Communication Skills You'll Need as a Small Business Owner

Being a business owner is more than just managing your business every day; it’s about connecting with your customers, your staff, potential vendors, the media, and anyone else who might be interested in your business. Regardless if you own your own coffee shop or if you sell goods online, as a small business owner, communication will become one of your greatest skills. Great communication skills can go a long way in dealing and interacting with others, showing them your professionalism, charm, humor, and leadership abilities. When your customers think about you and your business, they’ll remember the impact you’ve made on them through these skills. Whether you’re having trouble talking to others, or if you want to understand some of the qualities small business owners need, here are some tips on how to become a great communicator.

Different Types of Communication

Before we dive into improving your communication skills, let’s first understand the different types of communication you’ll need to understand as a small business owner.

Verbal Communication

When most of us think about communicating with others, we’re probably only thinking about verbal communication. Verbal communication is when we physically “speak” to others. We use our words to express ourselves, our feelings, and our thoughts. This includes everything from talking to friends and family to giving a presentation in front of your peers. Great verbal communication skills allow us to show our confidence about our business, making our customers feel reassured that they’re in the right hands.

Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication includes all of the “little” parts about interacting with someone, such as the use of gestures, tone, expressions, body position, and other parts of body language that we experience on a daily basis. Why is nonverbal communication so important? Whenever we talk to others, we’re focused on both the words they say and how they say them. Body language helps people send emotions or feelings to others. Depending on how you sound and act, you can put others at ease, draw them to you, and build trust.

Written Communication

Written communication essentially includes any message that you exchange with someone else. These messages can include emails, texts, or direct messages from your social media. One great thing about written communication is that you don’t have to worry about mispronouncing a word or forgetting your train of thought (because you’re writing down what you want to say). You can easily get your message across without having to worry about body language expressions such as tone and expressions. However, one important note to keep in mind is to maintain your professionalism. Although it’s easier to get your message across, it’s also easy for your customers to see casual tones. You represent your business, so make sure to maintain your brand in every way you can.

Visual Communication

Last, but not least, is visual communication. This type of communication style encompasses all things “visual,” including your logo, graphic designs, videos, photos, illustrations, and more. When you think of your visual communication, think of the message you’re trying to get across using platforms like social media or your website. What kind of impression do you want to make when potential clients see your posts on Instagram and TikTok? What information do you want to share? Are my photos and videos high-quality and visually appealing? These are some useful questions to ask yourself as you better understand visual communication.

Tips to Improve Your Communication Skills

Now that we’ve gone over the four types of communication styles, let’s discuss some tips that can help you become a better communicator.

Listening for Meaning

Your customers aren’t always going to say exactly what they mean. As the business owner, it’s your job to understand what they want and to give that to them. This is where your nonverbal communication skills will come in. Pay attention to their tone, body language, gestures, and facial expressions as you talk to them. What are they paying more attention to? What are some worries they might be having? What are they most excited about? Understanding what your customers want isn’t going to be as simple as hearing the words, “I want this,” or “I don’t want that.” Sometimes it’s about watching out for a laugh or a frown. Understanding how to accommodate your customers’ likes and dislikes helps them leave your business feeling satisfied and taken care of.

Clarity

No one likes being confused, especially your customers. Your clients will most likely reach out to your business with their questions in order. They know what they want, and now it’s your job to both deliver something that exceeds their expectations and to answer any questions they might have. If your clients are confused about a certain policy, it’s your job to explain it to them in a clear and concise way. When you think of clarity as a business owner, think “blunt and professional.” Your customers can tell if you're beating around the bush, and they might think you’re trying to pull something under them by not fully answering their questions. Even if the answer might not be something they want to hear, tell it to them. It’s better for both you and your customer by honestly answering any questions they might have.

Adaptability

People are unique. Not one of your clients will have the exact same communication style as the other. One of your customers might be giddy and funny, while another one could be serious and unemotional. It’s your job as the business owner to accommodate all of them. Being adaptable is a great skill to have, not just in conversations, but in any situation that you’re unfamiliar with. Being adaptable with others means understanding how they want to interact with you, and adhering to their wants. If one of your clients prefers to talk less, then don’t force them to make small-talk with you. If another one of your customers wants to tell you all about their day, then it’s best to engage with them. Understanding how to become a great communicator isn’t all about understanding how to talk; it’s about understanding how others wish to talk to you.

Empathy

Empathy is a useful skill for almost everyone, but especially for small business owners. It allows for an actual connection between two people. You don’t necessarily have to be friends with your clients, but understanding and showing empathy allows them to see you as more than just an “owner.” The interactions you’ll have won’t just be business transactions, but a connection of people. It lets your customers see that you care about them, and it will help them feel important and seen

Understanding Tone

Great leaders demonstrate their wisdom and knowledge by choosing the right tone for their messages. When figuring out your professional tone, it’s best to stay away from too much positivity and negativity. Getting carried away by optimism can give off a casual or non-serious message, while being too negative can push others away. Your tone should demonstrate your confidence, friendliness, and professionalism. One great way to understand and practice your tone could be to record yourself giving a pitch to a potential customer. Watch out for your inflections, slow down if you’re speaking too fast, and remember practice makes perfect.

For a lot of us, communication can be intimidating. Public speaking, introductions, giving pitches, making phone calls -- these aspects of being a small business owner might be overwhelming for those of us who prefer to stay in the background. But one of the great advantages of starting your own business actually comes from embracing and overcoming our fears. Most of us aren’t born with the ability to perfectly communicate with others; we need to nourish this skill. Practice makes perfect. Take your time, persevere when things get tough, and remember why you’re starting your own business in the first place. Face your fears, and you’ll see yourself becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.

If you want to read more about Barbie’s journey as a small business owner, check out the rest of her page at barbiepatel.com. Or if you want to learn about her bridal services, visit her website at cinderellabridez.com!