I was at a networking breakfast the other day, I won’t say where to spare any blushes. The time came to go around the table and do a 60-second ‘pitch’. As each person stood up to speak, I observed their body language carefully.
What I noticed was that everyone had their own way of presenting. There were a few ‘white knuckles’ grasping backs of chairs or clasping hands; a lot of hands in pockets jangling loose change (sorry gentlemen but you do this a lot); there were some lowered gazes or staring into the distance. I think you get the picture.
This was a ‘friendly’ group whose members knew each other quite well and yet, with a few exceptions, most people showed through their body language that they were uncomfortable standing up and talking about their businesses.
The solution to this is preparation. Some people appear confident and are able to speak in a compelling and relaxed way, but you don’t know how long it may have taken them to achieve this. When you see actors on a stage giving a great performance, you don’t know how many times they have rehearsed their lines and every gesture.
Practice what you want to say. Get the timing right, the inflexion of your voice, the pauses – make sure what you’re saying flows. Check your posture and mannerisms in front of a mirror; make some adjustments and see the difference.
When you come to presenting the ‘real thing’ your preparation will pay off. You will deliver your message confidently and feel more comfortable doing it.
Want more tips like this? They’re in ‘The Confident Business Networking System’ (special offer for this week only!)
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