[Image by Gerd Altmann of Pixabay]
On occasion, speakers strive to impress vs. sounding like themselves. I recommend that if that’s the case, it may be time for change. It’s preferable when speaking to sound conversational or more natural. How is that done? Here are guidelines you may want to consider:
- Do your homework in advance so that you know who your target audience is. That way you can tailor your remarks and content appropriately to them.
- Use language that is readily understood vs. including jargon.
- Practice being more animated to give the right energy level.
- Ensure you maintain consistent eye-connection.
- Use pauses to help pace yourself and adjust your rate of speech.
- Modify your volume level for the acoustics of the room as well as for the size of the audience.
- Ask rhetorical questions periodically to break up what you’re saying and to get the audience involved.
- Include open-ended questions to garner more information.
- Use repetition to assist emphasizing what you deem important.
- Use the moderator’s name to help personalize what you’re saying. Be certain you know the correct pronunciation of their name and write it phonetically. I also think practicing saying the name aloud will increase your confidence.
- Repeat the question asked of you. By doing so, you help others hear the question and it also buys you more time.
- Use your voice by shifting to a downward inflection which signifies you’re concluding. As an alternative, try saying “In summary…” or “In wrapping up…“
- Practice being succinct and only answer what was asked of you.
- Make sure you follow-up with the moderator as well as the company who hired you. That way you have a better chance of being invited back.
- Have a glass of water nearby when you speak. You never know when you need it and don’t want to have to go in search of it.
These 15 tips will be of use to you no matter what speaking engagement you have or anticipate having. I’m available by appointment to answer any of your questions on this topic or anything related to business communication. Your goal is to sound more natural of conversational.