How to Speak Faster

We’ve all been told at some point in time to slow down and stop talking so fast – but is it possible you need to speak faster? Absolutely!

Speaking fast is an incredible tool all great speakers use, from actors delivering contagiously motivating monologues to political figures calling an entire nation together to change history.

How can you speed up your pace of speaking? Let’s find out!

Why Speak Faster?

For a great speaker, speed is first and foremost a tool. Speaking fast can show listeners excitement, passion, and intensity toward the subject matter being discussed. This effect can pull in the listeners and even cause a contagion capable of creating these very emotions in the listeners themselves. The same subject matter, however, when spoken too slowly can feel lackluster or even bore listeners.

That’s not to say that talking slowly doesn’t have a place in your tool belt – it certainly does. The combination of slower and faster speaking is called pacing. Check out the video below for a more in-depth explanation of how to best pace your speech.

It’s important to note that simply speaking your words as fast as possible does not guarantee good use of fast pace talking. The key to your pace is control, something you can develop best with time and practice.

A Tool For Pacing

Developing the control needed for mastering pacing may seem like a daunting task, especially if the pressure of an audience gets on your nerves. Luckily Yoodli has your back!

Just sign up for a free account, record yourself practicing pacing your speech and get instant feedback on how well you performed. The pacing tool is just one of many Yoodli has to offer, and can be found under Speaking Analytics → Delivery → Pacing.

In the above example, we can see a direct visualization of the key characteristics of fast speech we discussed above. We see as Oprah reaches a point of passion and emotional intensity her speed of speech (in words per minute) peaks on the graph in the bottom right.

The Need for Speaking Speed!

Whether you’re a slow talker looking to speed up your speaking or someone in need of a new strategy to bring more passion and emotion to your speech, these tips and tricks will help you to make it happen.

Let’s dive in!

• Practice regularly:
  • Set aside time each day to practice speaking out loud.
    • A great tool for this is Yoodli‘s pacing feature mentioned above.
  • The more you practice, the more comfortable and capable you will become.
• Record yourself using Yoodli:
  • Recording yourself talking can give you a better sense of how fast or slow you are speaking.
  • Play the recording back and take note of any areas where you can improve.
• Eliminate filler words:
  • Words such as “uh,” “um,” and “ah” can slow you down and make you sound less confident.
• Don’t be afraid to pause in between sentences
  • When talking faster it is common to need a pause to allow your brain time to formulate its next thought.
  • Check out Yoodli’s mini-series on the power of pauses here.
• Speak slower at first:
  • It might sound counterintuitive, but starting off at a slower pace can actually help you speak faster in the long run.
  • By speaking slower, you’ll be able to focus on your pronunciation and enunciation, which will ultimately help you to speak faster.
• Use vocal exercises to warm up your voice before a speech
  • Vocal warm-ups can improve your vocal clarity, range, and projection.
  • Warm-ups can also help to calm nerves and improve overall confidence during the speech, all of which will give you better control of your speed.
  • Check out Yoodli’s mini-series on vocal warm-ups here.

Wrapping Up

In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to speak quickly and clearly can be a valuable asset. Whether you’re giving a presentation at work, speaking in a foreign language, or just trying to make a point in a conversation, speaking faster can help you get your message across more effectively.

Remember, speaking faster is not about speed for the sake of speed, but about being able to communicate your ideas effectively and efficiently. These tips and the Yoodli toolbox can help you to develop the skills you need to speak faster and with confidence. With time and practice, you’ll be able to speak faster and more effectively.