It would have been so much easier....If you were prepared. Being able to speak confidently in everyday conversations helps to build your confidence and prepare you for speaking to larger groups. At some point in your career or life you will be called upon to make a speech or present to a group of your peers, friends or family. Mostly you will be given an opportunity to prepare but sometimes you will be caught off guard with an impromptu request, how you present your information can enhance your career and raise your credibility.
Speaking with confidence can be daunting, but it does not have to be a problem for you if you follow these suggestions. You will appear more confident and credible:
1. Use proper English - You will sound smarter and more confident; slang is great for friendly conversation but it does not help you to speak with confidence.
2. Diction - Enunciate and speak well. Practice makes perfect - if practiced perfectly.
3. Eye contact - This shows confidence and makes the other person or persons know you are serious. Try not to blink too much - constant blinking can be interpreted as either you are insecure or you are being untruthful.
4. Be in control - If you are comfortable with yourself and your topic you will be in control of your presentation.
5. Know your material - Learn all you can about your topic and anticipate questions, for which you would already know the answers. (If you are asked a question for which you do not have an answer, be honest - promise to find the answer; Do So and follow up with it)
6. The 3-second rule - Before you respond to a question, take 3 seconds to digest the question and give some thought to your response.
7. Be congruent - Make sure your body language and speech patterns match. If your topic is serious, but you keep smiling or laughing, your audience will be confused, unsure and may become uncomfortable.
Practice speaking in front of a mirror, practice with people with whom you are comfortable; use every conversation as an opportunity to grow your craft. The more you practice the more proficient you will become....and, it will be so much easier IF you are prepared.
Joanna Parris, CSP is a Certified Home Staging Expert; President, Durham Chapter - RESA (Real Estate Staging Association); member of SEA (Staging Excellence Alliance) and certified Senior Move Manager (cSMM) - she can be reached at Joanna@effectivestaging.com
Comments(0)