The way you introduce yourself is a great indicator of just how much self-confidence you possess.  Did you ever hear this statement… “he was so handsome until he opened his mouth”?  Hmm, why?  Did he mumble?  Was he too loud or too soft spoken? Did he talk through his nose (I know that sounds funny)? Did he talk too slow or too fast? So on and so on.  You get the picture.  A confident person will look  someone in in the eye, making direct eye contact and of course smiling while introducing themselves when they meet someone for the first time.

What makes someone an interesting speaker?  The inflection in their voice, or a pause, or the use of descriptive words.  For example, if you were telling someone “what did the house look like” or “how does the flower smell” descriptive words tell the story.  Saying “the music was great” certainly doesn’t say very much now does it?  Now if you say, “the music was phenomenal.  It was a real mix of classic rock mixed with contemporary artists.”, it’s a little more interesting and engaging, don’t you think? The art of conversation is learned through practice.  Being animated can be interesting when making a point.  Of course being subtle is key.  Becoming a good conversationalist can open many doors.

Have you ever thought about how “breathing” plays a role in speech? Sounds funny doesn’t it.  We think of breathing as “automatic”, right?  However, how you control your breathing plays an important part in effective speech. Is our breath shallow, stressed, slow or relaxed?  In fact, one of the best things you can do for yourself to “relax” and calm yourself is “B-R-E-A-T-H-E”.  Take 5!  Close your eyes and feel your body relax as you control your breath.  Concentrate on really feeling it.  Deep breathing, slowly in and out.  As you draw your breath in, the abs push out.  Hold that breath for a moment.  As you breathe out, your abs will naturally relax and pull in.  You can do this anywhere, at anytime, and it works.  Try it!

So if you want to be effective and get your point across, here are some important tips to follow:

*ENUNCIATION;  Don’t lapse into lazy speech habits.  Correctly pronouncing each syllable is important in developing a successful “TALKING IMAGE”.  *PRONUNCIATION: Our intelligence level is often judged by our pronunciation skills.  Some words are difficult to pronounce, but others are not. Have you ever heard someone say “aks” instead of “ask”? We pronounce these words over and over and don’t realize the bad habit until someone gently corrects us.  *VOVAL PITCH:  Relax!  Tension tightens and shortens your vocal cords, resulting in a higher pitch.  Really!  *VOLUME: Referred to as force, intensity, or loudness of the voice.  Too loud can be obnoxious, too low can give a perception of low self confidence  Find the balance that works for you.  Oh and don’t forget… BREATH!

ENOUGH SAID! LOOK FOR OUR NEXT BLOG… A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MAKE UP ARTIST!