VOICE IN PRESENTATION

Published on June 6, 2012

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Presentation skills are the sum total of your voice! Content matters for sure, but once that is taken care of, what is most important is delivery. In fact, the most innovative, interesting and top-notch material can fall flat if it is not articulated properly!

Voice is one of the most important tools that enables the speaker to express the essence of his thoughts, deliver a telling message and gives life to the presentation. It is what carries most of the content that the audience takes away. Else, you can be brimming with ideas but people will tune out all too quickly.

Most of us think that we speak reasonably well, but put on a stage we may just rush through the presentation at top speed, stutter around and end up gasping for breath. Others may sound high-pitched, frail, squeaky, and panicky or just drone on boring the audience to tears.

Contrast this to popular speakers who speak with such ease in a measured voice that seems to effortlessly inject thoughts and ideas into the minds of the audience – be it small or large. How do they manage to touch hearts and disturb minds in such a way? It is all in the power of the voice – that which can conjure up fantastic images to express the speaker's meaning as well as wow the entire world!

For a sonorous orator

Voices need practice, practice and some more practice so that they can get past the initial discomfort and hold up under pressure. Throat muscles and vocal cords are obviously unaccustomed to such demands and need numerous preparatory runs.

Start by getting used to hearing your voice. Try talking out aloud in an empty room or record yourself when speaking and you will be surprised by the unnatural loudness of your voice. Remember you will have to speak louder when there is an audience as bodies absorb sounds and have a muffling effect.

Attempt to project your voice in such a way that it has carrying power and gets across to everyone. For this, you will have to be at ease and intend to be heard. In fact, top presenters are those who intend to be heard and will be heard!

Moreover, as Janet Howd, a leading voice coach advises, “When you practise to deliver a convincing message, speak as if you are on a mobile phone in a noisy area. You will discover that by intending to be heard you automatically achieve the vocal pitches and volume necessary to connect you to your anticipated, real audience!”

Learn to control your breath and breathe out fully before breathing in deeply. The deep breath will activate your voice and help you to speak out loudly. Most importantly, speakers have to control the tones of voice so that spoken words are understood the way they are meant to be. Practice pronouncing words distinctly with crisp consonants and strong vowels to both increase your audibility and make your meaning crystal clear. Soften any sharp accents as far as possible.

Learn to modulate the volume (raise to make a point and lower to draw the audience in), vary the pace (slow when emphasising and fast when skimming over something) and alter the pitch (low when serious and high to generate excitement). Build in regular pauses as moments of silence when the audience can calm down, clean their palate and prepare for a new idea or change of mood. The pause also gives you a much-needed respite to catch your breath, think over what you will say and articulate better. Endeavour to add warmth and rhythm to your words as well so that people can believe and connect with what you are saying. Also, sip water at regular intervals to avoid your voice getting dried out.

Keep in mind that voice training under a professional too can help you develop a clear, fluent, vibrant and healthy voice. Along with the voice, posture needs working as well. Startling as it may sound, voices necessitate bodily support, so holding your back and shoulders upright, knees slack with feet a little apart and firmly on the ground, face and neck titled at the right angle will add power to your voice as well! This firm stance needs effort and training as well. You also have to speak with confidence as even internal squirming or discomfort will get amplified to the audience.

Another tip from Ms. Howd, “Let voice do most of the communicating and use only small amounts of pertinent visual aids!” So, polish up your oratory skills and go ahead and have your say.

Payal Chanania