“Let’s go, let’s jump, let’s take a chance…” For our very first ICI* 2023 meeting, we took the plunge and explored a topic dear to us: the voice! The program included a sound quiz, fun facts, and a panel talk with podcasters Julie Monod and Julien Moch. Lend an ear as we guide you into discovering this unique instrument.

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With 7 billion people on Earth, there are just as many unique voices. Take, for instance, Edouard Baer’s warm voice on Radio Nova’s morning show “Plus près de toi,” which, in just two years, has formed strong bonds with listeners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzS6cZmB50s

The voice alone reveals everything about us, allowing us to fully embody the moment, convey or betray our emotions, and share meaning…

If you missed our workshop on mastering this extraordinary instrument, find the essentials from our first ICI* 2023 session below

VOCAL CORDS, SENSITIVE STRINGS

Our guests began with a sound quiz to delve into the multiple facets of the voice. Want to take the challenge (no cheating)?

Sound Clip 1

Answer
This clip simulates the perception of a maternal voice in utero. The mother’s voice is the first one we perceive and forms the foundation of our relationship with others! For the foetus, it’s similar to a whisper that’s soft and reassuring. This might explain why we remain highly sensitive to voices throughout our lives!

Sound Clip 2

Answer
You just heard the oldest recorded sound in the world! An 1860 recording of “Au clair de la lune” by typographer Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville, 17 years before Edison’s phonograph. While Edison’s invention allowed for playback, Scott’s was only for recording.

Sound Clip 3

Answer
Emotion in the voice, capable of piercing screens and reaching straight for the heart… In “Notting Hill,” beyond the poignant dialogue, it’s Julia Roberts’ voice that moves us so deeply. In Chinese medicine, the throat is the centre of emotions, making the voice a more expressive face.

Sound Clip 4

Answer
Of course, you just heard Simone, the legendary SNCF voice actor for 41 years, one of the most famous voices in France! We encounter over 3000 messages daily from emails, social media, and ads, but only perceive 30 to 80 of them. The brain filters out the rest, highlighting the importance of using a memorable voice.

Sound Clip 5

Answer
Where does the persuasive power of those who govern us come from? Primarily their voice! As shown by Abbé Pierre, in political discourse, vocal power is crucial. Tone and voice add life to words, sometimes conveying information can counter the intended message.

Sound Clip 6

Answer
Oh Barry… Studies have shown that men with warm, deep voices are perceived by women as more charismatic and reassuring. In general, seduction communications is 55% body language, 38% voice, and only 7% words. Recently, Meetic launched a feature where meetings happen through voice!

THE VOICE, YOUR BEST ALLY

Our thematic exploration continued with practical techniques to warm up vocal cords, work on breath control, posture, and manage silences… reconnecting with our voice and body.
A key principle in any vocal exercise is to create optimal comfort conditions to find pleasure and stay connected with your audience.

And as a reminder before speaking, here are 3 positive points to acknowledge:
– Everyone has a beautiful voice (truly!)
– The voice is innate, but public speaking isn’t. Spoiler alert: it can be learned!
– Mastering public speaking can be a source of pleasure (and should always be!)

Bonus : Download our checklist for successful public speaking here :

Learn more about our public speaking training.

PANEL: MAKING A LIVING WITH THEIR VOICE

We handed the mic to those who use it daily. Julie Monod, social media manager and creator of “Alpine Mama”, a podcast about motherhood in the Alps. Accompanied by Julien Moch, journalist, radio presenter, and founder of “Billy the Cast”, a youth audio production company. Two unique voices sharing their worlds and discussing new audio formats.

When asked why they chose to make a career out of voice and podcasting, they spoke of intimacy and poetry. This creates a deep, implicit connection with the audience, engaging through sound and going straight to the heart, these are the famous words from Clémentine Galey for ‘Bliss Stories’.

This connection fosters the trust listeners give to their favourite podcasters. Our guests share a common vision: trust builds over time with authenticity, the key ingredient of a good podcast! This principle guides sponsor and partnership choices, which must align with the podcast’s universe to avoid losing listeners.

In addition to authenticity, passion, emotion, and technical skill are essential for a successful podcast. The possibilities of this growing format are vast, offering targeted communication to specific communities, alternative narrative codes (e.g., addressing children directly), and giving voice to those absent from mainstream media.

Finding the right audience remains crucial. While distributing a podcast on major platforms is straightforward, promoting it via social media is vital…

Expert advice: Brands launching podcasts should consider collaborating with established podcasters whose universe and audience are relevant, leveraging their credibility and authenticity.

Quick Glance at some Podcast Key Figures

NEW TOOLS, NEW FORMATS FOR COMMUNICATION

Here at Signature, beyond showcasing your desires through images, videos, and words, we enjoy putting them in music! From sound identity to events, the voice is a powerful branding tool throughout a brand’s life. Here are some inspiring projects with our clients.

The Klorofil Nursery Rhymes
Creating musical content for the magical world of Klorofil (Vulli Group). From writing lyrics to producing, we crafted 4 catchy tunes for families to enjoy, available on Spotify, Deezer, and Apple Music (via TUNE CORE).

Custom Creations
Sound identity can be integrated into brand platforms and events. We recently collaborated with DJ duo French Fuse to create the soundtrack for a Neauvia seminar (an aesthetic medicine brand). The CEO and key personalities recorded their voices for a unique musical composition.

The Bob Club
Capturing Gen Z voices to understand their consumption habits and views on brands and media. We meet every two months with 6 young people aged from 11 to 18 for insights and a podcast!

Have a sound/music/vocal project? We’re listening!

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Thank you for reading! Join us soon for our next inspiration session at the agency, focused on employer branding.

Discover more about ICI*