The Power of Your Hello

How to Make a Great Vocal First Impression

The Power of Your Hello Video

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Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioural investigator, public speaker, and bestselling author known for her work in the field of human behaviour and communication. She is the founder and lead investigator at Science of People, a research lab that focuses on studying and decoding human behaviour.

Vanessa's work is centred around understanding how people interact, communicate, and behave in different situations. She has conducted extensive research in areas such as body language, communication, and social skills, and has authored several books on the subject, including "Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People" and "Human Lie Detection and Body Language 101".

Vanessa is also a sought-after public speaker and has given talks at conferences and events around the world. She has been featured in various media outlets such as CNN, Fast Company, and Inc. Magazine, and has also appeared on popular TV shows like "The Today Show" and "The Doctors".

The Power of Your Hello

Have you ever thought about how you sound when you first say hello on the phone? Whether you are making an important phone interview or a virtual meeting, your vocal first impression matters more than you might think. Research shows that people judge how trustworthy you are within half a second of hearing your hello. So, how can you make a powerful and impactful vocal first impression? In this article, we share some incredible tips and tricks to help you benefit from every single phone conversation.

Your vocal first impression

When it comes to phone conversations, we usually prepare for our answers and think about great things to talk about. However, research has shown that your hello might matter more than prepared answers. People judge your trustworthiness based on your vocal first impression, which happens the moment you answer the phone and say hello. The problem is that we are usually most nervous in the first few seconds, which can make our hello sound breathy, high-pitched, or nervous.

People can hear your mood

In our research lab, we experimented to test the power of our hellos. We had participants record six different versions of their typical hello, including a normal hello, a happy hello, a sad hello, an angry hello, a power-posing hello, and a normal control hello. The results were clear: the same person sounded incredibly different in each version of their recording. Our mood and body language can change the sound of our voice, and this is important because people can hear your mood.

How to sound more confident

We asked readers to rate each recording on likability, and the happy hello was rated as the most likable. This means that if you want to make a great vocal first impression, try to find something to smile about. Genuine happiness is better than a fake smile any day. Avoid checking your email right before getting on a call or while waiting on hold.

Find your maximum resonance point

If you want to sound like a leader, you need to speak with your maximum resonance point. This is where your voice is most relaxed and portrays confidence.

My favourite voice exercise

Finally, we have a vocal exercise that can help you sound more confident and powerful. Find something to smile about, take a deep breath, and say "I am confident and powerful." Repeat this exercise several times to warm up your voice and get in the right mindset.

In conclusion, your vocal first impression matters more than you might think. By following these tips and tricks, you can make a great first impression on the phone and increase your vocal presence. Smile, find your maximum resonance point, and practice vocal exercises to sound more confident and powerful. Remember, your vocal power is incredibly important, so take a deep breath, give someone a nice hello, and make your phone calls more impactful.

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