Vocal Advantage:
What matters is how you say it.
Research has shown that face-to-face communication is:
- 55% visual
- 38% tone of the voice
- 7% content*
Successful communication, in a speech or one-on-one, is a conversation.
In addition to their voices, presenters speak with their eyes and their body language. The listeners will speak loudly in the same way. As presenters, we need to have an eye-to-eye conversation with each individual.
Presentation Tips:
- Speak out! Volume and clarity always.
- Get the listeners attention right away. Once you lose them, you will never get them back.
- Prepare, prepare and prepare some more. Your nerves will reduce significantly. It is best if you can rehearse in the room where you will be presenting.
- Direct your eyes. Speak with your eyes. Find the eyes of the listeners as you speak and stay with them until you finish a sentence.
- Look sharp. According to research, 55% of all communication is done visually. You are the most important visual aid in the presentation.
- Let your hands relax at your sides at the beginning. Make gestures that are natural and connected to your message.
- Keep the “hand outs” as an optional “take with you” gift. There is no need for them to duplicate the PowerPoint slides. Keep their eyes on YOU!
- Use silence. There is no need to fill every moment with sound. Pauses are effective for emphasis and for poise.
- Repeat or rephrase the question. That will ensure that you understand it properly, the others hear it clearly and it gives you a moment to form your answer.
- Close, after the questions, with a specific call to action.
*Dr. Albert Mehrabian of UCLA
Dautovic 