How To Make Anything Sound More Impressive: Using ‘SOUND BITES’
Ever heard of ‘Sound Bites’ before?
If not, they’re a tiny hack you’re going to want to learn to use!
Because they can make anything sound more impressive. 💃🕺🏾
Whether that ‘anything’ is = you, a product, a tool, an idea, etc.
I’ve shared about them before, in one of my previous articles back in Aug 2022 (‘6 Things To Prep So You’re More Memorable On A Panel‘), but not in detail on its own.
So today I wanted to deep-dive on it for you.
It’s something I’ve been consciously implementing myself a lot recently.
And something I share regularly with my 1:1 clients too.
WHAT IS A SOUND BITE?
It’s a short and snappy statement.
Sort of like a quote.
But it’s something you make up. Not something you findon the internet.
I don’t have a formula for a sound bite, although my rule of thumb is generally to keep it around 5 words.
WHY ARE THEY SO POWERFUL?
They cut through the noise, make an impact & stick in people’s minds.
Hence why I say they will make anything sound more impressive.
Which is a very powerful tool to have up your sleeve! Trust me.
HOW TO PULL IT OFF
Firstly, you ideally want to have this ‘Sound Bite’ figured out in advance.
So you can set it up properly with your voice.
As you want it to be very obvious to your audience that you are sharing something impressive.
How do you do that?
- Deliberate vocal emphasis
- A long pause.
You want to really emphasise the words with your voice and then pause directly afterwards (for a few seconds).
To allow people to really register it.
WHAT’S AN EXAMPLE OF IT IN USE?
On Tuesday, I hosted a welcome session for a corporate cohort of my group program ‘The Captivating Storyteller’ (TCS).
The 8 participants all come from a Tech recruitment company. As such, sales and influence is a crucial part of their role.
When prepping for this, I wanted to start by explaining the value of TCS.
To capture the essence of what they would get out of TCS.
Before I deep-dived into the detail of the Program.
But I knew the value proposition had to be – SHORT.
So, instead of sharing a long-winded explanation of the value:
E.g. “The Captivating Storyteller will teach you how to use the art of storytelling to better influence and inspire people, across all communication scenarios”
I explained that storytelling was:
“The gift of ……. INFLUENCE…….”
Then I explained what I meant.
That they would be able to use these skills to influence almost any communication scenario.
Whether it was written, OR verbal. Casual or formal.
To build trust and rapport, generate buy-in, influence behaviour and change mindsets.
I then deep-dived into everything else that I needed to share about the Program, including the weekly structure, weekly actions, etc etc.
At the end of the session everyone was super excited to officially start the Program.
I believe that was in part because of the way I set it up at the start.
With the emphasis on the short ‘value-centred’ sound bite.
WHEN CAN SOUND-BITES BE USED?
Sound bites can be used in so many different situations.
- Team meetings
- Networking situations
- Panel (or Podcast) interviews
- Conference talks
- Committee or Board Presentations
The list goes on!
In fact I had a 1:1 with a CISO this morning who was prepping their Quarterly Board Pack.
There was a lot of information they’re needing to share with the Board.
So I gave this client the challenge of coming up with some sound bites.
To simplify the vast amounts of information they’re trying to get across.
Which will help the Board Members make sense of their update and help my client build their reputation as a trusted advisor.
IN SUMMARY
Next time you’re sharing information that has a lot of detail….
….. come up with at least one ‘SOUND BITE’.
It will help others make sense of what you’re sharing and make it stick in their minds.
Which will position you (and what you’re presenting on) as MORE IMPRESSIVE 💥
Don’t forget to emphasise this with your voice and pause directly afterwards.
Let me know what you think !?
Cheers,
Emily
Hey, I’m Emily Edgeley, a Public Speaking Coach for the Tech industry.
Since 2017 I’ve transformed the lives of thousands, by helping them to communicate with more power. I’ve run 300+ group coaching sessions, coached more than 250 people privately, and helped more than 100+ others give their first ever Conf talk.
I’m on a mission to help anyone in Tech communicate with more clarity, impact and confidence. To boost their brand, career and influence.
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