Voice Command Tips

Master advanced voice techniques for faster, more accurate note-taking

Transform your voice note efficiency with advanced speaking techniques, environmental optimization, and strategic approaches to verbal communication with AI.

Speaking Fundamentals

Optimal Voice Recording Technique

Pace and Rhythm

Ideal Speed: Slightly slower than normal conversation Pause Strategy: Brief pauses between major thoughts Rhythm Pattern: Consistent tempo with natural emphasis Breathing: Natural breath breaks help transcription accuracy

Articulation and Clarity

Consonants: Crisp pronunciation of word endings Vowels: Full vowel sounds, especially in important words Word Boundaries: Clear separation between words Volume: Consistent level, avoid trailing off at sentence ends

Advanced Speaking Patterns

The Structured Thinking Pattern

Use for: Complex analysis, decision-making, problem-solving

Pattern: “First… Second… Third… In conclusion…”

Example:

"First, the client feedback indicates three main concerns about our proposal timeline. 
Second, our technical team has identified two potential shortcuts that could reduce delivery time by 30%. 
Third, the budget implications of the accelerated timeline need to be reviewed with finance. 
In conclusion, I recommend we schedule a three-way meeting with the client, technical lead, and finance to align on the optimal approach."

Why It Works: Creates clear structure that AI can easily parse and format

The Context-Setting Pattern

Use for: Meeting notes, project updates, decision records

Pattern: “Context… Situation… Action… Outcome…”

Example:

"Context: This is a follow-up to yesterday's client escalation call. 
Situation: The client is concerned about missed deadlines affecting their product launch. 
Action: We committed to daily status updates and expedited testing protocols. 
Outcome: Client agreed to proceed with revised timeline pending executive approval."

Why It Works: Provides immediate context for future reference and team sharing

The Teaching Pattern

Use for: Knowledge capture, learning notes, explaining concepts

Pattern: “The key insight is… This matters because… For example… The practical application is…”

Example:

"The key insight from today's negotiation training is the concept of anchoring in price discussions. 
This matters because the first number mentioned sets the baseline for all subsequent negotiations. 
For example, when the trainer started with a high anchor price, all counteroffers stayed within 20% of that number. 
The practical application is to always research market rates before any pricing conversation."

Why It Works: Captures both the information and the reasoning for better future recall

Environmental Optimization

Ideal Recording Conditions

Physical Environment

Noise Control:

• Choose quiet spaces when possible
• Use fabric/soft furnishings to reduce echo
• Position away from air conditioning, fans, traffic
• Consider white noise apps if complete quiet is not available

Device Positioning:

• Hold phone 6-8 inches from mouth
• Use consistent positioning for reliable results
• Avoid covering microphone with fingers
• Consider hands-free options for longer recordings

Mobile Recording Strategies

Walking and Talking

Best Practices:

• Maintain steady pace to avoid breathing changes
• Use predictable routes to minimize distractions
• Hold device steady to avoid handling noise
• Plan talking points before starting walk

What to Avoid:

• Steep hills or strenuous routes
• Unfamiliar areas requiring navigation attention
• Busy intersections or high-traffic areas
• Extreme weather conditions

Driving and Recording

Safety First Approach:

• Use voice-activated triggers only
• Keep recordings short (under 2 minutes)
• Pull over for complex thoughts
• Practice hands-free operation before using

Content Types That Work:

• Quick idea capture
• Meeting follow-up thoughts
• Daily planning priorities
• Simple task lists

Avoid While Driving:

• Complex analysis requiring deep thought
• Emotionally charged content
• Detailed technical explanations
• Long-form content creation

Advanced Voice Techniques

Strategic Pause Usage

Thought Organization Pauses

When: Between major concepts or sections Duration: 2-3 seconds Purpose: Allows AI to recognize content boundaries Example: “First priority… [pause] …is client presentation. Second priority… [pause] …is team feedback session.”

Processing Pauses

When: Before important conclusions or insights Duration: 3-5 seconds
Purpose: Signals significant content coming Example: “After reviewing all the data… [pause] …I believe the best approach is to pivot our strategy completely.”

Verbal Formatting Commands

Train yourself to include formatting cues naturally in speech:

Structure Indicators

List Formation:

• “First item: [content]. Second item: [content]. Third item: [content].”
• “The three key points are: number one, [point]; number two, [point]; number three, [point].”

Hierarchy Creation:

• “Main topic: project timeline. Subtopic: milestone delivery. Detail: client review process.”
• “High-level strategy… getting more specific… tactical implementation…”

Emphasis and Priority:

• “Most important: [critical item]. Also significant: [secondary item]. Worth noting: [tertiary item].”
• “Critical action: [urgent task]. Standard priority: [normal task].”

Context Embedding

Time References:

• “This relates to yesterday’s client call when…”
• “Following up on last week’s decision to…”
• “In preparation for tomorrow’s presentation…”

People and Relationships:

• “John from marketing mentioned that…”
• “This connects to Sarah’s project because…”
• “The client, ABC Corporation, specifically requested…”

Project and Topic Links:

• “This impacts the Q4 launch because…”
• “Related to the budget discussion, we should also consider…”
• “Building on the research findings from last month…”

Error Recovery Techniques

Self-Correction Patterns

Simple Correction: “I mean…” or “Actually…” or “Let me rephrase that…”

Complete Restart: “Let me start over with that thought…”

Addition/Clarification: “To add to that point…” or “More specifically…”

Example in Practice: “The deadline is next Tuesday… actually, let me check that… I mean next Thursday. And to add to that point, we should also consider the client review time needed.”

Handling Complex Thoughts

When Thoughts Get Tangled:

• Pause and acknowledge: “Let me organize this thought…”
• Break into components: “There are several parts to this…”
• Use structure: “First the problem, then the solution approach…”

For Technical Content:

• Define terms first: “By API integration, I mean…”
• Use analogies: “Think of this like a postal system where…”
• Provide context: “This technical solution addresses the user problem of…”

Content-Specific Voice Strategies

Meeting Notes Optimization

Real-time Meeting Capture

Pre-meeting Setup:

"This is preparation for the [meeting name] with [attendees] at [time].
My objectives are: [list goals].
Key questions I need answered: [list questions].
Points I must communicate: [list points]."

During Meeting Captures:

• Use participant names: “John suggested…” “Sarah disagreed with…”
• Include decision rationale: “We chose option A because…”
• Capture action items clearly: “Action: John will complete X by Friday”
• Note parking lot items: “Tabled for later: discussion about…”

Post-meeting Summary:

"Meeting wrap-up: [meeting name]. 
Key decisions made: [list decisions].
Action items assigned: [list with owners and dates].
Next meeting scheduled for: [date and purpose]."

Project Planning Voice Techniques

Strategic Thinking Capture

Vision Setting:

"Project vision: In six months, we will have [end state].
Success looks like: [specific outcomes].
We'll know we've succeeded when: [measurable criteria]."

Obstacle Planning:

"Potential obstacles: First, [obstacle] which we'll address by [mitigation].
Second, [obstacle] which requires [preparation].
Biggest risk is [risk] and our contingency is [backup plan]."

Resource Planning:

"Resources needed: People - [roles and time commitment].
Budget - [cost categories and estimates].
Timeline - [major milestones with dates].
Dependencies - [external requirements]."

Learning and Knowledge Capture

Active Learning Techniques

While Reading/Studying:

"Key insight from [source]: [main point].
This connects to [previous knowledge] because [relationship].
I can apply this by [specific action].
Questions this raises: [follow-up questions]."

After Conferences/Training:

"Session: [title] by [speaker].
Best takeaway: [insight] which I'll implement by [specific action].
Surprising information: [unexpected learning].
Network connections: [people met and follow-up plans]."

Synthesis Sessions:

"Connecting ideas from [source 1] and [source 2]:
The pattern I see is [common theme].
This changes my thinking about [topic] because [reasoning].
Next research direction: [what to explore]."

Troubleshooting Common Voice Issues

Transcription Accuracy Problems

Names and Technical Terms

Problem: Proper names, technical jargon, company names transcribed incorrectly

Solutions:

• Spell out critical terms: “That’s J-O-H-N-S-O-N, Johnson”
• Use phonetic alternatives: “API, that’s A-P-I” or “Application Programming Interface”
• Provide context: “Microsoft, the software company” vs just “Microsoft”
• Create consistent pronunciation for team names and technical terms

Numbers and Dates

Problem: Incorrect number transcription, ambiguous dates

Solutions:

• Say numbers clearly: “Twenty-five thousand” not “twenty-five k”
• Use full date formats: “March fifteenth, twenty twenty-five”
• Clarify large numbers: “One point five million dollars”
• Repeat critical numbers: “The budget is fifty thousand, that’s five-zero thousand dollars”

Homophones and Similar Words

Problem: “There/their/they’re”, “to/too/two”, “by/buy/bye” confusion

Solutions:

• Add context: “Their proposal, T-H-E-I-R” when unclear
• Use different phrasing: “Owned by them” instead of “their”
• Spell out when critical: “That’s B-U-Y not B-Y”
• Choose clearer alternatives: “Purchase” instead of “buy”

Efficiency Optimization

Speed vs Accuracy

Finding the Balance:

• Practice consistent speaking rhythm
• Prioritize clarity over speed for critical content
• Use shortcuts for routine information
• Develop personal speaking templates for common scenarios

Speed Techniques:

• Group related thoughts before speaking
• Use bullet-point thinking: “Three key points…”
• Eliminate filler words with practice
• Create standard phrases for common concepts

Advanced Formatting

Apply these voice techniques to create perfectly formatted output

Custom Instructions Library

Use voice optimization with custom processing for maximum effectiveness