Communicating Excellence: “ How to Sound More Professional” _________________

1. Communicating Excellence:“How to Sound More Professional”_________________ Patricia P. Kuchon, Ph.D Graduate Communication Programs Seton Hall University

2. Targeting Your Message • Why am I speaking? • What do I want my audience to know, think or do as a result of my speaking? • What ideas and information should I include? • What supporting materials do I need?

3. Organizing Your Message for Impact • How should I begin? • How should I arrange the content? • How do I link the major points? • How do I end?

4. Getting the Audience’s Attention • Ask a question • Use a presentation aid • Use your voice

5. Choosing the Right Words • Be grammatical • Don’t use fillers: uh, um, ok, ya know • Use powerful words: can, does, will • Don’t apologize

6. Conclusions With Impact • Summarize • Share your professional view • Be memorable, clear and brief

7. Involving Your Audience • Watch your audience for feedback • Use questions and answers • Say it simply • Eliminate distractions • Be flexible

8. Using Media and Notes • Never read your presentation • Media and notes should be in outline form • Media should complement your presentation, not be the presentation • Powerpoint should be simple and limited • Don’t talk to the screen • Use large print for notes

9. Controlling Nervousness • Be prepared • Practice • Remember you are the expert • Think “conversation” not “presentation” • Take a deep breath • See your audience as friends

10. Delivering Your Message • Look professional • Sound knowledgeable • Be enthusiastic/passionate • Sound spontaneous • Stand tall but not stiff • Move when it makes sense, don’t wander

11. Delivering Your Message • Smile • Look at everyone • Use gestures • Make the audience want more

12. Your Voice • Use vocal variety for interest • Speak clearly • Use a smooth delivery • Speak slowly • Be loud enough to be heard • Use an appropriate pitch • Project a full, rich vocal quality