Sharpen Your Speaking Skills

Be a standout speaker!

Sharpen your speaking skills with our comprehensive guide and make your next podcast interview the best one yet.

Do you at times feel nervous, unsure or inadequate when having to speak in front over others, or even conversing with others? If so, you are in good company! In fact, a recent report stated that “Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is remarkably common. In fact, some experts estimate that as much as 77% of the population has some level of anxiety regarding public speaking.”* The ability to not only strike up a conversation, but also to maintain one, is key in forging new connections, building relationships and effectively working with others. While some appear to be born conversationalists, you may feel that this is a real struggle for you at times.

Whether speaking publicly, having a one on one conversation, or having a recorded conversation such as a podcast interview, you may fear the unknown of what to say and where the conversation might go. When in a new environment and when meeting new people, this might seem especially daunting! But take heart! Even the shyest of introverts can use actionable strategies to learn and, in time, perfect the art of conversation.

A conversation is much like starting a building project. The success of the end result will depend much on the time you have put into it, and the skill of those involved. A skilled and productive carpenter has many tools in their toolbox. When a carpenter is starting a new project, in order to accomplish the task, they have to identify the tools needed, and then know how to skillfully use them. To assist you in doing so, we have compiled ten simple and effective strategies, or tools you can put in your toolbox, to become a better conversationalist. We have also included specific ways you can use these tools in a podcast interview ensuring you are a great guest!

Introduce yourself

Not sure what to say to start a conversation? Keep it simple! Start with your name and go from there. In a podcast interview, it would be appropriate to add what your job title is and where you are from, or what company you represent. Now we can all do that, right!

Small talk

Following up your introduction, don’t pressure yourself into delving in the deep end. Warm yourself up with some small talk, perhaps give a compliment to your conversation partner, a comment about the weather, or a remark regarding your surroundings. You can inquire how their day has been so far, or if they have had a busy week. For a podcast, you can remark how you are a fan of the show and a previous episode of theirs that you enjoyed. Don’t overthink, just focus on being sincere and kind, and this will come across well to others that will encourage further discussion.

Ask questions

Appropriate open ended questions are a great way to keep the flow of conversation going and show genuine interest. Often when you are nervous, you are worried about what you are going to say. Asking questions takes that burden off your shoulders, as you show you want to hear what the other person has on their mind. You can ask questions that start with “Why”, “What”, “Where”, “When”or “How”. These question openers allow conversation to flow nicely and have a comfortable pace. In the setting of a podcast interview, just because you are the guest does not mean that you can not include a few questions in the conversation. For instance, after sharing your opinion on a topic, you might simply ask “how do you feel about that?”

Listen attentively

Listening involves action. It's easy to tell when you have the full attention of the person you are speaking with, or not. Many of us might feel that we are a good listener, but in reality, it is a valuable but rare quality. When we are with someone who is fully present and paying rapt attention to what we are saying, it often makes an impression on us. We might note to others, “when you are talking to so-and-so, they make you feel like you have their full attention. You feel like the only person in the room.” Wouldn’t be nice if people described us that way. Doesn't the fact that we often take note when someone does prove themselves to be a good listener, that it is not an everyday occurrence for most of us to have such an encounter? Next time you are having a conversation, resist the temptation to think ahead about what you are going to say next, or from becoming distracted with other things going on around. Rather, stay full focused on the person speaking to you and practice the art of really listening.

A time to stay silent

One of the most powerful aspects of conversing can be a time of no conversation at all, and yes, we realize that sounds like a contradiction. But we are talking about the power of the pause. You might pause after a particularly weighty sentence, or pause and take a moment to think before you answer a question. A pause at the right time, for the right length, can add depth, suspense, excitement, and emphasis to a point. It is a bit of a skill, as we want to avoid long, awkward silences, and instead strive for a second or two pause to leave breathing room in the conversation.

Show courtesy

While it may seem like a no-brainer, being courteous throughout your podcast interview does wonders to draw listeners to you as a person, and by extension your message and business. Some basic reminders are to make please and thank you a regular part of the conversation, to avoid cutting the other person off, and even if you disagree on their viewpoint, keep your tone pleasant. Focus on the other person. Do you say “I” and “me” too much? It can be all too easy to fall into the habit of starting stories and conversation topics on what you solely want to talk about. By discerning what the other person is also interested in talking about, then conversation will flow much more smoothly and naturally be more engaging for all involved.

Pro Tip: Before each interview, double check that both your phone and computer are on silent mode so you will not be distracted by notifications.

Share something about yourself

While keeping our previous point in mind, you can still incorporate a few personal details about yourself throughout your interview. When we are open about things to do with us personally, our lives, our family, our weaknesses, etc, we add the human aspect and listeners will find it easier to relate to us. You can share if you have pets, where you went to school, where you live, or something about your everyday routine. When it is relevant to the conversation, such personable notes can add warmth and approachableness to your interaction.

Common ground

When you strike upon a common topic or item of interest, it can shoot the conversation to another level of interaction and engagement. In the setting of a podcast discussion, you have the major advantage of prepared knowledge when stepping into the interview. You have in mind the focus on the show and the topic the episode will be zeroing in on. In addition, if you are working with a podcast agency, they will have already provided the host with your specific comfortable topics, talking points and questions ahead of time. You can go into the conversation with confidence that they are also interested in those topics and they are great pillars for common conversation.

Be appreciative

At the beginning of the interview, thank the host for having you on their show. At the end of the conversation, reiterate your appreciation for their time and the work that they do to produce a great show. Appreciation can be shown in more subtle nuances in your speech by showing respect and not cutting others off as we noted previously. Discern when to end. There’s nothing more strained than a conversation that has run its course and someone is trying to keep stringing it along! So when you feel the relevant topics have been discussed, all those involved in the conversation have had an opportunity to speak and express themselves freely, then there is nothing wrong with politely wrapping up the discussion and leaving it at that. In fact, by having focused, quality, shorter conversations, others may be more receptive to speaking with you in the future.

Being a good conversationalist is an art, a skill, that can be practiced, honed, and learned. We converse daily, but by paying attention and being more conscious of the basic points mentioned above, we will take our pattern of communication to the next level, ultimately benefiting the connections we make.

*The above mentioned quote was from: https://bit.ly/2DFs1VA

we are podcast bookers

Who we are: Simply put we are expert podcast bookers. We have been busy for years now, booking guests on podcasts for business owners, podcast hosts, book authors, business coaches, financial advisors, retail brands, SaaS, Apps, tech companies, fitness and health professionals - really anyone who wants to tell the world who they are. We also work with marketing agencies who would like to offer podcast guest booking to their clients, but want to use our team. We are proud of our team - we have been around long enough to know that it takes hard work to book our clients on top podcasts - but when we see our clients successfully grow their client base and build a great online reputation - it is worth all the effort and more.

Email our team manager Michelle to see if you qualify to be a podcast guest. michelle@expertbookers.com