When presenting in front of an audience, your voice plays a large role in how you are perceived. Both your credibility and confidence are put on full display the moment you start to speak. While this may sound daunting, it shows how much your vocal delivery can make for a more effective presentation. Just think of your voice as a presentation tool that can shape how your content is received.
Developing good vocal skills can elevate and distinguish yourself as a presentation expert. The following are the facets of your voice to work on for more effective presentations:
Pitch
The pitch of your voice can dictate the overall mood and feel of your presentation. While those with naturally low voices innately sound more authoritative, those with higher pitched voices sound friendlier and more welcoming. It’s important to be able to have control of your pitch to match the personality of the content you are presenting. Achieving that harmony in your speech will strengthen your message.
Tempo
As the presenter, you are the one controlling the pace of the entire room. While a slow pace lets you enunciate and create emphasis, speaking fast indicates passion and a rush of emotion. By alternating your tempo between fast, slow, and medium speeds, you make your speech come off as more engaging and natural. This mix-up of pace makes for a conversational tone.
Volume
Before you deliver your pitch, it’s important to consider the room you’re presenting in and adjust the volume of your voice accordingly. You don’t want to be overly raising your voice inside a boardroom with four people. Your voice should be heard easily and clearly by the one sitting farthest from you. Consider your volume as well to add emphasis to important parts of your speech.
An additional tip would be to arrive at your presentation early. Use that extra time to get a good feel for the room and its acoustics. If possible, have someone run a sound check for you as well.
Pauses
Never underestimate the power of a well-timed pause. Having good timing for pauses is a skill that takes time to master but can add so much when executed perfectly. Presentation specialists utilize pauses to build tension and emphasis. It’s a great way to break the monotony in speeches and ensure the audience is kept engaged throughout the presentation.
Pauses can also be used to transition to new ideas and topics seamlessly. Experienced speakers will instinctively use pauses to replace awkward filler words like “uhmm” and “ahhh”.
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The key to making any pitch or presentation successful is keeping your audience engaged. By varying the vocals of your speech, you add depth and emphasis to your presentation while avoiding sounding monotone and dull. These subtle hints will ultimately help create a stronger impression on your audience.
Need some extra help on your next presentation? Contact us anytime! Our team is ready around-the-clock to create, stylize, or condense any kind of presentation. It’s our passion to deliver decks that are fully designed to be more effective and memorable!