I have known this all my life but only now has it started to take its toll on me. I need to improve my speech to make an impact, whenever I tell stories or say something I realise that it falls on a lot of deaf ears and its really starting to make me depressed. I wanna be that guy that everyone wants to talk to, I feel like something might be holding me back subconsciously when I speak.

I really need help guys, not just for girls but for my social and business life. I talk to a number of people everyday because of my profession so I can practice on these guys. Can anyone suggest any material or have any tips on how to make my conversational skills more powerful. Please don't say 'be yourself' because I am myself and its getting me no where.

Thanks

quick tips would be deep confident voice
LOUD
be enthusiastic... people hear your tone rather than the content most of the time
use hand gestures
vary your tone (no boring monotone)
look every person in your audience in the eye (keep glancing around at everyone)
keep it short & sweet (nobody likes waffle)
gently tap people on the arm when making a point or you feel they're going asleep
timing of starting to speak is important but hard to describe how to...

and most importantly... make sure what you're saying is interesting!

hth

_________________
If its got tits or wheels, it will give you nothing but trouble

Tips for a great speaker:

1)Make your voice loud, speak from your diaphragm. But don't scream.

2)Speak slowly, with.. certain.. pauses in between... the words.

3)Be enthusiastic about what you saying, say it as if it's the cooler thing on the world.

4)Make good eye-contact, it helps draw the people into your speech.

5)Leave people hanging on your words. Be hypnotic, draw them.

The above are great tips! here are a few more:

For some solo practice:
1. a small recorder to put in your breast pocket. A smart phone may do.
2. write out a few stories as a novelist. Read them out loud into the recorder.
3. browse some of your favorite comics and tell some of their jokes into the recorder.
4. "Emotion comes from motion". Gesture and move around when you speak.

Review your recordings - they will tell you much and more about what you are doing great already and areas that need improvement.

Al

Thanks guys I really appreciate your help. I'm gonna test out everything you guys have written and hopefully see some good results