Your Voice Matters - Part 2

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If you have a message that you want to share, your voice is one of the most important tools for communication.

In my last newsletter, we covered how to release tension in your body in order to free your voice.?

This week, we’re going to talk about the tools available to you to communicate your feelings while you are speaking.?

Think of a song that you love. If you read the lyrics with no feeling, they would have no impact. The impact comes from how the vocalist brings those words to life.?

We can bring words to life when we’re speaking, too, and that life will allow our words to make the biggest impact possible.?

Here’s how:?

The 5 P’s

1. Pitch

One of the most common uses of pitch is in newscasting.?

When a newscaster is delivering serious news, they will often speak in a lower pitch. When they’re delivering uplifting or positive news, they often use a higher pitch.?

Try reading the following in a high pitch: “Baby panda born at the London Zoo.”

Now, try reading the same sentence in a low pitch.?

The message lands very differently. That’s because we’ve learned to associate pitch with different emotions.

2. Pace

Learning to pace your speech is really important. Many of us have a habit of increasing our pace when we’re nervous, and there are very few things as nerve-wracking as sharing our ideas, especially if there is an audience or a high-pressure situation like a job interview involved.

Try reading the following in a high pitch at a fast pace: “I want to reassure you that we will think seriously about everything you have said and will create a thoughtful plan.”

Now, try the same words with a slow pace and a low pitch. The message changes significantly!

A faster pace may be better suited for an exciting message, such as, “Let’s get out there and make amazing things happen!”

You get to decide what pace best communicates what you want to say.?

3. Pause

Silence is rare. So rare, that a pause tends to grab your audience’s attention. If you have a critical message, pausing briefly indicates that what you are about to say is worth waiting for, giving the message the space it deserves.?

This works visually as well. One dress in the middle of a rack full of dresses isn’t particularly noticeable, but if it’s put on display in a shop window surrounded by lots of space, it attracts more attention.?

If you have an important message that would benefit from a pause, write pause in your notes, use a highlighter pen or leave a great big…

…blank space in your notes to remind you to pause.

4. Projection

Projection isn’t about volume, it’s about intensity—supporting your voice from the right place with the right amount of energy and conviction.?

It’s important to find the right level of intensity for your audience. Focus on connecting with your audience members, including those all the way in the back row.?

One way to get your power right is to go to the room you’ll be speaking in (or a similar-sized space).? Imagine candles at the other end of the room. How much energy would you need to blow them out with the power of your breath? Then, speak, using the same support muscles, imagining people listening at the back. If you strain, yawn to open your throat and release tension, then try again.?

If you’re speaking to a large audience, it’s especially important to release the tension in your breath. I recommend returning to the diaphragmatic breathing exercise in my last newsletter.

5. Passion

Unlike the previous techniques, passion is not a physical skill, but a mental and emotional one. If you use all of the techniques above, but speak without passion, then your message will fall flat.?

Here are a few things you can do to set your passion free:

• Try talking out loud about something you’re passionate about—your favorite holiday, hobby, or interest. Describe what you love most about it, then switch to your work content and continue speaking with the same level of passion.?
• Turn on your favorite music, and practise talking while the music plays in the background. I find that movie soundtracks work especially well, but anything that aligns with the message you want to communicate works.?
• Who is your favorite actor? Try practising a speech as if you’re them. Have fun with it!

Focus on your true passions before delivering your speech. Why does the audience need to hear your message?

These tools will elevate your communication to the next level.?

Stay tuned for my next newsletter, where we will cover how to craft your message.?

Thank you for joining me for another LIFT Your Impact newsletter.

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This, and many other tools, exercises, and stories can be found in my new book Lift Your Impact, which is available here in the UK and here in the US! Bulk purchases can be made here.