1. Review Your Wealth Of Knowledge
Education is all about learning the basics; to be an effective speaker is to practice what you've learned. We all have our limitations, but that doesn't mean we can't learn to keep up and share what we know.
2. Just Listen To Yourself
Most of us have a bit of stagefright from time to time. Sometimes listening to the sound of our own voice can teach us to be a little bit confident with ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction.
3. Remember A Bit Of Humility
We all make mistakes, and sometimes slur a word, stutter or mispronounce certain words even though we know what they mean. So in a group, don't be afraid to ask if you're saying someone’s name properly, for instance, or if you’re pronouncing a French ballet term correctly, and if they're unsure about it then make a joke out of it. I promise you it'll make everyone laugh and you can get away with it as well.
4. Always Make Eye Contact
There's a lot to be said about the power of directing your attention to your audience with an eye-catching gaze. It's important that you keep your focus on your audience, whether you’re talking to a small group, in a business meeting or a large gathering. In the audience is large, pick two or three strategic spots and rotate your gaze.
5. Use A Little Humor
A little bit of humor can do wonders to ease the tension or get your audience’s attention when making your speech or communicating with your students or staff. This tells the crowd that you're just as approachable and as human to those who are listening.
6. Be Part Of Your Audience
Interaction is all about mingling with other people. Don’t be the teacher who hides in an office when not in the studio. Get to know your staff, your students, your parents as people.
7. Make A Mirror Image
It might be embarrassing at first, but there’s great value in listening to your voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror. Your ear will pick up any stress areas in your pitch, giving you the opportunity to correct them.
8. Speak With A Smile
Being able to talk with a smile on your lips conveys the same powerful effect as eye contact. Who wants to look at someone talking to them wearing a grimace or frown. Try it and you’ll find that you can better express what you're saying when you smile.
9. Follow A Role Model
Who do you find yourself enthralled by? Whether it’s a life coach, church figure or impassioned volunteer talking about an important cause, think of the person you love listening to. Scrutinize their speech and note how they emphasize what they’re saying. Use their strategy the next time you take center stage.
10. Practice, Practice, Practice
Before making a speech or presentation to a larger group, make the most out of preparation time, rather than just scribbling notes in a hurried panic. Some people like to write down their points on index cards, while others draft their entire speech. Whichever route you go, be comfortable with your material and its value to your audience.
Use these suggestions to empower yourself when it comes to public or private speaking and remember that what you convey should be enjoyable as well as educational.
Here are 10 ways to be a more effective communicator:
The Blarney Stone is a historical stone, technically part of the Blarney Castle in Ireland and, it was believed, that kissing the stone would grant you the gift of gab. Yes, it seems strange in this day and age, but who are we to question tradition? It's not like I'm saying that Santa Claus doesn't exist (OOPS!).
As a studio owner it is important to communicate not just with your students and their parents, but also with your faculty and staff. The better you communicate, the better your business will run. There is more to know about making effective conversation than anyone could ever realize. Whether you’re watching talk shows, listening to radio programs, attend clubs dedicated to public speaking or just making ordinary conversation, certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. And even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out what’s on your mind.
