They say variety is the spice of life and as usual, “they” know what they are talking about. When it comes to giving talks or lectures, vocal variety is an essential secret ingredient for a compelling presentation.
continue readingBe heard at (holiday) gatherings
Several people have asked me lately how to avoid hoarseness or voice loss at family gatherings, so I thought I’d share some tips for those who are prone to vocal fatigue or strain in festive situations.
continue reading3 tips for projecting your voice
Being heard over background noise, or in a large or outdoor place, requires specific techniques. Surprisingly, loudness is only one component of projection. A well-placed voice can be heard better than you might think, with a couple extra tweaks.
continue readingYou are working too hard: The Zen of great voice
It’s an old saw: Less is more. As with many clichés this one can sometimes be true, especially when it comes to how we use our voice.
Did you know it takes about 100 muscles to utter a phrase of speech? Given that many of these muscles are tiny and impossible to isolate, it’s shockingly easy to be using them with more tension than is necessary.
continue readingYou have the tools, so use them!
Y’all. I have had a lot of clients recently who seem to feel at the mercy of their voice. If they wake up hoarse, that’s it they are hoarse for the whole day. If they start to notice their throat is starting to get tired, they leave the event. If they are asked to repeat themselves, they decide they are unintelligible. If they are sick or hoarse for a day, they sink into it for the week.
These people did not understand they have the power to change these things.
continue readingThree tips for a more powerful voice
Not being heard is frustrating. Not being taken seriously is even more frustrating. Sometimes a stronger, more authoritative voice makes all the difference.
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