10 Hand Gestures You Should Be Using

So, you want to be more memorable? And entertaining? And interesting? Start using these 10 hand gestures.

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If you want to become more engaging when you talk to people, research has found that using hand gestures makes you more interesting and memorable.

It's an essential part of how we communicate. Remember, it's not always about what you say... it's how you say it... and your body language is the how.

So, in this video I'll show you my 10 favorite hand gestures and when. to use them.

Nothing is worse than watching a remarkable speaker use the same hand gestures over, and over, and over again.

It can make a remarkable presenter into a horrible one.

And that's why it's important to learn these different types of hand gestures to create a much more dynamic, on camera, delivery.

It works for YouTubers. It works for On Stage Presenters. It works in small meetings.

Use these small hand gestures to differentiate your speaking style.

[peternyiri]

Wow, I never realized hand gestures were that important. I actually didn't even notice them. Thanks for breaking it down for me!

[LaraFrayreGeotropic]

Loooove this episode! These hand gesture insights are gold. I was mimicking the gestures as you were doing them to find something comfortable to me. I like the number counting gesture the most - besides the fact that interviewers can’t cut you off when you make that gesture, you also get to prime your audience what they could expect within the next few minutes of your talk in a more structured way, and you also get to focus yourself on these points instead of going off in tangents. Thanks so much for sharing Derek! Please share more hand gestures in future episodes - these are brilliant!

[javierma]

You’re getting better bro!!!! After seeing your progress...
I think I’m gonna start May daily vlog!!!!

[YouCanBrand]

I love the technique around the three things to prevent reporters from cutting you off. I really needed an arsenal of powerful hand techniques and this delivered. It's really like business sign language. You're creating a way to take something auditory and make it really visual. I'm making money hands right now! (Launch time!)

[catrinamarie]

Love this video. Hand movements are fun and watching this video was very entertaining and educational. Great breakdown of what could seem complex. I can see myself using the counting motion and the hand on heart the most often because in my coaching practice empathy is huge and education is easiest when in steps. Thanks for the new tools

[sarahgoldsbury]

I like the 'three things' for taking control of your answers. I hadn't noticed it before, but thinking about it now, successful people do use this a lot when they're talking. It's great advice for setting expectations and encourage active listening.

[NatalieHjelsvold]

Non verbal communication is super important when many people start watching videos in silent mode. It catches their attention and creates curiosity so they want to turn the sound on! I like the Karate Chop! That's one I haven't used and I'm going to find a way to put it into my next video!

[mohitsharma-youl]

it's great to watch your video Derek, kindly make video on hand gestures use in professional conversation

[speakingeffortlessly]

I've done a lot of these hand gestures unconsciously, but it's nice to have them enumerated so I can slowly practice and make all of them a natural part of my gesture "repertoire". Thanks!

[jbrisland]

I had no idea how bad it looked to use no hand gestures 🤣

[CathySirvatka]

Fantastic! I’m a fairly animated person so I love all of these. I just have never thought about purposefully selecting them to help make points.

I would probably use the hand over the heart empathy gesture to show that I understand why a small business owner might choose a DIY website tool rather than having one professionally created. “I understand as a business owner myself how tight money can be and how tempting that may appear...”

[rauljaquez]

whenever you said the nails to the chalkboard i got chills from the thought of it. I'd say i would use the number hand signal i feel as if it would give you a persona of being authoritative to your listeners. But all of them were really good makes, me want to give a talk or something although i have no clue where to even give one except in class... which is where i am right now watching your video not paying attention to the professor.

[jonphillips]

I’m going to be giving a presentation in a corporate, board room setting on Thursday. Guess who’s going to be peppering in some sweet hand gestures. (This guy). This video paired with your previous video on modulating your voice when speaking are going to be on repeat leading up to my presentation. I can’t wait to get feedback from my audience afterwards. I can already imagine how much effective these tips are going to be at increasing engagement in the board room.

[JayLance]

Two things that occured to me as I was watching this:

1. I liked how your hand gestures stood out against your black shirt. I don't know that there's a hard-and-fast rule to be gained in that... But it was interesting to me how providing a contrasting backdrop of dark clothing made your hand gestures "pop"!
2. I imagine that the more I make videos the more natural it will be to just "talk with my hands, " but I can already see that as I'm writing scripts I'm going to need to make notes at various points so I remember to use them.
3. Apparently I can't count either! ;-) As a more reserved person by nature I feel like this is something I'm going to need to practice in the bathroom mirror so it starts to feel more natural... I was just practicing a couple of these in my office and man did it feel uncomfortable! Haha!

Thanks, Derek!

[crystalobregoncoaching]

Definitely the feeling one.  The hand to the heart is the one that I'll use.  Also, in the four part video series I'm making this week, I think I'll stand instead of sitting.

[dianatower]

This is super interesting and hilarious.

I use my hands A LOT when I speak (living in Spain has totally rubbed off on me).

I’m going to add some of these to my arsenal. I love air quotes...super fun and I love being sarcastic.

PS: I miss the notification bell clip Derek. I wait for it and twice now...no dice. Bring back the “hit that notification Bell” clip goodness!!!

[nikkil]

Thanks for these! I used to be a very animated speaker, and at some point (for some, as of yet, unknown reason) I just stopped. This reminded me of that, making me wonder why and how I stopped. I am now very interested in incorporating that back into my speak and this was super helpful (not just the gestures you counted of and demonstrated, but the others you used in between). Loved it, thanks! :D

Out of the gestures you taught us, I probably see myself using the hand on heart and counting the most, some of the other ones were just too aggressive for my communication style. But, I plan on rewatching the video to check out the just general talk gestures you didn't cover. You always have your hands doing something, and it shifts. Makes it more interesting. I have seen people use only one hand gesture over and over in different ways (up here, down there, etc) and is seriously distracting and unnatural seeming. Yours always seems very natural. :D

[GingerVertican]

Get at me bro!😂 As a teacher, interestingly enough, the more hand gestures you use and can get your students or audience to use, the more likely they are to remember whatever they were saying at that moment.

It's actually a technique among Educators called TPR Total Physical Response.

So it has a double benefit: ✌😁( please note that my peace fingers are facing the correct way so as not to communicate the wrong message in Europe)

1. it's more engaging

2. it increases memory of the event

Did you know hand gestures were a mnemonic device? 😄🌺 They are! 👊 Thanks Derek. Good job

[BriangjohnsonTv]

Love seeing the videos Derek! Back at it! BAM!

[saurabh-chaudhary]

Hey thanks... What do u think about my hand gentures?? Its is bad, OK, or good. Please reply.