Archive for the ‘Voice’ Category

Conserve Your Voice

Friday, November 16th, 2007

There may be times in your career when you have to do a lot more public speaking than you are used to. Perhaps you are doing a road show around the country preparing for an initial public offering. Or maybe you have to explain a new initiative to workers at 40 plants around the world.

If you are speaking to a large group, say 500 people or more at a time, you can count on someone providing you with a microphone and speakers, so that you can be heard without yelling. If you are talking to only one or two people at a time, no amplification is needed; you can use your normal speaking voice.

Self-Talk Your Way to Self-Destruction

Monday, October 8th, 2007

When I am out on the golf course, I ignore the sand trap and I focus on the pin. I visualize hitting a hole in one. I relax. I breathe deeply. I “see” my success before it happens.

The result?

I slice the ball into the woods. Next, I hook the ball into the parking lot. The positive, feel-good stuff does not work for me on the golf course.

Next, I go to the basketball court to the half court line. I visualize sinking a net shot. I aim, I shoot and – whooof. Nothing but air. I miss everything.

Adjust Your Volume In Your Microphone, Not Your Voice Box

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007

Lots of people are comfortable speakers when they are in front of an audience of 20-30 people. Most moderately experienced speakers feel relatively relaxed in situations like this. The speaker seems comfortable to the audience, because he or she is speaking in a normal, conversational tone of voice. Nothing sounds strained, phony or contrived.

Are You A Mumbler?

Monday, August 6th, 2007

Let’s face it, we all mumble from time to time. Either we don’t want our spouse or boss to hear us because we are afraid of their response or because we are uncertain of what we are saying. (And sometimes we are just being lazy)

But mumbling is unattractive under any circumstance, and it impedes the communications process.

Do your “ing’s” always lose their “g’s?”

Does your “yes” turn into “ya?”

Don’t Spit On Your Audience

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

Its sounds obvious. It may sound a little gross. But it has to be said: make sure you don’t literally spit on your audience when delivering a presentation?

How could this happen? After all, few speakers care to show obvious contempt for their audiences.

Well, I was spat upon at no lesser a venue than a seminar at the National Speakers Association. The speaker was a wildly successful speaker/consultant who routinely spoke to business groups all over the world.

Louder and Softer Speaking During Presentations

Saturday, December 17th, 2005

One aspect of being an engaging speaker is being unpredictable, and that includes the volume of your voice. Boring speakers speak at the same volume for their entire speech (they also speak at the same speed and level of intensity.) This is why boring speakers put people to sleep.