If you’re on a phone call or zoom with the video off, you need to bring more vocal energy and musicality to the conversation/presentation.
Communication Musing from today’s coaching session on the journey to Communicate ARTfully: energize your voice.
It may hit you as counterintuitive – when you aren’t seen, you may feel you can chill and relax – because no one can see you. And – that chill/relaxation is often received by the listener as boring. When they can’t see you, the audience needs to hear and feel more energy from you to follow.
You may get away with a bit of a laid-back or monotone vocal delivery in person because we visually connect to you. But if we can’t see you, it’s the opposite, and you need to amp it up.
Take it from a professional voice-over actor who has been paid for sharing my voice without being seen for decades – you need to bring more energy to the recording. Not over the top – not fake – not pushed. Real, connected breath and voice.
And your body being involved will help. Most voice-overs are recorded standing up with whole energized bodies behind the mic.
Conversely, many professionals I work with make an initial choice to lean on their hands or slump in their chairs. When I play it back, they can hear how disengaged and bored they sound.
Sit up and keep your alignment, not stiff, so your breath can flow. Sure, walk around. (Caution: if you get even a little out of breath on a call, it can be unpleasant for the listeners.)
Many sales folks are sent to me to work on their communication and connection. Most are baffled – they were very successful at communicating with their audience – in person. The move to presenting virtually, even before the pandemic, was throwing many of them off their game. They had to learn to bring far more energy than they had in the room – energy that would have been too much if they had used it. The different setting brings the need for a different technique.
Energy is essential – yes, we’re tired, and if you share it once clear and connected, they won’t ask you to repeat or elaborate for further clarification.
Voice on!
Hilary Blair is a leadership keynote speaker based out of Denver, CO, and is the co-founder of ARTiculate: Real & Clear. She is also a highly regarded, actor, improviser, facilitator, voice-over artist, and voice expert coach. Contact us today to learn more.
