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 Learn Everyday
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This eBook is divided into 4 segments:

1. Public Speaking
2. Business Communication
3. Interviews
4. Frequently Asked Questions
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 #1.
F.O.P.S.

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 What’s that?

I mean, are you suffering from Fear of Public Speaking?

Whenever we observe the qualities of successful people

around us, more often than not, they all have a similar
trait. They all are efficient communicators.

Be it that extraordinary debater in your school, the

phenomenal MUN’er in your college, or the colleague at
your office who gives excellent presentations during
meetings.

We always look up to the people who have mastered the

art of public speaking. And yes, in this current digital
world where more and more people are producing
content and addressing a community of thousands of
people, the demand for efficient communicators has
increased a lot.

Today, just having revolutionary ideas is not enough one

needs to communicate them as well.

Do you also have great ideas, thoughts, and stories that

you want to share with the world?

Then, what's stopping you?

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 The fear of a crowd?

The fear of stammering and fidgeting?

The fear of getting nervous in between?

The fear of people making fun of you?

All your dreads are acceptable but, it is something

unacceptable that you don't attempt to start just
because you are not good at it.

Impressing the audience, getting the praises of your

listeners, giving a sure-shot interview, telling an
impressive story to your crowd will not happen on the
first day.

But all these things will follow suit if you START!

Being a 3 times TEDx speaker myself, I was not born a

pro-public speaker. Even though I had my fears, I rose
above them.

And the results have been life-altering!

There are some techniques I have adopted and even you

may adopt to improve myself-

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 1.Choose a topic you love –

If you want to begin your self-improvement

process, choosing a subject you can resonate with
can help in building your interest.

- You can speak about anything under the sun! -

You can speak about your favorite movie!
- You can speak about any recent web series that
you watched!
- You can speak about any book you read!
- You can speak about your experience from a recent
trip!
- You can speak about your day!

All you need to do is talk.

2.Observe yourself –

Gone are the days when people would give pieces of

advice like, if you want to improve your
communication, stand in front of the mirror and
speak.

We are living in the era of smartphones, and if you

also want to get smart, make some smart use of
this device. Record your speech and observe your
body language while you speak.
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 Public speaking is not just about words, your body
should also reflect your message.

3. Learn in a group –

Meeting like-minded people who have the same

goals as yours can really elevate your skills and
create a fun environment to grow together.

Learning with people who wish to improve upon the

same areas can remove the doubt of getting judged.

Where can you find such a group?

Join my Public Speaking Masterclass, a fun-filled

session conducted during weekends that is power
packed with knowledge as well as provides
opportunities to practice your skills as well.

Public speaking comes under the umbrella of self

improvement. And one might feel lonely and lost with
the storms of rejection and fears coming your away. It is
completely fine to take professional help for this journey
where you feel more guided and supported.

At the end of the day, all you need to do is START and

keep going.
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 Okay, tell me one thing!

- Do you feel motivated after watching phenomenal

speakers at Ted Talks?
- Do you get goose bumps by listening to extraordinary
speeches at your college?
- Do you imagine yourself on stage addressing thousands
of people?
- Do you want to upload your videos just like your
favourite influencer?

But, do you know there is a fine line between wishing

and achieving?
The name of that line is ACTION.
So, start taking action towards your public speaking
journey! In the beginning, you might be feeling
overwhelmed by all the information available online.

You might be thinking about how to start your public

speaking journey?
Well, do not worry!

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 If you really want to master the skill of effective
communication, there are many ways you can begin. You
just need to look out for the option that is most suitable
for you.
I have listed some of the easiest ways you can try to
begin your public speaking process

1. Join Public Speaking Clubs

Practicing with like-minded people who have the
same goal as yours can help a lot in building public
speaking skills. You can join international clubs like
Toastmasters, where you can regularly practice your
communication skills.

2. Participate at speaking events

If you are a school or university student, you can
take part in debating and MUN events. You can also
form public speaking clubs with your classmates!
If you are a working professional, you can take part
in conferences, meetups, and guest-speaking
occasions. This will help you in improving your
communication skills.

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 3. Start creating content
If you want to practice your communication skills,
the best way is to create video content on social
media platforms.
With the world going digital, why restrict yourself to
a limited audience?
Choose any social media platform and start creating
content. You will definitely get better with time!

4. Take Public Speaking courses

Upskilling has become crucial today. A tiny
investment in a course can help you make a gigantic
difference in your life. Courses that effectively
condense the theory and the practice part can
improve your speaking skills to a great extent.

These are some of the best ways you can start your
public speaking journey. Always remember that:
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started”

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 #2.
Tips on Public
Speaking

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 Public speaking might be dreadful for you. It's not
something we're natural at and it can weigh us down
with stress — or worse!

Even though it seems impossible, there are a few easy

things you can do to lessen your public speaking fear,
boost your confidence, and give the impression that
you're experienced.

You can bet that the process will go much more

smoothly than you anticipated if you use the following
tips:

1.Consider your audience

Are you addressing a group of college students?

Are you speaking to a group of senior executives at
the highest level?
Are you going to give a speech in front of your loved
ones?

Before presenting your speech, you should ascertain

your audience. It's because starting a presentation
preparation without first deciding who it will be
delivered to is one of the most common mistakes.

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 Before you begin writing, consider your message's
target audience. Find out as much as you can about
your listeners. This will help you choose your
language, level of detail, organizational strategy, and
motivating statement.

2. Establish Eye Contact

Your audience will not only be able to tell how

anxious you are if you enter the room with your
eyes firmly fixed on your notes, but they will also
find it difficult to relate to your message.

Making eye contact with your audience is one of the

best things you can do for yourself when it comes to
giving a confident presentation.

I have observed that making eye contact with your

audience can help them understand, remember, and
decide how to respond to what you're saying.

3. The less, the better

Both you and your audience won't want to sit

through a drawn-out, rambling presentation.

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 Edit your text carefully to only include the most
important points; the less you can speak about your
subject while still getting your point through, the
better.

Try to sum up your presentation in one line to see if

you're trying to communicate too much.

This will help you determine if you are. If you're

having trouble doing that, you probably included
too much information about your subject.

4.Remember to breathe

Your words frequently speed up along with your

heartbeat when you're anxious because you're
trying to hide how you're feeling.

The audience is more understanding and patient

than you may realize at that point since they want
you to succeed there, but the more you hurriedly
deliver your presentation, the more you alienated
the audience.

When that happens, it's advisable to pause after

making a significant point, take a sip of water, and
then move on to the next part of your speech.

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 5. Let your character shine through

In any form of communication, stay true to yourself

and avoid becoming a talking head. Your credibility
will increase if your personality comes through, and
your audience will believe you more if they can
relate to you on a personal level.

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 #3.
How can you sound
more confident?

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 Confidence is a BIG factor in how much influence you
have over others. When you believe in yourself, others
will feel your confidence and start believing in what
you're saying too. Having confidence can be something
hard to master but there are ways to develop it.

Also, speaking confidently to a crowd isn't an easy task.

It can be very intimidating and you may second guess
yourself when your time for speaking comes. The good
thing about this is that everyone starts somewhere and
no one is perfect at the start.

You have to learn the best tips to speak confidently

which will help you ease into public speaking, even if
your anxiety isn't something you're used to dealing with.

Here are some of the actionable tips that will help

navigate your speaking challenges to sound more
confident!

1. Speak From Your Diaphragm

Do you want a more commanding voice?

You can try to speak from your abdomen.

When you truly need people to listen to what you

have to say, such as during job interviews or
speeches, this kind of speaking voice might be
useful.
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 2.Communicate in a relaxed tone

Relaxed voices sound more convincing. It is simpler

to hear and process deeper sounds. Keep in mind
that most people speak at a pitch that is too high
because of bodily strain.

However, don't just use an artificial voice!

You need to completely learn to relax your vocal

system.

Release the tension in your face, mouth, shoulders,

and throat to develop a strong, commanding voice.

3.Don't articulate a statement as a question

When knowledge is lacking or when someone needs

confirmation of an idea or choice, they will ask
questions.

To project your ideas with confidence, maintain an

even tone of voice and finish your statements with
periods, not question marks.

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 4. Slow Down

Around 150 words per minute is a good speech

tempo for public speaking.

Your audience will feel less like you are speaking at

them and more like you are conversing with them
over lunch when you speak at this pace.

5.Avoid Space Fillers

Avoid saying "um", "uhhs", and "aahs."

When you have meaningless space fillers between

words and sentences, it seems that you are not
confident in your message.

Removing these space fillers will make you sound

more professional and confident.

6. Smile!

One way to sound warm and friendly while speaking

is to smile just a little bit. Even hearing someone
else smiling as they speak can elevate the vibe.

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 There is a bonus tip I would like to give you –

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Picture

yourself speaking confidently in front of a crowd of
people. Imagine the thoughts in your head, the
words spilling out of your mouth, as you tell your
story with confidence and poise. Speak confidently
knowing that every word has served to help you
become a better speaker over time.

Sometimes, all you need to do is have belief in

yourself.

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 #4.
Body Language
mistakes you might be
doing

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 Nonverbal communication is the unspoken language of
business, interpersonal relationships, and human
interactions. In a nutshell, non-verbal messages explain
how and why people behave the way they do without
words.

In addition to being important in day-to-day business

situations, nonverbals are used as valuable ways to
improve communication effectiveness during
interpersonal interactions, negotiation, and other social
situations.

Body language is a form of non-verbal communication

and is used to convey, amongst other things, attitudes,
feelings, motivations, and intentions. In business, it is
also used to display leadership qualities and to promote
team spirit.

Body Language is a relatively neglected subject until

now. However, if you take a closer look at it, you will find
that it can help in communication, not just with women
but with anyone you want to communicate with.

Here are some of the common body language mistakes

you might be doing –

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 1.Crossed leg/arms

Some experts advise concluding a meeting or

conversation if you notice one or more people
slouch back and cross their arms because this is
such a blatant sign of disinterest.

Legs crossed may also be a warning indicator.

2.Not communicating that you are listening

Whether it occurs in real life or on screen: failing

to make eye contact conveys a lack of concern for
others. "Show" that you're paying attention.

Nod your head and maintain steady eye contact.

3. Too much direct eye contact

Not looking someone in the eyes can give the

impression that you are being dishonest, yet
staring them down too long usually indicates
hostility.

Hold their gaze for just a second or two at a time,

but do it frequently to evoke comfort and trust.

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 4.Observing oneself on video calls

When video conferencing, it's imperative to stare

towards the camera rather than at yourself, at
least remotely.

When you glance up, your posture as a whole

becomes more pronounced and the discussion
you are having with the other person becomes
more interesting.

5. Touching one's face

Another action that is subconsciously regarded as

a sign of deceit — or resistance, if you're listening
rather than speaking — is touching your face,
particularly your nose and mouth.

Avoid it!

6.Adopting a stubborn pose

Forgetting to use subtle mirroring gestures could

indicate a lack of interest in the subject.

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 This is frequently demonstrated by the person
turning their shoulders away from the person
speaking to them.

So, try to relax and do not adopt a rigid pose.

7. Fidgeting

If you're continually fidgeting with your hair or

bouncing your leg, you're sending the message
that you're uncomfortable or bored.

Don't do it at all!

8.Dropping your head

When speaking, avoid dropping your head and

hunching your shoulders. Maintaining eye contact
is also ensured by keeping your head up during
the conversation.

As a result, discussions remain lively and sessions

remain productive.

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 9.Patting your legs

This is a significant act of self-comfort that will

convey how uneasy you are. Avoid doing it!
Otherwise, you might look nervous in front of
others.

10. Yawning

Although it might seem unimportant, this one is

not. Not to yawn. You come across as being worn
out, disconnected, and uninterested.

Were you making any of these mistakes? If you

were, do let me know by replying to my email on
which you received this e-book.

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 #5.
Importance of Eye
Contact

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 Let's look at some reasons why eye-contact in important
for effective Public Speaking.

1.Making eye contact improves concentration

Have you ever noticed when you simply scan a

place, you end up absorbing a lot of visual
information. Because your brain is attempting to
focus on both what you are saying and all of this
other information that your eyes are grazing over,
all of those colors and shapes really slow down
your thinking.

Making occasional eye contact allows your brain

to concentrate on just one thing, which frees it up
to concentrate on what you're trying to
communicate.

2.It helps you measure your confidence

If a speaker avoids making eye contact, it is

assumed that they are unconfident and know
nothing about the topic.

As a result, when you direct your gaze at the

audience, you convey assurance and conviction to
them. Because you would be more assertive, they
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 would be more inclined to pay attention to what
you have to say.

3.It encourages others to pay attention

An effective approach to persuade someone to

pay attention to you is to make eye contact with
them. It's really simple for a crowd to start losing
concentration these days with smartphones,
readily available Wi-Fi for computers, and other
distractions.

By looking someone in the eyes, you can aid in

regaining this attention. They will look at you if
you give them a glance. Smaller crowds will
notably benefit from this.

4.Your listeners become participants

When you stare at someone while they are

speaking and they then frown, you know
something isn't right. You now have the chance to
switch up your strategy. Or, when someone smiles
and nods their head, you know that things are
falling into place.

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 Your speech becomes a discussion with your
audience when you pay attention to people, read
their facial expressions, and make adjustments
after the fact.

So next time you're about to give a speech, be

sure to make eye contact with your audience. It's
important for speech, and it's just as important
for being a human being.

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 #6.
How to use VOICE
MODULATION to make
your speech
interesting!

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 The power of the human voice is insane!

But do we use it the right way?

Imagine you are standing in front of a large audience

and giving a speech or imagine you are talking to your
friend over a call. While speaking, your voice has no
highs or lows. It is a dull monotone.

Now answer for yourself, will the audience enjoy your

speech?
Will the friend not ask you "What is wrong with you?
Why are you sounding so dull?"

This is the power of voice modulation!

So first, let's understand what Voice Modulation is!

When you control or adjust your voice, this is referred to

as voice modulation. It is when you decide whether to
be louder or softer, faster or slower, dramatic or
emotional. Using your voice and tone to communicate
your message more effectively is what voice modulation
is all about.

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 Therefore, effective voice modulation is the difference
between a boring speech and one that captivates the
audience. Modulation might be difficult but it can be
easily practiced!

Let's see how!

1. Bring variation in your tone

Your expressions can be conveyed through tone

variation. Make your speech interesting to the
people who are listening to it.

For example, while speaking, try to narrate things

like a story.

Lower your voice during the low points and make

it go higher during the high points.

Doing this will ensure that people pay attention to

whatever you are saying.

2.Make the correct use of PAUSES

If you want to make an impact with your words,

your focus should not only be on the words
themselves, but also the use of pauses.

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 The use of pauses has additional advantages.
When you pause, for example, you can catch your
breath.

Your pauses will also cause your audience to lean

forward in their seats, waiting for your next
message.

Example:
“Let me talk about a topic which is never picked
by anyone. The topic is Mental Health”

Read this as you would read anything. Now, let’s

add some pauses to it:
“Let me talk about a topic which is never picked
by anyone. (pause) The topic is (pause) Mental
Health”

3. Stress on Powerful words

When you put more emphasis or stress on certain

words, you draw the attention of your audience.

Choose strong words to emphasize so that your

message is both captivating and clear.

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 Example:
“Let me talk about a topic which is never picked
by anyone. The topic is Mental Health”

Read this as you would read anything. Now, let’s

add some stress to it:
“Let me talk about a topic which is never picked
by anyone. The topic is Mental Health”

4. Show Enthusiasm

DO NOT sound bad, monotonous, or use the

same tone variation in your speech. Show your
enthusiasm in your words.

If your words show enthusiasm it will transfer to

the audience as well!

5. Learn from the experts

Examine videos of powerful orators, politicians,

celebrities, and so on. Take note of how they
modulate their voices. You can watch TED talks,
speeches, and debates to learn more.

Just remember to keep practicing!

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 #7.
How can you open
your speech
differently?

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 Don't read this chapter.
.
.
.
Yes, I am serious.
.
.
.
Don't read this chapter at all! It's of no

value! Haha!

Did I manage to grab your attention?

Well, if you are reading this line, it surely means that I

am successful!

It is important to grab the attention of your audience in

the first minute itself. If your speech does not have a
hook, your audience will not listen to your entire speech.

You might be giving a speech in front of your school,

college or presenting a meeting in your office. The first
few lines are capable of leaving a lasting impression on
your audience.

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 This is the point at which your listeners form an opinion
of you and what's to come. The success of your
presentation is dependent on capturing and retaining
the attention of your audience.

Here are 5 ways you can begin your speech:

1. Start your speech with an EMOTION

We human beings immediately connect to

emotions, be it positive or negative. After all, we
human beings are emotional beings. We all might
come from different places, different cultures,
different upbringings. But our emotions connect
us.

So, you need to leverage the emotional part of

the speech to grab the attention of the listeners.
Here is an example for you:

Example:
“The worst part about WFH is..."
"I love to see people...."

See? You could easily connect to it.

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 2. Open your speech with a relevant question

It's a sure-shot method to engage your audience.

Opening the speech with a question instantly
engages the audience. It helps in sparking
curiosity in the audience and compels them to
think.

Example:
If your speech is about sharing your traveling
experience

Open the speech like:

"When was the last time you went for a trip?"

These questions will make the audience think and

instantly involve them in your speech or
presentation.

3. Ask your audience to imagine things.

Use this technique to change the status quo

regarding any topic. When you ask your audience
to imagine things, you help them to transfer from
one situation to another.

The audience begins to visualize things and also

become a part of your journey.
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 Example:
"What if you could easily approach your crush?"
"What if gravity suddenly ceases to exist?"

4. Share surprising statistics/facts related to your

topic

Commencing with unheard statistics can grab the

audience's attention.

Numbers, statistics, and facts always help in

situations where you want to give some social
proof.

Whenever you want to add a tinge of reality to

your speech, you should add numbers or facts.
Example:

"Did you know that hot water will turn into ice
faster than cold water?"
"One-third of adults still sleep with a comfort
object."

5. Start your speech with a story

We all have grown up listening to stories. So, we

connect to it the most. Stories help us to connect
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 as humans. A well-told tale will compel listeners
to lean in more than anything else.

However, the story must be concise, with just the

right amount of detail to bring it to life. It must be
genuine and contain a "message," or lesson, to
support your point of view.

Example:

"When I was in college, I did something really

fun."
"I remember when I was playing tennis one
day...."

Remember that –

The start of your speech determines whether the other

person will listen to your entire speech or not. So, make
sure to use the right hook to grab the attention of the
listeners.

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 #8.
Are you scared of
delivering an
Impromptu Speech

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 When you deliver a speech without any prior rehearsal,
it’s known as an impromptu speech.

The word impromptu means without preparation or

organization. While attending office meetings, it might
happen that your manager might suddenly throw a
question at you.

These questions can revolve around:

- To get some updates from your end.

- To get your perspective on some latest issues. - To

see how well-prepared you are for the meeting. - To

get your ideas on the table.

Then, how will you frame your thoughts?

Don't worry!

Here are some techniques you can use during office

meetings:

1) PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point)

An easy-to-learn and easy-to-use method is called PREP:

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P- Point - State your point of view.
R- Reason - Give a reason for your point of view.
E- Example - Explain how you arrived at this point of
view.
P – Point - Conclude your speech by restating your
point of view.

Example:
Point - This new deal will be profitable for our company.

Reason - According to the projected statistics, the

revenue will increase by 10%.

Example - Earlier, when our company collaborated with

a similar company, sales did increase.

Point - This is a potential reason why the deal is

profitable for our company.

2) CER Method (Cause, Effect, and Remedy)

Another technique you can use is: CER

C – Cause - State the cause of the problem.

E – Effect - State the effect of the problem.
R – Remedy (Solution) - Give a solution for the
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Example:
Cause - The company's reputation is suffering because of
lacking high-skilled employees.

Effect - Customers are getting upset with the company.

Remedy - We need to hire new employees for the

company.

3) PPF Method (Past, Present, and Future)

You can also use the PPF method for impromptu speech:

P – Past - Give an example from the past.

P – Present - Explain the situation for the present. F –
Future - Close your speech by stating future predictions.

Example:
Past - In the past, our company had 100 customers from
this region.

Present - As of now, there are 200 customers from the

same region.
 Future - In the coming years, our operations will spread
to neighbouring regions, thus adding more customers.
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4) 5 W’s Method

You can also frame your speech according to the 5 W’s

technique:

1.Who – Who is involved in the action or who is

hearing?
2.What – What are the objectives of holding it that
people can relate to?
3.Where – Where is the action being held? How did it
originate?
4.When – When is the action taking place? Is it a
regular meeting or a special one?
5.Why – Why is everyone there? Why are you there?

For instance, if the meeting is about an upcoming

project, you could talk about the clients, the team
members who will be working on the project, the scale
of the project, and etc.

5) Storytelling

We all have grown up listening to stories!

Storytelling is an emphatic technique of speaking.

 Through this, you can instantly connect with the
audience.

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During meetings, you can frame your speech like a story

exploring one layer after another. You can start the story
by asking a rhetorical question or setting the story as
part of your personal experience as well.

Remember one thing, Impromptu speaking is not as

intimidating as it seems. Like any other speech, practice
well for this as well. You will surely leave your boss and
co-workers amazed!
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#9.
 Do you use a lot of
filler words?

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Filler words are words or phrases used to fill the silence

while speaking.

Filler words do not have any significance concerning the

rest of the sentence.

These words help you to buy some time while you think
about the rest of the sentence. We all use filler words in
everyday conversations.
 For instance,
"I am literally so tired of this work schedule"

oder

"I have, like, a thousand tasks on my to-do list"

However, overusing filler words can make you sound

unskilled. The listener might find it difficult to derive the
meaning from your sentences.

So do use filler words when you speak, but do not use

them too much.

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Examples of common filler words

Here are some common spoken filler words and phrases

and illustrations of how you might use them in
discussion:

• Um: "I, um, don't know whether to choose that option

or not."
 • Uh: "Please, can you, uh, see that the email is sent?" •

Er: "Er, I don't think I can give feedback today"

• Ah: "I believe that ah...yes, that's the project I needed

to review"

• Like: "She has, like, a thousand duties to fulfil." •

Okay: "Okay, I think we can take the deal ahead." •

Right: "Yes, right, I do recall you saying that."

• You know: "I always bring an extra pen just in case,

you know?"

• Totally: "That's totally not allowed here."

• Literally: "I literally saw the manager in the break

room."
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• Well: "Well, let's keep the discussion going

tomorrow."

• You see: "You see, I knew that the client would reject
it."

• I mean: "I mean, you can see that tomorrow."

 Effective use of filler words:

Filler words can help you in situations you might need

some extra time to figure out what to say.

However, overusing filler words (using too many, too

often) can make you sound unprofessional. It can make it
difficult to follow your sentences. Therefore, filler words
should be used in moderation.

Situations where you can use filler words

I will share 5 situations when you can use filler words:

1.Use filler words to buy time for thinking

It's alright to use filler words when you need some

time to think about what you would be speaking.
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For example:
“I have errr… two more assignments to

complete.” 2.Use filler words to sound polite.

 In some situations, you do not want to appear like
an arrogant person. So, instead of directly placing
your thoughts, you can use filler words to sound
courteous.
For example:

Instead of saying:
"Your dress is looking dull."

Say:
"Well, your dress, um, is looking a little dull.”

3.Use filler words to change the tone of your speech

Filler words can be used to change how a particular

statement is spoken. The placement of a filler word
in the right places can change the entire meaning of
the sentence.

Let's see the difference between these three

statements:

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“I think this film is underrated.” (a simple statement)

“Actually, I think this film is underrated.” (shows that

there is a contrast in views)

“At the end of the day, I think this film is

 underrated.” (shows that you are concluding)

4.Use filler words when you are not sure about the
answer

Filler words are a great way to delay speaking when

you don’t know how to answer a question, or when
you don’t want to.

For example:
“What’s your yearly package?”

“Uhh, Umm. Well, I am not comfortable with

sharing this information.”

5.Use filler words to engage the listener

A conversation takes at least two people. If you

speak without including the listener in the

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communication process – you are missing a chance

of learning something new!

Some filler words and phrases can include another

person in the conversation.

For example:
 “It was an insightful seminar, you know?”

Now that you know when you can use filler words,
let's see how you can avoid using too many filler
words in your conversation.

How to avoid using filler words

1) Notice your speech: When you speak, try to become

aware of the most common filler words you use. Then,
you can begin to change your patterns by intentionally
avoiding them.

2) Take a pause: Instead of using filler words, when

speaking, try to pause when you need time to think
rather than fill the time with a word or phrase.

3) Practice in advance: To avoid over-using filler words,

prep for meetings and presentations ahead of time. The
more aware you are of your content, the less you need
filler words.
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 #10.
How to have more
meaningful
conversations

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 A: "Hey. What's up with you?"

B: "Nothing much"

A: "Oh! okay"

B: "Anyway, what's up with you?"

A: "Nothing much"

And the conversation dies.

Have you also faced similar situations in your life?

When you genuinely wanted to have a deep and

meaningful conversation with people around you, but
the conversation ended somewhat like the above one.

Effective communication is the precursor to any healthy

relationship. Be it the relationship between co-workers,
friends, families, or neighbors. A good conversation
helps create a safe environment where both parties feel
free to share their thoughts.

Imagine that you are new to any organization, and if you

want to form a bond with your colleagues you will need
to have meaningful conversations.

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 Or, imagine going on a date with someone new;
conversations will act as a medium to know each other.

Therefore, be it your professional life or your personal

life, conversations can make or break relationships.

But we have all gone through awkward situations in life

when it became difficult to take conversations ahead.
We know that it is much easier to start a conversation
than to take it ahead.

Here are 5 tips that can help you keep the small talk
aside and have meaningful conversations instead.

1) Be interested

You should be curious about the person you are

conversing with. Be it your family member, your
friend, your internet acquaintance, or your
neighbor. If you genuinely show your interest, the
conversation will keep going.

You will not learn anything if you will start the

conversation by having preconceived notions and
judgments. Always welcome the other person's
thoughts with an open mindset. Remember, each
person has something new to offer!

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 2) Ask open-ended questions

Don't ask questions that result in 'yes' or 'no'

answers.
Such questions are a conversation killer!

If you genuinely want to know the other person,

asking open-ended questions will encourage the
other person to understand how they feel on a
deeper level.

For instance, instead of asking:

How was your trip good?

Ask: Did you do anything exciting on your trip?

This will provide them with an opportunity to open

up and share interesting details about the trip.

3) Listen more

“When people talk, listen completely. Most people

never listen.”
-Ernest Hemingway

While having a conversation, it is important to

ensure that you are not the only one who is
speaking. You should also listen to what the other
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 person is saying.

You can show that you genuinely care for the other
person by responding and reflecting on their words.

This way, the conversation will move forward.

4) Respond through your body language

A conversation is not just about spoken words!

Body language signs like eye contact, genuine

nodding, and leaning in express interest.

A positive body language can make the other person

feel respected and comfortable.

5) Ditch your phone!

We love giving our attention to popping

notifications.
Don't we?

The other person might feel insignificant if you

remain glued to your phone. So next time, keep
your phone away.
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 In this technologically advanced world, a
conversation might seem insignificant.

However, we are still human beings, and

conversations do matter!

“Although we live in an information technology age, we

often find ourselves in failure to communicate situations.
“ - Johnny Tan

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 #11.
How to become a
better storyteller?

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 You might be sobbing while watching a romantic movie.
You might experience an emotional outburst while
watching a TED Talk.
You might experience the characters' feelings while
reading a book.

The suffering, the thrill, and the feelings are all the
outcomes of excellent storytelling abilities!

Great stories may leave you with several thoughts,

including the following:

How do these gifted storytellers captivate their

readers?

What separates stories that are truly compelling from

those that are merely good or even bad?

Well, here are a few points that even you can use to
become a great storyteller:

1) Share some personal bits -

Storytellers who make themselves a little

vulnerable by sharing a portion of their own lives
with the audience are much more likely to
connect with them than those who disclose very
little.
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 Humans naturally have an interest in the life
experiences of other people.

We might not be interested to know when a

school teacher would share his daily schedule of
taking classes, but we would like to know what
made the person choose teaching as a career
maybe his mother was a teacher too!

Share some personal bits from your journey to

make the readers more engrossed in your story!

2) Keep Your Audience in Mind -

The most crucial piece of advice is to concentrate

on and get to know your audience.

You won't become close friends with them just to

make a good impression, but it's still important to
comprehend their passions, aspirations, and
challenges.

This will enable you to better target your message

and comprehend what inspires people to take
action.

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 3) Include a few surprises -

The best public speakers never want their

audience to become the pilot of the plane called
"imagination".

An audience member typically has expectations

for how a story will develop, and if those
expectations are realized, the audience member is
likely to lose interest and tune out.

It is your responsibility as the storyteller to avoid

this state of insanity, so incorporate a plot twist
into your storylines. You'll get the audience's
attention back when you get to the surprising part
of the story.

4) Engage the Senses

In any story, visuals are crucial. However, you

shouldn't just rely on pictures. Throughout your
story, use words to engage all of the senses. This
will improve the experience and increase the
impact of your presentation.

Example:
"The ringing of the bell could be heard from the
distant green hill."
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 5) Rehearse Telling Stories

Last but not least, practicing is the only way to

improve at anything. In other words, you need to
get into the habit of telling stories after you start
gathering them.

You can record yourself telling stories on your

phone. You'll be able to monitor your progress as
well as make progress toward overcoming your
aversion to public speaking and being captured on
camera.

Using stories to enhance your presentations is a

great way to improve them.

You'll be well on your way to using storytelling in

your presentations and making them more
memorable if you follow the above points.

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 #12.
How to become a
great Public Speaker?

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 One of the most common questions I receive daily is-
"Sir, how can I become a Public Speaker like you?"

And this chapter will exactly answer this question!

You need to consider the following points:

1) Establish Your Field of Expertise

The first step is to understand what are you good

at?

You can ask yourself:

What do I excel at?

What do I feel strongly about?
What distinct viewpoint do I have to offer?

For instance, perhaps you might be passionate

about the finance field and you might have
gathered a lot of knowledge through books, and
courses and continuously updated yourself
through news and other materials.

2) Keep practicing

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effectively is to practice wherever you like. You

don't need to perform this in front of others;
practice makes perfect.

You will use this ability when you stand by

yourself in front of the mirror and practice your
words and gestures (though I would never
recommend this, but if you still want to try, to
begin with you can do this)

You can also practice speaking in front of family

members or coworkers by getting up and doing
so.

You can also record videos of yourself on your

smartphone (this is my favourite and the changes
you would see in yourself would be remarkable)

3) Choose a Target Audience

The next step is to identify who would profit from

hearing your speaking once you've decided what
you want to say and how you want to say it.

What demographic needs to hear your message

and what is the age range?

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 Who do they work for?

Who lives there?

You can decide what examples to use to make

your points with the most impact by defining your
target audience.

Additionally, once you are aware of your target

market, you can determine the best places to
reach them, such as marketing conferences, other
professional gatherings, or social media.

4) Develop a personal brand

Developing a personal brand involves utilizing

visual tools to communicate your message, tone,
and style.

In essence, your brand's tenets—such as its colors

and fonts—work together with its promise
statement and message to give potential
customers a clear picture of who you are.

Each of these components works together to

make you stand out from the crowd.

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 5) Establish A Professional Online Presence

The key to learning how to become a public

speaker is to build a strong online presence.
People will open their phones as soon as they
hear your pitch and look you up online.

Make sure your website is attractive, expertly

designed, and clearly describes what you do.

Additionally, you should be active on several

social media sites, including Twitter, LinkedIn, and
Instagram.

Start producing content if you're serious about showing

your worth. It's a great way to establish your expertise to
share educational blog posts or videos.

If you have read this eBook till here, it means you want
to become a public speaker! I hope these points will help
you.

I wish you all the best on your journey!

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 74

#13.
How can you deliver
your Office
Presentations
Effectively

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Generally, when we hear the words 'office presentation’,

we imagine a man or a woman decked up in a crisp suit,
standing in front of a projector, in a meeting room with
people dozing off!

But, are meetings supposed to be boring?

No, right!

I am sure you must have watched a TED talk. Are they

boring?

No!

Because a TED talk is not only about delivering the

message, it is also about gripping the audience
throughout.

Similarly, when it comes to office presentations, they are

also supposed to grab the attention of the participants.

I will be sharing 7 methods through which you will not

only achieve the agenda of the meeting but also leave an
impact on your audience.

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 1) Tone, voice modulation, and body language

Don't give your presentation in a dull, soft, and

low monotone. Doing this will bore the audience
and make them snore!

To create an impact on the audience, you need

effective voice modulation and hand gestures.

Play around with the speed, pitch, and tone of

your voice to grab your audience's attention.

2) Focus on your audience

Don't only focus on what you want to

communicate.

Instead, your presentation should focus on what

your audience wants.

Let me give you an example, suppose you are in

the meeting room with some potential clients:

The clients are interested to know more about a

particular product of your company. But, while
giving the presentation, if you keep talking about
other products or other services, you might lose
the client!
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 3) Minimise using filler words

Try not to use filler words during your

presentation like umm, eh, basically, just, etc.

While giving a presentation, we might want to

recall some points. That is why we tend to use
filler words to steal some time for thinking.

But, using a lot of filler words can distract your

audience. It might show that you are not
confident about your ideas.

So, instead of using filler words, whenever you

want to recall the points, take a tiny pause.

4) Arrive early

Don't get late for your presentation as it might

create extra pressure on you.

Instead, always arrive 30 minutes early before

any presentation.

During online presentations, get yourself ready

with all the essentials at least 30 minutes early. It
will ensure that you are mentally prepared for the
presentation before the actual presentation.
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 5) Avoid a thank-you slide

I have seen numerous presentations that end with

a "thank-you" slide, and I believe it looks
immature and unnecessary. Adding such a slide
does not add to the value of the presentation in
any manner.

Instead, add a summary slide which states all the

vital pointers.

It will help the audience to recollect all the

significant points that were shared throughout
the meeting.

6) Incorporate storytelling

Stories have been an effective device for

persuasion.

Through stories, you can communicate anything!

Be it significant statistics, facts, or data. From our
childhood, we all have been hearing and believing
stories.

So, whether you want to convince your boss, your

co-worker, or your client, tell stories!

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 7) The most important tip

Stay cool, breathe and enjoy the process! If you

don't enjoy the process, you will never be able to
win the trust of your audience!

After all, a presentation is not only about

communicating an idea it also involves engaging
the audience.

I hope these tips will help you!

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