One
of the most important components of public speaking is the sound of
your voice. It influences the impact of your message, and might even
make or break the success of your speech. Fortunately, for many people,
good voice quality can be learned.

TIPS:
1. Breathe from your diaphragm -

Practice long and
controlled exhales. When you speak, use breath to punctuate your point.
For example, take a breath at the end of each phrase whether you need
to or not. Use that opportunity to pause and let the listeners absorb
what you say.

2. Use pitch -

Lower pitches
generally are more soothing to hear. However, modulating your pitch for
emphasis will keep your listeners engaged. Develop your pitch by
practicing humming.

3. Moderate your volume -

Find out if you speak
too loudly or too softly. When you begin speaking, ask your audience
how your volume is (each situation is different). Try to stay at the
appropriate volume throughout your speech.

4. Moderate your pace -

This one is also
closely related to breath. If you speak too quickly, people can't keep
up. If you speak too slowly, people will lose interest. Record your
speech to determine if you need to change your pace. Get feedback from
others.

5. Articulate -

Try exaggerating
your lip movement to reduce mumbling. Practice articulating tongue
twisters and extending and exaggerating vowel sounds. Become an expert
at articulating tongue twisters as quickly and crisply as possible.
Focus on the ones you find difficult.

6. Practice

Your speech in
advance and determine where you want to pause for a breath. For more
emphasis, pause for more than one breath. Mark your breathing points in
your notes.

7. Loosen up

Before you
begin. Look side to side. Roll your head in half-circles and roll your
shoulders back. Shift your rib cage from side to side. Yawn. Stretch.
Touch your toes while completely relaxing your upper body, then slowly
stand up, one vertebra at a time, raising your head last. Repeat as
needed.

8. Posture -

Stand up straight and tall to allow full lung capacity and airflow.

9. Record

your voice repeatedly using different ways of speaking. Determine which one is most pleasing.

10. Practice breath control -

Take a deep
breath, and while you exhale, count to 10 (or recite the months or days
of the week). Try gradually increasing your volume as you count, using
your abdominal muscles—not your throat—for volume. Don't let your
larynx tense up.