How To Speak More Concisely (With 6 Steps You Can Follow)

Speaking concisely is a valuable skill for any professional. In a world that is becoming increasingly fast-paced and competitive, those who can communicate their ideas effectively and efficiently will have an edge over their peers. Effective communication requires the ability to speak in a way that is clear and concise, and that is understood by others. To do this, one must learn how to choose words carefully, and avoid using superfluous words or phrases. The goal is to get your message across without wasting anyone’s time. In this blog post, we will discuss how to speak more concisely in a professional setting. We will discuss strategies for reducing the amount of time it takes to communicate key points, and techniques for speaking in a manner that is clear, concise, and understandable. We will also cover how to avoid common mistakes that may lead to confusion or misinterpretation. By the end of this blog post, you will have a better understanding of how to become a more effective communicator, and will

1. Plan what you want to say. One of the best ways to ensure you speak concisely is to plan what you would like to say before you start speaking. …
2. Be mindful of over-explaining. …
3. Try to refrain from using filler words. …
4. Use a specific example. …
5. Consider your audience. …
6. Record yourself speaking.

Why is it important to speak concisely?

Speaking clearly can be important for a variety of reasons, especially in a professional setting. Because they can concentrate on the specific information they want to convey without adding information that might be confusing or distracting, people who can speak concisely also frequently speak clearly. Speaking succinctly can also help you use words that are appropriate and simple to pronounce, which can help you maintain credibility and aid your audiences in remembering the information you provide.

Speaking succinctly can be important for other reasons, including the promotion of a professional tone and the demonstration of respect for your coworkers’ time. For instance, someone who speaks succinctly may be able to share information quickly, whereas someone who struggles with speaking succinctly may take longer to express their ideas.

How to speak more concisely

The following suggestions can help you speak more succinctly:

1. Plan what you want to say

Planning your speech before you speak is one of the best ways to make sure you speak concisely. By giving you the opportunity to think about everything you might say while speaking, this can assist you in deciding which ideas are likely to be the most significant to share. Planning ahead can also assist you in identifying topics that might not be pertinent to all of your listeners, allowing you to decide which details to omit from your speech or conversation.

Create a concise outline of what you can discuss that only includes subjects that are directly related to the ideas you want to convey in order to prepare what you want to say. For instance, if you want to inform your coworkers about a schedule change, you can include details like the old and the new schedules. To be brief, you may choose to omit hypothetical information, such as whether a schedule might change again in the future or which employees will not be impacted by the change.

2. Be mindful of over-explaining

The act of providing too much information about a particular subject is referred to as over-explaining. While it is important to explain your points, you can speak more succinctly by making sure that you only do so when it is absolutely necessary for your audience to comprehend you. Otherwise, there is a risk of over-explaining, which could make a conversation last longer than it should.

For instance, if you’re giving a presentation about a project you completed, you might mention each of the steps you took in passing rather than going into detail because doing so might take too much time. However, you can provide clarifications for particular terminologies or ideas that the audience might not be familiar with. In these situations, it can be beneficial to use the most straightforward definitions to stay succinct and provide understandable definitions that audience members can access even if they are unfamiliar with the subject.

3. Try to refrain from using filler words

Filler words are pauses and utterances that speakers occasionally make when they’re considering the next detail to share. This can apply to the use of speech-interrupting words like “um,” “so,” and “like.” Avoiding filler words can help you speak more concisely as it will cut down on the time you spend speaking and the number of words you use. Taking into account potential filler words can also help you fill in those spaces with pertinent information or transitions to your subsequent ideas.

If you want to stop using filler words, for instance, try substituting each one with a pause and the phrase “Now we’re going to talk about the next topic.” “.

4. Use a specific example

When attempting to explain a concept or idea, using a specific example is yet another excellent method for speaking concisely. This is due to the fact that when attempting to explain something without using an example, it can occasionally lead to lengthy pauses, the use of filler words, or talking about subjects unrelated to your main point. However, planning out a specific example to use can help you explain something clearly and cut down on the amount of time you need to explain it.

Make sure the example you choose is concise and readily understandable for the entire audience.

5. Consider your audience

Thinking about who you’re speaking to can enable you to speak more succinctly by enabling you to determine which information they might find most valuable. This can assist you in concentrating on information that is pertinent to your audience and avoiding including details that they might not need. Consider your audience by identifying relevant details about their backgrounds, occupations, and areas of interest, then talking about information that relates to those specifics. For instance, if you’re speaking to the marketing team, keeping the conversation brief by omitting details that apply only to the sales team

6. Record yourself speaking

Practice speaking to yourself before speaking to an audience is one of the best ways to hone your public speaking abilities. By recording yourself talking about what you want to say aloud, you can practice speaking on your own. You can then play back the recording and pay attention to specifics like how long it takes you to speak and whether you speak too quickly or use unnecessary filler words. When you hear yourself speak, you can take note of the adjustments you can make to your delivery to make it more succinct.

Effective Communication Skills Training: Concise, Clear, Confident (Part 1 of 7) | Long-windedness

FAQ

How can I improve my brevity?

1. Map your message first.
2. Lead with a headline.
3. Trim away excess detail.

How can I be more clear when I talk?

1. Be relaxed and confident using relaxation exercises. You’ll find them in the voice spa course.
2. Use abdominal breathing for speech.
3. Speak with pauses instead of filler words.
4. Be concise.
5. Use warmth & kindness. …
6. Use a varied intonation pattern.
7. Use a full resonant voice.

Is being concise a skill?

The good news is that being succinct in speaking is a skill that can be developed. There are some easy techniques you can use to improve if you struggle with concision.

What is the first step towards being concise?

Convey the central idea first. Start your talk with the most important idea. Give your audience the key message you want to convey. This also helps your audience follow your line of thinking. Your most important point won’t get lost.