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Connecting people with technologyListen Up: Put Your Best Voice Forward
During the recent Democratic presidential primaries, some candidates lost their voice literally. After months of nonstop campaigning, John Kerry, Howard Dean and John Edwards struggled on the stump to make themselves heard.”They abused their voices, which must be treated as a finely tuned instrument,” says Susan Berkley, President of The Great Voice Co. in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. She finds that many people sabotage their voices without knowing it.
For example, many speakers repeatedly clear their throat before giving a presentation. Big mistake. "It's like banging a broken arm against a war," said Berkley. “While it’s occasionally necessary to clear your throat, doing it too much is bad for your voice." She suggests drinking water instead.
”Busy people often breathe improperly, let themselves get dehydrated and fail to warm up their voice before they speak,” says Berkley. One of the easiest ways to sound more commanding is to do voice exercises in the morning. “Lip flutters may sound silly, but they're an excellent way to tune up your voice,” says Berkley. She suggests spending a few seconds running your finger up and down over your lips while making humming sounds.
Berkley explains that lip flutters create resistance for your vocal cords. "And you can't be in a bad mood when you start your day like that," she added. Another morning exercise, hum for a second or two until you feel buzzing in your nose. While continuing the steady hum, count to ten or simply start talking to yourself. By blending humming and speaking, your voice gains richness and resonance.
Other tips:
- Drink more water on the road. Dehydration can weaken your voice, especially when you travel. Increase your fluid intake if you spend many hours on airplanes and hotel meeting rooms, but avoid caffeinated beverages.
- Adjust your volume. When you enter a conference room, note the surrounding din. Speak slightly above the ambient noise level, especially if you’re seated at some distance from your audience. If someone props open a door or window and background noise fills the room, increase your volume accordingly.
- Look past the phone. Speak clearly over the phone by visualizing that the person on the other end of the line is sitting across from you. That's better than letting your eyes wander, which can make your voice sound weak or uncertain.
- Stand when you take an important call. If you sit keep your back straight and don't curl up in your chair. "It can sound like you're calling for ransom money if you slouch while you're on the phone,” warns Berkley.
