Did You Miss These Great Posts?

How do you handle being constantly interrupted by others when you're presenting?

People interrupt for various reasons:

-They’re afraid they’ll forget what they want to say.

-They’re unaware they’re stepping on the speaker’s words.

-They’re just too excited to wait.

-They feel the need to be part of the conversation.

Constant interruptions can leave you feeling undervalued, as if your message isn’t worth hearing.

In a Saturday poll, participants were asked for their input on the question: "How do you deal with interrupters?"

Out of 364 votes, 45 percent voted for "Set question time in advance." 29 percent voted for "Ask 'May I finish?' and go on. Fifteen percent voted for "Ignore them and keep talking." And 11 percent picked "Other."

Is the No. 1 choice here - announcing that questions will be taken at a designated time - your strategy?

Click on the photo below for valuable tips on managing presentation interrupters!

5 steps to starting meaningful conversations with prospects.

In an era of social media and websites, it's hard not to learn essential facts about your potential customers simply by going to their LinkedIn posts, About sections, Facebook profiles, website blogs and Google.

Yet professionals, and especially those in financial services, always can use more inside knowledge about a prospective client.

Because the more you know about them, the easier it is to show them how you can help them solve a vexing problem with your business.

But your tone is important too. Let it show you’re interested in them and helping them solve the problem that is fueling their worries, anxiety, inconvenience, fear or any other pain point.

Chat about mundane but safe topics – weather, sports, movies, food, etc – but avoid religion and politics.

Most of all, don't rush in with big questions like “What’s your biggest challenge in your work now?” Prime them with small talk.

Learn more about the art of creating conversations that get business by clicking on the photo below.

Fact: Even the most seasoned presenters grapple with self-doubt.

What sets them apart isn’t a lack of fear, but their ability to rise above it.

The secret to confidence?

Understanding that even if things don’t go perfectly, it’s rarely as catastrophic as you fear.

When you learn to control self-doubt, you unlock a wellspring of confidence that propels you forward, whether you're addressing a small meeting room or a packed auditorium.

So how do you silence that nagging voice saying, "This is going to go terribly wrong"?

Ask yourself: “Is the negative stuff I’m telling myself truth, or fiction? Am I exaggerating how badly things will turn out?”

Click on the photo below to learn how to overcome presentation self-doubt and engage audiences with confidence.

MICHAEL'S MOTIVATING MISSIVE

This month we borrow a few choice quotes from legendary salesman and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar.

• “The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity.”
• “Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”
• “If people like you they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you they’ll do business with you.”

THANKS FOR READING THIS NEWSLETTER. LET US KNOW HOW YOU LIKED IT!

The next time a client fails to heed the advice you provided at their request, remember this: You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Similarly, you can't teach someone who doesn't want to learn. But you can try!

DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!

Click on the newsletter link below to join nearly 2,300 people learning to gain trust through confident presenting. High-end clients expect a higher level of professionalism, and you will find invaluable tips and motivating stories to bring you closer to your goal every month!

#financialservices #insurance #publicspeaking #personaldevelopment #bestadvice