5 Ways Your Voice Contributes to Public Speaking Success

For a thousand years, innumerable speakers have come and gone. Be it world leaders, conquerors, priests, poets, or politicians, each one has spoken in front of people; from tiny villages to big empires, people have been addressed everywhere.

Amongst these, why is it that we remember only a few and, to date, continue to recite their speeches while the others are not looked up to?

This happens because of just one difference between good and great orators - the latter use their voice as a powerful tool to convey their message. They consciously practice and mold their voices. This is where the role of a skilled TED speaker coach becomes crucial. With their expertise, they guide aspiring speakers to harness the true potential of their voices, helping them transform from mere orators into captivating storytellers who leave a lasting impact on their audience. Through dedicated practice and tailored techniques, these coaches enable speakers to unlock the power of their voices and ensure their messages are not only heard but also remembered for years to come.

Consider the example of any good speaker- be it Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfrey, Mahatma Gandhi, or Michelle Obama, each one of them has used several voice tools to amplify their messages. Some of these are mentioned below.

1. Volume

Changing the volume of your voice is perhaps the most important key to grabbing your audience’s attention. It defines the depth of your phrases - the correct amount of sound on each word can magnify its value and deliver a clearer message.

Speaking too loudly or being excessively soft will ruin your speech. Rather, try emphasizing and raising your volume on phrases that need exclamation, excitement, anger, or joy. You can bring down the decibels when you need to express gentle emotions, such as warmth, peace, gratitude, or intense feelings like grief, misery, death, or sadness.

For practicing control over your volume, try reciting poems or stories that include multiple emotions. For instance, you can practice reciting Palanquin Bearers by Sarojini Naidu.

2. Clear Pronunciation

Articulating words clearly is an art - be it alliterations, tricky phrases, lengthy words, or even simple everyday words that we pronounce incorrectly. Using the right pronunciation can help you increase your stature as an orator.

You can try practicing common alliterations and keep repeating them until you utter them correctly. You must also look out for pronunciations of words that are usually fumbled upon and that you find difficult to speak.

3. Voice Modulation

Modulating your voice is the backbone of oration. It defines how attracted your audience will be to your performance. It includes not only volume but also the pitch and the tone of your voice.

Imagine yourself sitting in the audience with two speakers on the stage – the first one delivers a flat speech with a single voice consistency, with absolutely no change in his/her pitch. On the other hand, the second speaker commences his speech with minimal pitch changes, uses exclamatory emotions, reflects different tones, and effectively uses power pauses. Who are you more likely to listen to and remember? Of course, it will be the latter.

Voice modulation creates a line between good speeches and great speeches. Thus, using it efficiently can help you win the hearts of your audience.

Watch how Steve Harvey’s voice modulation has made him one of the most spectacular speakers of all times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BOi0H59tXY\

4. Pace

When you were in school, there were some lectures that you found boring while a few others intrigued you. Ever wonder about the difference between them apart from the content? It was the way they were delivered – their pace defined the level of amusement amongst students.

Speaking too quickly or way too slowly can make your speech go in vain. Rather, utter words at an average pace so that your audience can follow what you are saying.

Your pace also defines your passion for the subject. When you’re rushing in with sentences, just trying to wrap it up, you portray that you would like to be over with it quickly. When you slow down excessively, it reflects your boredom with the topic. Thus, channeling your energy into establishing the correct pace is an integral task.

5. Silences and Pauses

As much as it is important to speak consistently, it is more important to pause between your words, phrases, and paragraphs. A speech with pauses can help your listeners resonate with your message better. It gives them a moment to reflect, understand, and absorb your content. It also gives them space to form any questions in their minds that they may have regarding your speech.

You must always harness the power of silences - utilize them as a moment to breathe in and slow down. This will aid in calming your nerves and will make you feel much more confident when you speak again. Taking time to breathe in will remove any possible chances of words gushing out of your mouth. It will ensure that your sentences do not feel forced.

Watch how Barack Obama harness the power of pauses in his Acceptance Speech here - https://youtu.be/3K8GWCl7P7U

Conclusion

It doesn’t matter if you are speaking before a group of forty or four hundred; delivering your content perfectly is a task. With the right amount of patience, perseverance, and practice with the voice, anybody can conquer this art and be a master of the stage.

We hope that this article helps you in your public speaking endeavors. Do share it on your social handles!