How to power up your voice and convey authority
Our own voice is potentially our most powerful tool to get people’s attention. What can we do to keep our vocal power (volume, projection, and resonance) even in situations when we don’t feel our most confident? Fifteen years ago, I was standing in a small fluorescent-lit classroom in front of twenty Stanford University graduate students. I was there to give an hour-long presentation on the topic of how to effectively deliver a presentation.
Of course, I had meticulously prepared and practiced for weeks ahead; I felt confident. But as the room fell quiet in anticipation of my beginning, I felt the hot gaze of so many smart and accomplished people…
A wave of imposter syndrome washed over me - who was I to tell these people how to present?
My nerves flooded into my voice…
Only a few seconds in, I was breathing like I’d just sprinted a marathon. My voice became shaky, weak, and oddly high-pitched. I could see the students shift uneasily in their chairs. Some of them nodded politely with encouragement, and others stared at me with curiosity, no doubt distracted by my labored breathing.
Thinking back, I don’t think anyone could focus on what I was saying because of how I was saying it. The value of my words was undermined. My nerves had depowered my voice and consequently, my credibility evaporated like ice on a frying pan.
I share this story to illustrate how the power of our voice can impact our authority and influence. That first presentation fifteen years ago was a painful experience but I’m grateful for it. I was determined not to suffer like that again in front of another audience. It motivated me to learn how I could manage my voice through nerves and understand more about the connection between breath and voice.
Now when I enter a room to speak in front of intimidatingly impressive people, I have tried and tested tools to help me get through my presentations without a gasp or squeak to be heard! Here are five exercises that I’ve found helpful to practice….
Five Tips to Master Vocal Projection
1. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe
Take 5-10 minutes before you present to do some deep diaphragmatic breathing. Long, slow, deep breaths calm nerves and provide the air support necessary for strong vocal projection. Practice breathing deeply into your belly, not just your chest. That will help you to maintain a steady, powerful voice.
Put a hand on your chest and a hand on your belly and feel which one moves more. Make sure it’s your belly hand. Sometimes I find I’ve been so conditioned to hold my belly in, I have to pretend I’m a kid again and say to myself, “look Mom, I’m fat!” That helps me relax my abdominal muscles, and receive a full deep inhale. You can do this even if you’re sitting in a meeting getting ready to speak. No one will notice you preparing, but they will notice the power of your voice and the authority with which you speak.
2. Posture Produces Power
Stand or sit up straight. When we slouch, we crumple all our internal organs (think lungs) and constrict our breathing. This directly affects the quality of our voices. Align your head, neck, and spine. Keep your shoulders back and relaxed. Good posture allows your voice to project more effectively and authoritatively. As a bonus, you look more confident too.
3. Articulate and Enunciate
Clear articulation gives your words impact and makes them more memorable. Imagine you are speaking to a room of people who are hearing impaired and they need to be able to read your lips. Practice overenunciating each word. This will not only make it easier for your audience to understand each word you’re saying, it will also force you to slow down your speaking pace, ensuring your audience can follow and remember your ideas. And don’t worry, it may feel funny to you, but it doesn’t look funny to anyone else!
4. Volume and Tone
Experiment with varying your volume and tone to add emphasis and keep your audience engaged. However, remember that projecting is not shouting. It's about reaching the ears at the back of the room with ease, not force. Strive for a full, resonant sound that emanates from your belly. Take a friend into a big space, indoors or outdoors, and practice speaking to each other from 15, 20, or 30 feet away. Give each other feedback by using a scale of 1-5 for volume
1 if they can’t hear you
2 if they can only catch a few words
3 if they hear you but it’s a struggle to focus
4 they hear you without straining and you sound dynamic
5 you’re shouting at them. Aim for volume 4.
5. Practice Makes You Strong
Just like consistency in exercise keeps you strong, consistent speaking practice is key to maintaining a powerful voice.
Our top tip is to practice “belly breathing” while saying your ABCs. This strengthens your diaphragm muscles over time. To take it a step further, try saying the entire alphabet out loud in one breath. You can measure your improvement by noting the letter you reach and how many rounds you complete over time. This exercise improves your breathing technique and builds muscle strength. For example, I can now get through five rounds of the alphabet in one breath, compared to just two rounds ten years ago!
Our other favorite tips:
Read aloud to strengthen your projection
Record yourself speaking, then listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Use tongue twisters to improve your speaking agility
Practice speeches to build confidence in your delivery and build your breathing stamina.
By consistently applying these tips, you'll gradually enhance your vocal authority. Remember, your voice is not just a tool for communication. It's a reflection of your confidence and competence. You too can transform your vocal presence, command attention, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. And you can avoid the painful experience of croaking in front of a live audience!
If you are interested in learning how to power up your voice, contact us here for 1:1 coaching sessions. Ask for me, Hilary, and we can meet for a 20-minute consultation to see if coaching is the right fit for your needs.
