Communication Gifts That Your Audiences Will Love
While many things can go wrong in a presentation, don’t forget to consider all the things that you do well to awe your audiences. Here are 12 speech, language, and voice gifts to “give” your audiences every time you present. They will love you for it!
1. Optimal pitch–The pitch you speak at every day is your habitual pitch level. But does it match your optimal pitch level? The optimal pitch is where you vocal cords function their best. Too low or too high can be hard to listen to and could damage your vocal cords and make you hoarse.
2. A voice that carries loudly–You want your voice to be loud enough so that everyone is hearing you the first time but not too loudly so that your audiences feel you are yelling at them. You need a voice that projects adequately to everyone in the room.
3. Resonating sound–Good resonance means that you aren’t talking through your nose or sounding like you have a winter cold (muffled). The way you hold your tongue in your mouth has a lot to do with determining your resonance.
4. Clear vocal quality–There are types of voices that are distracting to the listener. Hoarseness, breathiness and glottal fry are all difficult to listen to as an audience member. Use good vocal hygiene to ward off problems like these.
5. Compelling intonation and inflection–Use a lot of pitch variation to draw your listeners in to your message. Tell stories and anecdotes with vocal expressiveness.
6. Precise, clear diction/pronunciation–Sloppy pronunciation, dropping sounds or adding sounds is distracting. Your audiences will find you a credible speaker with clear diction.
7. Intentional pausing–Pausing helps your audiences absorb the material. Do you have an important point to make? Make sure that your audience hears and gets it. Allow some time for them to reflect on your points by pausing before moving on to the next point.
8. Rate of speech–A good rate of speech will draw your audience in and make them feel at ease. Remember to adjust your rate depending on who is in your audience and the level of difficulty of information you are presenting.
9. Standard English–Good grammar is a must for credibility and trustworthiness. Every day is National Grammar Day so be sure to use Standard American English. Your audiences will love you for it!
10. Clear, concise messages–Making your point in brief sound bites is a skill every leader should have. Advertisements we see on TV or hear on the radio are good examples of how to say a lot in a short amount of time. In conversation, speak often but briefly.
11. Natural sounding and a smooth American English cadence–The English language has a rhythm that is smooth and connected. Non-native speakers may sound choppy and halting. Native speakers may insert word fillers that distract and disrupt the flow. Smooth, natural sounding speech is easy to listen to.
12. Non-verbal messages. Your body language should express openness and approachability. When you are relaxed and comfortable, your audience will be, too! Smile, make eye contact and use great posture. You are likeable and worth listening to!
Give these gifts to your audiences every time you open your mouth to speak and you will be engaging, impactful and influential.
Tags: American english rhythm, communication skills, compelling presentations, executive leaders speaking, how to speak better english, nonverbal messages, polished speaking, presentations, rate of speech, vocal loudness, vocal pitch, voice skills