How many presentations have you heard that were torpedoed because the speaker mumbled or talked too softly or droned on and on in a terrible monotone that annoyed you and put you to sleep at the same time? Making use of proper vocal techniques is vital to both making yourself understood and holding the audience’s attention for the entire length of your presentation. Remember these four Ps of great vocal technique.
Pause
The legendary comedian, Jack Benny, portrayed himself onstage as someone who was extremely tightfisted with his money. He was well-known for this characteristic, and it was the basis for perhaps his most famous line. In this particular skit, Jack was accosted by a mugger who demanded, “Your money or your life!” Jack simply stared off into space and said nothing. Finally, the mugger reiterated his demand, “Listen, buddy, your money or your life!” Finally, after still one more brief pause, Jack exclaimed, “I’m thinking, I’m thinking!”
What made that bit so funny? The audience already knew Jack was a cheapskate; they just didn’t know how cheap he was. That marvelous dramatic pause before he delivered his line created just the right amount of drama and interest to reel the audience in and hook them into the joke! So, one of the first things to remember when you are speaking is that sometimes just a little bit of silence can be golden. When you pause at important times during a sentence or an important point, people perk up and pay attention because they sense that you are about to say something they need to remember.
Projection
If you want your audience to hear you clearly, you must learn to project, even if there is a good sound system available. This refers to a breathing process that focuses on using your diaphragm – a membranous muscle group that is located below your lungs – to boost the power of your voice. If you have never been aware of your diaphragm before now, here is a trick to try. Lie down on the floor and place a couple of heavy books on your abdomen. Just relax and breathe normally, but keep your eye on those books. You will notice that every time you breathe in, your abdomen pushes the books up. This is the action of your diaphragm as it works to make room for your lungs to expand as they take in air. The same thing happens when we are standing up; we just don’t notice it as much. The process of projection involves consciously pushing out, or expanding your diaphragm area with your stomach muscles when you breathe in, and then continuing to “push out” with those muscles as you talk. This allows you to take in more air when you breathe, and to move it out more forcefully while you are talking. As a result, your voice will be stronger, clearer, more confident, and more easily heard even at the back of a large room. It also saves wear and tear on your vocal chords, because the air is doing more of the work and taking stress off of the muscles in your throat. Practice by lying down on the floor, putting those books back on your stomach, and belting out a series of hearty “ho-ho-hos,” in your best Santa Claus voice. You should notice the difference immediately
Pace
This has to do with the speed at which you deliver each sentence, and sometimes even each word ? in ? a ? sentence. See how that works? Slowing down your words creates interest by generating a dramatic effect. Also, speeding-up-as-you-move-into-an-important-point-can-create-EXCITEMENT! Varying your pace ensures that people will keep listening, so they can keep up with you. Talking at the same pace for extended periods of time becomes hypnotic; it will literally put your audience to sleep!
Pitch
It just comes naturally to also change pitch when you vary speeds. A pitch can be a note on a musical scale, but it can also refer to the relative “highness” or “lowness” of your voice. It is natural for your voice to grow softer and lower when you are speaking slowly to emphasize an important point. It is also natural for your voice to get louder and to also rise in pitch when you are speaking quickly about something that is exciting. Changing pitch levels can alter the emotional mood of your message, and have people sitting on the edge of their seats.
The thing to remember about each of the four Ps is that, again, they must flow in a natural rhythm with your message. People will get tired of being jerked around and manipulated by start and stop, up and down, loud and soft, unless these changes come at times and in ways that make sense with your message. If you use these vocal techniques wisely and effectively, you will have your audience’s attention for a much longer period and they will remember more of what you said.
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December Presentation Quick Tip of the Month – One Bite at a Time
We all know that the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Did you know this is also the best way to memorize a long presentation? If memorizing isn’t your thing, then make it easier by studying and rehearsing your presentation point by point. Start with the introduction; let’s say it is about two paragraphs. Put that much on a card and carry it around with you. Study it at lunch, at traffic lights, etc. After a couple of days, it will start to soak into your brain. Then put your first main point on another card and spend a couple of days studying it. Occasionally combine both sets of cards to get the feel of moving from one section to the next. Do the same thing with the rest of your points; don’t forget to also practice the conclusion. Using this method, you can master a major presentation speech in a matter of days!
