The phone is still one of the best communication tools out there.  Don’t get me wrong, email, social media and messaging services like WhatsApp are great tools but you cannot beat actually speaking to someone.  Messaging via text doesn’t enable you to show expression easily , it doesn’t allow you to hear how your message is being received and finally it doesn’t let you actually have a flowing conversation.  Using the phone does. 

However, a lot of people are nervous of the utilising phone.  They have become conditioned in using email as their primary communication tool – when in fact it really is just a mindset thing that needs to be overcome.

However, there are things you need to be aware of.  Your mood and your body language come across on the phone. You may not realise it but they do. If you are locked away in a room and your voice is flat, people can hear it or sense it.

If you are aware of it, try these tips:

1) Sit up straight – it helps with the focus, gives your lungs space to breathe and prevents you mumbling. it also helps you project your voice

2) Smile as you talk – it comes across in your voice and makes it easier for the other person to engage with you. After all, would you want to talk to someone who sounds miserable, or would you prefer to talk to someone who sounds happy.

3) Get up and walk around – this is a personal one for me, it helps me focus on the conversation and removes distractions like emails popping onto the screen.

4) Dress like you would to visit a client – this helps your frame of mind, you’re automatically in work mode. I am so much more efficient if I am in work clothes than if I am in jogging bottoms and an old tee shirt.

5) Engage in some social chat – people connect with people they build rapport with. Talk about the weather/music/sport/films etc.

6) HAVE A PURPOSE TO THE CONVERSATION – probably the most important thing. Everything you do should have an outcome, making calls is no different. Whether that is to arrange a meeting, provide some information, close a deal etc. it doesn’t matter but having an objective makes the call worthwhile.

If you apply some or all of these tips, you’ll have more success on the phone and as a consequence you’ll feel more comfortable.