11 Tips You Can Apply Right Away for Better Communication

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When we can't communicate in a way for people to receive it, it doesn't matter at all what we say

Many years ago, I was invited to speak in front of a room with about 2,000 sales and marketing professionals. My job as a product marketer was to get them jazzed up about the new product launch. This was no ordinary product, it was a way for them to provide a customized dashboard for their customer's clinics and look at all their patient's implanted device data in aggregate with insights that can help them better manage their population.

I stepped up onto the stage, pretty good about what I needed to say. I knew my talking points and the three slides I would show to support my story. And as I started to speak, I initially felt nervous, but settled in to a good rhythm and went through my content methodically. 

As I got off stage, I felt great! I didn't forget any main points and I went through my slides. 

I thought it was a success.

BUT MY PRESENTATION ABSOLUTELY SUCKED...

It didn't move anyone. It wasn't at all memorable.

I was so focused on me, my delivery, my content, that I forgot about THEM. The part which mattered the most. 

Why should THEY care?
What do I need to do so THEY can relate?
How should I speak so THEY feel something?

Throughout the years after that, I've gone through multiple speaking classes and have since presented, facilitated, and used my voice and every tool I have to be a better communicator. I believe that both visual image and vocal image are extremely important when communicating and not only does it deliver your message, it also reinforces your personal brand. As a student in this lifelong quest to become a great communicator, I've collected these 11 tips to remind myself to use them consistently to up my communication game. And I thought - it's probably something you can use as well!

So here they are:

  1. The larger the room, the larger your actions need to be (It will feel like gross exaggeration in a large room, but trust me, no one can see you if you're acting "normal")

  2. Use all of your voice, think singing instead of speaking (your voice as a melody: vary tone, cadence, and volume)

  3. Get extremely comfortable with silence (if you're thinking, don't say anything. Fillers like UMs and AHs distract and reduce your credibility.  If you want to make a point, pause before the point. Silence is your friend)

  4. If the room is rowdy, repeat yourself to get the room to quiet down (If that doesn't work, go close to the folks who are distracted, if that still doesn't work, a gentle touch on the shoulder will have maximum effect - don't do this unless absolutely necessary)

  5. Have a confident and open body language (Stand tall, open chest, open hands)

  6. Always introduce gaps as you present so the audience wants to hear what's next (What is possible? What's at stake? -> But what is the problem? This gap is something the audience wants to see you close)

  7. Add drama whenever possible (Drama is knowing what's probably going to happen, but have no idea when or how it's going to happen) 

  8. Connect with the audience through eye contact (Speak to one person at a time, but vary where you give your attention. Don't scan constantly, linger too long, or always go in one direction, like left to right)

  9. Re-energize by looking at friendlies in the room (Get your mojo back as you speak by periodically looking at the friendlies in the room, they should be smiling and/or nodding)

  10. When asked a challenging question, it's ok to pause (You can ask them to repeat question as you think about the answer, or simply pause after you acknowledge the challenging question, remember #3) 

  11. Read the room and give them what they want (this is extremely important, whether its in the board room or in front of a crowd, you need to be listening and getting a sense of what is resonating and "dance" with the room/ crowd)

Bonus Zoom call tips:

  1. If you are on video, make sure you are well lit (never back lit)

  2. Frame yourself so you are the center of the video image (not too small, not too big)

  3. Close out all other windows and put your phone on DO NOT DISTURB to avoid distraction

  4. End your speaking turn decisively (trailing off and being uncommitted to finishing your thought can be confusing on a zoom call)

  5. Pay attention to your facial expressions (your face can say a lot and since that’s the center of attention on zoom, use them for maximum effect)

I hope you will use these tips as I do!

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