10 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills (543 words):

Communication is as important today as it ever was, if not more so. Your ability to speak increases your ability to find new work, new friends, and even that new special “someone.” These 10 tips should help you improve your communication skills.

1. What you know.

We all have our limitations in our speaking ability, but the only way to overcome and improve our limitations is by getting out there and speaking. If you’re uncomfortable speaking in front of large groups, the only way you’ll overcome it is by going out and speaking in front of large groups.

2. Listening.

It’s important to listen to the sounds of our own voices so as to know how to emphasize with our voice how strongly we believe in something or know something to be correct. One of the qualities of a good speaker is being able to use his/her voice to emphasize points that should be emphasized.

3. Humility.

We all make mistakes, and nobody knows everything, so don’t be afraid to ask others if you’re pronouncing certain words correctly. If they’re unsure about the pronunciation, you can even turn it into a joke that everyone will likely find amusing, which will show them that you have a way with words as well.

4. Eye Contact.

A good speaker will make regular eye contact with everyone in a group; don’t just focus your eyes on one person.

5. Kidding around.

Adding humor into one’s speech can lift the tension or boredom of a speech, refocusing the attention of the audience on your speech, as well as showing them that you are approachable and human too.

6. Be like the rest of them.

Communicating with others is important because it helps improve your own communication skills, as well as helping you find out what people are really like inside.

7. Me, Myself, and I.

Practicing your speech in front of a mirror is a great way to improve the delivery of your speech because it can help you learn what parts of your speech are the best parts to emphasize with your voice. Practicing your speech aloud can also help you improve the content of your speech as well, since you can hear it aloud as well.

8. With a smile.

A smile is just as important as eye contact. It helps to let others know you’re enjoying talking with them because it helps to put everyone at ease and allows everyone to be themselves. In addition, smiling can show you are approachable and human as well.

9. A role model.

It helps to have someone you’ve listened to in your life who was a good public speaker; remember how he/she emphasized certain parts of his/her speeches and how he/she delivered those speeches? Use that as a reference to help you improve the delivery of your own speeches.

10. Preparation.

Take some time to prepare before the speech; write down your most important points/ideas on an index card to help keep your train of thought throughout the speech. Practice beforehand if possible as well – delivering the speech to yourself in front of a mirror will do. And most importantly, relax and do your best – chances are, your speech will be delivered eloquently and effectively.