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From being a shy kid acting on stage without delivering her dialogues (silent roles in plays) to a confident teen who delivered speeches in front of more than 5,000 people..

//A LONG POST, so be sure to grab your fave cup o’ coffee//

My brief intro: I began composing my first novel at the tender age of 11. I’ve always had a penchant for writing and reading new books, articles, and Literature. But I was always shy. I grew my confidence in speaking with time. Here are my few tips and tricks for you to peruse:

Nowadays, most businesses have switched to the Internet. No matter what profession you belong to, you are inundated with multiple sales calls, Zoom meetings, voice chat apps, podcasts, Discord servers, Twitter Spaces & clubhouse +Messenger live audio rooms.

The list goes on…

Whether it’s our daily life or businesses, we have to converse with other humans to move forward.

During public speaking or video calls, we’re prone to making unique or mundane gestures and facial expressions.

Although, most of us are gifted with a natural voice of our own; the tone and pitch of our voice DOES MATTER when it comes to forming relationships, friendships, striking business deals or even doing public speaking seminars.

When dealing with one individual, however, mirroring their words and body language goes a long way.

The principles used in dating are also applicable in closing sales and deals!

Whatever we give to our audience is crucial as it can either make or break their engagement, interest, or leave them numb & sleepy.

But you wouldn’t want to be easily forgettable, right?

Becoming a confident & persuasive speaker online/offline has far-reaching benefits that you can utilize in your entire career & life.

Small incremental steps in your speaking abilities everyday over a period of time lead to long term impact, change, & influence; wherever you go!

Below are my TOP strategies and tricks that you can START FOLLOWING RIGHT NOW.

CAVEAT: I duly agree that a few of these might seem extremely simple and basic. But rest assured, many others serve as superpowers!

#1 - Most people are usually stuck in their heads. They let an inner, inherent negative voice of ego to disrupt their perceptions and notions. If that sounds like you, please immediately STOP listening to UNSUPPORTIVE and egoic voices in your mind.

Your focus ought to shift from your interior to your exterior surroundings…

Detach yourself from EGO and make it a WEGO!

The latter will take a lot of pressure off you.

Stop thinking it is about you! It’s never about you, it’s always about YOUR AUDIENCE!

Whether it be 1 person or thousands that you are interacting with.

Go live on facebook, instagram, and other socials. Embrace the fear of speaking in front of an audience or your colleagues or clients in virtual+real life meetings.

Go film that video for your Youtube channel that you so dreamt of! Record that episode on your podcast, speak in Twitter Spaces, Clubhouse app rooms+attend real life conferences and speak on the mic—let us SEE YOU and HEAR YOU OUT!

#2.0 - Always remember that the ability to assess yourself serves as a superpower. Because it unleashes your weaknesses & strengths. Always keep a journal with you, either paper one or a digital app. I personally use Google Keep.

You can also follow these 3 STEPS to know more about yourself:

1) Grab your smartphone

2) Film yourself using its camera

3) Watch it afterwards

I know most folks won't do it.

Because they have this imaginary dread in their head.

They need to let go of their inflated ego here and think clearly.

Notice how you feel about the thought of filming yourself. What is that inner voice in your head saying to you?

#2.1 - When you watch your video, it's important to throw negative emotions away in the bin. Instead, take a more balanced and objective view.

This is the only surefire way for you to improve your speaking abilities + facial expressions game.

The camera won’t lie.

This is one of the most powerful tools you can use.

It's not easy.

However, it's extremely rewarding.

#2.2 - Here are 7 questions to assess yourself:

Mark yourself on a scale of 1-10.

1= very poor. 10= excellent.

Call yourself a “speaker” or “presenter” here.

It’ll help you in detaching from emotions and objective assessment without bias.

Don’t say things like, “I sound awful” or "I have a bad posture while sitting or standing”.

1) Is the presenter/speaker using good energy to sustain their performance and engage you?

2) Is the presenter/speaker using unnecessary filler words that distract you “umm, eerr, soo, well, eh, like, etc.”

3) Is the presenter/speaker connected emotionally to their content? Plus, do they conjure up emotion within you?

4) Is the presenter/speaker using gestures that support their message?

5) Does the presenter/speaker's voice bore me? Or am I fully engaged by the symphony of sound?

6) Does the presenter/speaker speak slowly enough, so I can understand and process every word?

7) Is the presenter/speaker speaking loud enough so I can hear every word?

Don't underestimate the power of asking simple questions like this.

It’ll skyrocket your self-awareness..

In doing so you'll be able to make a change much quicker.

#3.0 - The level of energy you bring to the table when you speak is critical.

A lack of energy will leave your audience feeling numb, unconnected, and wanting to go to sleep.

The right energy will sustain attention, focus and allow you to build rapport with your audience.

You've got to discover what the right level of energy is to engage your audience.

You'll only find it by doing, experiencing and feeling. Not intellectualizing.

The chances are you'll need to find a 'new minimum level of energy.

Take action!

#4.0 - Don't take your voice for granted. Look after it.

Before you film a video, jump on a client call, record a podcast, say some tongue twisters.

Yes, really.

Google "Tongue Twisters".

Be ready to engage your audience.

You owe them to be in top form.

#5.0 - Emotional connection is the cherry on top!

However, it's a BIG cherry and an extremely important one. . .

Remember, you're talking to other humans. If you don't feel anything. Neither will they.

We're meant to FEEL emotions. It's part of the magic of being human.

Do you easily connect with your emotions? Are you even aware of them?

Giving yourself permission to be consistently aware of any and all feelings and emotions, will help in accessing the right ones in the future when you speak.

#5.1 - Honoring Your Words.

This means having the right feeling, emotion, tonality or energy for the specific words, phrases, or sentences you speak.

It's very similar to onomatopoeia words. Words that sound like: Whoosh. Meow. Boing. Bam! Slam!

Here are some examples…

- If you're talking about being frustrated, you've got to feel that specific emotion and express it outwardly.

The second you say it your message becomes 100% congruent.

It leaves no doubt in the mind of your audience. Have a lack of it and you won't be anywhere near as believable.

- You're explaining to a potential client that you work with clients, "all over the world". Honor the phrase correctly by elongating it vocally to emphasize how big "all over the world" is.

Honoring the words is hands down, one of the most powerful tools I've shared with my clients over the last 10-12 years.

I guarantee you'll feel more alive sharing your message this way than ever before.

#6 - Your visual impact is key. Most people you interact with will be blessed with the beauty of sight.

How do you know what your visual impact is saying?

#6.1- Follow the same 3 step process of filming your own video using a smartphone, but this time focus on two areas: your facial expressions and gestures.

This is a great starting point.

Most people use the same gestures all the time. It's confusing as hell.

The majority of people's faces are dead. They don't move.

#6.2 - Gestures

The question to ask is this...

Are my gestures supporting my message?

Look or listen to your content closely. Be ruthlessly honest.

Get this right and the clarity of your message or vision will skyrocket.

#6.3 - Facial Expressions

The question to ask is this...

Are my facial expressions supporting my message?

Look at your face closely. Does it marry up with the emotions and feelings of your content?

Get this right and once again, the clarity of your message will boost instantly.

If you struggle to watch yourself back in the first instance, watch other people and assess them.

#7.0 - Storytelling is a skill that will never die till the end of times!

Your ability to tell stories that captivate, engage, and entertain will make you stand out in the boring sea of sameness.

Here are 2 tools to accelerate your storytelling abilities:

1) Be present and 'in the moment'.

As you tell the story, take yourself back there. To the exact moment.

Live it as if it was happening there and then.

2) Create the world!

Don't just tell us what happened. Create it for us.

The smell, the view, your feelings, the suspense, the time of day, what does it look like? What sounds do you hear? Who else is with you?

That's the 7 stages done.

Your audience will thank you for reading this.

They'll give you a standing ovation for implementing it.

Which of the above do you know you need to work on right now?

IF YOU LOVED THIS, PLEASE SHARE IT FOR OTHERS TO BENEFIT, TOO!

Cheers,

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