Voice Coaching - Training Your Voice to Give Better Presentations

Picture a cool crisp autumn morning in the wide open farming lands in the Great Southern region of Western Australia at Wagin, home of the annual Wagin Woolarama and Giant Ram.

Imagine a white metal caravan with brown carpet on the inside walls fitted out as a outside broadcast van on a dusty, damp road by the edge of a large green football oval. The smell of freshly cooked donuts wafts past as the crowds start to fill the arena.

A middle aged lady, who has that look of a lifetime spent outdoors approaches the van.

"I'm looking for Tom Murrell," she asks.

"I'm Tom," is the reply.

"No, I'm looking for Tom Murrell, the ABC manager in charge of all the radio stations," she asks more firmly and abruptly.

"That's me."

"No it can't be! I imagined someone with grey hair in a grey suit!"

At the ripe of old age of 28 years, I was appointed a senior executive with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), in charge of one of the world's largest radio networks covering an area of some 2.5 million square kilometres.

Admittedly, I was the ABC's youngest ever person to be appointed to this position and probably looked even younger than my age.

I tell this story not to impress you, but to impress upon you the personal power of your voice and how it helps shape and create an image of who you are in other people's minds.

You see this lady had only heard me on radio, as a broadcaster, and because of the anonymity of radio she had never seen me but had formed a mental picture of what I looked like.

The benefit of having a good voice is you have more authority, credibility and power. With this comes more influence. This is especially important when using a microphone or speaking over the telephone.

According to experts your voice is at its most naked over the phone or on radio. Speech experts say its like putting your lips to someone's ear and gives new meaning to the term lend me your ears!

When you're on the phone, giving a speech with a microphone or on radio all the nuances of your voice are amplified.

Most people dislike the sound of their own voices because when they hear it being played back it sounds different to what we hear inside our heads.

The power of a good clear voice is often highlighted in the cut and thrust of politics.

One of the most successful Australian politicians who understood this was Bob Carr who, after 17 years in New South Wales politics, retired last month as that State's longest serving Premier.

The son of a train driver was self-made and grew-up on a diet of "books, knowledge and learning". Part of the Labor leader's success was the training he received on how to use his voice as a radio current affairs broadcaster early in his career at the ABC.

If you want a powerful voice in any situation, here's what you can learn from the vocal skills of Bob Carr.

1. Authority

An authoritative voice comes from self-confidence. This is a learned behaviour. No matter what your natural voice sounds like, you can learn to develop authority in your voice.

2. Clarity

A clear voice is easily understood and people are more likely to act on your ideas and instructions if your voice is clear. Good radio broadcasters and powerful communicators such as Bill Clinton work on their clarity through vocal exercises, involving diction, pause and pace.

3. Personal Power

Referent power comes from a position of power. Expert power comes from unique knowledge. An authoritative voice gives you personal power. Bob Carr had all three.

4. Maturity

A mature voice has more influence. Again, no matter what your experience, you can learn how to have more maturity in your voice.

5. Ageless

Voices can sound ageless as my Wagin story highlights. Often the age of the person with an ageless voice will be in the mind of the listener.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com

---

Lose Stagefright Over Your Lunch Hour

While teaching a two-day Speaking Confidence program to a group... Read More

Executive Public Speaking for English as a Second Language (ESL)

Public Speaking is a challenging skill. It is TOUGH! For... Read More

Moving Key Audiences to Take Action?

You know, those really important outside groups of people whose... Read More

Choosing a Hot Keyword: Advice for Aspiring Public Speakers

When choosing keywords, you'll want to stay away from using... Read More

How to Get Paid to Speak

Now that you have all the contacts you can possibly... Read More

Five Tips for Overcoming Public Speaking Nerves

Your mouth is dry, heart palpitating, and knees knocking. You... Read More

Make Your Talks Pay: Have People Stand In Line Eager Give You Their Business Card

If you've ever been on stage, doing a talk or... Read More

What Makes A Great Presenter?

Every day millions of people around the world make a... Read More

Getting Results from Your Writing & Speaking

When we communicate, we usually want something to happen. We... Read More

Speak With E?s Part 2

"Educate, Energize, Entertain, and provide an experience for your audience"1.... Read More

How To Use Microphones

Microphones are designed to help your voice, not replace it.... Read More

Speak With a Relaxed Body and Mind

Fear of public speaking is No.1. Death is No.4. So... Read More

How To Write Powerful Presentations, Speeches And Talks

Most of us get nervous about making a speech, whether... Read More

10 Tips for Better -- and Less Scary! -- Public Speaking

The fear of speaking in public is well-documented, often discussed,... Read More

Public Speaking Tips: The More You Know, The More It Will Flow - Tips For Knowing Your Audience

The more you know about your audience, the better your... Read More

To Insure Success in Speaking: Anticipate

We all know that to be a careful driver on... Read More

Pay Attention To Your Appearance!

During the coffee break of one conference I attended, whispers... Read More

Be a Guest Speaker and Attract Business

Being a guest speaker in front of the right audience... Read More

Presentation Skills Without PowerPoint

Can you identify what each of these actions or activities... Read More

13 Publicity Tips for Professional Speakers

In a funk because other speakers seem to be snagging... Read More

Youre Making Me Nervous

Almost everybody is nervous when they stand up to speak.... Read More

Conversationally Speaking

"Would you like to say a few words?" How many... Read More

Ten Steps to Fearless Public Speaking

There is plenty of dubious material which suggests you can... Read More

Ten Fatal Flaws Frequently Found from the Podium

1. No clear purpose for the presentation. What is the... Read More

20 Tips to Becoming a Professional Speaker: How to be a Rising Star

Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting.... Read More

Speech Making - Reasons Why People Dont Listen

Making a speech seems simple. You speak, others listen. However... Read More

Get Speaking

On a recent Sunday evening, I watched a friend 'graduate'... Read More

15 Ways To Keep Your Speaking Inspiring and Creative

When stressed or blocked it is wise to make a... Read More

How To Make A Blue Ribbon Presentation Every Time

You can make a Blue Ribbon presentation each and every... Read More

For Speakers: Ten Tips on How to Increase Your Fees

One of the most important tools speakers use is their... Read More

15 Ways for Speakers to Earn More Profits

There is huge potential to create additional profits from your... Read More

Public Speaking for Scaredy Cats

Business communications researchers have studied the phenomenon of stage fright... Read More

How to Get Started In Public Speaking

Public speaking is among the five most feared activities human... Read More