For me the King of Tone was Stevie Ray Vaughan. No one can make a guitar sound better. He had a style that was unmistakable and you can recognize his playing in a nano-second.
His tone drew people in. Effortless and strong.
I was reminded today about the importance of tone while listening to Tom Reber‘s Strongpreneur Podcast. His guest recounted a study that was made popular by Malcom Gladwell’s ‘Blink.’
In the study, participants were able to predict with 95% accuracy which doctors would be sued for malpractice based solely on their tone and attitude. People watched videos of doctors interacting with patients but their actual words were obscured. Their tone and cadence was still intact.
Amazingly, the doctors are all using the same words. They have the same training. They may have actually drawn the same conclusions and tried the same treatments. But it was the way they treated their patients that made all the difference in whether or not they would be sued.
How does the tone of your business come through to your clients and prospects?
Do your emails come off as warm, light and conversational or do you give the air of superiority? Do you engage in corporate circle-speak?
I recently received an email about a product I know to be awesome. After reading their email I was less than impressed. If I didn’t have a history with the company I would draw the absolute wrong conclusion about their product. I would think the company was snooty and unapproachable. The email was extremely cold and academic using big $14 dollar words that only a PhD might understand. I would think this wasn’t for me.
Tone is important. It sets the stage for your message. Use it wisely.
If you want to hear what the right tone can do for you emotions, go take a listen to Stevie Ray’s album ‘The Sky Is Crying.’ Amazing….
