We’ve been contacted by a number of business owners struggling to move back to face-to-face networking and deliver great pitches. They’ve become reliant on reading their notes when meeting on-screen and feel this isn’t going to work in the room. (And they’re right!) Other clients are asking us to help them with social media video posts.

There are many ways to plan what you’re going to say and remember it, but HICCY is one we’ve found particularly helpful in both instances above.

Hook: Get them interested – Use statistics, a metaphor, a story, a prop

Introduction: Why should they listen to the topic, to you, why it’s important

Content: The body of your talk – the value you are providing

Call to Action: What should they do next – click, call, share …

You are? Remind them who you are again

If I was recording a short video about Partners With You I might say:

Hook: Did you know that 20% of business people would pretend to be busy rather than make a presentation at work? That means 1 in 5 of your workforce are choosing not to present your business when the opportunity arises!

Introduction : I’m Sally Hindmarch, from Partners With You and we work with the 20% of your staff who know what they’re doing but hate standing up and speaking out … whether on stage, across Zoom or for videos.

Content: What we do is simple and memorable. Let me show you what I mean … to look more confident, imagine you’re wearing a bolero jacket (like a bullfighter might wear). Now imagine someone’s come from behind and pulls it gently down, so your shoulders go back slightly. This opens your chest, making it easier to breathe and to look more alert too! We believe that it’s easier to change your physicality than your mind.

Call to Action: If you’re watching this on social media and would like more tips like this then visit our webpage: partnerswithyou.co.uk

You are? I’m Sally Hindmarch and I love to help you to stand up and speak out.

Simple!

Let me know if you use it yourself at questions@partnerswithyou.co.uk.

  • Sally Hindmarch is a communication skills specialist and runs Partners With You, a company that helps people improve the way they come across at work