Successful people are generally those who are able to communicate dynamically. If you want to be a dynamic communicator, you must master three things. First, you have to be a great speaker. Second, you must learn to write clearly and concisely and lastly, you must be able to present effectively – in front of other people, both two people and 200. You have to know who your audience is and here are five steps on how to do it.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Asking Questions
Step 1. He who asks, rules the conversation, so the saying goes
Of course, not closed yes/no questions like, "Is your name Sarah?" or “Is it hot enough for you?”
Step 2. Open
Ask open-ended questions to keep the conversation flowing. Questions like, “Wow, you're a professor? How does it feel to be on the cutting edge of academia?” will keep the conversation from dying out too quickly. Giving other people a “talking platform” will keep them talking comfortably.
Step 3. What, Why and How
It's important to know what you're talking about or what your listeners are interested in when you're presenting a talk. Therefore, you must know why something happened, what happened and why you explained it.
Method 2 of 5: Paying Attention
Step 1. Nothing kills a conversation faster than an indifferent listener
As soon as your eyes start to wander around the room or look around for something else, you're signaling the other person that what they're saying is unimportant and boring. Contrary to popular belief, this is clear evidence that a person has lost interest.
Step 2. Eye contact
Maintain eye contact and give body and verbal cues while listening. Nod your head and maintain eye contact. At least try to look interested in their opinion.
Step 3. Pay close attention to what you say
Looking around the room is a sign to the person you're talking to that you're looking for someone else to talk to.
Method 3 of 5: Knowing When to Talk and Listen
Step 1. Some people love to hear their own voice
However, there is a place and time for that. If a friend comes to you with a problem, chances are they just need a listener.
Step 2. Try to listen to their problems or questions
They need a place to let go. At times like this, just listen and talk as necessary. Try to refrain from “stealing the stage” by telling similar stories from your past. In other words, anything that starts with, “Oh, if you think THAT is bad, listen to what happened to ME,” should be avoided.
Method 4 of 5: Prepare
Step 1. It is important to stay abreast of world news to help yourself in the conversation
Reading a few articles in some of the major publications or skimming the local newspapers can help you keep some interesting topics up for discussion. You never know who you'll meet and what topics may come up in a conversation.
Step 2. Stay Organized
Making a speech and forgetting all the information you want to convey is a nightmare. Remember to put your speech where you will remember it and keep notes neatly.
Step 3. Be prepared for any questions
Be prepared for anything. You will appear rude or unprepared if someone asks you a question you don't know how to answer. Remember, a lot of people will ask irrational questions, so try to find a way to answer them, no matter where the question is coming from.
Method 5 of 5: Sticking to the Topic
Step 1. When talking, try your best to keep the flow of the conversation natural
In other words, try to hold on to the topic being discussed until it intersects with other topics at once. This can be difficult because there are times when the words used in the conversation can trigger our brain to think about something else. For example, a friend is telling you how "spicy" her boss's comment was, and you start thinking about the "spicy" chicken you just ate a few weeks ago and can't wait to talk about it. Try to refrain from internal distractions.
Step 2. Find ways to keep your listeners entertained
Some speakers try too hard in their speech, so as to bore the listener. If you want to keep them entertained, try to make your speech fun, but formal if necessary. Try throwing a joke or two and make the speech worth listening to.
Tips
- Be positive. Negative talk will make you a negative person (We don't want that to happen, do we?)
- Silence is golden. Just as time lag is important in music – silence is also important in conversation. Try to give other people a chance.
- Look for visual signs. If you notice people have furrowed brows, rolled their eyes, glanced at the clock, or started stomping their feet – maybe you've crossed your limit and time.
- Always be in a good mood. Whatever happens!
- Stick to the topic and flow with it.
- Don't preach or take it too seriously. Don't dwell too much on moral issues.
- Always tactical, considerate and sympathetic.
- Conversation is not a monologue. Limit yourself to four sentences or 40 seconds, whichever comes FIRST.
- You don't have to be right. Really, you don't have to.
- Try to be interested in other people. Try to pay attention. Ask questions. Pull them out.
- Don't offer advice. Hello, has anyone asked your opinion?
- Don't try to be funny unless you're really good at it.
Warning
- Don't monopolize the conversation. This makes you seem selfish.
- Sometimes your interlocutor is stubborn and doesn't want to hear what you have to say, so keep your eye on them with interesting conversations.
- Never make racist comments (especially around people of a different race).
- Try to make this conversation two-way, not one-way.
- If you're nervous, imagine your audience in their underwear (it works every time).
