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When improving communication skills, the best thing you can do is practice — A LOT. But first, you need to set a goal. Are you looking to improve your writing or speaking skills, or both? Write down what you want to achieve in the short and long term. For example, if you want to improve your writing skills, a short-term goal may be to finish writing a long-form article within two weeks or a month. A long-term goal is perhaps to publish a book in a year or two. Below are some helpful tips to help you improve both your speaking and writing skills.
1. Join Toastmasters
If you want to hone your public speaking skills, Toastmasters International can help. It’s a non-profit organization that aims to teach public speaking skills. During a meeting, members are asked to speak about a topic before the group. You’ll be given feedback on how your speech went. It’s excellent practice for those serious about improving their speaking skills.
2. Freewrite for 20 Minutes Each Day
Do you want to improve your writing skills? The only way to do this right is by actually writing. You don’t have to write about the next great American novel; get a pen and paper, sit down, and start writing. You don’t need to choose a topic; freewriting can help. Set aside 20-25 minutes daily to write about anything that comes to mind. If you want to improve writing fiction, write short stories or creative non-fiction articles, or if you’re going to write other genres,
3. Cultivate the Habit of Reading
Stay informed about current events or whatever subject you want to become an expert in by reading good books and articles. Choose reliable and high-quality newspapers such as The Washington Post or The New York Times for news. When reading, choose from both classic and contemporary authors. Reading long-form articles from reliable sources can also help. Staying informed will help you create better pieces.
4. Ask for Honest Feedback
As with most skills, you’ll need feedback from your managers or peers on how you are doing. Politely ask them to tell you what things you’re good at and things you need to improve on. Then, take time to work on things that need more improvement.
5. Learn the Colorful Elements to Communication
You must project your voice and add vocal variety to convey the right message. When speaking, use gestures and facial expressions. Speak as much as possible and avoid highfalutin words. To engage your audience, make your presentation as interactive as possible. Most importantly, implement the KISS approach. Keep it Short and Simple.
Keep Practicing
Improving communication skills may take time, but it’s doable. You can become a great communicator if you commit to improving your skills. Record yourself, if possible. Communication is one of the most valuable skills you can cultivate, and you can become much better at it as long as you practice it daily.
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