There will always be people who seem to have the ?gift of the gab?- they can talk their way into any job, out of any awkward situation and make others laugh. It may seem effortless on their part but there is a lot more for you to know about conversation than you may realize. Talk shows; radio programs; public speaking; ordinary conversations; certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, but even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works extra hard to produce a lot of things you know. So what better way to start being a more effective communicator than knowing the very person closest to you: yourself.



1. What you know.

Education is all about learning the basics, but to be a confident and effective orator is to practice what you've learned.

2. Listening.

It's just as important as asking questions. Practice listening to yourself. Sometimes by listening to the sound of our own voice we can become more confident in ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction.

3. Humility

We are only too human and therefore we all make mistakes. It's not uncommon to slur our words, stutter, and probably mispronounce certain words even though we know what it means. So don't be afraid to ask if you're saying the right word properly and if the audience is unsure about it then you can always make a joke out of it.

4. Eye Contact

It's important that you keep eye contact when talking to a large group in a meeting or a gathering, as it conveys confidence and ensures your audience does not ignore you.

5. Humor

A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when making your speech, especially when the topic is heavy or the speech long. Also if your speech is after several other speakers, the audience may already be half asleep. With humor, you'll get the attention of the majority of the crowd and they'll feel that you're just as approachable, and as human as those who listen.

6. Social Interaction

Interaction is all about mingling with other people. You'll get a lot of ideas, as well as knowing what makes people the way they are..

7. Me, Myself, and I

Ever sung to yourself in the shower, or bath? By listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech you can help correct the stress areas of your pitch.

8. With a smile

A smile can say it all very much like eye contact, as long as it's natural and not forced. There's no point on grimacing or frowning in a meeting or a gathering, unless it's a funeral. You can better express what you're saying when you smile and people will warm to you more.

9. A Role Model

There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to when they're at a public gathering and whom you have admired. Taking a mental note of how they emphasized what they said and what reaction they got can help you once you take center stage.

10. Preparation

Preparation is everything and will show in your speech. Some people like to write things down on index cards, while others learn the speech verbatim. Just be comfortable with what you know and what works for you.

And that about sums it up. These are only suggestions though and they may seem rather amateurish, but they have helped me in any public or private speaking. It also never hurts to be with people and listen how they make conversations and meetings far more enjoyable as well as educational. Copy from the best.