Professional communication skills are essential for sales positions because whether you’re addressing a roomful of people or a single client, the way you express yourself will have a significant impact on how you’re perceived. In this video, I share a few tips for effective public speaking in order to help you be seen as the expert you are. The first thing is to look professional. If you’re speaking to a room of bankers, you’ll want to wear a suit and tie and be dressed in conservative colors. However, for a technology conference, you may be just fine in a nice t-shirt, jacket, and jeans. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Another element is your personal brand. If you have something that’s important to your identity, you should develop that into a signature look. However, only do this once you’ve become an established name in your industry.  The other crucial component to professional communication skills is, of course, the speech itself. Your word choice plays a big role in effective public speaking. Keep in mind that you’re not just representing yourself; you’re also representing the person who got you in front of the room. Make sure your vocabulary is appropriate. You should also make sure that your language reflects the geographic area where you’re presenting. This holds true as much for domestic events as it does for international ones. And finally, it’s important to be familiar with the industry jargon. You don’t have to include those kinds of words in your speech, but if the audience asks you questions, you’ll need to be able to respond using their language in order to maintain your credibility. By keeping in mind these tips for effective public speaking, you can improve your professional communication skills and make your presentations the best that they can be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices