Voice - A Forgotten Path to Success

Have you ever considered what part the sound of your voice plays in the role of your success? In the book Voice and Diction it says, "People who have poor speaking voices - the kind that set your teeth on edge- are almost always unaware of this."

When I was in broadcast school I had to read books about voice. It was the first time I ever considered the impression my voice left with people. Your voice is the sharp cutting edge of your personality. We all know that first impressions count. How you say something forms that lasting and almost permanent impression.

It's not just the announcer, podcaster or the broadcaster that can benefit from improving skills and developing effective voice and speech habits. Miss Manners, Judith Martin says, "If you are single, your speech may decide whether or not you will ever marry."

A
old Aronson, head speech pathologist at the Mayo Clinic said, "The higher one ascends the socioeconomic scale, the greater the emphasis placed on pleasant, effective voices."

Bob Bartlett, News Director, KTAB-TV in Texas said, "While content is how a good piece should be judged, the audience has to hear the story first. If they don't like how you sound, they'll miss the rest."

People are hired on the sound of their voice alone. Political experts now agree that most successful candidates are elected not on the basis of what they say, but how they say it.

You say about 30,000 words a day. That's eleven million a year. That's equivalent to 110 novels. And with all the audio books being recorded and amateur pod-casting shows why is no one is talking about voices?

There's speaking that turns people on, and speaking that turns people off. Having awareness and control over your voice increases confidence and confidence breeds success.

Voice exercises can easily be done to make minor improvements. A voice coach or honest friends can tell you the areas you need to work on. Then you can google those areas to find voice exercises to add to your arsenal of success tools. You can also purchase a broadcasters voice hand books that include vocal exercises. Whether exercising your speaking or singing voice you will benefit.

Improving your voice is one of the affordable fast track ways to more successful living. Here's some fun vocal exercises you can do to notice improvements almost immediately.

Many voice problems like vocal fry are caused by lack of breathing while we speak. The following exercise is my favorite and makes my voice sound like butter. Count from one to fifty out loud in one breath. Make sure to enunciate your words clearly and at a regular pace. Doubtful you’ll do it on first try but you will be surprised that each time you will be able to count hire without taking a breath.

Another fun voice exercise to work your diaphragm and breath control by holding a light paper like tissue or Kleenex on the wall by blowing. You can even do contests with your kids to build a stronger diaphragm and sense of breathing control for them.