[VIDEO] 5 Ways to Own the Room - Between 2 Speakers
Speak with Confidence and Own the Room! 5 Tips from Crisis Communications Maven Alyssa Burns
My Loyola colleague Alyssa Burns, founder of Alyssa Burns Communications, is a spark. I first met her at a faculty meeting, and her introduction blew me away. She was focused, on-point, and said her name and company at the top and bottom of her introduction.
No surprise, then, that I’ve tapped her as a guest speaker. And invited her to join me on Between 2 Speakers.
Alyssa is a pro at owning the room. She practices what she preaches, and believes everyone should know how to speak with confidence and own the room. She generously shared her 5 easy tips with us.
Alyssa Burns’s 5 Easy Tips to Own the Room
1. Bring the confidence
Confident speakers are viewed as more credible, more likable.
2. Give a strong delivery
How’s your voice? Your energy? Your gestures? “Everything in business and in life is about how you communicate,” says Alyssa. “Act like you want to be there!”
3. Tell a great story.
Stories are how we make sense of the world. This doesn’t mean open your presentations with a recitation of “Goldilocks and the 3 Bears” or “Star Wars.” What has your experience with your topic been like? What can you illustrate with a story instead of a data dump?
4. Use structure
Be clear in your messaging. “Clarity comes from structure,” Alyssa says. (As someone who gets hired to help clients with this very thing…YESSSSS!)
5. Improvise
Can you deal with whatever comes up? The jerk in the room who won’t shut up, the projector that doesn’t work, a Zoom call where someone is always muted? Knowing how to flex in the moment will keep your appearance strong. Learn how to improvise, and carry that skill to each presentation. (Yes, even online.)
Watch the video for Alyssa’s deeper dive into each topic. (Especially #2).
Read more about Alyssa’s work on her website.
“Having energy doesn’t mean acting like a crazy clown or running across the stage. ”
Want to learn how to be a confident speaker and own the room? Get in touch - we’d love to help you!
About The Author
Hi! I’m Marianna. I make the process of public speaking easier for my clients. I help with everything from preparation to managing anxiety and nerves to speaking with strength and confidence. Workshops are available online or in-person!