196 How to Sell Yourself
- Work at getting your ideas across.
- Smile when appropriate and genuine.
- Gesture when it’s comfortable and appropriate.
- Be open, giving, warm, friendly, and loving.
- Express yourself. Forget about impressing your listener.
Prepare.
- Organize your material.
- Be concise.
- Use simple language. Use short sentences.
- Look and sound pleasant.
- Send positive, loving signals.
- Be attentive to your audience’s signals.
Have confidence.
- In your preparation, your style, your speaking skill.
- Be positive. Talk with pride. Be honest.
- Be ready for the worst possible scenario.
- Admit “I don’t know,” or “I don’t understand your
question.” - Concentrate on what you do know.
- You’re the expert.
Remember.
- Open your face.
- Pause. Think silently. Stay calm and reasonable.
- Your audience wants you to succeed.
- Be likable.
H. Lustberg on...
Choosing the right word.
Use the active voice.
- Change: “It was decided by Congress....”
To: “Congress decided....” - Change: “It is incumbent upon our industry to ensure....”
To: “We have to....”