17 questions you'll be able to answer easily if you're an excellent communicator

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Whether you regularly speak in public and write online, or you mostly express yourself over email, being a good communicator is part of every single job description.

But how can you really know if it’s something you’re good at?

Here are 17 questions that can help you identify whether you’re awesome at communicating — or a bit rusty.

(And don’t worry if it’s the latter, there are simple ways to improve each of these skills.)

1. Do you have a message?

People are bombarded with information every day. Make sure you know what it is you want to communicate — this could be as broad as your brand or as specific as the main point in one email. (And remember, if you can’t boil your message down in a sentence, chances are, it’s not clear.)

2. Do you use stories?

Stories are a great way to connect with people on an emotional level—and they make you more memorable. Try and find a story that reinforces your message.

3. Do you use numbers?

If telling a story doesn’t seem quite right, consider using data. It’s a powerful way to reinforce your message or argument. And think about different ways to make those statistics stick in the minds of the people you’re speaking to.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider