{"id":2307,"date":"2021-06-30T23:59:29","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T22:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/?p=2307"},"modified":"2021-07-05T15:13:01","modified_gmt":"2021-07-05T14:13:01","slug":"warning-fix-your-audio-or-lose-your-credibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2021\/06\/30\/warning-fix-your-audio-or-lose-your-credibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Warning: Fix Your Audio Now Or Lose Your Credibility!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Microphone-and-headset-Pixabay-Bruno-Germany.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Microphone-and-headset-Pixabay-Bruno-Germany.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Microphone-and-headset-Pixabay-Bruno-Germany.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Microphone-and-headset-Pixabay-Bruno-Germany.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Microphone-and-headset-Pixabay-Bruno-Germany.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Microphone-and-headset-Pixabay-Bruno-Germany.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Microphone-and-headset-Pixabay-Bruno-Germany.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Recently, I attended a hybrid event. I logged in from home, so I was a member of the &#8216;online audience&#8217;. A few who were physically present respected the appropriate social distancing norms. The event was a town hall session and the speaker was the head of the organisation. On the agenda was an overview of the financial performance of the institution so I braced myself for an important programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The session started, and straightaway I knew it was going to be tedious listening in. Technical issues ranged from a glitchy network (which was eventually solved when online participants turned off their cameras) to low audio, to that nerve-grating high-pitched screech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">There were frantic messages in the chat section from my fellow online attendees protesting about the piercing feedback in the setup (despite us muting our mics) and the barely audible voice of the speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Eventually, the technical staff intervened and the speaker was given a wireless mic, which was clipped to his garment. Thereafter, online attendees could hear him for the rest of the programme, excluding the occasional fluctuating internet connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">What salvaged the programme was the speaker&#8217;s skills. His credibility as a respected and admired executive aside, his presentation style was engaging. He spoke clearly (and more importantly, loudly), was mindful of the online audience so addressed them by looking into the camera, and encouraged us at home or logging in from elsewhere to ask questions orally or in the chatbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">After the session, however, I noted that the whole experience could have been more effective if the audio quality was sharp and clear from the onset. I admit, I almost logged off completely when it became impossible to hear the speaker. I figured my presence was not necessary when I could wait for the minutes of the meeting afterwards. If the speaker himself had not been an experienced presenter, the poor audio would have diminished his credibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">That experience is a wake-up call for us all since due to the pandemic we&#8217;ve all, in some way, become automatic video presenters and speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">So when I came across fascinating research highlighted in this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.throughlinegroup.com\/2021\/06\/22\/study-your-bad-audio-makes-you-sound-dumber\/\">article<\/a> that reveals that bad audio makes you appear less credible, less intelligent, and less likeable, the science vindicated what fellow trainers and I in the field have known for a while: boost your audio or lose your credibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Below are some useful tips to note about your audio quality when you&#8217;re called upon to speak, present or facilitate sessions in a virtual or hybrid programme:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1)<\/strong> <strong>Connect directly to your router via an Ethernet cable where possible<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:17px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">I got this tip from a post that Rob Biesenbach published over a year ago, and this single practical adjustment has elevated my overall performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">If you&#8217;re working from home and need to give a presentation or a speech, don&#8217;t rely solely on your Wi-Fi connection. Where possible, connect directly to the main source of internet via an Ethernet cable. Your signal will be sharper and will prevent glitches. A stable connection is critical for a seamless audio experience. There&#8217;s nothing worse than delivering your most powerful point and suddenly being &#8216;thrown out\u2019 of the session. Even if you&#8217;re reconnected speedy, it breaks the &#8216;flow&#8217; and you&#8217;d need to work hard to regain the audience&#8217;s attention and trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">As a communication facilitator, poor network has negatively impacted my sessions in the past. Although the participants were forgiving (this was at the peak of the pandemic), I often needed to immediately reclaim lost ground, recap my points and prioritise interaction with the audience. The increased performance drained me even further as an introvert and afterwards, I had to &#8216;retreat&#8217; to recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">If all else fails, however, and the only option is to work with your Wi-Fi, then negotiate with members of your home to disconnect from the Wi-Fi until your session is over. This move will free up more bandwidth for your connection. If you&#8217;re a member of the audience and are not mandated to turn on your camera, consider &#8216;sacrificing it by turning it off in favour of an improved audio connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Audio is more important if you&#8217;re forced to choose between the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">When I shared the article listing the effect of poor audio quality on a speaker&#8217;s credibility, Biesenbach made an interesting comment in my LinkedIn post, a screenshot of which is below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:17px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Rob-Biesenbach-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=640%2C318&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Rob-Biesenbach-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=1024%2C509&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Rob-Biesenbach-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=300%2C149&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Rob-Biesenbach-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=768%2C382&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Rob-Biesenbach-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?w=1190&amp;ssl=1 1190w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">If the entertainment industry has figured out how critical great sound quality is to viewers, then note that your sporadic internet connection does you no favours, and would worsen your verbal delivery since your audience members will retain little of what you share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">No point subjecting yourself to the additional pressure of ensuring you&#8217;re heard and understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Set yourself up for a confident, flawless delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Just fix your audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2) Get an external microphone or headset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Again, you can be forgiven for poor video quality but not dismal audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Virtual and hybrid presentations are here to stay. So whether you&#8217;re giving a talk, speech, keynote, lecture, or a training programme, sabotage-proof your delivery. Get an external microphone or a headset, and don&#8217;t rely on your laptop&#8217;s built-in microphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Even if you have a high-grade laptop or desktop with a powerful in-built microphone and speakers, invest in a lavalier microphone, a standalone microphone or a headset because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:9px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; It helps eliminate background noise (pets, kids, phones, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:9px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; It ensures stunning clarity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Depending on your budget, you could get standard options. I use a Blue Yeti microphone for my laptop via which I connect my earplugs. Other times, I use a headset. Both are reasonably priced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Over at LinkedIn, more interesting comments were made on the need for external mics, one from a career expert, Sonal Bahl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:17px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"446\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Sonal-Bahl-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=640%2C446&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Sonal-Bahl-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=1024%2C714&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Sonal-Bahl-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=300%2C209&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Sonal-Bahl-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=768%2C535&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Sonal-Bahl-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?w=1199&amp;ssl=1 1199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Another explained how the audience feels about a speaker with poor audio (Linda Dunn)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"218\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Linda-Dunn-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=640%2C218&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Linda-Dunn-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=1024%2C348&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Linda-Dunn-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=300%2C102&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Linda-Dunn-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=768%2C261&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Linda-Dunn-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?w=1199&amp;ssl=1 1199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">A fellow presentation trainer, Kolarele Sonaike reshared my post\u00a0 and was pleased to read about the science that backed up what he regularly tells clients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"247\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Kolarele-Sonaike-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=640%2C247&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Kolarele-Sonaike-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=1024%2C395&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Kolarele-Sonaike-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=300%2C116&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Kolarele-Sonaike-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?resize=768%2C296&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Kolarele-Sonaike-LinkedIn-screenshot.jpg?w=1199&amp;ssl=1 1199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">As a communications coach as well, I concur. From experience,&nbsp; great audio makes you feel more confident and more prepared to handle even tough questions. Bonus points if you can concisely articulate those clear thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:14px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3) Speak clearly but pause strategically<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Always structure your content so that your Point A logically leads to Point B, and one section segues into another. Otherwise even the best audio quality won&#8217;t save you from the blunder that would be your presentation or speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Be deliberate in your speech and be clear when you speak. Virtual and hybrid forums are not built for ambitious, long-winded rhetoric. It&#8217;s too tedious for the audience to decipher your ramblings, so many participants won&#8217;t bother. I won&#8217;t either, and if I&#8217;m not compelled to stay, I&#8217;d log off as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Note also that sometimes in virtual interactions, there might be a slight delay from the time you speak to when members of your audience hear the words. So consciously slow down or your words will get &#8216;swallowed&#8217; up, which will result in your audience only making out every other word or sentence you utter. This situation can be highly frustrating for even the most patient attendee.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Pauses are often underestimated but they are invaluable in allowing your critical point to &#8216;marinate&#8217; in the minds of your audience so that they have a moment to process your message. An added benefit is that pauses make you appear more confident and more knowledgeable in the subject matter.&nbsp; I use pauses all the time during my sessions. One great technique is to change your volume or tone, lean slightly forward, lock eyes with the webcam to mimic eye contact (it&#8217;s virtual medium after all), say your piece, pause and lean back. The nonverbal cues you&#8217;d get from the audience will be priceless. Try it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Realise that it&#8217;s an honour for you to speak before any audience &#8211; so make your words count, and make your content worth the gift of their time and attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:17px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:46px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Results-or-excuses-Pixabay-Gerd-Altmann.jpg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Results-or-excuses-Pixabay-Gerd-Altmann.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Results-or-excuses-Pixabay-Gerd-Altmann.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Results-or-excuses-Pixabay-Gerd-Altmann.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Results-or-excuses-Pixabay-Gerd-Altmann.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Results-or-excuses-Pixabay-Gerd-Altmann.jpg?resize=360%2C270&amp;ssl=1 360w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Results-or-excuses-Pixabay-Gerd-Altmann.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Results-or-excuses-Pixabay-Gerd-Altmann.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">After preparing for your virtual speaking stint, the last thing you&#8217;d want is people being noncommittal, disengaged or logging off before the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Therefore, whether you&#8217;re giving a talk, speech, keynote, lecture, or a training programme, sabotage-proof your delivery by ensuring your content is rich, and that your audio delivery is clear and uninterrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Remember you want your credibility to remain what you&#8217;ve worked hard for&nbsp; &#8211;&nbsp; unscathed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Grab my new business communication book \u2018Influence and Thrive\u2019 on Amazon!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:14px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The book tackles nonverbal communication, public speaking, and business writing for two target audiences: professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders in the first group, and corporations and organisations in the second group.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Order your copy today. The book, \u2019Influence and Thrive: How Professionals, Entrepreneurs, Business Leaders, &amp; Corporations Use Effective Communication To Get Results\u2019, is available on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Influence-Thrive-Professionals-Entrepreneurs-Communication\/dp\/1912009315\/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=\">Amazon<\/a>, in Kindle, paperback and hardback versions, at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/influence-and-thrive-lucille-ossai\/1138820600?ean=9781912009299\">Barnes &amp; Noble<\/a>, on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kobo.com\/ww\/en\/ebook\/influence-and-thrive\">Kobo<\/a>, at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.waterstones.com\/author\/lucille-ossai\/4994227\">Waterstones<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/rhbooks.com.ng\/product\/influence-and-thrive-how-professionals-entrepreneurs-business-leaders-corporations-use-effective-communication-to-get-results\/\">Roving Heights (Nigeria)<\/a>, and in many other international outlets, stores, and libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">And don\u2019t forget to check out the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lucilleossai.com\/books\/influenceandthrive\">\u2018Influence and Thrive\u2019 website<\/a>&nbsp;for all information about the book, including the trailer, advance reviews, exclusive offers to Nigerian residents, and how to contact me. Then email me your thoughts on how to intend to apply the foolproof techniques I recommend in the book to get the results you deserve. And please post your reviews on Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble, Waterstones, Goodreads, and other platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:17px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Over to you:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Do you need help in boosting your communication skills? Sign up <a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/095c3901b043\/communication-services-with-lucille-ossai\">here<\/a> for my free quarterly newsletters and learn best practices. When you sign up, you\u2019ll receive my evergreen resource on giving persuasive presentations<strong>. <\/strong>Ensure you download that document and refer to it before any high-stakes presentation or speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>If you enjoyed this post, don&#8217;t rush off just yet. Please remember to:<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Share this article in your social networks by clicking on the icons below.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:9px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Sign up for blog email updates so that you are <em>immediately<\/em> notified via email when a new blog post is published. Don\u2019t miss any more articles!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:17px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Fill the \u2018Contact\/Book Lucille Ossai\u2019 form in the menu above to let us know how we can help you solve your communication problems.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:14px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><u><strong>N.B:<\/strong><\/u> First image is courtesy<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp; Bruno\/Germany via Pixabay. Screenshots courtesy of LinkedIn. Last image is courtesy of Gerd Altmann, via Pixabay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here&#8217;s what you may not have realised: Your poor audio is diminishing your credibility and making people disengage. More damning are research findings that weak sound quality makes you appear less likeable and less intelligent. So use the three practical tips in this article to fix your audio quality and boost your influence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[23],"tags":[1014],"class_list":["post-2307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-communication","tag-audience-engagement"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Microphone-and-headset-Pixabay-Bruno-Germany.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2024,"url":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/31\/how-to-wow-your-virtual-audience-by-addressing-three-critical-needs\/","url_meta":{"origin":2307,"position":0},"title":"How To Wow Your Virtual Audience By Addressing Three Critical Needs","author":"Lucille Ossai","date":"January 31, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"You've been told countless times to focus on your audience if you want to make an impact with your communication. 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