As a regular blogger, I always think very carefully about what my readers want and, above all, what do they need to become even more successful and assertive. Sure, a good voice, of course! That's what it's all about for me. What I noticed about my previous blogs: I tell and explain a lot about what you should all do to optimize your voice. If you are a regular here, you already know a lot about it.
What I have hardly done so far is to list in detail what you better not do if you really want to take good care of your voice. There are a lot.
7 things you should avoid for an expressive and healthy voice:
1. Don't talk without a microphone in noisy environments
Sure, there's nothing like the natural sound of your voice. But when the room is filled with, say, fifty people, it often tempts you to speak louder than is good for your voice. Insist on gentle reinforcement and use a headset! Your listeners will thank you and your voice will remain clear and melodious even after many hours of teaching or explaining. In the long term, this will protect your most important cooperation partner, your voice.
2. Never drink too little if you talk a lot
Did you know that "wet pronunciation" when presenting is a good sign of proper speaking? The mucous membranes of your "voice generator" in the larynx need a lot of fluid in order not to run dry.
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Drinking enough is the magic cure. Attention: Start drinking water at least 20 minutes before your performance or important meeting. Once you're on stage or in conversation, it's too late. Then the sip of water at best relieves the frog in the throat. In any case, drinking a lot is always excellent for the voice, even if you don't have a performance planned at the moment.
3. It's better to avoid ice-cold drinks
Speaking of drinking: Always drink unchilled water or at least water at room temperature. Ice-cube-cooled water hardens the vocal muscles, preventing them from producing full, powerful tones. The fact that carbonated drinks are not a good option, especially before a presentation, has already gotten around, hasn't it? 😉
4. Instead of clearing your throat, it's better to cough up
Constant clearing of the throat seems to relieve nervousness, but it is poison for your voice. Clearing the throat briefly cramps all the muscles in the larynx every time, with all the undesirable effects on the voice. Three alternatives prevent the throat clearing reflex:
- Cough briefly instead of clearing your throat.
- Drink a sip of water and enjoy the fact that the laryngeal muscles relax noticeably again after swallowing.
- And thirdly, use the mini-perception exercise that I described in my book "Secret Seducer's Voice" on page 73.
5. Quit smoking
Yes, sorry, some may not hear, but the inhaled cigarette smoke leaves its mark through the open "glottis". The mucous membranes of the vocal folds are literally smoked. And they retaliate with hardening and increased mucus production. Not really a recommendable preparation for the important appearance ...
6. Never forget to pause in speech
Sounds strange, but it's the number one voice killer. Many speakers or even people in a conversation that is important to them fall massively under the spell of their own statements. This results in an ever faster pace of speech, which leads to shortness of breath. You can vividly imagine what this does to the voice. It gets higher and more rushed. In short: she sounds anything but sovereign.
- So let your audience process what you say
- Wait until the penny has dropped.
- And take your time to breathe correctly (reflectively).
This makes them slower, more focused and more convincing.
7. Never do without at least short warm-up exercises
Athletes never go into the next competition without a warm-up. The same applies to professionals who are preparing for an official appearance in front of many people. You should never enter a stage without first doing some vocal exercises in an empty office or washroom. Tongue gymnastics, active fooling around, grimacing to loosen up and a few deep "mmh's" help immediately, always combined with the most impulsive, expansive movements possible. In this way, you will also be able to get your voice fit for the following conversation or important presentation at short notice.
If you take these seven vocal don'ts into account, a lot is gained. You will receive your very own "secret seducer voice" at full strength and health! Your voice is key in communication. Take good care of them!
I wish you every success in all your conversations, in all your presentations. You probably already know:
Her voice works. Voice sells!
Yours sincerely,
Arno Fischbacher
P.: If you like this post, please share it in your network! Do you have a question? Just write a comment! I look forward to your thoughts!
Read also:
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Perform confidently, but how?
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Talk and present better with these 9 laws of rhetoric
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Audio voice tip: What you can learn from top athletes for your voice training
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Three practical tips for your speaking voice
The author:
Arno Fischbacher is a business voice coach and rhetoric expert, speaker and author. He prepares executives and employees of the top companies in Germany and Austria for negotiations, presentations and media appearances. Fischbacher is the author of several books, past president of the German Speakers Association (GSA) Austria, chairman of the European Network of Voice Experts, stimme.at.
If you would like to learn more about specific training opportunities with Arno Fischbacher, make an appointment here free information talk.
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