Listen to your voice [Public Speaking in a Virtual World]

How does your voice sound in all the online meetings you've been attending?

I attended an "audio only" webinar yesterday with 2 well-respected speakers whose voices were so flat and toneless, I checked out early. Even though the topic promised to be fascinating, the hosts' voices were so grim, I couldn't listen.

The quality of your voice affects how well you connect with your audience, especially in audio-only webinars. Fortunately, your voice is something you can work on. 

The next time you're on a call or in an online meeting, listen to your voice:

• Is it energetic?

• Is it monotone? 

• Is there a smile in your tone? 

• Are you enunciating?

• Are you breathing beyond shallow "shoulder breaths"?

• Do you hear vocal fry? 

• Does every sentence sound like a question?

These are just a few of things you can listen for. And here's 3 tips to try:

• Stand up. If you want to sound more energetic, raise your computer so you can attend the meeting standing. You'll be able to take deeper breaths and this will help you sound more lively. 

• Speak in statements, not in questions. This will automatically make you sound more confident.

• Enunciate. If you hear attendees asking, "What did you say?" try enunciating just a little. Audio-only is a disaster for the mumblers among us.