How to Feel Confident on Camera

On the Driven Female Entrepreneurs Podcast recently,  I (Melitta) spoke with serial entrepreneur, journalist and course creator Lucy Griffths, about her best advice for those wanting to feel more confident on camera.

 

For 20 years, Lucy worked as a journalist often working in areas of conflict. But when she became pregnant, she was clear that she didn’t want to continue in that line of work, so looked for alternatives. She started an Air B’n’B business, but wanted more. Having gained a Masters Degree in Coaching, while covering the conflict in Iraq, Lucy decided to combine this skill with her on-screen and journalism experience to help women gain the confidence to become more visible, and share their voice through video.

 

Listen to this episode to learn more about Lucy’s fascinating business journey, and her insights and advice for those looking to share their story, message and knowledge with others.

 

“It’s so important to share your message and put yourself out there. If you don’t, it’s much harder to sell, build a connection and build an audience.” Lucy Griffiths.

 

Episode available on all your favourite podcast platforms and here: www.melittacampbell.com/lucy-griffiths

By | December 15th, 2020|Guest posts, Other resources, Professional development|0 Comments

Survival Skills for Freelancers

On the Driven Female Entrepreneurs Podcast recently,  I (Melitta) spoke with Marketing Copywriter and author of ‘Survival Skills for Freelancers’, Sarah Townsend, about how she has built her business and learned how to survive as a solopreneur.

Starting her own business was never part of Sarah’s grand plan, but when her daughter came along and working full-time as a marketing account manager was no longer possible, so her boss encouraged her to explore freelance work. It felt like the perfect move so she took the leap…but establishing herself as a new Mum and a freelancer at the same time was not all unicorns and rainbows!¨

However, over the next decade, Sarah learned (often the hard way), just what it takes to survive as a freelancer, and how to take control of her business and processes to get the best results for her clients and create a sustainable business in the process.

Listen to this episode to learn more about Sarah’s journey to date, and her fantastic advice for freelancers on how to thrive in their new role and build a business their own way.

Episode available on all your favourite podcast platforms and here: www.melittacampbell.com/sarah-townsend

By | November 25th, 2020|Other resources, Professional development|0 Comments

New guide: five steps to better email

Our March lunchtime speaker, Michael Gentle on business writing, has just published a new free guide “Five steps to better email – how to write emails that people will actually read”. You can download the guide here>>.

By | April 16th, 2018|News, Other resources|0 Comments

How to sound natural when reading a speech – guest post by Claire Doole

One of the best ways to project confidence when speaking in public is to follow a technique mastered by some of the great public speakers – Ronald Reagan, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill.

They all managed to read a speech, sounding conversational and unscripted, using a technique known as “See-Stop-Say“.

First of all print your text in large font with double spacing. Make sure that the sentences are short – ideally not more than 10 words so that your eye can absorb them easily. You may want to put key words in bold, as this will help you with emphasis and rhythm.

Practice speaking in the following way:

  • See – see each phrase and “record” a picture of it with your eyes. Instead of reading the whole section, let your eye “record” only the phrase or part of the phrase that you can commit to memory.
  • Stop – look up from the page and pause.
  • Say – say the phrase out loud from visual memory. Pause again before looking down to memorise the next phrase.

Pausing is the key to this skill. Pauses

  • Help you remember the phrase
  • Allow the audience time to digest your ideas
  • Punctuate your sentences
  • Build anticipation.

The great American jazz musician, Miles Davis, once said, “in music, silence is more important than sound”. 

This applies to public speaking too. Pausing is your best way of sounding authoritative. It automatically gives you “gravitas”. And, if you have a key phrase or message, pause before and after it for increased impact.

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

When I am preparing managers, executives, and CEOs to deliver keynote speeches, they are always amazed when I tell them that professional speakers, journalists, and moderators, always practice their first 20 seconds. It is the moment when you are most nervous so it calms the nerves if you know what you are going to say.

If you watch TV journalists before they go live, you will see that they are walking to and fro (movement aids recall) preparing their first answer.

It is always important to practice reading out loud your statement or speech so you become familiar with it. If you can remember the first 20 seconds that will also help as you can keep eye contact with the audience before you follow the “see-stop-say” model.

If you are delivering your remarks on stage, choose five spots in the room, which form the shape of a W – practice making your points to each spot. This will ensure that you include everyone in the room – even those on the sides who are easily ignored.

If you are reading your statement seated, like the diplomatic delegations at the UN, then you need to look up and straight ahead. The UNTV cameras will focus on you and the journalists, who receive the video footage, will be delighted as they will have a wealth of clips to choose from as you deliver your statement with impact.

Read the full post and more on Claire’s Blog>>

 

By | March 20th, 2017|Guest posts, Other resources|0 Comments

Global Geneva: A ‘local’ magazine with world-wide outreach

A new magazine has been launched – “Global Geneva” – aiming to be  a ‘local’ magazine for a world-wide readership exploring what international Geneva represents.

You can support the magazine by becoming a member – and help them reach their initial target of 5000 members! Join now>>

By | January 6th, 2017|Other resources|0 Comments

Please give us feedback on our new website

Geneva Communicators Network new website usability survey

Our site has recently been redesigned to improve its features and contents. We would like to get feedback on your experience as users so that we can improve it further. So we kindly ask you to take 5 minutes of your time to fill out this short survey. Feel free to add your comments and suggestions, we will take them into account for the future development of the site.

Thank you very much for your help!

 

By | July 6th, 2016|Other resources|0 Comments

New Board Game helps improve your Communication Skills

John Zimmer, our local public speaking expert, has designed and produced a fun new board game designed to help improve one of the most important and sought-after communication skills: public speaking.

Designed for 4 to 8 players, RHETORIC will challenge, engage and entertain you with a series of public speaking tasks. You and your fellow players will step onto the stage and take turns delivering a series of short speeches, as determined by the squares on which you land.

To learn more about the game visit: http://rhetoricgame.com

Order quick if you want it in time for Christmas!

By | December 19th, 2015|Other resources|0 Comments

Swiss cities become more expensive for expats

A short article from World Radio Switzerland on the cost of living in Swiss cities for expats.

The most expensive cities in the world for expats are mainly in Switzerland or Asia – although the Angolan capital Luanda remains at the top for the third year running. The annual survey by the consulting company Mercer is followed by governments and businesses on choosing where to live. If they want to save money, then Switzerland should be avoided. This small country has three cities in the top 10, Zurich is third, Geneva fifth and Bern ninth. The main reason is the climb of the franc against the euro. But Chinese cities are also becoming more expensive. Mercer say that’s due to a strengthening currency and high cost of consumer goods that are popular with expats. The cheapest city is Karachi in Pakistan.

Read the article and comments on WRS>>

By | June 17th, 2015|Other resources|0 Comments

Global Fund new online platform launched today

The Global Fund partnership has launched an online platform to involve a broad spectrum of participants from government, civil society, people affected by the diseases, multilaterals, private sector and other interested parties to collectively shape the future of the partnership through contributing to the making of the new strategy.

The e-Forum 2015 will invite participants to discuss and share their thinking on diverse thematic areas that the Global Fund works in while highlighting how the partnership should prepare itself for changing dynamics in global health. The e-Forum will be a multilingual platform and will be hosted on the website www.theglobalfund-eforum.org/consultation .

 

By | April 22nd, 2015|Other resources|0 Comments

State of the Internal Communications Sector Report 2015

The latest State of the Sector report has just been published, providing an industry-wide census on the challenges internal communicators are facing – and where their focus will be over the coming months.

Now in its sixth year, ‘State of the Sector’ investigates core processes and practices, including channel use, and explores the impact of new and emerging technologies like Enterprise Social Networks and apps. This year’s report also includes 10 recommendations for those in the profession.

Download the report >

By | January 20th, 2015|Other resources|0 Comments