Summer of Success Series: Speak with Impact - Master Clear, Concise, and Compelling Communication w/ Kerri Kazarba Schneider

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Kerri Kazarba Schneider, a former broadcast journalist and current communication coach who shares her expert tips on becoming a more effective communicator. She covers strategies for being clear, concise, and compelling in your speaking and practical tools to improve vocal delivery and reduce filler words. She further shares valuable insights on improving public speaking, presenting on camera, and making intentional career pivots. 

Are you seeking practical tips for enhancing your verbal and visual communication skills, whether for virtual meetings, media appearances, or everyday conversations? Join the conversation now!

Timestamps:

[01:33] Kerri’s background

[08:03] The three key elements of effective communication

[11:31] The "headline" approach to being clear and focused

[12:12] The power of the pause and reducing filler words

[14:05] Conveying credibility through vocal delivery and body language

[17:56] Avoiding minimizing phrases to sound more authoritative

[19:54] Practical tools for improving speech patterns and reducing filler words

[23:00]  The value of the "Art of the Pregnant Pause"

[24:08] The positive influence of an academically focused upbringing

[25:26] Benefits of improving one's visual presence on camera during Zoom calls 

[29:21] The challenge of maintaining virtual eye contact and a practical solution

[31:02] Importance of choosing the right clothing for on-camera appearances

[36:14] Benefits  of pursuing a career you're passionate about

[41:32] Benefits of embracing fear and taking risks to achieve personal growth

Quotes:

• Start with your headline and your main point. And when you're thinking about being more concise with people, I think sometimes we want to say everything we know about a topic we might want to. We might be talking to our boss, and we wanna make sure they know we know what we're talking about.
• If you are interested and you express that interest with your voice, body language, and words, other people will also be interested in what you're talking about.
• Try to reduce the number that you use. And pausing is the best way to do that. Learn to pause instead of say, uh. That exactly goes back to what you said about being comfortable with silence. Just that moment.
• 97% of the impression you make on other people is based on what you think or say or how you say it. What do you think? 
• When speaking to individuals and making eye contact, the problem is that virtually making eye contact with you means I'm not looking at my camera, versus now I'm looking at my camera.

Resources:

Yoodli: https://yoodli.ai/

Connect with Kerri Kazarba Schneider on:

Website: reelmediapr.com 

Media Training Insider newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-media-training-insider-7126326828205522945/

Real Media PR: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reel