10 Ways To Power UP Your Communication
Do you want to become a better speaker? To learn how to communicate in a way that will allow you to get your message across to an audience? That is the reason that most people join Toastmasters.
I would like to share with you 10 ways to Power Up Your Communication.
1.
Read to learn Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker is to practice what you've learned.
Read as much as you can about speaking.
Watch videos of professional speakers to see how they use their body and their voice on stage.
If you are a member of a Toastmasters Club open your manuals and really read what your project is all about.
2.
Are you listening? Take the time to really listen to what is being said.
Hearing without listening happens all the time.
At some point, we're all guilty of it.
Maybe we're preoccupied with another matter and don't really pay attention to what is being said, or maybe we become so excited about what we have to say that our excitement "drowns out" the other person.
There may also be instances when we're anxious because we don't feel prepared and so we fake listening, trying to convince a boss or customer that we were paying attention.
3.
Mistakes are part of growing We all make mistakes.
Sometimes we may rush and slur our words, or stutter, and mispronounce certain words.
Don't be afraid to ask if you're saying a word properly, and don't be insulted if you are corrected by one of the members later.
Don't think or act like you know everything.
We can all learn something from those around us if we pay attention.
4.
Look at your audience It is important to look at your audience and to actually focus on someone when you are making a point.
If it is a large audience, choose someone around the middle of the crowd and someone on each side to focus on when you make your point.
Make sure you keep your focus for a few seconds before moving on.
5.
Humour Me A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when giving your speech.
Humour will help the audience relax, you'll catch their attention and they'll see you as approachable, and human.
Just ensure that your humour fits the audience you are speaking to and make sure that you are not unwittingly insulting anyone.
6.
Who are you speaking to? Find out to whom you will be speaking and what they are looking for.
Talk to your audience.
Mingle.
You'll find that you can get a lot of ideas, as well as learn more about what makes people the way they are.
You might even be able to include some of them in your message to make it more personal.
7.
Do I really sound like that? Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help you with your vocal variety.
You can practice pitch and pace, and while you're at it you can spruce up a bit as well.
You can also tape record yourself and listen objectively to hear how you pace your speech, and decide what needs to be improved.
8.
Smile and the world smiles back A smile says it all much like eye contact.
A smile draws in your audience, it makes them feel welcomed.
Unless your speech is very serious, a smile is appropriate and it is contagious.
You don't want to be standing with a silly grin on your face the whole time, but you can break into a smile at different times during your speech.
9.
Who is your Role Model or Mentor? There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to and thought about how they command the stage when they're at a public gathering.
Taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.
You can also watch videos of award winning speakers to see how they use their body and voice to deliver their message.
10.
Preparation and Practice make Perfect The best speeches are the result of preparation.
Think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.
Think about the message you are trying to get across to your audience.
Begin with an opening that will draw them in and wrap up your speech with a summary of your message.
Then Practice, Practice, Practice until you feel comfortable with your message and confident in your delivery.
The more speeches you give, the better you will become.
So there you have it - 10 tips to help you become a better communicator.
Learn, Listen, Be Humble, Make Eye Contact, Use Humour, Know Your Audience, Pay attention to how you say things, Smile, Get a Role Model and Prepare for every speech you give.
If you practice these 10 tips on a regular basis, you will indeed Power UP Your Communication.
I would like to share with you 10 ways to Power Up Your Communication.
1.
Read to learn Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker is to practice what you've learned.
Read as much as you can about speaking.
Watch videos of professional speakers to see how they use their body and their voice on stage.
If you are a member of a Toastmasters Club open your manuals and really read what your project is all about.
2.
Are you listening? Take the time to really listen to what is being said.
Hearing without listening happens all the time.
At some point, we're all guilty of it.
Maybe we're preoccupied with another matter and don't really pay attention to what is being said, or maybe we become so excited about what we have to say that our excitement "drowns out" the other person.
There may also be instances when we're anxious because we don't feel prepared and so we fake listening, trying to convince a boss or customer that we were paying attention.
3.
Mistakes are part of growing We all make mistakes.
Sometimes we may rush and slur our words, or stutter, and mispronounce certain words.
Don't be afraid to ask if you're saying a word properly, and don't be insulted if you are corrected by one of the members later.
Don't think or act like you know everything.
We can all learn something from those around us if we pay attention.
4.
Look at your audience It is important to look at your audience and to actually focus on someone when you are making a point.
If it is a large audience, choose someone around the middle of the crowd and someone on each side to focus on when you make your point.
Make sure you keep your focus for a few seconds before moving on.
5.
Humour Me A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when giving your speech.
Humour will help the audience relax, you'll catch their attention and they'll see you as approachable, and human.
Just ensure that your humour fits the audience you are speaking to and make sure that you are not unwittingly insulting anyone.
6.
Who are you speaking to? Find out to whom you will be speaking and what they are looking for.
Talk to your audience.
Mingle.
You'll find that you can get a lot of ideas, as well as learn more about what makes people the way they are.
You might even be able to include some of them in your message to make it more personal.
7.
Do I really sound like that? Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help you with your vocal variety.
You can practice pitch and pace, and while you're at it you can spruce up a bit as well.
You can also tape record yourself and listen objectively to hear how you pace your speech, and decide what needs to be improved.
8.
Smile and the world smiles back A smile says it all much like eye contact.
A smile draws in your audience, it makes them feel welcomed.
Unless your speech is very serious, a smile is appropriate and it is contagious.
You don't want to be standing with a silly grin on your face the whole time, but you can break into a smile at different times during your speech.
9.
Who is your Role Model or Mentor? There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to and thought about how they command the stage when they're at a public gathering.
Taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.
You can also watch videos of award winning speakers to see how they use their body and voice to deliver their message.
10.
Preparation and Practice make Perfect The best speeches are the result of preparation.
Think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.
Think about the message you are trying to get across to your audience.
Begin with an opening that will draw them in and wrap up your speech with a summary of your message.
Then Practice, Practice, Practice until you feel comfortable with your message and confident in your delivery.
The more speeches you give, the better you will become.
So there you have it - 10 tips to help you become a better communicator.
Learn, Listen, Be Humble, Make Eye Contact, Use Humour, Know Your Audience, Pay attention to how you say things, Smile, Get a Role Model and Prepare for every speech you give.
If you practice these 10 tips on a regular basis, you will indeed Power UP Your Communication.