[FAQ]

Hi everyone,

I’ve started my podcast and I’m getting the hang of the editing, but whenever I listen back to my recordings, I don’t really like how my voice sounds. I feel like it can be a bit monotone sometimes, or I notice I use a lot of “ums” and “ahs.”

I’m hoping to get some practical tips or maybe some exercises I can do to make my speaking voice sound more engaging, clearer, and more professional for my listeners. I’m thinking about things like vocal warm-ups, posture, or how to control my pacing and tone.

Any advice would be a great help, really. Thanks!

[Jeff Bullas]

Improving your vocal delivery is one of the most effective ways to make your podcast more engaging and professional for your listeners. It is a skill that can be developed with conscious practice in a few key areas.

First, you should focus on your posture and breathing. Sit up straight or, even better, stand while you record to open up your diaphragm. Practise deep belly breathing rather than shallow breathing from your chest. Proper breath support is the foundation of a strong and steady voice, giving it more power and reducing shakiness.

Second, always perform vocal warm-ups before you start a recording session. Just as an athlete warms up their muscles, you should warm up your vocal cords. This can include simple exercises like lip trills (which is buzzing your lips together like a motorboat), running through a few tongue twisters, and gently humming up and down a musical scale. This simple routine prepares your voice and improves your articulation.

Third, work on your pacing and your use of pauses. A common tendency for new podcasters is to speak too quickly. Make a conscious effort to slow down your rate of speech to a more deliberate, conversational pace. Furthermore, learn to use pauses effectively. A well-placed pause can add emphasis to a point, give your listener a moment to absorb information, or create dramatic effect. It is also the best replacement for filler words like “um” and “ah.”

Fourth, you need to vary your pitch and intonation. A monotone delivery can cause listeners to lose interest. Practise modulating your pitch to convey emotion and add dynamism to your speech. You can do this by recording yourself reading a passage of text and making an effort to vary your tone throughout.

Fifth, focus on clear enunciation and articulation. Speak clearly and finish your sentences strongly without mumbling or trailing off. Tongue twisters are an excellent exercise for improving the precision of your speech.

Sixth, stay well-hydrated. Drink plenty of room-temperature water before and during your recording session. A hydrated voice is a clearer and more resilient voice. It is often advisable to avoid dairy products or sugary drinks just before recording as they can produce phlegm.

And seventh, one of the most valuable things you can do is to record yourself and listen back critically. This is the best way to identify your specific habits, such as your pacing, your use of filler words, or where your intonation might be falling flat.

Improving your speaking voice is a skill built through consistent, conscious practice. Focusing on these fundamentals of breath, warm-ups, pacing, and clear articulation will make a very noticeable difference in the professionalism of your podcast.

Cheers,

Jeff

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