How to be a better public speaker 27 tips for public speaking

How to be a better public speaker 27 tips for public speakingHow to be a better public speaker 27 tips for public speakingFive days before the release of the first iPad, James Murdoch, a high-ranking executive at News Corp., exchanged a flurry of emails with Steve Jobs. Murdoch and Jobs couldnt reach an agreement that would allow HarperCollins, a publisher owned by NewsCorp, to add its books to the Apple store before the launch.Their email exchange offers insight into what to do - and what not to do - when writing business emails.Murdochs notes are a classic example of how fruchtwein of us tend to write long, with multiple ideas and no clear message. Jobs used simple tactics todominatethe correspondence.Here are five things we can learn from Jobs about how to write effective emails.1. Have one purposeThe most efficient emails include just one goal or question.For example, consider these lines from a long email from MurdochIf we could offer to you that a certain percentage of releas es (50%) would be available within your pricing structure ( or = 14.99), does that give you enough comfort? . . .But if you were willing to accept that a supplier can exploit other avenues (at prices not disadvantageous to you), with a guarantee of substantial volume through Apple- maybe I could work with HC to get to some common ground. Please let me know. . .But are you willing to accept that a supplier can exploit other avenues. Please let me know.What was he asking?There are so many questions that Jobs answered exactly none of them. Jobs response was to-the-point, and he asked just one simple, rhetorical questionMaybe Im missing something, but I dont see any other alternatives. Do you?Its easy to imagine he was getting sick of the meandering correspondence.When you ask more than one question in an email, you run the risk of not getting an answer. A more effective strategy is to make one request per email. If you need to ask another question, wait to get the first response.2. Kee p the konzeption simpleA key to Apples success is its relentless commitment to simplicity. This is evident in the smallest design decisions on products, and its clear in Jobs emails. In Jobs emails, there is one common design element that enables the reader to quickly skim the email and understand its main points.Unlike Murdochs emails with their unwieldy paragraphs, Jobs emails included lists. He separated his messages into easily digestible points that contribute to the same argument.Consider using lists or adding space and emphasis in your own emails to drive home your point.3. Remove filler wordsJobs didnt use adjectives, adverbs, or other filler words. His sentences were straightforward and concise.Murdochs sentences, on the other hand, were long and clunky. For exampleIt seems though that we in each one we largely encounter a take it or leave it set of terms . . .Typo aside, heres what the sentence would be without fillersEach discussion gives us a take it or leave it set of t erms . . .If you tend to use a lot of adverbs and adjectives - words like though, largely, seems, that, and really - make it a habit to remove them before you send an email. Reread the edited draft. If an adjective or adverb was necessary, itll be obvious, and you can add those back in. This will make your emails clearer and crisper.4. Use the active voiceMost rules have exceptions. This one does not. Stephen King has a strong opinion on the topicTwo pages of the passive voice- just about any business document ever written, in other words, not to mention reams of bad fiction- make me want to scream. Its weak, its circuitous, and its frequently tortuous, as well. How about thisMy first kiss will always be recalled by me as how my romance with Shayna was begun. . . . A simpler way to express this idea- sweeter and more forceful as well- might be thisMy romance with Shayna began with our first kiss. Ill never forget it.The passive voice often sounds timid and lacks clarity. For examp le, consider this line from MurdochIn short- we would like to be able to get something done with Apple- but there are legitimate concerns.Using the active voice would make it a bit clearerWe want to work with Apple- but there are legitimate concerns.If you read the sentences side by side, you can see what King means when he calls the passive weak. Focus on using the active voice and strong verbs to strengthen your message.5. Close with your requestIn marketing campaigns, copywriters always put the call to action at the very end. The same should be true of emails. Why?If the request is embedded in the middle of the email, its likely to be forgotten. At the end, the recipient has just finished reading and is focused on the next step.In the emails between Jobs and Murdoch, Jobss agenda, or ask, was straightforward. He wanted Murdochs company on board for the iPad launch.But even though the point was abundantly clear, Jobs still ended on itWed love to have HC among the other publishers. The purpose of most emails isnt this complex. We often use emails to request a meeting, get permission for a change, obtain information, or do other daily tasks. But with a simple ask, ending with your request is even more important. When the recipient dashes off their reply, theyre more likely to respond to the last thing that was mentioned.It can often feel as if email takes up a lot of our workday. With these simple tips, not only will you simplify your email routine, but youll also find youll get better results.Natasa Lekic is the Founder of New York Book Editors, an editorial service that connects authors to veteran industry editors. In other words, theyre nerdy matchmakers.