How to Sound More Confident?
Confidence is a BIG factor in how much influence you have over others.
When you believe in yourself, others will feel your confidence and start believing in what you’re saying too. Having confidence can be something hard to master but there are ways to develop it.
Also, speaking confidently to a crowd isn’t an easy task. It can be very intimidating and you may second guess yourself when your time for speaking comes. The good thing about this is that everyone starts somewhere and no one is perfect at the start.
You have to learn the best tips to speak confidently which will help you ease into public speaking, even if your anxiety isn’t something you’re used to dealing with.
Today, I will share some actionable tips that will help navigate your speaking challenges to sound more confident!
1) Speak From Your Diaphragm
Do you want a more commanding voice?
You can try to speak from your abdomen.
When you truly need people to listen to what you have to say, such as during job interviews or speeches, this kind of speaking voice might be useful.
2) Communicate in a relaxed tone
Relaxed voices sound more convincing. It is simpler to hear and process deeper sounds. Keep in mind that most people speak at a pitch that is too high because of bodily strain.
However, don’t just use an artificial voice!
You need to completely learn to relax your vocal system.
Release the tension in your face, mouth, shoulders, and throat to develop a strong, commanding voice.
3) Don’t articulate a statement as a question
When knowledge is lacking or when someone needs confirmation of an idea or choice, they will ask questions.
To project your ideas with confidence, maintain an even tone of voice and finish your statements with periods, not question marks.
4) Slow Down
150 words per minute is the best speech tempo for public speaking.
Your audience will feel less like you are speaking at them and more like you are conversing with them over lunch when you speak at this pace.
5) Avoid Space Fillers
Avoid saying “um”, “uhhs”, and “aahs.”
When you have meaningless space fillers between words and sentences, it seems that you are not confident in your message.
Removing these space fillers will not make you sound more professional and confident.
6) Smile!
One way to sound warm and friendly while speaking is to smile just a little bit. Even hearing someone else smiling as they speak can elevate the vibe.
Last tip?
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Picture yourself speaking confidently in front of a crowd of people.
Imagine the thoughts in your head, the words spilling out of your mouth, as you tell your story with confidence and poise. Speak confidently knowing that every word has served to help you become a better speaker over time.
Sometimes, all you need to do is have belief in yourself.
Stay Awesome. Stay Productive.
– Divas Gupta