A confident, commanding speaking voice is essential to successful public speaking. It doesn’t matter how excellent the content of your presentation is: if your speaking voice is weak or unpleasant to listen to, your message will be negatively impacted. The first step to a strong, effective speaking voice begins with good habits which keep your vocal cords healthy. Take a look at our tips below to keep your voice clear, strong, and ready for professional leadership:
- Hydrate: Dry vocal cords can be easily damaged and decrease the quality of your voice. Drink plenty of water, especially before speaking for a long time or in front of a group.
- Work on Your Breath Support: When speaking, try to breathe deeply from your abdomen instead of your chest to get the strongest breath support possible. You should feel your stomach and ribs expand out as you breathe, instead of feeling your chest rise. By supporting your voice through proper breathing, you reduce tension in your vocal cords, minimizing the risk of injury and improving the strength and quality of your voice.
- Nix Bad Habits: Avoid habitual throat clearing—each time you clear your throat, your vocal cords slam forcefully into one another, which can cause inflammation and injury over time. If it’s a nervous habit, try pausing when you feel the need to clear your throat. If you feel like your throat is actually irritated, try swallowing or taking a sip of water instead.
If your communication skills are holding you back from professional success and you want to make your communication skills your most powerful professional tool, make sure to pick up a free copy of my e-book “Communicate with Clarity and Confidence!” by subscribing to our newsletter community on our website. In this free resource, I break down the myriad factors that contribute to confident communication and guide you through how to use each aspect to your advantage.
Give us a call and see how Corporate Speech Solutions can improve your professional life! Call us at 212-308-7725 or send us an e-mail at jayne@corporatespeechsolutions.com to learn more. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!
