Hello SWAN society member!
Thanks for attending my talk on First Steps to Success with Stories on November 17, 2016.
As promised, I’ve made this short list resource available to you. Use it as a self-check list and apply these tips when you tell your story. Or you can keep them in mind when you are having a business conversation to keep the attention of your listener.
Since most of our communication is transmitted NON Verbally, I hope you’ll find these tips helpful in supporting and reinforcing the messages you create with the words. Speaking as a storyteller or a conversation partner are both opportunities to present yourself and your ideas ‘on stage’. In both situations, you should carry your message with confidence and transmit with your body language as well as your carefully crafted words.
It might seem contrary to my role as writer to tell you about this now! Know that all your verbal preparation is key to your credibility and confidence and your delivery counts in getting you to your target – faster, better and stronger!
If you are interested in working with me on the content of your story, your origin story on which your message is based, I have a special StorySpotter Session offer for SWAN members.
The regular StorySpotter Session is designed to get you started well and includes:
- preparatory cues sent in advance
- a meeting of 45 min to go deeper on your story
- strategies to get your story to tell, sell and promote YOU
StorySpotter sessions are normally $125.00. SWAN members are eligible for the “Goodbye 2016 – Hello to Sunny 2017” offer of $62.50 (Incl. GST and 50% off if paid for by Dec 8) .
Use your StorySpotter Session………..as soon as you are ready and be prepared for 2017 with a strong story start and a strategy to ………………….tell it………….where it needs to be heard!
Your Story Presentation Boosters
Your body language, facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice and its variation, as well as volume, accentuate your message and enhance your success in being heard, understood and remembered.
About your voice:
- Your vocal charisma – helps your listener tune in. Deliver your message as if it was the first time!
- Vary your tone and volume as you speak
- Take a breath and pause as needed for all your information to ‘land’
About your hands:
- Hand gestures are important as they help to show your intention and support your verbal explanations
- Try not to hide them in your pockets or lap and keep them open (don’t cross arms in front of you) as this shows trust and open attitude
About your body’s presence:
- Face your audience or prospective clients
- Make eye contact
- Smile .Find an authentic reason to smile so your genuine smile shows through.
- Take a breath. It will help settle your posture and your inner composure
- Be yourself. Present an honest but pulled together version of yourself – enough to be relaxed and to create ease in the situation for better listening
Prepare to tell tips:
- Tell your story out loud practice
- Speak genuinely and use vocabulary you are comfortable with
- Look in the mirror when you practice
- Step it up and film it if you can to practice
Hope you are able to use these tips to enhance your success in communicating. They may sound simple… but from breathing to body details they spice up what you are saying and help your message ‘stick’ with your audience of 1, 10 or more!
Good luck and good telling.
I’m on YOUR page,
Helena