Sunday, April 15, 2012

7-Minute Solution: Speak Easy

7-Minute Solution: Speak Easy

Who hasn’t stumbled through a ¬presentation or flubbed a key point when the boss was listening? Overcome your public speaking jitters with these tips from top communication coach Bill Hoogterp of Blue Planet Training.

1. Make every word count. Avoid saying anything that doesn’t add ¬value (“um” is a prime example); don’t use three sentences when one will do. By eliminating the verbal filler, you’ll have people hanging on your words instead of tuning them out.

2. Set the tone at the start. Instead of beginning with the standard “Hi, my name is,” grab your listeners’ attention with a scene or a question. Choose a story that captures an important message and practice telling it with emotion and fluid body language.

3. Speak with confidence. If you doubt yourself, your audience will, too. Stand up straight, establish eye ¬contact—and smile.

4. Get the crowd in on the act. Make your listeners the stars and you will shine more brightly. Ask them questions that require more than yes-or-no answers. You’ll enrich the discussion, and they will feel valued.

5. Conquer stage fright. When you tell compelling stories with passion, your ¬anxiety will turn into energy

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