Speak more slowly
Some of us speak faster when we’re nervous. Some of us are naturally fast talkers. Speaking too quickly can show a lack of confidence. While speaking quickly, you’re more likely to make mistakes in your language or pronunciation. Focus on speaking more slowly and clearly. This will make it easier for the other person to understand what you are saying and make you appear from confident and sure.
Use effective pauses
Now you are already speaking clearly and slowly; also use pauses at various points in the conversation to create greater impact .Pausing for two or three seconds will add more weight to your previous sentence and help you make your point effectively .It gives you a chance to collect your thoughts in order to continue speaking further and makes you appear sure & confident.
Avoid irrelevant stories
Sometimes when we are nervous we talk too much. We end up telling stories or incidents that are unrelated to the conversation at hand; avoid doing this. Stick to the point, keep it short and simple. This will make you seem very cool and confident.
Use a deeper tone of voice
Try using a deeper more base tone of voice while speaking as it will give your voice more authority and confidence. As much as you can, practice speaking in a deeper tone of voice. Practice will make you sound natural and not forced. A deeper tone can make a real positive difference.
Maintain a confident posture
Whether you’re sitting or standing at work, try to improve your posture. Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back, and keep your head held high. This will make you more confident, and will help you feel more confident as well. Using the correct posture will also help you breathe better and hence you will be able to speak better
Use hand gestures effectively
Focus on using your hand gestures only for most impactful words or statements and try to keep your movements controlled .using too many hand gestures or just randomly waving your hands can make you appear confused and out of control.
Practice, practice & more practice.
There are always going to be those important conversations which will decide the direction of your work or career; which can make or break a deal. So it is wise to practice conversing regularly in order to become an expert. Standing in front of the mirror and practicing while looking into your own eyes is extremely useful in building confidence.
We hope this Skillopedia video from the soft skills and Communication skills series has helped you learn tips and tricks to sound more confident while speaking. Do not for get to subscribe to your channel- Skillopedia – The place to learn skills for the real world.
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