What’s Great About Your Voice?
When you hear a recording of your voice, does it bring a smile or a frown to your face? If you don't like the way you sound in recordings, on podcasts, or YouTube videos, or even in interviews, there's a fix for that. Start to emphasize what's best about your voice.
Everyone has something special that makes their voice worth listening to. Here's a suggestion to find out what's special about yours: Make a recording of yourself speaking or reading (use your phone to record; anything will do) and give it an honest listen. Does it sound like you're rushing when you speak? Voices thin out and get nasal when we forget to breathe. Many people believe that if they talk fast, they will sound more interesting, but if you add a little space between sentences, your voice will sound fuller, and you will build drama and variety in your spoken words.
When you give an interview or record a podcast, have a glass of water handy. So often, we come to the end of a spoken sentence, and we cough, or wheeze, or sound thin. The easy fix is to lubricate the throat. You'll sound better. (Coffee doesn't count; tea with honey works, though.)
If you have a microphone for podcasting, you're already ahead of the game, because that mic is tuned to the human voice. The Shure MV7 and Røde NT Mini are my current recommendations. Get it close to you, about four inches away, and not in the direct line of your breath.
Lastly, enjoy the sound of your voice. Let it vary, and sound interested in what you're talking about. It also never hurts to smile as you speak, the "smile" finds a way into the tone of your voice.
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