Sharpen Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Skills

Article 2 min
Becoming a strong and effective public speaker not only takes practice, it takes organization and a mastery of verbal and nonverbal communication skills. 

Public speaking is the process of communicating information to an audience. Throughout your career as a communication professional, you may speak to both small and large groups of people. It is important to articulate your thoughts effectively and efficiently so your message is easily and clearly understood. According to researcher Gerald Manning, people perceive and interpret communicated messages in the following ways: 

  • 7% through spoken word
  • 38% through tone of voice
  • 55% through body language

Practice is key to mastering both the verbal and nonverbal communication skills of public speaking. Read on and explore the tips for using verbal and nonverbal strategies to effectively communicate with your audience. 

An icon of a person speaking with speech lines to represent the words they say.
An icon of a person speaking with speech lines to represent the words they say.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 250110-D-ZW071-1001
Communicating verbally, using words and tone, will unleash the power of your voice and help you communicate more effectively. Record yourself and ask a friend for feedback. Incorporate these qualities:

PROPER VOLUME

Ensure your voice has appropriate power, intensity and projection.

SMOOTH VOICE QUALITY

Avoid being breathy, strident, harsh or nasally.

CORRECT PRONUNCIATION

Pay attention to your sound production, rhythm and cadence.

PRECISE ARTICULATION

Form distinct sounds so every word is clear and deliberate.

SENSIBLE RATE

Align speed to the speech's purpose: fast if exciting, slow for sad and approximately 160 words/minute if informative.

EXPRESSIVENESS

Emphasize each phrase with the right pitch, pace, pause and power.

DYNAMIC ENERGY

Amplify and intensify points to show passion and compassion for the affected audience.

An icon of a finger pointing upward.
An icon of a finger pointing upward.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 250110-D-ZW071-1009
Using subtle nonverbal communication skills, like body language and facial expressions, allows you to communicate in a way that goes beyond the spoken word. Remember, 55% of people perceive and interpret communicated messages through body language, so it is essential your body language is appropriate and matches the message you intend to communicate. Rehearse in a mirror or record yourself. Look for these qualities in your body language:

ENGAGING EYE CONTACT

Avoid staring down your audience or reading directly from notes.

NATURAL GESTURES

Use supportive hand gestures but don't force anything.

FACIAL AWARENESS

Make natural and deliberate facial expressions.

PURPOSEFUL MOVEMENT

Be intentional with movements, shifts, pace and hair or clothing adjustments.

PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE

Be inspection-ready and represent your organization appropriately.

References

Manning, G., et al. (2012). Selling today. 12th ed. Pearson Education.

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