Project, Project, Project! Come across vividly, make a memorable impression and have the competitive edge over all the other speakers in the room. Projecting gives your voice power and keeps your message ringing in the ears of your listener.
When you are young, you hear the word project tossed around a lot by parents, and teachers, but nobody really tells you how to do it, so it still remains a mystery and most people just talk.
It’s a shame because projecting is what makes people sit up and listen. Have you ever said something important in a business meeting and no one pays attention and then 5 minutes later, the person 4 chairs away says the same thing and gets all the credit? Why? You got it he or she projects loud and clear.
It is relatively easy to become proficient at the physical technique of projecting your voice; however the change of attitude that needs to go along with it is often harder for a client to accept. You need to be willing to stand out when you speak and let your voice tone send the message that what you are saying is important. So important that the audience needs to listen intently or they will miss something crucial.
You are probably all thinking, does this mean I have to be on and sending out energy all the time? In my opinion if you want to be an excellent communicator and sell your ideas powerfully, the answer is a resounding yes!
Many of us have sat through tremendously boring presentations either at work or a conference and thought when is this going to be over. However we always remember the message of the speaker who had a well-projected, low pitched, resonant voice. From the ten top most loved speaking voices, we have James Earl Jones, Dianne Sawyer, Morgan Freeman, Julia Roberts, Sean Connery and newscaster’s such as Edward R. Murrow, and Walter Cronkite. Listening to a great speaking voice is like listening to a wonderful singing voice.
Let me get a little more specific. When learning to project, the rule of thumb is to throw your voice so that the person furthest away from you can hear. And your ability to project your voice rides on the energy of your breath. In order to influence, motivate and persuade you need to project without sounding too loud, high pitched and/or harsh. Staying connected to the breath is what gives you control over the way you sound and as a result, the way you are perceived.
In a room of business professionals, you will benefit over and over again from having a leadership voice: a voice that sounds positive and engaging and also in charge, and capable of leading a group of people forward to success.
Sandra offers a 25-minute Voice Power Studios Speaking Skills Consultation, or call 877-783-2455.
