Let’s take the telemarketer for instance: the phone call is his primary function. He has only seconds to persuade his customers to stay on the phone long enough to convince them that they actually want their product. While they’re studying to perfect this art-form, you’ve still got to get your clients on board with proposals. Tone and timbre is at the core of good ‘speechcraft.’ You want a quick and easy way to get on track with your clients needs and put yourself right into the position in the conversation where both of you can get the most satisfied. Be lively, be optimistic, try not to sound droll or repetitive, even if the questions or answers you’re giving are repetitive. Remember that telemarketer and how many phone calls she makes: if she can do that quantity of calls and still sound chipper, couldn’t you make one conversation with your client of the utmost quality?

Don’t fake it; you may want to soon after you get the hang of it, but people can tell; in person or on the phone. You probably don’t have to sit in front of the mirror and practice, just keep it in mind. People want to be noticed and appreciated, satisfying these desires take you straight to their good side. You have to admit, an animated personality can usually get the most and the best out of people; people you want to connect with.

Listening counts, this is a conversation after all. You’ve got two ears and one mouth for a reason. Be attentive and remember what’s important to them, feel free to take notes if you are in a distance medium; it couldn’t hurt. Let them talk and issue their concerns; it’s a two way road. If you’re in-person, body language can be another way to communicate, and the only way to communicate while they’re talking. Keep good eye-contact, try not to cross your arms or look bored too much, leave yourself with a posture that gives the impression that you’re open and willing to communicate. Remember, be professional, be prepared and realize this sort of thing does take effort but is well within your grasp, you’d be surprised what a smile and a “thank you” could do.