3 TIPS TO CONTROL YOUR VOICE VOCAL TIP #1: Use your voice muscles to create the right tone You’ve probably heard this before, “It’s not just what you say, it is how you say it”. Here are some ways to make sure your audience is hearing what you want them to. When your larynx is lower you have a deeper sound that makes your message stronger and more serious. When you slightly raise your larynx, you will create a brighter sound that makes your sound softer and friendlier. Smiling when you speak will help you sound brighter and excitable whereas having a serious look will deepen your voice and bring more authority in your message. Remember, a wrong vocal tone can create a wrong message, and in turn lead to misunderstandings. Your message may need to be more assertive or more excitable depending on what you want to communicate. Your emotions affect your voice. I remember someone once told me: “The amount we get paid is by the degree we can emotionally evoke passion in others.” Perhaps you are sending out one message verbally and a different one non-verbally. The way you talk can have a particularly profound effect on how others interpret what it is that you are saying. Everyone loves the feeling of connection that comes through words that carry authenticity. Your words have the power to create connection when they are supported with the right tone that comes from an authentic heart and when you are passionate about the message.
VOCAL TIP#2: Breathe Have you ever felt you were misunderstood by others? It may be because you hold your breath by locking up your stomach muscles when you speak. Breathe in more air deeper into your belly and expand the ribs. Be mindful of breathing too high in your chest and running out of breath when you are speaking. Speaking with more air will make your voice sound warmer, friendlier and approachable. VOCAL TIP#3: Loosen Your Jaw and Tongue When you relax your jaw and tongue, you sound freer and you vocal tone flows better. This is very inviting especially when it comes to relationships. When you speak, drop your jaw and make your tongue soft by resting the tip of it lightly behind your bottom teeth. If you close your mouth too much, you’ll come across as restricted and holding yourself back. We have a tendency to half-heartedly listen to most people we meet. We’re more likely to pay attention to a friendly voice than to one that is dull, monotone, or frustrated and angry. Keep your voice confident and clear because this attracts your listeners to listen and engage with you. They can trust you and rely on your words. That’s when you feel you have been heard and you are making a difference by creating the influence you want to have.
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