How to dramatically improve your speaking and presentation skills

You all have a mobile phone with a camera, it is time to use this learning tool to assist you to increase your impact, influence, and income.

No, I am not talking more about social media videos.

Invest in a small tripod if you have not got one as yet and set your phone up to record yourself. Your topic is one that you love, it may be a hobby that you have knowledge about, it may be a sport that you love to watch or it simply talking about your family and planning for your next holiday. Whatever it is, make sure you can talk about the topic for a minimum of 3 minutes, ideally 5 minutes.

For the overachievers, do a short work pitch to a potential client, as a real estate agent, this could be answering the question what's happening in the market or why is marketing so important.

Once you have recorded yourself, no practice, just a straight off-the-cuff 3-minute minimum presentation, the first thing you must do is review it.

This is an auditory review. Turn the sound all the way up, press play, turn the phone over so you can't see the screen, and just listen and take notes on your vocal sound. How's your volume? Is there any emotion in your voice? Are you pausing? Take notes, and build self-awareness. Is your voice sounding animated and interesting or is it one-paced and monotone?

Next, this is a visual review. This time, put the video on mute, and press play. Just look at yourself. This is sometimes difficult as you may be self-judging on how you look.

Sidebar. This is where you must be the coach and not the commentator. What I mean by this is, don't criticise and comment by saying "oh I look so silly, or I look boring and disinterested", instead say "at this point, I should show more expression on my face or my hands need to be more animated". The coach will assist, and the commentator will anchor the behavior.

This is how others are perceiving you and can be one of the most powerful transformations you go through. Go through this process once and it will change how you come across. Ideally, just pick one thing that you would like to improve upon.

Next, watch the video screen with sound and look for synergy or synchronisation. Are your words and your body language, facial expressions matching what you are saying?

For the people who really want to take your presentations to the next level, complete this final step. Get the video transcribed. The best way is to use a phone app called "otter", it's free (you're welcome).

Copy and paste and then print it out, yes old school I know. Now get a highlighter and then you highlight all of your non-words and all of your filler words, the umms and ahhs. Become aware of the words that are taking away your credibility and your authority.

Do this on a regular basis if you want to transform how you present in any situation. Do this as you practice your presentations and your influence, impact, and income will grow.