by Gilda Bonanno LLC
While our communication has expanded to include video conferencing, phone calls remain a key tool for networking and professional conversations. It may feel "old-school," but phone calls can be just as effective—if you use your voice to its full advantage.
Here are four essential tactics to ensure you come across clearly and professionally on phone calls (and video calls with your camera turned off):
Speak Loudly and Clearly: Your voice is your only tool on a call, so make sure it’s strong and clear. Standing up while speaking can improve projection and give your voice more energy.
Smile: Yes, we can hear it. Your tone naturally changes when you smile, making you sound more engaged and positive. Standing and smiling also help ground your voice and keep your energy high.
Ensure a Reliable Connection: A poor headset connection or phone network can ruin a conversation. Test your phone line, headset or microphone in advance to ensure clear and consistent audio.
Assume the Mute Button Is Broken: Never say anything on a call that you wouldn’t want others to hear. Whether joining a meeting early or thinking you're on mute, always assume someone is listening—because they probably are.
By keeping these simple ideas in mind, you can make your phone networking and presentations more professional, engaging and effective.
© Gilda Bonanno LLC - Gilda Bonanno serves as a trusted advisor to executives and entrepreneurs to transform their communication, presentation and leadership skills. She has worked with companies on 4 continents, from Chicago to Shanghai and Rio to Rome. The instructional videos on her YouTube channel have received over 1.5 million views and her e-newsletter has reached subscribers in over 45 countries since 2008. For other articles or to receive Gilda's e-newsletter, visit www.gildabonanno.com