Phone communication is an important skill in most professions. However, many people experience anxiety when talking on the phone.
The key to overcoming phone anxiety is building confidence. You can start by setting small goals like keeping a conversation going for two minutes or answering within three rings. Then, acknowledge your success after each call.
Practice
It’s an adage, but it rings true: the more you talk on the phone, the better you will become at it. Your diction and flow will improve, and you can fine-tune your confidence.
You can also practice by recording yourself and then listening back to it. This will allow you to see where your pitfalls are and how you can improve.
During a call, you first want to slow down your speech rate. When you talk fast, you sound more nervous and insecure. Additionally, it would help if you spoke up. Shy people tend to lower their voice, which doesn’t sound confident. This will make you sound more powerful. It will also convey that you know what you’re talking about.
Be Prepared
People tend to like those who display confidence in conversation, even over the phone. To do so, rehearse your call with a friend or mentor and consider taking voice lessons to help with tone, volume, and other speech-related issues.
It would help if you prepared the environment for your phone conversation by finding a quiet space away from distractions. It’s a good idea to keep a pen and notepad nearby if you need to write notes during the call. Lastly, try to leave spaces between your words so that you sound more natural and confident when speaking. Additionally, smiling can elevate the tone of your voice to make you sound more engaging and approachable. This could make the caller feel more comfortable, too!
Be Yourself
A convincing telephone voice is essential for business, romance, and friendships. The person on the other end of the line will expect you to sound calm and confident during a conversation about important matters.
One way to project confidence on the phone is to slow down your speech rate. Speaking too quickly can make you appear nervous and can cause you to mispronounce words.
You can also try to speak up. Many people lower their voices when nervous, which can diminish their confidence. Another strategy is to practice talking to strangers before you talk to them on the phone. Asking friends and family for feedback on your conversations is also a great idea. This can help you identify areas that need improvement.
Be Positive
Staying positive is the best way to show confidence in your phone conversations. Whether you’re on the phone with an unhappy customer or a potential client, staying positive will help you to stay calm and diffuse tension.
Another thing you can do to be more confident in your calls is to speak slowly and quietly. When people are nervous, they often speak faster than they normally would. This can make you sound immature and unprofessional, so slow down.
Lastly, keep water on your phone to stay hydrated throughout the call. This will also help to keep your voice from drying out and can be a great confidence booster. You can also use a headset to minimize background noise and ensure your voice is audible.
Be Mindful
The more mindful you are during a phone conversation, the more confident you will sound. Mindfulness involves observing and responding to emotions as they occur. It can help you avoid a reactive response, which is a common cause of phone anxiety.
For example, it’s important to pay attention to your breathing. Many people speak too quickly when nervous, but it’s important to slow down your speech rate so you can think before you speak. It also helps to speak up so you can be heard.
In addition, being mindful during a call involves focusing your full attention on the speaker. This means putting your phone away and paying attention to the person you speak with. It’s also important to notice if your mind wanders and bring it back to the conversation.
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