How to Make People Listen to You

There are times when you feel like no one is listening to you. For instance, you may come up with a great idea or make an insightful comment and no one around react. Then someone else says the same thing and people react effusively. If this happens, there are methods to change the outcome the next time you have a good idea and want to make other people listen to you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Select your verbal communication carefully. Sometimes just a few changes of words in a sentence will make others take heed. Use words that you know will draw the attention of others in your group. For instance, if you know the people are sports fans, start your sentence with a sport analogy.
2. Get the attention of the audience before you speak. Sometimes people just start talking while others are engaged in their own conversations. You may want to wait for a break in the conversation for a good time to interrupt, because if you interrupt others they may be less likely to listen to you. To get their attention, clear your throat or say something like "Excuse me but I have something important to say."
3. Enunciate your words clearly. If you mumble or stammer, other people are more liable to tune you out. Speak clearly and confidently when talking to others and they are more apt to listen.
4. Use confident body language when you speak. If you keep your head down and move around a lot, it will send a signal to your audience that you are not sure of what you are saying. Keep your shoulders back and movement to a minimum. You do not want to be totally still, however, when speaking. Strike a good balance of confident posture and limited but engaging movement when you speak.
5. Maintain good eye contact with the people you are speaking to. Don't look over their shoulders or around the room when you talk. Look your audience in the eye but do not stare--break good eye contact after few seconds with each member of the audience.
6. Employ proper voice inflection when you talk. A monotone voice that has no inflection will bore a person and their mind will wander. Let your voice rise and fall at the proper moments when you speak.