The Confident Voice Coach

Relaxation: The First Priority of A Great Voice

I've been slogging over my new newsletter - it focuses on how you can relax and produce a beautiful and listenable (is that a word?)voice.

And when I think of the most glorious and memorable voices on radio or TV, they belong to people who sound relaxed but utterly in charge of what they're doing. Who do I mean?

• Mariella Frostrup - a friend of George Cluney and broadcaster. Sexy, a little husky and full of vitality and variety.
• Gorgeous George - see above! He has the rare ability to sound intimate whilst talking normally! He must be talking to me alone (along with 10 million other women!)
• James Earl Jones - he electrified me in "Conan The Barbarian", deep, powerful and devastatingly commanding. Unlike dear Arnie's voice!

Will think of a few more for next time! And continue my thoughts on this.....

The Seven Secrets........

There was I, in front of a bunch of willing women, introducing them to the secrets of how to create a mesmerising elevator pitch with your voice.

Jacqueline Rogers, a magnificent leader of women and co-founder of The Athena Network and my very good friend had invited me to come and speak. The ladies of Bracknell Athena Network on Tuesday were expecting to learn how to develop compelling and persuasive voices in business, especially when making a one minute presentation.

They were wonderfully responsive and alert. I was inundated with questions and several women came up to me at the end.

These are the notes I left them with: -

7 Secrets......

1. Great Content

It’s about engaging brain in gear before opening mouth! Command the attention of your listeners with what you say - give them 3 memorable things to take away.

2. Relax

Your voice is a mirror of how you are feeling. Being relaxed and comfortable with yourself conveys itself. Others will feel comfortable with you and feel confident that you know what you’re saying.

3. Good posture

.... is key. Standing upright gives you plenty of space for your diaphragm to breathe and it boosts your confidence.

4. Room To Breathe

Your breath is the fuel of your voice. You need plenty of breath to motor your voice. And plenty when you are needing volume. It's wise to breathe from your diaphragm. Then you can prolong your breath to the end of your sentences.

5. Tune In To Your Tone

What makes your voice lovely to listen to, is the tune your voice sings. Your voice needs to be resonant , at a comfortable pitch and playing a variety of notes as you speak.

6. How Articulate Are You?

You form words and sentences in your mouth (in English). Your tongue, your teeth, your soft palate and your lips all mould the sound carried on your breath into shapes. What makes those shapes recognisable as words, is by making those sounds sharp, clear and precise.

7. Silence Is Golden!

Pauses arrest attention and create variety. They also give your listeners time to take in what you're saying (and give you time to think!).