The four E’s of an effective telephone voice are:

Expressive

Vary the tone and pace of your voice to keep the conversation interesting. An expressive voice captures attention and makes your message more engaging.

Enunciate

Prioritize clear enunciation and master articulation. While it’s common to be casual with friends and family—dropping the final consonant in words, for example—doing so on the phone can lead to misunderstandings. Always speak clearly and open your mouth to ensure your words are articulated properly.

Engage

Your voice should be smooth and pleasant. Avoid sounding whiny or negative; instead, convey that you enjoy your work and approach each call with a positive attitude. Speaking in anger or being curt can create a negative impression of both you and your company.

Energize

Let your voice shine by infusing it with energy. Approach each call as if it’s the most important interaction of the day. While it may feel a bit cheesy, consider the salespeople you’ve enjoyed speaking with—what made those conversations enjoyable? By injecting energy and enthusiasm into your voice and adopting a service-oriented mindset, you’re more likely to connect with customers and achieve your sales targets.