If you give a great speech, but nobody can hear you, does it really count?
Before your message can transform your audience, the sound of your voice must be heard by your audience. It sounds really simple, but I’m shocked by how often I have to strain to hear a presenter.
In this article, we examine strategies for being heard and varying speech volume to improve your effectiveness.
A long-time reader asks:
What’s the average speaking rate? Is it better to speak faster or is is better to speak slower?
In this article, we answer these questions and look at the factors which influence your speaking rate, a critical component of your delivery.
Does your voice convey confidence and conviction every time you speak?
Or does your voice need strength training?
A Six Minutes reader whose career depends on a strong, confident voice sent in this question:
“One thing I need help in is voice control. For some reason my voice quivers. Is there some kind of exercise that may strengthen my vocal cords? Any ideas what may contribute to that?
Also, as a Realtor, I encounter the quivery voice as I’m talking with my clients and it conveys an impression of not being sure of what I’m saying.”
I was listening to a young speaker conducting a microphone check for a presentation before a large meeting.
People at the back of the room kept saying, “Project!” and “Louder, please.” We were already having trouble hearing the speaker, even before the room was full of people, but their approach wasn’t working.
Frankly, I wasn’t surprised. Just telling someone to yell doesn’t solve the problem of projection. Similarly, just speaking louder doesn’t create a powerful voice.
Everyone breathes. It’s one of the most natural things we do.
However, if you ask singers to name the most important part of vocal technique, 9 out of 10 will say “breathing.”
So, is there some special way to breathe that makes your voice better? Yes!
In this article, we explore breathing as it relates to vocal variety as a speaker. I’ll provide you an easy to follow technique, as well as tips to improve your voice through better use of air.
The results of applying these tips will be more Power, better Pacing, more interesting Pitch and more effective Pauses in your speaking.
| Subscribe via Email |  |
| Subscribe via RSS |  |
| Follow Six Minutes |
|
Six Minutes Copyright © 2007-2019 All Rights Reserved.
Read our permissions policy, privacy policy, or disclosure policy.
Comments? Questions? Contact us.
