Communicating With Confidence Takes Preparation |
|
By: Sharon A. Michaels Posted: 2008-01-08 06:01:47 |
| Great communication is spoken from the heart. Preparation means transferring your message from your heart into something that interests the listener, holds their attention and encourages them to take action.How do you do this?1. By having a plan - Know what you're going to say, how you're going to say it and how you want your message to end.2. By stepping inside your listener's shoes - thinking like your listener.Whether you're communicating one-on-one, in a group presentation or conducting a meeting, it's all about connecting with your listener. Preparation enables you to "get inside the listener's mind." You want to understand what it is that they want to hear, see and feel from your message.I saw a study once that said 96 percent of executives have some anxiety about public speaking. So if doing presentations, classes or trainings makes you feel uncomfortable, you're not alone.The good news - preparation builds self-confidence. Being prepared can lower the anxiety level. The more prepared you are, the more confident you'll feel. Knowing what you want to say and how you're going to say it will help calm nerves.Business conversations should be able to answer these four questions: -What does my listener want to learn from me?-What do they need to know about what I'm offering?-Why should they care about me?What action do I want them to take? This simple formula of answering the four questions, will help to establish rapport and credibility with the listener.How else can you prepare? Rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse. Practice, practice, and practice.Write your main points on cards and read them aloud to yourself. How do you sound? Passionate? Enthused? Professional? Does your voice sound natural? Are you using inflections in your voice so you aren't monotone?Practice speaking in front of a mirror. What is your body language like? Do you look relaxed and confident? Are you using facial expressions? Do you look like you're having fun?Make a recording of your voice. How do you sound? Listen to your enunciation and diction. Are you speaking clearly? Are you nervous and speaking too fast? Does your voice sound too high or too soft?Practice helps to build confidence. People who speak confidently are perceived to be more credible. Confidence also means you'll be able to make eye contact with your listener and eye contact expresses authority and honesty.Okay, practicing in front of the mirror is important but getting out and actually meeting and speaking to people is even more important. Relax, have fun and enjoy yourself. Let the passion for your business shine through.Join a local Toastmaster's organization. You'll gain valuable experience and make lots of friends.Volunteer to take a speaking part in trainings or meetings.Ask to be a speaker for local clubs and organizations.Join networking groups where you can hone your "infomercial" skills and practice your speaking.Just remember, be yourself and relax. Enjoying the moment you're in will help get your message across and lead your listener to take positive action. With at-home rehearsals and out in public practice, you'll soon be sounding and acting like a "pro."Sharon A. Michaels is an e-mentor to women who want to work for themselves. Sharon has over 20 years of business, speaking and writing experience on issues of ending self-sabotage, living in abundance and wealth and making money in network marketing.You can learn more about Sharon Michaels at http://SharonIsMyMentor.comSharon A. Michaels is also the Editor of the Abundance and Wealth site on BellaOnline.com To read more of Sharon's articles go to http://abundanceandwealth.bellaonline.comCopyright Sharon A. Michaels - When using this article please give full credit to Sharon Michaels and use the bio as written above. |
| Trackback url: https://article.abc-directory.com/article/3704 |