Tel: Fax: Address: Level 23,Citigroup Tower, 33 Hua Yuan Shi Qiao Rd, Shanghai

Transcription

1

2 Extract from CONNECT (2007) by Warwick John Fahy Chapter DELIVERING Sub Section Verbal Part I: Voice Energy

3 Part I: Voice Energy Action overcomes fear David Schwarz, author Thinking Big The voice. Your voice. It is the difference between a dry boring presentation and one full of energy, purpose and direction. Why do we still have face-to-face presentations in this world of , SKYPE and messaging tools like MSN. Once reason is that nothing beats face to face communication to get things done and build relationships. Your voice is a key factor in conveying everything from complex concepts to adding emotion and sincerity. Your voice is a major way you add value to your audience. Variety is the spice of life. Vocal variety is how you add spice to your presentations. Everyone has different vocal volume, speed and pitch, so how you vary your voice will add impact. While imitating professionals can help you develop certain skills, you will find your speaking voice through practice and self-awareness. Top speakers with excellent vocal power include Zig Ziglar, Anthony Robbins, and Bob Urichuck. Listen to yourself on a tape or MP3 recorder. It s an experience you will never forget. The first time I heard myself on a recording, I asked myself, Who is that speaking followed by extreme embarrassment. With persistence, I realized my vocal strengths and weaknesses and worked on them. Next we break down the five main areas to improve your vocal variety.

4 I. VOLUME On a scale of 0 to 10, judge your speaking volume. Lets assume 5 is your normal speaking volume. So the volume you would use if you were speaking to a friend or a team member What effect does volume have on your audience? Volume Effect on audience 10 Shouting at the top of your voice Not advised for presentations {Save for sporting events and music concerts} 9 Large groups; Adds energy 8 Groups under 20; Adds energy 7 6 A small group 5 Normal speaking voice 4 3 Sincere 2 1 Whisper 0 Silence or a pause

5 Loud: Normal: Quiet: emphasis, excitement, climax, punch-line Conversational style which is adequate for the audience to hear but not overpowering conspiratorial, secrecy, contrast, intimacy When opening a presentation Start with energy Openings are important and you should start at a 7 or 8. The first 30 seconds should be full of energy and raising your volume is a good way to : - Catch attention - Direct focus on you - Sound confident - Make sure your opening message (Key message or destination for this presentation) is clearly heard Most presentations would keep a range of 5 7 Size of audience would play a factor as well. If the audience gets over 40 people, use a microphone Increase your volume as you are making a transition Now as you move onto the second sections This will help your audience understand that you are ready to move forward. It s a signal. The audience will be able to stay with you. Variety is the key to cracking your vocal power Throughout your speech you can raise and lower volume to add impact to your message. Raise volume: - Emphasize a key word - Reinforce an action

6 Lower volume - Create tension - Show sincerity - Express the seriousness of a topic How can people with low voices speaker louder? Increase your volume and your speaking confidence will follow. First record your voice so that you are aware of how you sound when you speak. After listening, ask yourself does this sounds like a low voice? Could your audience follow you? Then you can start to work on parts of your speech to increase the volume. At the start of a speech aim to say the first few phrases in a higher voice. Conclude a speech on a higher volume as well. Also, see section on GESTURES. You can combine gestures to increase your delivery energy which will help achieve vocal variety. Moving on the stage Use gestures Will increase energy in your voice Use a microphone at every opportunity. Professional speakers use microphones all the time. It is better to be heard and understood, than not to be. It s not a contest. Be effective. Use a microphone.