ÜberzeugenUncategorized / Monday, October 19, 2020
How to speak convincingly online: How to captivate with your voice in 7 easy steps
Danja
Whether it's a crucial client meeting, a team meeting, or a conference – in our increasingly virtual world, a strong online presence is a true career and success factor. But what makes an online presence strong? To a large extent, it's the voice, because that's what primarily reaches the digital audience. Benefit now from 7 voice tips that will help you get heard on the virtual stage.
Have you ever felt like you could listen to a particular voice for hours? Studies show that full-sounding voices in a mid-range pitch are perceived as pleasant, competent, and trustworthy. But how do we achieve such a comfortable voice?
A simple way to find it is by humming: Start with a higher note. Hum progressively lower notes until you reach the lowest note where humming still feels comfortable. That's your comfortable voice, and it's the one you should use most often – also because it's the gentlest way to speak on your voice.
Tip: Be aware of your comfortable voice as often as possible. Hum a pleasant "mmmhm" at every conceivable opportunity, and especially before your speech.
An upright posture is not only good for your back, but also for the sound of your voice. Your body is always a resonating chamber when you speak. Sit or stand upright when presenting online. This allows your voice to resonate and develop its full potential. Furthermore, it lends you dignity and presence.
For an upright posture, it's important that your computer or laptop is at eye level. A foldable, portable, and ergonomically adjustable desk stand is invaluable in this regard.
We breathe in and out approximately 20,000 times a day. Breathing is an innate reflex that begins immediately after birth. And although breathing seems like the most natural thing in the world, many people breathe inefficiently.
You might recognize this from when you're excited or startled, or when you're sprinting – you breathe into your chest. But for many people, this is their normal breathing pattern, and they don't get enough air. The result? A thin, shaky, strained, high-pitched voice. If we breathe into our abdomen instead, our voice becomes calmer.
How do you breathe into your abdomen? Stand upright and place your hands on your hips (in the area between your ribs and pelvis). Inhale and feel with your hands how the inhaled air pushes your sides outward. Now you're breathing correctly.
When presenting online, make sure you wear comfortable clothing. This helps you to achieve a pleasant-sounding, powerful voice through relaxed abdominal breathing.
Your voice is the calling card of your personality. It reveals a lot about your physical and mental state. Others perceive how you are feeling through the sound of your voice.
If you're stressed or sad, your listeners will hear and feel it in your voice.
How do you want to sound during your online presentation? Relaxed? Energetic? It's up to you!
Tip: Go outside into nature beforehand, sing, or dance. This will help you get into the desired inner and physical state. You'll feel good, and that will come across in your voice.
Do you tend to speak monotonously, too slowly, or much too quickly? Monotonous or slow speech is boring and tiring. Conversely, a consistently fast speaking pace reduces clarity. How can you improve? Captivate your audience with your vocal melody and intonation! Your presentation should sound like a rhythmic song. Add vibrancy to your presentation with the right use of emphasis, pace, volume, and pauses.
Even if you tend to speak monotonously, you can easily emphasize individual words or messages: For example, stress important terms by pronouncing them louder, or reduce your speaking pace at crucial points. Simple and less important narrative content can be presented at a faster pace.
Tip: Don't be afraid to pause! In online presentations, pauses are especially welcome for listeners with less stable internet connections. But even with perfect technology, pauses are valuable design elements, for example, when you want to bring something to a meaningful close. A pause deliberately placed while speaking feels like a pleasurable ocean of silence – and gives your listeners the opportunity to briefly reflect on what has been said.
Especially online, it's important to speak clearly and distinctly. Indistinct pronunciation is incredibly tiring for the listener. Therefore, ensure clear articulation and understandable pronunciation, for example with the cork exercise: Place a cork between your front teeth. Alternatively, you can use your thumb. Then speak aloud for two minutes. When you remove the cork or thumb, you will notice that your pronunciation has become clearer and more precise.
Want to stand out vocally during your online presentations? Then make sure you have excellent equipment. External microphones, such as USB microphones, headsets, or lavalier microphones, are easy to use and certainly better than a webcam microphone or a built-in computer microphone. For the highest flexibility and quality, use an XLR microphone and an audio interface.
These 7 voice tips for your online presence are the first steps to increasing your impact and success in the virtual world. Want to unlock even more of your vocal potential? Want your presentations to truly captivate your audience? Investing in individual training with a professional voice coach can amplify your success and make your presentations as powerful and moving as music.
These 7 voice tips for your online appearance are the first steps to increasing your impact and success in the virtual world. About Danja Bauer:
With 27 years of experience as a singer, presenter, and speaker on national and international stages, Danja Bauer is an expert in effective and captivating presentations. A multi-award-winning speaker, including at the 2020 Toastmasters International Public Speaking Competition, Danja Bauer helps executives and entrepreneurs become passionate public speakers. She shares her extensive knowledge through coaching, workshops, and keynote speeches.
Contact Danja Bauer at:
info@danjabauer.com
