Voice Tips

The biggest mistake people make when reading from an autocue, delivering a speech from a podium or using any script for a presentation is to use the ‘reading voice’.

Any sort of delivery, especially if being captured on video, needs to have energy. And that energy can only come if you ‘speak’ the script, not read it.

So, how do you prepare text to deliver it with energy, so as  not sound like you’re just reading it? Here is my advice:

1. If your words have been written by a comms team, then make them your own. You MUST find your own voice. After all, you’re the one in front of the camera.
2. Use contractions liberally. Change things like ‘My name is David and I am very happy to be here…’ (written) to ‘ Hi, I’m David and it’s great to be here with you all…’ (spoken).
3. CAPITALIZE words that need extra stress- words that convey the emotion of the text – FANTASTIC, GREAT, EXCITED, HAPPY, UNBELIEVABLE… Your eye will see this as the autocue rolls.
4. Chunk the script. This is a gamechanger. Why? Because it slows you down, allows you to pause appropriately, and gives you the exact words you need to stress.

If you take the time to prepare a script, even if it’s technical, data-heavy and what some might consider dull, I can 100% guarantee it will make your delivery dynamic and engaging – IE spoken, not read.

Try it for yourself next time. It really works.

🏆⭐️ Helping Good Speakers Become Great Speakers.