Do you want people to think you are intelligent? If so, it’s time to pay attention to your voice. Studies have shown that how you sound can have a significant impact on how people perceive your intelligence and competence, especially when it comes to first impressions. So, if you’re looking to project a smart persona, it’s time to work on your vocal cues.

Let’s start with the basics. The key thing to remember is that your voice is your most important tool in conveying intelligence. It’s not about your looks or your conversational skills, it’s about how you sound. This finding is backed up by research, including a study published in the Journal of Psychological Science, which showed that people were more likely to perceive a candidate as intelligent if they heard them speak rather than simply reading a transcript of their written pitch.

So, what can you do to make sure your voice is projecting intelligence and competence? Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

Use a lower pitch and vocal inflection

A high-pitched tone is often associated with nervousness or immaturity. To project confidence and maturity, it’s important to deliberately lower your vocal pitch. This can help people perceive you as more intelligent and capable.

You also want to avoid using “uptalk,” which is a rising vocal inflection at the end of sentences. This can make you come across as uncertain or less knowledgeable, regardless of what you’re actually saying. Of course, you don’t want to use too much downward inflection (or “downtalk”) either – this can make you seem rude or confrontational. Strike a balance by paying attention to your tone and inflection, and practicing speaking in a confident, assertive manner.

Avoid filler words

Words like “um,” “ah,” “like,” and “so” are sometimes called “vocal crutches.” They can make you appear less confident and less competent. To avoid using filler words, try recording yourself in conversations and listening to the recordings regularly. You might also consider joining a local Toastmasters club, where members can help you identify your vocal crutches and work to eliminate them.

Speak faster

Studies have shown that faster speakers are often perceived as more confident and competent. But don’t go too fast – you don’t want to speak so quickly that people can’t understand you. Aim for a speaking rate of around 150 words per minute, which is the recommended speed for audio books. To practice faster speech, try reading text out loud at varying speeds, using tongue twisters, or adding in extra words when reading a passage out loud.

Of course, these are just a few tips to help you convey yourself as an intelligent, competent individual. Your voice is just one part of the equation–you’ll also want to make sure you’re dressing professionally, maintaining good eye contact, and demonstrating your knowledge and expertise through your words and actions. But by paying attention to your voice and working to project confidence and competence, you’ll stand a better chance of making a positive first impression and being perceived as the smart, capable person you are.