8 ways to get the sale. Get the job. Persuade. It’s all in how you communicate.

Great speakers aren’t born. They are made. What separates you from TED-Talk presenters is PRACTICE. There are courses that go on for HOURS teaching people how to record a 15-min audition tape for a Ted Talk.

Your communication skills determine how far you go. You either get the job, the promotion, the buy-in — or you don’t.

If there’s ONE thing you take away from this — it is this. GET TO THE POINT.

The audience gets frustrated when you don’t get to the point. Lead with what you’re recommending and THEN give them details and reasons why.

1. Give the audience what they need to know and not everything YOU know

Less is more. Give your audience what they care about, right away. If they want more info they’ll ask for it later.

Most people are speaker-centered, not listener-centered. “Morning, let me tell you about my big idea”. No one cares about your idea but about how you can help them.

2. Find a NEED

Identify a goal or a challenge and close the gap.

What’s the goal? What’s in the way of achieving that goal? Don’ start recommending something unless you have a solid NEED. Otherwise, they won’t have a reason to listen or buy.

If everything is running smoothly, then CREATE A CHALLENGE.

You need to find a “pain point” by saying something like “we are crushing it and it’s just a matter of time before our competitors start doing the same. It’s just a matter of time before this gets old. I am seeing a trend or an opportunity that I’d like to talk to you about. We can’t afford to sit put right now so here’s what I am seeing as the next step.”