“Ugh, I sound really weird on video!”

Have you ever thought that when you hear yourself in a video or audio recording? That you are shocked by the sound of your voice?

You are not alone. But here is a fact that might shock you… 👀

Your voice on video sounds NO different than it does in real life.

At least, not for others. Only you experience difference. Why? This has to do with how your brain normally perceives your own voice.

🔬 The science behind your 'weird' voice

Normally you hear yourself via two 'routes':

1️⃣ By air: the way everyone hears your voice.

2️⃣ Your voice vibrates through your skull and other bones; low frequencies (such as the lower tones of your voice) are more easily conducted through your bones, while high frequencies fade away faster. This gives your voice a different sound to you, which often sounds deeper and richer.

But… a microphone only records route 1. So when you hear yourself on video, you miss that full sound of route 2. That's why you think: “Hey, why do I sound so crazy on video?"

👉 Good news: To others, your video voice sounds 'normal'. They hear no difference between you on video and you in a live conversation.

💡 Only YOU have to get used to how your voice sounds on video. The rest already knows your voice.

👉 Why this is important if you want to present better.

In my previous post I already wrote: Practice your presentation on camera rather than in front of a mirror. I explained that, but here’s another reason: because you get used to how you really sound, not how you think you sound.

There are people who avoid video because they think their own voice is weird. But if you know that this is purely a mind trick, you can let go of that. And when you let go of that, you are one step closer to speaking with confidence.

❓Is there any tip to get used to this quickly?

Yes! Record yourself briefly on video every day for two weeks and watch it back. 🎥

Don't worry, you don't have to show it to anyone.

It's not about the content, it's not about lighting or anything. This is purely for yourself, so that you get used to how you sound.

Fun fact: the people around you already know your voice like this, and they have long accepted it. Now it's your turn.

I challenge you: Give it a try! Bet you get used to it? 😉

Curious about how you can feel more confident in presentations? I'm just 1 message away.