Why put power in your voice? Because when you sound better—whether on the phone or in person—you gain more credibility and customers will listen to you more. Isn’t that what we all want? Customers who will listen, will buy! So read on for five tips to polish your power speaking success:

1. Use humor in your tone and speech. By smiling and using light-hearted humor, not only will you look friendlier in person, you’ll sound more confident and friendly when on the telephone. The reason for this is that your vocal cords actually lift up, when smiling.

2. End your sentences with a confident tone. If your sentences are well-thought out, you won’t end up trailing off at the end of your thoughts. Also, avoid “up-speaking” at the end of your sentences. This is sometimes a regional habit and you’ll have more credibility if you can train yourself not to speak up at the end of sentences.

3. Avoid over-explaining. As business professionals, we know much more than we need to share. That’s part of being a professional! However, no one wants to hear the entire chapter and verse of our knowledge. You’ll have more strength and credibility if you consider what the listener really needs to know in order to buy-in to your idea or sales presentation.

4. Steer clear of disclaimers. For example, if you pepper your communication with comments such as, “I may be way off base here, but…” You’ve lost credibility. Maintain a strong speaking demeanor so that you are positioned as an expert without sounding cocky. Confidence is good, but self-deprecating speech doesn’t strengthen your persuasion power.

5. Strive to be bolder about ideas. Everyone wants to avoid offending people, so be confident about thoughts, and diplomatic with people. For example, saying: “You are completely wrong”, doesn’t work as well as: “I have a plan that should solve these challenges.”

Having confidence and power in your speak will serve you well in business. Practice everyday in your interactions with your colleagues, customers, and even at home, to polish these critically important success skills.

(c) Renee Walkup, SalesPEAK, 678 587-9911 www.salespeak.com