How we say the words we choose is just about as important as the words themselves. Our voice is a powerful instrument that can motivate the troops or lull them to sleep. There is a huge difference between presenting and persuading. Your voice is a complete arsenal of persuasive techniques in and of itself. For example, you can say the same thing but mean five different things, depending on the tone of your voice. You can say “Thank you” laden with sarcasm, love, hate, anger, humor, or surprise–just by changing the tone and inflection of your voice.

Peter Blanck, in his research, found that judges communicated their bias and attitudes by the tone of their voice. The juries in California were twice as likely to convict trial defendants when the judges already knew the defendants had a record and prior convictions. The law simply states that the judge cannot share this private information with the jurors. Researchers found that when (judges) the judge gave the instructions to the jury, his words and tone of voice lacked warmth, patience, and tolerance.

You can change your rate of speech, your vocal fillers (um, uh, ah), the volume, pitch, inflection, emphasis, and even the pauses that you use. You can keep an audience listening with both ears and with full energy, rendering them absolutely spellbound because of the power of your voice.

Your voice is who you are. It is your trademark and your calling card. Your voice must exude energy, confidence, and conviction. We tend to judge others by their voice: Is it confident, nervous, relaxed, energized, tired, weak, or strong? If you sound unsure and timid, your ability to persuade will falter. Persuasive voices have great volume, varied emphases, good articulation, and a pleasing pitch. Master Persuaders use vocal variety and frequently vary their pace.

The good news is you can change many characteristics of your voice. Tape your voice. What does it project? Your voice must be interesting and easy to listen to in order to help, rather than hinder, your ability to persuade. Does your voice work for you or against you?

PACE refers to how quickly you speak. Mehrabian and Williams found that people who spoke faster, louder, and more fluently as well as those who varied their vocal frequency and intensity were perceived as more persuasive than those who did not.

Speeches delivered at fast speeds are more persuasive than those of slow or moderate speeds, because persuaders who speak faster appear more competent and knowledgeable. At these faster rates, receivers are not able to mentally engage in counter-arguing.

Pace and SPEED are also important to keep and capture attention. We can think three times faster than we can speak. We have all had conversations and were able to listen while thinking of other things. When we speak faster, we can keep attention longer. There is less time for our audience’s mind to wander. Studies show that we generally like faster speakers and find them more interesting. Most speakers average 120 to 180 words per minute. But there is no ideal speed. Franklin Roosevelt spoke 110 words per minute while John Kennedy raced along at 180 words per minute. Persuasive speakers will speak fast enough to excite and energize the mood of the audience but will be able to slow their pace down to create a mood of anticipation.

FILLERS can destroy your presentation, hurt your credibility, and annoy your audience. Most people feel they don’t have a problem with this, and most of them are wrong. You would be amazed when you tape yourself what words you use to fill in space during a speech. Fillers are not acceptable and need to be eliminated from all speech. Vocal fillers include the common “um,” “er,” and “uh.” Some people have their own idiosyncratic way of filling in the silence between ideas that makes them uncomfortable. Some repeat the first two or three words of a sentence until their brain catches up and they decide what they’re going to say. Others might say, “Okay” at the end of every sentence, as if they’re checking audience com prehension.

PITCH is the highness or lowness of the speaker’s voice. Low is best. In our culture, deeper voices are generally interpreted as reflecting authority and strength, for both men and women. In addition, a deeper voice is stereotypically considered to be more believable, indicative of an individual’s sincerity and trustworthiness. Some speakers even drink hot tea before they speak, a technique that creates a lower sounding voice.

Remembering to employ variety in your speaking is a constant challenge, but it is of paramount importance. You can help people remain alert and pay attention while you speak if the pitch of your voice rises and falls. There are two main reasons why this strategy works. First, the varying pitches will prevent your voice from sounding monotonous. Second, the varying inflections can help emphasize a particular word. Remember, if you are not an engaging speaker, you will not be persuasive.

Clearly ARTICULATE every sentence, phrase, and word. When your speech is clear and coherent, it conveys competence. When your articulation gets sloppy, it suggests lack of education and laziness. Consider how lawyers, doctors, supervisors, lobbyists, and the like must be articulate if they are to survive professionally. Good articulation conveys competence, experience, and credibility. Another practical reason to have good articulation is simply because it is so much easier to follow. As previously discussed, people will comply with you more if you are easy to understand.

Treat your PAUSES like gold. Well-timed pauses attract attention to a particular part of your presentation, give others time to tune in and process your message, and help you gain poise and confidence if you’re rattled. Use intentional pauses for the points you intend to drive home. Not only does a pause increase comprehension, but it also helps to highlight important points. Use pauses to create attention, emphasis, and mood.

A carefully planned pause usually comes before the point you want to highlight. It is a common mistake to not hold the pause long enough. Be sure you allow enough of a pause that the full effect will be felt. When you do this, the audience anticipates and listens closely to what you will say next. They can tell something important is about to happen. This strategy is made even more effective when you combine it with pitch strategies: Be sure that as you come to the pause, your pitch is high, thereby building suspense and giving momentum to what will follow. Inflecting your pitch downward will defeat the purpose, providing a feeling of resolution instead of suspension.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

What are you using to fill in the pauses in your presentation? How are you going to stop using vocal fillers?

Make an audio of your self and judge yourself on pace, inflection, pitch, volume, articulation, and pauses.

Analyze your call to action and persuasive presentation and add silence to the key moments.

Singing Lessons – Smart Singing
Date: 04.14.10
Coach: Jesse Nemitz
Artist: Andrew Trask

A lot of singers come to Brett Manning Studios with some prior knowledge of singing, but many don’t have solid technique to build upon. This lesson deals with learning proper techniques to build a voice that can sing anything.

Jesse talks about evaluating your voice to see where your problem areas are. He also gives some examples of common mistakes singers make when beginning a new technique.

Approximate Length: 45 minutes 04 seconds

http://www.singingsuccessonline.com/ad/youtube_sso_article/

Duration : 0:3:56

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Vocal Lessons – Advanced Vocal Warm Up Part 1
Date: 12.23.09
Coach: Jesse Nemitz
Artist: Mark Poots

Jesse’s in the studio with recently certified Brett Manning Associate, Mark Poots. Mark has a big tenor voice, and needs a big warm up to get him ready to sing.

This warm up is one of the most advanced vocal workouts you will find anywhere. Its so advanced, we had to break it up into two lessons…be sure to check out part two coming next week.

Approximate Length: 48 minutes 29 seconds

http://www.singingsuccessonline.com/ad/youtube_sso_article/

Duration : 0:4:31

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Duration : 0:2:57

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Vocal Lessons – Classical Vocal – Reconditioning
Date: 08.19.2009
Coach: Brett Manning
Artist: Jason Catron

Tags: brett manning, singing success online, vocal technique, method, voice lessons, reconditioning, jason catron, classical singer

Description:
Directed by: Jeremy Spencer

Bretts in the studio with long time friend and recording artist, Jason Catron. Jason has had some time off and needs to get his voice ready for some upcoming shows.

Brett gives a few simple exercises to help strengthen Jasons voice, and get him back into shape. This lesson is great for anyone needing a vocal tune up. Check out Jason’t Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/jasoncatron .

Approximate Length: 36 minutes 15 seconds
Quality: 640×360 759 kbps

http://www.singingsuccessonline.com/ad/youtube_sso_article/

Duration : 0:3:49

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Voice Lessons – Voice Change
Date: 07.22.2009
Coach: Brett Manning
Artist: Dallas West

Tags: brett manning, singing success online, vocal break, technique, method, lessons, changes in the voice, dallas west

Description:
Directed by: Jeremy Spencer

Dallas West recently came to Brett with one of the most common vocal problems; the vocal break. Dallas break is unique because his voice is just beginning to mature. Even so, there are many people who experience this same break in later stages of vocal maturity or due to vocal tissue damage.

Brett shows Dallas how to work through his difficulties in order to strengthen his voice and learn from his mistakes. Brett gives some effective exercises that help him sing without cracking. This lesson is great for anyone who is dealing with an adolescent voice.

Approximate Length: 32 minutes 32 seconds
Quality: 640×360 759 kbps

http://www.singingsuccessonline.com/ad/youtube_sso_article/

Duration : 0:3:24

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Vocal Lessons – Advanced Vocal Warm Up Part 2
Date: 12.30.09
Coach: Jesse Nemitz
Artist: Mark Poots

Jesse’s back in the studio with new Brett Manning Associate, Mark Poots, for part two of their advanced warm up. Jesse goes into further detail about the importance of correcting small mistakes in the voice that translate into big problems.

Be sure to go back and watch part one to get the full understanding of this advanced vocal warm up.

Approximate Length: 32 minutes 24 seconds

http://www.singingsuccessonline.com/ad/youtube_sso_article/

Duration : 0:3:55

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MASTERING MIX
Date: 10.14.2009
Coach: Brett Manning
Artist: Heather Hawkins

Tags: mastering mix, brett manning, singing success online, vocal technique, method, voice lessons, exercises, heather hawkins

Description:
Directed by: Jeremy Spencer

Brett gives a preview of his new program, Mastering Mix, and talks about the importance of the mastering your mix. Pre-order today here – http://www.singingsuccess.com/mastering-mix .

The Mix is the most elusive part of the voice. It creates a smooth transition between the chest voice (bottom) and the head voice (top) which enables singers to reach their full potential. Ninety percent of singers experience some kind of break-flip or disconnect between these two qualities. With the mix, you have the power of chest voice and the freedom of head voice – The same commercial tones used by greats like Keith Urban, Hayley Williams of Paramore, Take 6, and many more are unveiled.

Approximate Length: 27 minutes 52 seconds
Quality: 640×360 759 kbps

http://www.singingsuccessonline.com/ad/youtube_sso_article

Duration : 0:3:39

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Voice Lessons & Tips: Brett Manning Teaches How To Sing “E”

Just a free vocal quick tip. Brett Manning talks about one of the hardest vowels to sing, “E”. Traditionally singers will change the “E” vowel to an “Ay” or it will remain an “E” but be very strained, constricted, or squeezed sounding.

Brett shows how to use a sligthly different approach to find a full sounding “E”. Hint: He sneaks in from a different vowel to provide the release that the “E” vowel needs. We think it works pretty well so tell us what you think.

Duration : 0:2:38

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Finally, a tutorial for the men to find out how to fit in to my vocal lessons.

Thanks for watching guys!

Duration : 0:4:57

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