LET’S TALK ABOUT TALKING - FOR VIRTUAL MEETINGS

What has that got to do with my business of Executive Style you may ask?
Quite a lot.  Our style is the way we communicate with the world in all forms.

Style is not just what you wear; it is in:

Your attitude
Your behaviour
Your presence
Your manners
Your body language 

It is also in your voice, the way you speak, how you speak and the language you use. 

All these forms of communication form the imprint you leave in the minds of people you meet every day, even virtually.  They are what make you memorable – in a positive way and sometimes a negative way.

Like me, you have probably been doing a lot of talking lately as we work via online meetings and networking meetings!

For this article, let’s take for granted you know you still have to look and dress professionally and appropriately for your business and be well-groomed. 

Let’s focus on what you say and the way you say it. 
Here are six easy steps to practice and follow:

1. Plan what you are going to say.  Winging it on the day, if you are not confident and accustomed to speaking to an audience and camera, will not work.  Your listeners will lose interest and patience.  Practise if you are nervous, shy or new to speaking to camera.

2. Speak, audibly, enunciate well and directly to the camera.  Don’t look down reading a script.  It looks unprofessional.  You are the expert, and you need to look like you know what you are talking about.  If you don’t, why should anybody listen?  Project your voice well.
 
3. Be confident and passionate in the way you speak.
Your audience and listeners want you to inspire them!  Enthusiasm about your product and service is catching. Everyone likes to listen to someone enthusiastic about what they do.  Present like the professional you are.
 
4. Have one or maybe two, clear points you want to make.  A long list starts to lose audience attention.  Once that happens, you have lost your chance to make an impact.
 
5. Never, ever be dictatorial in your speaking style.
Aim to win people over with persuasion and information. 
 
6. Say “thank you” to your audience for listening.
They have given you their time and attention, and that is valuable to all of us.
 
Remember these 4 P’s:

PLAN – PRACTISE – PROJECT - PRESENT