How Do You Assertively Communicate in PR Meetings and Presentations?
Assertive communication is key in PR meetings and presentations, and to gain insights on mastering this skill, we’ve gathered seven expert opinions. Featuring advice from PR consultants to founders, our contributors highlight strategies from motivating teams with competitive insights to speaking confidently with concrete examples. Dive into the wisdom shared by seasoned professionals on how to effectively convey your message and command the room.
- Motivate Teams with Competitive Insights
- Build Confidence Through Preparation
- Balance Confidence with Respect
- Set the Tone and Direct the Flow
- Project Confidence with Empathy
- Enhance Impact with Non-Verbal Cues
- Speak Confidently with Concrete Examples
Motivate Teams with Competitive Insights
The death of PR meetings is the simple focus on reporting past performance indicators when this can be an email report. A meeting should always be used to motivate the team to drive performance and be open to a little experimentation. My pro tip for assertive communication is to aim to create an urge to go for the new ideas.
Preparation is key, and a great way to grab your audience’s attention is to prepare what the competition is up to—presenting use cases and success stories from competing companies’ campaigns is sure to get you open ears and maybe even a little fear of missing out. This will give you the focus you need to workshop strategies and even bold ideas for the future, rather than getting bogged down in reporting.
Melanie Marten
PR Consultant, The Coup
Build Confidence Through Preparation
One’s self-confidence improves the effectiveness of assertive communication during public relations (PR) meetings. However, this self-confidence must be built. It starts with thorough preparation; study the materials for discussion inside out. That way, you can confidently discuss and support your points. Next, work on your delivery by practicing beforehand. Mastery of the meeting material increases the comfort level, and it makes it easier to present ideas most authoritatively and clearly.
Another critical aspect is engaging with your audience; make eye contact, listen actively, and invite interaction to create a dialogue rather than a monologue. This keeps the audience’s interest in the presentation, reinforces your presence, and helps you assert better control of the room. It’s also imperative to observe specific body language when talking. Confident posture, open gestures, and the hold of gaze while speaking in a calm and slightly modulated voice will help convey confidence and command attention.
These non-verbal communication cues are invaluable supplements to the verbal message and greatly assist in holding the audience’s attention. Remember, adequate preparation, confident delivery, and active listening can help you become a better, more persuasive speaker during PR meetings.
Brandon Schroth
Founder, Reporter Outreach
Balance Confidence with Respect
Assertive communication in PR meetings comes down to being confident in what you’re saying while staying open to feedback. I prepare thoroughly to present my ideas clearly and support them with data or experience. During discussions, I speak up when needed, using direct language like “I believe” or “In my experience” to assert my position without sounding harsh. I calmly explain my reasoning and stay on track without getting defensive if there’s pushback.
The key is balancing confidence with respect for others’ input. By staying composed and well-prepared, you’ll communicate assertively and maintain a positive atmosphere in PR meetings.
Shane McEvoy
MD, Flycast Media
Set the Tone and Direct the Flow
To own the PR meeting, start with a strong opening. Introduce the agenda with confidence, tell them what you’ll cover and why. This sets the tone for the meeting and positions you from the get-go. Use assertive language throughout—no passive phrases—direct statements that get your point across. This way, everyone will hear and respect you.
Another part of being assertive is managing time and conversation flow. If the conversation goes off track, assertively bring it back by saying, “Let’s get back to the main point,” which keeps the momentum and keeps the meeting on track. And don’t be afraid to interrupt if needed to steer the conversation in the right direction, so the meeting stays productive and on purpose.
Assertive communication means addressing challenges or objections confidently. When faced with pushback, acknowledge the opposing view, then restate your position with facts. This shows you are open to conversation but not budging. By being assertive and respectful, you can navigate PR meetings and get your ideas heard and considered.
Mark McShane
Founder, Cupid PR
Project Confidence with Empathy
In my experience, the key to assertively communicating in high-pressure meetings and presentations is preparation, confidence in your content, and direct yet empathetic delivery. Do your homework, and know the facts and your position inside out. Believe in what you’re saying. Then, look people in the eye, and speak clearly and with conviction about the key messages you want to convey.
Acknowledge counterarguments but reframe them. Stay composed. Project confidence in your body language. Most importantly, put yourself in the audience’s shoes—understand their perspectives and address their concerns. A well-prepared, authentic, and audience-focused communication style is the most effective way to assertively drive your message home.
For example, in a tense meeting with community groups opposing a new corporate initiative, I began by validating their concerns about the impact of change. I then walked through the key benefits of the proposal, backed by data and examples. I maintained eye contact, spoke slowly and deliberately, and acknowledged the remaining concerns, which we agreed to address. My confidence in the content and willingness to understand all sides defused hostility and built trust, allowing for a constructive discussion. The assertive yet empathetic approach carried the day.
Gauri Manglik
CEO and Co-Founder, Instrumentl
Enhance Impact with Non-Verbal Cues
Assertive communication in PR meetings and presentations hinges significantly on non-verbal cues. Maintaining good posture, establishing eye contact, and using purposeful gestures can dramatically enhance the impact of your spoken words.
These non-verbal signals not only project confidence but also build credibility, making your message resonate more effectively with your audience. By aligning your physical presence with your verbal content, you effectively reinforce your communication, ensuring your points are delivered with clarity and authority.
Matias Rodsevich
Founder & CEO, PRLab
Speak Confidently with Concrete Examples
As for me, my top tip for assertive communication in PR meetings and presentations is to prepare thoroughly and speak with confidence. In our law firm, when we discuss our medical malpractice cases with the media or potential clients, I make sure to have all the facts at my fingertips. I practice my delivery beforehand, focusing on clear, concise language that avoids legal jargon.
During the presentation, I maintain eye contact and use a firm, steady tone of voice. I also find it effective to use concrete examples from our cases to illustrate points, as this adds credibility to our message. For instance, I might share a brief story about how we helped a client navigate the complex legal process to obtain justice after a medical error.
I’m not afraid to respectfully disagree if someone misunderstands our position, always backing up my statements with facts. When answering questions, I take a moment to collect my thoughts before responding, ensuring my answers are thoughtful and on-point.
And so, whether you’re speaking about legal matters or any other topic, being well-prepared and confident in your delivery can help you communicate assertively and effectively, ultimately supporting your goal of advocating for your cause or clients.
Dioselvi Lora
Certified Paralegal, Freedland Harwin Valori Gander (FHVG)
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “How do you assertively communicate in PR meetings and presentations?”