On a recent masterclass with a global law firm, one worried executive wailed: ‘How on earth do I stop people checking their phone when I’m talking?!’
Her question felt like a metaphor for all our challenges with remote or hybrid working. How do you get ‘ and keep hold of – people’s attention when you can’t be there in person? How do you cut through groaning inboxes and diaries of back-to-back Zooms to get your message heard?
It’s time to learn a new set of communication skills to engage people remotely, whether you’re speaking or writing.
Top tips for on-camera confidence:
You can own your little square on the screen if you know how. If you look confident, are well-lit and professional, people are more likely to listen to you… Try the L-E-N-S approach.
- L– LOOK into the lens or the little green light and imagine you are talking to ONE person. When filming Blind Date, Cilla Black used to call camera 1 Bobby after her late husband. She loved that camera, therefore 18 million viewers felt she loved them.
- E– Eyes and teeth! ‘ Smile ‘ you look so much more engaging when you relax your face. When your eyes are smiling, your personality shines through and it’s impossible to look wooden
- N ‘ Noise ‘ No background sirens please. Make sure you have a proper microphone or a very quiet background. Cafe calls are a surefire route to disaster with clattering crockery and music in the background.
- S ‘ Shot – No up the nostril shots under the chin (if you are using a laptop ‘ put it on a couple of books so the camera is above chin height ‘ this will make you look slimmer!) Remember no window silhouette and no grimacing!
Top tips for persuasive writing:
1. Start strong – don’t call your report ‘Client Strategy Review’ or your email ‘FYI’. You have 3 seconds to grab their attention so use an irresistible subject line and opening sentence that piques their curiosity. Attention first, information second.
2. Easy reading is hard writing ‘ Put in the time and effort into your words instead of dashing out 50 emails in one morning. Get to the point, fast. Be concise, clear and strip out unnecessary filler words (no ‘Sorry for the brain dump’). Stick to one main message per email to avoid confusion.
3. Clear calls-to-action – make the next step ridiculously easy for them to action. Don’t beat around the bush or be overly polite. (‘It would be great if you could review this document but no worries if you don’t have time!) Ask for one manageable thing only per communication and give a deadline where appropriate (‘Please email me your thoughts on slide 5 of the presentation by Friday 12pm.)
Conclusion
The good news is, if you speak and write in a more engaging way, you’ll find your audience instantly more engaged.
Learning how to become a more confident, charismatic presenter and a writing whizz will give you and your business a lasting competitive edge. And you’ll never have to send an ‘As per my last email’ message ever again!
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