You can be on Entrepreneur’s cover!

Do You Sound More Like Donald Trump, Gary Vaynerchuk or Elon Musk? This App Can Tell You For Sure. You can't hear yourself -- but this app can. And it's not pretty.

By Linda Lacina

entrepreneur daily
Linda Lacina

It's difficult to really hear ourselves. The voice we hear when we speak doesn't always sound the same as what others hear. Which is why we are sometimes shocked to hear our voice in a recording -- and why it can even make us cringe.

But ignoring how you really sound means blocking out an important way people perceive you. A low-pitched voice can seem strong, competent and authoritative, for instance, while those with a high-pitched voice are often perceived as having less experience. And since we're likely to change how we speak depending on the situation and the audience, we're being heard differently in different situations.

Related: Think You Sound Confident and in Control? Your Voice Says Otherwise.

Complicating matters is the fact we rarely get feedback on the way we talk. People will tell us they liked our message or our slides, but not if our voice conflicts with the thing we're trying to say. And strengthening that connection is essential, says Rick Salmon, a tech founder who has worked as an executive coach. "Only when our words, voice and body are congruent are we powerful as speakers."

Salmon's new app Voiceable could fill in the gaps. This digital tool is a sort of personal trainer for your voice. While a typical person can only focus on two to three characteristics at a time, this app can analyze nine, and far more objectively. The app gives users immediate feedback as to how audiences might respond to factors including tone, pace and volume utilizing a technology using audience response data and voice research.

Related: 10 Tips for a Powerful Voice

Says Rick Salmon, speakers can't focus just on their words -- the way they say them is just as important. "Great communication requires congruency between words, music and dance. Most presenters know a lot about words, or rhetoric," he says. "Most also understand the basics of dance, or body language. Few are really conscious of their music, or how their voice sounds, and the effect it can have on audiences."

The app will also find your celebrity voice match -- comparing user voices to those of famous actors, speakers and thought leaders. Which makes sense. Knowing if you talk more like Sheryl Sandberg or Donald Trump could be a catalyst for all kinds of change.

Related: Sound Advice: How to Make Your Voice More Effective

The app is also a chance to study public speaking in a whole new way, says Salmon. I tried a demo of the app last month and found I matched more closely with Gary Vaynerchuk than Hillary Clinton.

According to Salmon, Vaynerchuk's fast-talking style -- he can apparently speak up to 200 words a minute -- is something few speakers in the world could do. "He scores off the charts for passion and energy."

Clinton, on the other hand, uses very little voice modulation. It's a tactic that works well if sharing facts is the goal but too little voice modulation can seem cold or even boring, he says.

Related: Is Your Voice a Business Asset or a Liability?

Of course, no one has a perfect voice or speaking style, points out Salmon. More important, however, is to realize we have more potential in our voices than we tap into. "The goal is to learn how to unlock your ability to speak in a way that will encourage people to listen more deeply to whatever message you have inside you."

"We all succeed despite our voices," he adds.

I tried the app at this year's Oslo Innovation Week and what I learned about the way I speak wasn't always pretty. Click through the slides above to see what happened.

First, I spoke into the app. Easy enough.

My overall score wasn’t great.

But I did match with the lady from 'The English Patient', so there’s that.

My voice's tone, combined with a quick pace, could make people tone out. (Sorry about that.)

I spoke far too quickly, which isn’t awesome.

And I sound either really stressed or really excited.

But there’s some hope. I’ve got enthusiasm. (And that’s got to count for something, right?)

And I don’t exactly sound like a robot. (Close, but not exactly.)

I rank ‘OK’ for dynamism. (Given my other marks, I’ll take it.)

Sadly, my voice itself is not particularly pleasant. Which I’m likely the last to know.

And there’s a chance I’m a low talker.

But I talk more like the charismatic Gary Vaynerchuk.

Than Hillary Clinton.

(The app's founder notes that I tested a beta product and a bug in that version created values that were too closely spread. This won't happen in the product that's released.)

And not at all like Tim Ferriss.

Or Elon Musk.

But, weirdly, I apparently really sound like Jeff Daniels.

But the key, says Salmon, is that we can change our voices. Listen to ourselves and ask: How can my voice support what I want to say rather than dispute it?

Linda Lacina

Entrepreneur Staff

Linda Lacina is the former managing editor at Entrepreneur.com. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Smart Money, Dow Jones MarketWatch and Family Circle. Email her at llacina@entrepreneur.com. Follow her at @lindalacina on Twitter. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

AI Will Radically Transform the Workplace — Here's How HR Teams Can Prepare for It

HR intrapreneurs are emerging as key drivers of AI reskilling, thoughtful organizational restructuring and ethical integration, shaping an inclusive future where technology enhances both efficiency and employee development.

Business News

Some Costco Stores Are Now Selling a Frozen Item That Looks Just Like a Trader Joe's Fan Favorite

The Frozen Kimbap is a Trader Joe's cult favorite, and now a version can be found at Costco, too.

Side Hustle

He Took His Side Hustle Full-Time After Being Laid Off From Meta in 2023 — Now He Earns About $200,000 a Year: 'Sweet, Sweet Irony'

When Scott Goodfriend moved from Los Angeles to New York City, he became "obsessed" with the city's culinary offerings — and saw a business opportunity.

Health & Wellness

How This Millionaire Investor Overcame Opioid Addiction to Become the World's Fastest Marathoner Over 50

Ken Rideout shares five invaluable lessons for achieving peak performance physically and mentally.

Marketing

Why This One Unique Marketing Approach is the Key to Business Growth

Adopting this approach now will help you succeed and see consistent, measurable growth over the long term.