Archive for October, 2005
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October 20 2005 Issue Your Voice Matters
Thursday, October 20th, 2005 Your Voice Matters
October 20, 2005
Published by Marlena Reigh
_______________________________
© M. Reigh 2005
Welcome to our many subscribers who signed up through
our web site or at an event where Marlena Reigh
presented.
This ezine is subscription based and sent only to those
who ASK to be on the mailing list.
If you have received this ezine in error we apologize.
To unsubscribe please see instructions at the end of this
ezine.
==============================================
IN THIS ISSUE
==============================================
1. Greetings From The Author Marlena Reigh
2. Telephone Tips Series:#1 Increase Your Call-backs
3. Quote of The Month: Ingrid Bergman
4. Voice Skills Tips: You’re Too LOUD!
5. A Question From One Of Our Readers
6. We’d Love To Hear From You
==============================================
1. Greetings From The Author Marlena Reigh
==============================================
Email is great and it has changed the way we communicate
on a daily basis. There are some things that email
cannot convey and that is the tone of what is being
said. Sometimes emails can occur abrupt and insensitive
whether it is intentional or not. Remember that the
telephone communication still rules when it comes to
conveying the human touch through the human voice.
The Telephone Tips Series is the first of five
installments. In Ingrid Bergman’s quote we are
clued in the value of a kiss. Being too loud is one
of the most annoying voice habits.And the question
from one of our readers should help those of you
who are in meetings frequently.Hope to hear from
you.
==============================================
2. Telephone Tips Series: #1 Increase Your Call-backs
==============================================
Leaving effective telephone messages is crucial to getting
results. These results can have a major impact on your
business image, time management and sales figures.
It amazes me when I listen to messages on my answering
machine that many of these sales people actually think I
am going to take them seriously and call them back. It’s
hard to believe they take themselves seriously when they
rattle off their information and sound eager to get the call
over with.
Someone who compels a call-back tends to:
* Sound interesting and interested.
* Have a personable tone that reflects a (human)
personality.
* Leaves call-back information that doesn’t require the
message to be replayed.
Her are major keys to call-back success:
=> Create a short script (see below)
=> Have a voice that has appropriate enthusiasm and
energy.
=> Maintain a warm human quality that doesn’t sound
mechanical.
=> Use a conversational style.
=> Slow down the pace.
=> Articulate and speak words in a deliberate and inviting
fashion.
=> Let them know you are eager to hear from them.
=> Enjoy the process.
When writing a brief script, I would suggest writing it on
yellow paper or card-stock, and adding graphic art that will
give you a visual to help you enjoy the process.
Script steps:
1. Keep your message to 30 seconds or less.
2. Name
3. Company
4. Phone number with pauses “area
code-/-734-/-668-/-60-/-74″
5. Message with one key point
6. Call to action
7. Best time to call back (optional unless you have been
playing phone tag) day/time
8. Request they give you two times that would be best for
you to call back.
9. Name and phone number again, “Again, this is
Marlena Reigh at 734-/668-/-60-/74″
10. Complete the call with “I am looking forward to talking
to you soon. Thank you, good bye”
**********************Sponsor*****************************
” Voice Skills For Telephone Success” is one of the hottest
programs Marlena Reigh offers. Have Marlena come into
your organization to evaluate and coach the voices on your
team. Email marlena@myvoicespeakssuccess.com
*****************************************************************
==============================================
3. Quote Of The Month: Ingrid Bergman
==============================================
“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop
speech when words become superfluous”
Ingrid Bergman Actor
==============================================
==============================================
4. Voice Skills Tips: “You’re Too Loud!”
==============================================
Are you too LOUD? What do you do?
In a recent survey, people ranked speaking too loud as one
of the most annoying voice traits. Is this a problem for you?
Do you know? What can you do about it?
Here are some signs that you may be speaking too loud:
=> People back away from you when you talk.
=> Everyone in the room turns around when you begin to
speak.
=> You get stares.
=> You are asked to talk softer.
=> You are told directly that you are talking too loud.
When you talk too loud, you are actually invading another’s
personal audio space. This can not only sound threatening
for
people, but can also physically feel threatening too. The trait
of being too loud can result from various things: growing up
in a loud household, being around someone who is hard of
hearing. being hard of hearing yourself, feeling the need to
get attention, or it can simply be an old habit.
Here are some methods that can help you tone down.
#1. Be aware of how loud your are speaking your volume
level and observe how others respond or react to your
volume level. Simply being aware of how others are
responding can help you monitor your volume.
#2. Evaluate if your are loud all the time or only at certain
times. Are you loud only in certain situations? Only with
certain people?
#3. Focus the sound of your voice and imagine it going no
further than your
nose.
**********************Sponsor*****************************
Have a voice that gains credibility and gets results. Contact
Marlena about personal voice coaching.
*************************************************************
==============================================
5. A Question From One Of Our Readers:
==============================================
Question:
Deep writes:
“I have a question for you. I seem to have problems
with ‘volume dynamics’ of my voice. This problem
becomes more acute if I do not get enough sleep the
previous night-I do not seem to be able to ‘reach’
my base voice. I have noticed that when I stand up
and speak it does help. However, most of the meetings
that I run at work are in a sit-down position. Can you
provide me with some tips on how to improve/develop
my base voice (i.e. make it ‘louder/deeper)?
Thank you.”
Answer:
“Dear Deep, Getting rest is important in order to
have support and control of your voice. What you
seem to be experiencing may be stress related. My
suggestion is to do voice exercises daily to build
vocal and physical stamina. Do the exercises standing
up and sitting down. Make sure to watch your posture.
Keep the chest high and shoulders down and back. It is
common for those sitting at a desk to unknowingly allow
their body to collapse therefore limiting breath support
and affecting sound quality. Working on articulation
can also be beneficial. Always, always. always
warm up your voice before your meetings. Check out some
of the articles on my web site about warming up the voice
and vocal health. http://www.myvoicespeakssuccess.com
By the way, my voice exercise workout CD
‘7 Exercises For A More Dynamic Speaking Voice’ would be
great by coaching you through powerful exercises that
build support and stamina as well as tone quality.
You can find information at:
http://www.myvoicespeakssuccess.com/tools.html
Let me know about your progress. Warmly, Marlena”
=======================================
**********************Sponsor*****************************
Free one-on-one voice evaluation with purchase of
“7 Exercises For A More Dynamic Speaking Voice” program.
Find out what your voice says about you. Let Marlena tell
you how to have a powerful and compelling voice.
Only $29.95 Order now before this offer expires!
http://myvoicespeakssucess.com/tools
************************************************************
==============================================
6. We’d Love To Hear From You
==============================================
YOur questions, voice stories, input, and feedback
would be appreciated.
***************Please Forward*************************
Please forward Your Voice Matters ezine to friends,
colleagues, and organizations who could benefit from
developing a voice image that projects
confidence, credibility, and motivates others to take
action.
To get your own subscription visit us at:
http://www.myvoicespeakssuccess.com/
*****************************************************************
==============================================
FREE ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATION
==============================================
I have articles available for reprint in your publication or
company newsletter. You may use these articles that you
see in Your Voice Matters.
For more articles:
http://myvoicespeakssuccess.com/articles.html
To reprint these articles:Print the article in its entirety,
include the by line at the top, the credits, and the complete
contact information at the end of each article. Send a tear
sheet or electronic copy to:
marlena@myvoicespeakssuccess.com
Thank you!
==============================================
About Marlena Reigh
Marlena Reigh has been a voice image specialist for over
twenty years and has worked with over 1,000 individuals
voices. She offers one-on-one coaching to executives,
leaders, and professionals. Her seminars and programs
in voice for professional excellence in presentation, sales,
and telephone success are in high demand with
organizations in various industries.
Contact information:
Marlena Reigh
2359 Prairie Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48105 USA
(734) 668-6074, Fax (734) 663-7190
mail to : myvoiceimage @aol.com or
marlena@myvoicespeakssuccess.com
http://myvoicespeakssuceess.com
=====================================
Your Voice Matters Newsletter October 6, 2005
Thursday, October 6th, 2005 Your Voice Matters
October 6, 2005
Published by Marlena Reigh
_______________________________
http://myvoicespeakssuccess.com
Radiant Publishing 2005
Welcome to our many subscribers who signed up through
our web site or at an event where Marlena Reigh
presented.
This ezine is subscription based and sent only to those
who ASK to be on the mailing list.
If you have received this ezine in error we apologize.
To unsubscribe please see instructions at the end of this
ezine.
==============================================
IN THIS ISSUE
==============================================
1. Greetings From The Author Marlena Reigh
2. If You’re In Sales, Play With Me!
3. Quote of The Month:Alice Hoffman
4. Vocal Exercise: Warm Up Your Day
==============================================
1. Greetings from the author Marlena Reigh
==============================================
Whether we admit it or not, we are all in sales. You could
be a manager, in production, a scientist, or own your own
company and selling your ideas and having others take
action is often critical in making progress. This ezine
is focused on helping you get comfortable and confident
with your speaking voice, which can be key to your success.
When you read the “If You’re In Sales, Play With Me”
story think about how you connect with listeners.
Then start off the day with “Vocal
Exercises: Warm Up Your Day.”
==============================================
2. If You’re In Sales, Play With Me!
==============================================
I was at a business mixer and as I stood in the buffet line a
gentleman ahead of me began a conversation. He was a
financial planner and I mentioned to him that my husband
and I were looking at long-term care insurance. He eagerly
said he had a plan and wanted to set up and appointment
with us.
He then asked me my age (Isn’t there a law about asking a
woman–not to mention someone you don’t know– her
age?) I laughed nervously, but he persisted, saying it was
imperative that he know my age so he could give me a
ballpark figure. I swallowed hard and told him my age. He
then took that information and started verbally calculating. I
said, “Joe” (not his real name), “You missed your cue.” He
stopped tallying and looked at me quizzically. I said, “You’re
suppose to say ‘Oh, no, you can’t be that old. You look like
you just graduated from college.’”
He blinked at me and then said, ” I can give you a really
good price that will…:. He lost me. Here was an opportunity
to connect with me on a personal level in my style of
communication, as well as take a serious and sometimes
unpleasant subject, and put a light and almost fun spin on
our conversation. But it went right over his head.
My thoughts were, “If he isn’t going to play with me, then I
don’t want to work with him. He is boring and stiff and
obviously more interested in the sale than listening to me . I
must look like a great big dollar sign.
Now Joe might have had the greatest plan in the world but
as far as I was concerned, he blew it. He didn’t know how to
take it one step further, that is, to listen to what I was saying.
He chose to go for the sales pitch rather than engage in
building a relationship with me.
Which brings me to my point. There are so many people out
there selling the same stuff we are at the same prices, that
what will differentiate us and give us the leading edge is
building that personal relationship. So when you are in a
sales mode, just remember, as you pay attention to the
sound of your voice, maybe you should give it a rest and
listen. Then you can truly give good service to your clients.
==============================================
3. Quote Of The Month: Alice Hoffman
==============================================
“You have to choose the voice you are going to trust.
You can’t listen to everyone.”
Alice Hoffman American Writer
==============================================
**********************Sponsor*****************************
Have a voice that gains credibility and gets results. Contact
Marlena about personal voice coaching.
marlena@myvoicespeakssuccess.com
*************************************************************
==============================================
4. Voice Exercise: Warm Up Your Day
==============================================
One of the key ingredients to having a successful voice
image
is to be prepared to use your voice in a powerful way.
Years ago I was at a 7:00 am Chamber breakfast meeting
and a gentleman sat next to me and asked, “So, Marlena
what do you do?” I replied, “I, uh, ooh, eh, I’m a, well, ah”
(sigh) “I teach people how to use their voice more
effectively”.
I gave him a big smile. I’m thinking, “Here I am a voice
person
and I just broke the first rule. I did not warm up my voice
before getting in front of others.” As I smiled, he laughed
and said, “That’s a good one!” Yes, he thought I was
putting him on.
Now there are a few lessons here: One is that smiling
and keeping one’s composure can often save you in an
awkward moment. Second, is that even a seasoned voice
professional is in the process of learning. Third, and
most important warming up your voice and body is your
best insurance for having a voice that gets attention,
gains credibility, and gives you confidence.
Think of yourself as an athlete in training. Would you run
a marathon without warming up? What if you were a
musician?
Would you play your instrument without doing the physical
and mental preparation before performing? Using your
voice
in a powerful way means using the entire body, not just
the throat and mouth area.
Here are some quick exercises to warm up your voice and
your day.
=> When in the shower, gargle with warm water and add a
tone
=> Hum the song “Happy Birthday” three times in different
keys
=> Swing your arms back and around as you say, “Gooooo,
for it!”
=> Smile and say out loud, “Three great things about today
are,
one,(and then name them”.
Add enthusiasm and move.
You can do these exercises when getting ready for work or
in your car.
Warming up your voice will not only have you sounding
better but
it will also help you be more alert and energized. Others
love
being around those who are energized. But when in doubt
SMILE!
**********************Sponsor*****************************
Free one-on-one voice evaluation with purchase of
“7 Exercises For A More Dynamic Speaking Voice”
program.
Find out what your voice says about you. Let Marlena tell
you how to have a powerful and compelling voice.
Only $29.95 Order now before this offer expires!
http://myvoicespeakssucess.com/tools
************************************************************
***************Please Forward*************************
Please forward Your Voice Matters ezine to friends,
colleagues, and organizations who could benefit from
developing a voice image that projects
confidence, credibility, and motivates others to take
action.
To get your own subscription visit us at:
http://www.myvoicespeakssuccess.com/
*****************************************************************
==============================================
FREE ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATION
==============================================
I have articles available for reprint in your publication or
company newsletter. You may use these articles that you
see in Your Voice Matters.
For more articles:
http://myvoicespeakssuccess.com/articles.html
To reprint these articles: Print the article in its entirety,
include the by line at the top, the credits, and the complete
contact information at the end of each article. Send a tear
sheet or electronic copy to:
marlena@myvoicespeakssuccess.com
Thank you!
==============================================
About Marlena Reigh
Marlena Reigh has been a voice image specialist for over
twenty years and has worked with over 1,000 individuals
voices. She offers one-on-one coaching to executives,
leaders, and professionals. Her seminars and programs
in voice for professional excellence in presentation, sales,
and telephone success are in high demand with
organizations in various industries.
