At least that's what researchers at the University of Michigan found. They analyzed the vocal characteristics and success of nearly 14-hundred telemarketer calls.
They found the ideal manner of speech is three and a half words per second. Those who spoke faster were seen as untrustworthy. Not slower, simple-minded. What about pauses?
Turns out they're not all bad. The study found people with perfect diction, who didn't take natural pauses, came off as unbelievable. Too many pauses means disfluent. Natural pauses should happen four to five times a minute. Finally, pitch. People respond better to even-keeled voices rather than constant pitch variations. Too much animation can come across as inauthentic.
From telemarketing to teaching, tips to get you heard in your personal and professional life.
