Suppose you would like to attract attention and be well understood from the very first word. You are tired of being asked more often or that people continue to talk even though you have said something. If it is important to you that your thoughts or opinions are heard by others, consider this practical tip:
Immediate full attention with the "magic 1st word" :
- The first words of a speech serve to establish contact with the audience and to attract attention. The key is to make contact by emphasizing the first word.
- A short break after the first word creates a curiosity reflex and secures my attention for a short moment: "When [Pause] They are ... ".
- Pause for a moment: If you raise your voice, but then pause for a moment before you start speaking, you are sending such a "warning signal". Curiosity about what follows will secure your attention. This way you have your listeners fully with you. Instead of routinely saying "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!" as usual, this time you start with "A ..." – and pause for a moment! Through this trick of the moderation professionals, you have a Curiosity reflex generated!
Once that's done, continue talking in a relaxed manner. Leave the rest of the sentence to your automated self-control, even at the risk that the rest of the sentence no longer sounds as present as your first word.
When to use?
Whether you're presenting in a meeting, presenting to a larger audience, or holding a training session, your audience will want to be asked to give you all their attention:
- Your very first word should already make your inner willingness to lead and lead the audience audible.
- If you are presenting After a few minutes, briefly summarize what has been said before in order to serve the memory of your listeners well, it is best to start with the "magic 1st word".
- Each new point in your outline demands new attention. A good reason for your newly acquired speech tool.
Listen to more detailed instructions in the podcast here:
Good luck trying it out and applying it!
Yours sincerely,
Arno Fischbacher
Further information:
Reading tip: "Secret Seducer Voice. Voice as a success factor. 77 Answers to the Unconscious Power in Communication" by Arno Fischbacher, Soft Skills Kompakt, Junfermann Verlag, Paderborn. 3rd edition. View here on Amazon
The author:
Arno Fischbacher is a business voice coach and rhetoric expert, speaker and author. He prepares executives and employees of the top companies in Germany and Austria for negotiations, presentations and media appearances. Fischbacher is the author of several books, past president of the German Speakers Association (GSA) Austria, chairman of the European Network of Voice Experts, stimme.at.
If you would like to learn more about specific training opportunities with Arno Fischbacher, make an appointment here free information talk.
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