VP PUBLICITY

Fellow Toastmasters and friends:

I was recently asked by our 2006 Area Governor, Soraya Deen, to speak on a audio CD that she is marketing, "The Heart of Winning Negotiation". It's been great working with Soraya on this, and the project has demonstrated to me how critical vocal versatility is to making a powerful delivery in your speechmaking. 

Within each of us is a beautiful, expressive vocal instrument. Your powers of vocal delivery and tonal  color are greater than you might imagine. 

In the media, the persuasive and colorful voiceover urges us to get into the holiday spirit, to buy a product, or go see a movie. The voice delivers the intellectual, concrete message that goes with the images, yet most often with feeling and persuasion, with firmness, friendliness, or urgency.

Choose your favorite newscaster or voiceover artist. There are dozens of great ones. In my work I often deal with voice actors, some of whom earn substantial amounts of money doing their voiceover work. 

And it’s not just vocal power that such performers can produce. The best of them can hit their assignment on target the first time. If they have to create an animated character, they know how to produce just the right tonal color and inflection. If it’s a commercial or a trailer, the best VO artists know how to “read” the lines, and hit the words with exactly the right timing, the right pauses, the right energy. The same thing goes for “performers” in the boardroom, and at seminars and trade shows.

Now I want you to think about your voice. What are the most redeeming characteristics of your voice? How much of the power and versatility in your voice are you exploiting everyday? When you give a speech? 10 percent? 50 percent? 80 percent?

Are you delivering all the richness and tonal color that your speech deserves? Your ideas may be compelling, but if you want to command your audience, I recommend that you use all the powers that your voice has to offer. Pitch: High and low. Volume: loud and soft. Speed: fast and slow. Sentences and pauses: long and short. Try them all! Use them all! 

Toastmasters is the place to go over the top and experiment with your voice and your speaking style. Break out of your everyday speech habits and make a high-impact oration with tonal color, pauses, and changes in energy, and I guarantee your next speech will be a hit with our audience!  

See you Monday!

-John Graves, CTM

WCTM Meeting

Monday Nov 19, 645pm at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel, Woodland Hills. Guests welcomed, no reservations required. $5 guest fee (includes buffet)

WCTM Holiday Party

·           Saturday, December 8, 7:00 PM at Tess Asiala’s beautiful home.

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