What is the power of the pause? You’ve probably heard it before ensuring you use pause at the right times in your presentation can help strengthen your message.
So why is this? A colleague of mine was once telling me that she was enjoying getting back into music and was starting to play a few pieces on her piano again. As she was reacquainting herself with what all the symbols mean on a sheet of music she was reminded that a piece of music can sound completely different if you don’t include the pauses.
PAUSE IN SONG
Think about it. Think about some of your favourite songs and where the music pauses for even just a beat and what impact that has on the way you hear and feel the song. Now I may be giving away my age here (and my taste in music….). Have you ever heard Whitney Houston’s, ‘I will always love you’?
Do you remember that climatic part of the song where there is the big pause before a drum beat and then Whitney belting out, ‘And I….I…. I… will always love you…….’. You can hear it can’t you – were you singing it?? Imagine how different it would sound, how less dramatic it would be, how differently it would leave you feeling if the pause didn’t exist! Devastating!
PAUSE TO ENHANCE YOUR MESSAGE
Have you used pause to enhance your message during one of your presentations? Many speakers have trouble with pausing. You don’t want to be up there to begin with, so you rush through as quickly as possible. Our public speaking coaching clients learn that pausing effectively can help you stay in control of your presentation, can emphasize main points, and makes the talk much easier to listen to.
LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION
If you want to leave a lasting impression on your audience next time you present, take the time to think about where you might need a ‘dramatic’ pause. Or simply a pause to give your listeners time to really hear what you have said. Just like music, your presentation will sound and ‘feel’ completely different when you use pause effectively.
Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you start unlocking your potential so that you can become clear, confident and compelling in front of your audience:
- Join our IS Rehearsal Room and connect with other leaders and business professionals: It’s our fast growing Facebook Community where driven leaders and business professionals are leveling up their Presentation Skills – it’s FREE to join.
- Join us on the inside where you will gain access to our members portal Rehearsal Room. Here you will find invaluable body language and vocal techniques, as well as tips and tricks sure to help you increase your influence in your next presentation.
- Work with me and my team to immediately start elevating your presentation skills. If you’re sick of putting up with where you’re at now and want to make sure you’re ready to do it better next time, let us help you create and deliver a presentation you can be proud of. Apply here and we look forward to understanding more about you and your goals:
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