Vocal variety

Move pitch, pace and volume so people stay with you. Lesson 26 of 70: Articulation, every level.

Monotone loses people

A voice on one note, one speed and one volume tells the listener nothing is important, and they drift. Variety is how you show what matters: pitch (higher for interest, lower for weight), pace (slower for key points, quicker for lists and stories), volume (louder for energy, quieter to draw people in) and stress on the important word.
This is the one number that matters. (Slower and lower on “one number”)
And then, out of nowhere, the phone rang. (Quicker, then a pause)

Smile when you say good news: people hear it. Lower and slow down for bad news or a serious point. Get quieter, not louder, to make a room lean in. And never let a list sound like one long word: rise on each item, fall on the last.
I’m delighted to say we hit our target. (A smile in the voice)
I’m sorry to say we lost the client. (Lower, slower)
Open palms: Honest and inviting: “here is what I think”. The most useful gesture there is.
Hand on your chest: Sincerity: “I mean this”, or “that one’s on me” with an apology.
Tip: Record yourself reading a children’s story aloud. Exaggerate. Then use a third of that variety at work: it will sound natural.

Record the same three sentences three ways: flat, then over the top like a children’s storyteller, then somewhere in between. “We hit our target. But one client left us. Here is what we will do next.” Watch the in-between take back.
My flat take sounded flat
My storyteller take was truly over the top
My in-between take had a clear high, low and pause

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