How to be a Naturally Confident Speaker

Kids that had report cards that read “talked too much” often grow up into being hairdressers. I think that was written on every report card every year for me. I have now been hairdressing for nearly 30 years, teaching for 20+ years, and using my voice to connect and educate hairdressers in an industry that I love, so I am glad I like talking, but let me share with you my confidence in delivering clear messages or getting my point across in a short amount of time, did not come naturally. I needed to be trained in that skill and practice.

Hairdressing is so much more than doing hair. We need to confidently talk with our clients about services, products, rebooking and other skills needed when working behind the salon chair. Plus, hairdressers are now social media content creators with high expectations to talk to the camera in reels for new client attraction in 60 seconds or less.  Instagram  has recently announced the platform will be pushing original content, and the most original content of all is your own voice!  I have reached out to interview a special guest today that will help you learn how to be a naturally confident speaker, even if you think you aren’t one.

Show notes for podcast episode 97

LET’S MEET OUR GUEST – Sally Prosser

Sally Prosser is a holistic voice and public speaking coach with a background in TV news reporting and PR – and the host of That Voice Podcast with a Tik Tok following of more than 300,000.

 She works with top journalists and broadcasters, as well as executives, business owners, and hairdressers, to help them produce a confident, clear speaking voice and get their message heard.

In 2020, she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year (PR & Media QLD). Sally and I met in our online course launch community & I have joined Sally's online education webinars in the past and have been blown away by her knowledge and experience. 

You cannot breathe and talk at the same time

Did you know that you cannot take a breath and talk at the same time? This explains when you are breathless and talking really fast it can feel like you are having a panic attack. You need to slow down and take a breath. Sounds simple right? 

There’s a lot more to work on to become a confident speaker, but the breath is a great place to start!

Voice coaching can help you to become more confident and grounded in your own voice, which is another important step Sally helps her students take. Acceptance in your unique voice and personality is key to building a personal brand (brand-YOU) with authenticity.

TIPS FOR HAIRDRESSERS FOR CONFIDENT SPEAKING:

• Reels and TikTok’s are better to record as tiny bits. Film a lot of little bits and use an editing app to piece it all together afterwards.
• Write a script if you want to speak to the camera and film it all in one go. Preparation is the key to getting your point across in 30 seconds or less (reels, stories, TikTok)
• Eye contact is very important and actually coming around the chair to look directly into the client's eyes is important to show confidence in the salon
• Voice inflection needs to be an inflection point that is confident, as opposed to validation to take leadership during consultations with clients in the salon
• Open gestures with your body language that share that you are confident are so important when working with clients in transformations in front of the mirror (be careful not to wield your scissors around to open your arms up!)

Listen to learn more in Episode 97 of the Colour Kristina Talks podcast to know how to be a naturally confident speaker.