Find your Speaking Coach to find Your Unique Voice

Find your unique voice.  Why do I keep saying this?

We live in a great, great time for Speakers. All that advice you ever heard from old- fashioned speaking courses, trainers, you name it. Forget it!  There are speakers who operate in a square and there are speakers who defy the square.  

You are not everybody else.  Your voice, style and content is unique.  You’re not looking for a “middle of the road” performance.  So why go to a speaking course with fifty other people and get 1/50^th of the attention?
   
You can do better than that. That’s why working with a Speaking Coach works! 

All you have to be is be yourself.  Don’t ever forget that listeners are attracted to the unique you, your unique story and your unique voice.  You can be yourself.  However. You can't be your "normal" self. Why?

Whenever you are not talking to yourself, you are speaking in public.  Which means:

1.    Your voice needs to carry across to someone else. The more people listening, the more it needs to carry. Even if you are using a microphone, you need to convey your words away from yourself to the listener.

2.    Not only that, but you have to: stay with your words and see if they connect with your listeners.  Did they get it?  If not – you need to check with them.  Did they get it?  No use going further if they are still puzzled.  So, connect with them.  Ask them the question.  Don’t die wondering.

3.    You need to be aware of your gestures and your body language.  Don’t worry too much about speaking with your hands, or a few “umms” here and there.  This is not a speaking club that collects 20 cents for each “umm” uttered by a speaker.  It’s only when you repeat, many times, the gesture or the “arrr” or “umm” – that it gets to be such a distraction it detracts from the message you are trying to convey.

4.    You need to use your unique voice – and aim to enhance it progressively.  Exercises for voice can be found in my blog:   Enhance your Voice

5.    What we are looking for is light and shade in your voice.  Think of a piece of music – it doesn’t come across as one, homogenous band of sound.  It has a pleasant and varied tone, pace and rhythm.  Fast, for when you’re listing items, or conveying conventional, known terms.  Slow, for when you want to emphasise or give special meaning.

So, yes, find your unique voice – but when you start to speak and present to audiences, however small or large, think of your unique voice as an instrument and develop, enhance and polish your voice and the messages you are delivering.

Find your unique voice.  

Find your Speaking Coach.  

sofia@speak2us.com.au

Sofia Majewski - Find your unique voice

     Find your unique voice
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My clients often ask me what I mean when I say "find your unique voice".

Often when people make a speech or presentation, they think they have to "put on a voice" that is not their own conversational voice. They do.  It is their own voice – but it’s their “Performing Voice”.    As a Speaker you need to project your voice and speak clearly, but you don't need to be an Orator, or a Preacher. That is, someone other than yourself.

I do recommend, however, that when you rehearse your speech, you rehearse out loud. It’s not the same if you just read it to yourself.  Find a corner in your house – and stand close to it.  This acts as a microphone.  You can hear and grow comfortable with the sound of your own voice.  This is a very useful practice because one of the things that can make you nervous is when you start to speak and all you can hear is your own voice!

If you speak frequently to audiences - there are many things you can do to improve your voice, so that it is "listenable."  For example, you need vocal variety so your audience doesn't drift off to sleep on a monotone. And many women find they can improve their voices by lowering their range a little.  It is well accepted that a lower voice commands more authority.

Don’t rush your speech.  People who are nervous tend to do this – so it can all be over and done with.  As always, timing is everything.  Don’t forget the pauses – for effect. We repeat for emphasis and we pause for effect.

Finding in your voice the range that is comfortable for you; the pace, the tone and the volume, is what I do for my clients, as a Speaking Coach.  By using video to record your speaking, playing it back and listening to it critically, we find and refine your unique voice. One that is comfortable and sustainable for you and enjoyable for your audiences.

That way, your speech will have a better chance of achieving your purpose!  You will grow in confidence as a speaker and find your unique voice!

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Sofia Majewski - Speak with Confidence in Your Professional Voice

Find your unique voice

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Speak with Confidence in Your Professional Voice

There is nothing more critical in getting you to where you want to be than the ability to think on your feet, choose the right words and speak with confidence.

As a Professional in your chosen industry, a lot of your time is spent talking to clients and prospective clients, face to face and by telephone.  Professionalism, friendliness and confidence have to be conveyed using the instrument of your voice.  Your voice is in fact a tool. It's a tool that can gain you business or lose you that next business deal.  Some things to keep in mind:

Your Tone of Voice
What does the tone of your voice sound like? Does it reflect confidence? Strength? Assurance?  Are you prepared sufficiently to be conducting the call?  Do you need, perhaps, to call the client back when you are prepared?  If you are warm and interested in what they are saying, you will sound warm and interested on the phone.  Your speaking on the phone reveals a lot about you to the listener. (Because they can’t SEE you they are more tuned in to your SOUND).

Voice Inflection
When speaking and thinking about the key points you want to emphasise, make sure the inflection of your voice does just that.  Inflection alone can change the meaning of a sentence.  Whatever you do, don’t sound uninterested or bored.  Your client needs assurance and needs to be confident in what you are saying.  Make sure your voice is clear and strong.

Delivery
Practise, practise, practise. The delivery of your message is really important.  Don't be afraid to rehearse the messages that you frequently give.  (For example, advice to clients and stakeholders).  Or even the frequent messages you convey with phone calls.  If the message is sensitive and important, practise it beforehand.  How does it sound to you?

Sound
What do you sound like? For example, when you record your voicemail message, what do others hear? A smile? Confidence? Authority?  Don't be afraid to record your voice as you are practising.   When you hear the recording of your voice, you hear exactly as others hear it. And this is, most often, a higher voice sound than you hear yourself.

Energy
Similar to tone, but different. The energy in your voice allows people to feel like they are in the room with you and that you are tuned in to what they are saying. One thing to watch is the speed at which you are speaking.  You can speak much faster than most people can keep up with. Especially if you are speaking about and using technical phrases – and they are not common to your clients. 

So, as you are speaking, pause, do diaphragm breathing; think about what you are going to say and fill it with the right energy for the moment.

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It’s good to be aware of the following principles:

1.    Prepare yourself for the speaking task – whether by phone, or face to face.

2.    Prepare your message and make notes, or summarise, the information you are conveying to clients.

3.    Listen to your client with as much focus as you can.  Your responses must be tailored to your client’s questions and not fixed entirely on your pre-determined message.

4.    Be aware of the environment in which you are speaking.   If it’s noisy or if it detracts from the message you are trying to convey, then make all the changes you can so that your message is able to be conveyed clearly.

5.    Be aware of, and consciously step into, your professional voice, to achieve your     professional objectives.

6.    Practise the 5 minute exercises for voice every day.  In the shower, and/ or in the car, practise the Kah, Hah, Gah, and the Mmmmmm and Nnnnnnnnnn which will develop and maintain Your Professional Voice.

Remember, it’s not about YOU – it’s nearly ALL about your Client.

Handy Hints when Speaking in Public

Thinking on your feet

This is an acquired skill.  Like so many skills it involves technique and practice.  A useful technique is to practise the “Elevator Speech”.  This is where you imagine that a very “influential” person has walked into the elevator and says to you.  “Hello” and what do you do?

(I would answer) “Hi, my name is Sofia and I’m a speaking coach.  I help speakers become better speakers.  And, I help my clients to think on their feet, choose the right words and speak with confidence.  I specialise in coaching executives in all their speaking roles.

This is just three dot points to memorise – but it’s three dot points that can be developed further – even into a full length speech, on another occasion than in the elevator, of course).

There are several techniques for answering impromptu questions.  For example, you can use “Past/Present/Future   or Options – 1, 2, or 3.  Or, global/national/local.

Another technique is to rephrase the question to make sure it’s understood.  Or, to say “Let’s think about this a little more”.  These are techniques to buy a bit of time in which to think of the appropriate response.

Dealing with a slip of the tongue, while speaking

OK – you’ve made a small error – you’ve said “transsexual” when you meant to say “transsectoral”.  It’s just an error.  Don’t try to speak while everyone is rolling on the floor laughing  and you are cringing with embarrassment – just wait until it’s quiet again – and simply say, something like, “all things are possible I suppose, but I meant to say “transsectoral”.

Or, “that’s a whole new slant, but what I meant was “transsectoral”.

Um, Ahs, and all other varieties of distractions

A very important technique here is to SLOW down your speaking pace.

And to have rehearsed out loud many times to become familiar with your content.

When you feel an Um coming on, simply PAUSE instead.  And, because long and deep breathing is import, take a relaxing deep breath with your pause.

(Sometimes speakers are not even aware of the number of Ums and Ahs they use –so in my session I use video and speakers can see for themselves any distracting habits they have).

Emphasise key words in your speech

Rehearse out loud.  Vary your pace, pitch and projection.

(If it’s a speech that you are going to read.  Rehearse it, of course.  But in this case you can “mark it up”.  16 pt font, double spaced, mark the phrases, highlight or bold for emphasis, etc.)

It’s really important in a speech that is being read, is to rehearse it such that you can still maintain eye contact with your audience.

Slow down at important phrases.  Go faster when reciting routine information.

Timing

It is essential to keep to time always.  If your audience knows that you have a 20 minutes slot and you are still speaking after 20 minutes, unless you are someone like Anthony Robbins, they’ll probably be looking at their watches.  The person speaking after you will probably be getting anxious too.  It’s professional and courteous to keep to time.

The best way to keep to time is to rehearse your speech out loud and time it.  (It’s a good idea to use the microwave timer).  Allowing a half minute or minute within the timeframe is also a good idea. 

Confidence

Confidence starts with being familiar with your content.  It rests with your “self talk” too.  Many athletes, for example, have a ritual around how they prepare for performance. 

Take the time to rehearse out loud.  Rehearse into a corner of a room at home.  It will act as a microphone and you will become familiar with the sound of your own voice.

This comes in handy when you begin your talk or presentation – you won’t get nervous when you start to speak and realise that you’re the only one speaking.  And, you’re the star of your show.

Practise diaphragm breathing.  Deep, long, slow breathing from the core of your body.  Not from the upper chest which gets tight when you take your breath.  Think of your voice as an instrument. 

Practise vocal exercises to develop and maintain your voice.

Technique and practice is the 90% - the perspiration!

The 10% is where you take control of the speaking space, hold your heart and your professional speaking voice in that most powerful of all platforms  – the space between you and your audience!

Go Low, Slow and Smile!  Then flick that switch to Vaudeville!



Find your unique voice

 

Three key elements in speaking to an audience:

PREPARE YOURSELF

PREPARE YOUR MESSAGE

PREPARE FOR YOUR SPEAKING SPACE

Two things people love to hear – laughter and the sound of their name!

1.    PREPARE YOURSELF

§  Find a  routine that you know relaxes you

§  Diaphragm Breathing relaxes your body and puts your voice in good shape.  The "production area" of your voice is in the core of your body – your diaphragm; and is the very basis of your speaking voice.

§  Confirm to yourself  (Self Talk) that you know the PURPOSE of your talk and you know the main facts.  Being familiar with your speech will negate any nerves.

§   You are going to do a fabulous job!

§  Believe in yourself

§  Be friends with your voice – do some yawns, hums, KA, GA ,HA , and deep breaths to release any tension in neck and shoulders

§  Grab that spotlight!   Enjoy and have fun!

2.    PREPARE YOUR MESSAGE

§  Who is your audience?

§  What do they know about the subject of your message?

§  What is the relationship between you and the people you are talking to?          

§  What’s in it for you?

§  What’s in it for them?

§  Connect with them in every way you know how – pose questions – have them answering  “yes or no” or at least nodding, wherever appropriate.  Once you have the audience’s attention – try not to let it go.

3.    PREPARE FOR YOUR SPEAKING SPACE (ENVIRONMENT)

§  Get a feel for your speaking space

§  Make sure all your technical equipment is working before you start

§  Avoid getting rushed or stressed into answering questions on the spot.  Maybe delay until a better time for you?  Better still, learn the art of answering questions

§  “Walk through” your performance which starts from when you rise from your chair to go to the speaking space.

§  Rehearse in the speaking space if possible

Two things people love to hear – laughter and the sound of their name!

I declare it's Spring!

Speak with Confidence

Find your unique voice….and speak with confidence!

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Some people have said they would rather be trampled by humans than talk in front of them. Here are some public speaking tips to help make public speaking less daunting.

There are only 3 areas to remember: 

1.  PREPARE YOURSELF
2.  PREPARE YOUR CONTENT
3.  PREPARE YOUR SPEAKING ENVIRONMENT

Let’s look at the first of them - PREPARE YOURSELF

So, Prepare Yourself.  What is it about yourself that you need to prepare?

Prepare and practice

Whether you’re using visual aids or not, prepare the content of your talk and then practise by rehearsing out loud.  No matter how nervous you are, if you’re fully prepared you’re much more likely to perform well.

Visualise your audience

Who is your audience?  Who is in your audience? (VIP’s for example).  What time of day is it?  Where are you on the Agenda? Where have they been? What have they heard immediately before your talk/presentation?  In other words – what is their time and content tolerance?

Your audience wants you to do well.  When you come in to your speaking space – eyeball them and give them a nod or a smile.  Speak to them as if you’re speaking to just one person.  Never underestimate the power of audience participation.   Bring them TO you – you don’t want them to be indifferent or remote.   (When preparing your speech have a look at the content of your talk to see where and how you can interact with the audience)

Be yourself

Find your unique voice.  Be true to your personality. If you’re a naturally serious person, then cracking jokes might sound forced and may not get the response you want.

Be yourself and people will be receptive to what you have to say.

Breathe and Make Noises………………

It’s the body’s natural response to take fast, shallow breaths when you’re nervous. Relax yourself by breathing deeply and slowly from your diaphragm.

Practise standing in the speakers/singers “resting position” – balanced, shoulders back, head straight – and breathe slowly from the diaphragm.  (This recommendation is repeated because of its importance to your self confidence).

Apparently, Jackie French, the Australian author and television presenter, used to make mooing sounds before speaking in public. It might sound funny, but it must have been a great way for Jackie to regulate each breath.  And, to relax.    

Other sounds you can practise, in the shower or travelling in the car are:

KA    HA     GA     - especially to make the voice mellow -   Mmmmmmmmmm and Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn    and the lovely sound of  Mooooooooooooo

Do it more and be confident

Easier said than done, but the only way to get better at public speaking is to take every opportunity to speak and to do it as often as possible. Yes, it might be scary, but with practice it’s possible to build your confidence and enjoy speaking!

Why do you need to LOOK and BE confident?  Because the key factors in your audience paying attention or customers doing business with you are these:

IMPACT –           do they like you?  They won’t buy if they don’t.

APPEARANCE – like it or not they are making critical judgements based on your appearance.

And only then, YOUR MESSAGE.  Your message isn’t really a message until it has been received by your audience in the manner in which you intended.

Whatever your purpose in speaking, instead of being frightening, speaking can be frighteningly beneficial! It can even become addictive.  

Ask me how you can discover the joy of speaking

 and the thrill of presenting! 

How To Prepare your Public Speaking Voice

Win Gold Medals with your Public Speaking Voice

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Your voice is unique to you and is the key feature of your speaking and performance.  That’s why you will want to develop and maintain your voice.

Speaking is a physical activity. Your voice and speech are powered by the core of your being – the diaphragm breath.

If you do normal breathing from the upper chest, there will be tension in the body and the upper chest and neck and you run the risk of strangling your breath and then your voice. 

Balanced posture is important.  Start from the neutral position – one hand clasped loosely on the opposite lower arm.  Balanced and centralised – stand comfortably.

Diaphragm breathing.  Inhale and exhale from the abdomen. The upper chest and shoulders do not move.  The head is straight and balanced, as if a piece of string that goes right up to the ceiling is holding your head up.

Yawn and loosen the mouth, teeth and tongue.  Do your warm up exercises – ka, ha and ga and mmmm….. and nnnn…..pretend you are a horse and do the horselips!  it's fun!

Quick Tips for Public Speakers

Smoking is deadly for speakers and singers.

Alcohol is not a good idea before speaking.  Much too risky as its effects are uncertain.

Avoid iced drinks. Drink room temperature water.

Don’t eat too much before you speak.  (Think like an athlete).

Gold Medal Speakers think like Athletes

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How to Structure your Speech or Presentation

 

 

Body of Presentation
Recommend writing this first.  Very likely that every other part of presentation will arise from this = the Title of the Presentation, the One Absolute Statement, The Opening, Closing and, of course, the Signpost. 

A suggestion that the Body be in 3 parts – no more. Widely accepted that a speaker can convey three major points and the audience remembers it. Anymore and it could be overload.

Better to keep it simple. And, you don’t have to tell everything you know in the one presentation. Leave the audience wanting to ask questions of you and asking for more information.

There are countless ways to structure the body of the talk. An example might be: General/Specific/For example. Past/Present/Future. Global/National/Local.

Opening  

Strong, catchy, anything that will capture immediate attention. (Often referred to as the “Hook”).    Must be strong.  Why?  You have only a matter of seconds as the audience makes its decision on whether you are worth their attention.  (And these days there are many distractions).

One Absolute Statement
  

If you were to summarise your presentation in one sentence it would be this.  Also make sure that everything in the presentation is congruent with this statement.

 Personal/Creative
 
After, or as part of your opening – connect with the audience by telling them a story – an anecdote – or something personal about yourself.  You see, as you begin your presentation they will be wondering about you – examining your impact and appearance – and wondering what you know about the subject you are about to present.  It will put their minds at rest if you are able to fully connect with them by telling them something personal, funny, or interesting about yourself and your relationship to/with the subject of your talk. 

Signpost 

This is where you tell the audience what you are going to tell them.  If your one absolute statement for example is “Please become an organ donor – sign up today”, you could signpost this by saying “Today I’m going to ask you to sign up to be an organ donor.  I’m going to tell you why, how and when you can be a donor – and at the end of my talk I’m going to ask you to come forward and sign up”.  (Your personal/creative could have been a true and dramatically told story of how one donor’s bequest saved several lives.

Summary:  Summarise key points.  Tell them what you told them.

Call to Action:  What do you want the audience to do when you have finished speaking?  If it’s not much, then why have you wasted your time and theirs?

Example of a Call to Action:  “I’ve described the desperate and urgent need.  I trust I have convinced you of the ultimate gesture a human can make.  Please come forward and sign to become a donor.”

Close:  Thank you for taking the time to consider and understand the powerful good for humanity your action can make. Thank you for coming forward and becoming a donor tonight.

Thank you on behalf of all organ recipients – past, present and future.  Their lives have been, are and will be in your hands.

Recommendation:  Say “Thank You”  by all means – but don’t end with “Thank You”.  It makes a strong ending much less strong.

Got some Tips to add?

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