How to sound confident when leaving a telephone message

[AwayInAMangle]

I'm a mature, intelligent person who works in a people facing role. I often need to leave telephone messages for people (who I'm seekiing work from) and invariably end up sounding waffly and dim, which is not how I am in person.

How do I sound confident and intelligent when leaving a short message?

[ApocalypseNowt]

Stand up! It automatically makes you sound more assertive.

Also make a note of bullet points of what you want to say and stick to it.

[Jan45]

I have the same problem! I can speak to anyone, even a room full of folks but when it comes to the telephone I am useless, get all tongue tied and sound like I don't know what I am talking about, I still can't get over it and I'm late 40s. I do everything I can except use the phone.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

1. Put phone down when answerphone kicks in
2. Write message on notepad
3. Call back and read message in confident tones.

[CeliaFate]

Say it in your head before you make the call. If it's an answer machine say, "Hi, this is AwayInAMangle from Mumsnet calling abc about xyz. Please call me back on this number. Thanks."
If not say, ""Hi, this is AwayInAMangle from Mumsnet. Can I speak to abc about xyz please."
Take your time, I agree with standing up too.
More tips [http://socialanxietydisorder.about.com/od/copingwithsad/a/copephonephobia.htm here]

[CeliaFate]

here!

[Axiom8]

Try holding the phone in your non-dominant hand or the one you wouldn't normally use. I have found that helps

[yorkierocks123]

yes stand up and write down what you want to say.

There is a ted talk I think about how body language can influence your confidence and visa versa very interesting and whilst you might feel like an idiot doing what it says it could lead you to feel more self confident - try and google it rubbish at links.

[Joysmum]

When it's anything work related, you're an actor playing a part.

Before I stopped working, one of my jobs was in quirky and compliance, that's dealing with complaints to you and me.

I was good at my job which was investigating what had happened, ensuring staff understood how to perform better in future if necessary and then smoothing things overs with the customer.

In my private life, I hate using the phone, even if it's for something as simple as a restaurant booking! At work, I'm playing the part.