How to Effectively Use Your Voice

While the words you speak are certainly important, the way in which you say them is what will resonate with listeners. A presenter’s most powerful tool is their voice. Speakers can assert, demand, announce, state, affirm, and evoke a whole range of emotions just by using their voice. Your voice also plays an important role in the way your audience perceives you. They will judge sincerity, credibility, and confidence in part by the sound of your voice. In short, your voice can significantly impact the way your audience sees you and thus impacts the success of your presentation. For this reason, it is important to put effort into the way you use your voice to conduct an effective presentation. 

 

Volume

When you are delivering a presentation you want to be sure everyone in the audience can hear you…and that includes the row in the back. Don’t be modest and speak softly. Rather, take command of the room by projecting your voice and speaking loud enough to be heard throughout the room. While the goal is to be heard, do make it a point to vary your volume at times to draw attention to a specific point or to lend intrigue to what you are saying. 

 

Intonation

Intonation simply refers to the way in which you say something. Intonation is important because that’s what conveys emotion. Rather than speaking in a monotone voice throughout the presentation, speakers should vary the sound and pitch of certain words. Just as you place emphasis on certain words in a conversation, you should also pay attention to which passages and words deserve extra attention in your presentation. 

 

Articulation

Remember that you are speaking to a group of people and they might be in a large room with an echo or you might be using a microphone. To ensure clarity, be sure and articulate every word and use proper enunciation so the audience can understand you. 

 

Pace and Pause

People have a tendency to speak quickly when they are nervous. If they are eager to get the presentation over with, they might talk faster than normal. However, it is important to speak slower than normal when giving a presentation. You want to ensure your audience has time to take in what you are saying. In addition to maintaining a good pace, presenters should also be aware of the power of a pause. A deliberate pause can make quite a statement and this technique can be highly effective for emphasizing important points in a presentation. 

 

When preparing your presentation, pay special attention to the way in which you use your voice. Your voice can have a significant impact on how the audience responds to you and your message.  Be mindful of your volume, pitch, and tone, and make sure you articulate and enunciate correctly. With the right practice, your voice can be a powerful tool for storytelling, engaging, and inspiring your audience.