident, lying, shy, to... they don't value me as they are not looking at me - none of which may be helpful to you or what you intended them to feel.

When you are talking to people it's really important to include everyone in your eye contact.

Here are a few advices:

1. Search the crowd for a buddy or family member. Use them as a motivation to be the best speaker you can be. If you can't find them, just remember that they are out there and they see you, even if you don't see them!
2. Look at the inag camera to be sure people from the last row see you
3. Be yourself! Add a little something to make your speech say "This is me, saying my speech, not that other person over there". The more "you" you make it, the less work you'll have to do, which means the less you'll have to worry!