Voice Power Blog

Are You in Transition?

05/15/2012 07:32:00

Are you getting your message through effectively? Engaging and connecting to your listeners will make them aware that you do know what you are talking about. Three important questions may be troubling you and hindering you from delivering your vision to the rest of the world.

1. Are You in Transition?

From being a new graduate to becoming a professional wanting to help others

From being a mom to getting a job and needing confidence
From being an older adult and going back to school and feeling out of place

2. Are You Overwhelmed Giving Presentations?

Because you feel that others know more than you do

Because you find that technology is intimidating

Because you feel you have no creativity

3. Are You Unsure of Your Speech Skills?

People ask you to slow down

People ask you to speak louder

People ask you to repeat yourself

The answer to these questions is in the expert training on how to leverage your voice skills into dynamic presentations so you immensely empower your message. You are able to engage thought or an emotional connection to stir the listeners into action. Confidence grows as rehearsals increase, and speech skills are fine-tuned.

As a Speech Coach with a Drama edge who loves to win over the audience with the message; I believe your most valuable asset is your voice skills. I’ve helped decades of clients raise their confidence level, improve their speech skills, and rid themselves of presentation fears.

This is Voice Power! Take good care of your voice.

****************

*ANNOUNCEMENT: Surprise Offer! I'm really excited about this - pass it on.

A Special Bonus Offer to those of you who read my Voice Power Blog:

I’m offering you a core series of 6 one-on-one coaching sessions with me in person in Hanover, Ontario; or Online via Skype Video from your own home to help you boost your Confidence level, Speech/VocalSkills, and Presentation delivery.

I especially want you to have the benefit of VOICE POWER SKILLS so you can make the above transitions (mentioned in this BLOG) in your life without fear, and move forward always delivering your message with confidence to result in a ripple effect to help others.

I know that the skills I teach you will last a lifetime.

The VALUE of these core sessions is well over $1247.

But only until May 31, 2012 you can sign up
for this savings price of $247.47

Be sure to tell a friend who you think would benefit from this coaching, so they too can take advantage of a tranformational change to their lives. You are investing in yourself.

$247.47 for the core package of 6 personal coaching sessions (1 hr. each)

which will fix your presentation-fear phobias and enhance your Voice Power

PLUS

AS AN EXTRA BONUS INCLUDED to the first 6 people who sign up for this special offer, you will also receive my E-book:

“Ten Steps to Unlocking Your Voice: A Supercharge Method to Power and Profit” ..........................a value of $24.47

So Here's the Total Package Value

6 Private CoachingSessions: $1247 + Training E-book $24.47 = $1271.47
But by signing up NOW You are Saving ($1271.47 – 247.47) - $1024.00

You only Pay $247.47

AND YOU HAVE My Personal Guarantee:

if you are not satisfied after OUR FIRST Session,
and let us know within 10 days that you wish to withdraw,
WE WILL REFUND YOUR MONEY
Brenda C. Smith, Speech & DramaCoach, Author

Sign up NOW -You will learn how to tap into the power of your own voice as a source of personal expression and creativity, and as an enjoyable experience.

If you have any questions be sure to contact me.

Click HERE to fill in our Contact Form, so we set up a schedule with you
Then Click on the BUY NOW BUTTON

YES I Want You to Coach Me NOW $247

3. Watch for our Email address: info@voicepowertraining.com to put on your safe list.

Perk up your Voice for your Podcast

05/12/2012 16:05:00

Podcasting is a great marketing tool to enhance your profile, business, and advertising income. Are you presenting your speaking voice in the best way to draw your listener into your podcast? The listener hopes to hear a tip or strategy which will help them to advance their career or business, or improve their life style.

You need to sound natural, clear and authoritative. Many of my clients want to be part of this leading edge of marketing and connect with the listener using podcast technology. They are newbies at how to do a podcast. The key element for success is to have your voice augment your podcast and not be the distraction to your message. The other elements are to familiarize yourself with your podcast equipment and allow professional voices to partner with your podcast. Here are the approaches to take so you can integrate your podcast with your voice.

The #1 approach is to tune-up your voice regularly because last-minute stress will affect your sound:

· Do diaphragmatic breathing and stretching exercises so you have a fuller relaxed sound

· Repeat tongue twisters to loosen your lips, teeth, tongue, and jaw muscles to sound sharper

· Keep your tone sounding relaxed with a focus on helpful tips to the listener

· Use your voice with passion so the listener is drawn into your examples

The #2 approach is to try your voice with your podcast equipment to become familiar with the process:

· Record with your microphone and podcast equipment to achieve confidence

· Aim for a conversational sound not a rehearsed script, but follow an outline of points

· Add energy and a varied inflection throughout your podcast to avoid a monotonous tone

· Do not rush through your podcast, but focus on giving short clear points

The #3 approach is to partner with the professionals to sound like an expert:

· Hire a professional radio voice to act as an interviewer for your podcast

· Partner with a podcast technician for the editing, adding music intro’s and exits, and tips on microphone sound

· Go to a voice coach to assess your voice, particularly if your voice sounds scratchy, hoarse, or too breathy

· Partner with other related businesses for them to sponsor your podcast or be their guest expert

If you follow these key approaches to doing a podcast you will be more successful at keeping a subscription of listeners to your podcast. You will be able to create numerous podcasts as part of branding yourself. Ultimately, your listeners will look forward to listening to the information on your podcast and to hearing the sound of your voice.

Did you find this article helpful? If you need a voice coach, a podcast studio, or a professional radio interviewer please visit http://www.voicepowertraining.com/VOICEOVERS-RADIO.html to get training and a recording of your podcast within your budget.We have a Podcast Done For You Package on our Voice Over Radio Page. Plus, If you want complete user-friendly steps to improving the sound of your voice, the book “Ten Steps to Unlocking Your Voice: a Supercharge Method to Power and Profit”is available so you can get started immediately. Now is the time to partner with us.

Leave a Comment below: Do you have any questions about podcasting? Do you have a podcast on your website?

How to Achieve a Voice Like a Radio or Drama Pro!

05/08/2012 23:09:00

How do you train your voice to be like the pros? Whether your passion is to be on radio or act on the stage, your voice is a critical part of how you will be perceived and how you will communicate, because your voice is your tool for either of those professions. The whole process may at first appear overwhelming, particularly, if you are the kind of person that wants a quick fix to suddenly achieve results.

Many of my clients have the desire to go into the media or on stage as an actor. So, let’s take a look at how you can get your voice trained to gain your dreams. Your training needs three key elements: an action plan; an application of the training steps; and experience.

Key # 1: Set an Action Plan

Your first step will be to find a voice coach or self-help training book to assess your voice and take steps to show how to improve it. Training is a must for you to follow through from your idea or passion. Set up a checklist for yourself with a time-line; for example, go to a voice coach for the next 3 months then re-evaluate your progress. This helps to keep your confidence up by checking off your progress on a daily or weekly basis. Post your plan up where you can see it often. I like to record a client’s voice at different stages so the progress can be noted. An action plan gets you from thinking about it to actually doing it.

Key #2: Apply the Training

Be sure to apply the exercises at all stages of your training. If you have to do 5 minutes of daily diaphragmatic breathing exercises, tongue twisters, or reading aloud the newspaper, then give yourself a pat on the back for doing the training. You will have come a few steps closer to your goal. Do not let doubt get in your way, stick to your training and have fun with it.

There are common points of training your voice for radio and the stage which include: breathing with the diaphragm for control of your breath; articulating the words for clarity; and creating tone to deliver your message. Doing audio voice overs and acting on stage are also commonly concerned with using your voice for the character, age, and emotion.

However, there are different emphasis of training between radio and the stage. How to use a microphone for radio is critical; but an actor needs to focus on how to project his voice to reach the back area of the audience without the use of a microphone. The speaking pace on radio commercials is much faster as the announcer will read from a script within a commercial time limit. Whereas, an actor memorizes his lines and evokes these lines without use of a script, at a pace in keeping with the character and movement of the play.

Key #3: Gain experience

Transfer your training to real life experience. One of the easiest ways to gain experience is to volunteer your voice in your community. Take the opportunity at local charity or sports events to be the MC, or at your community radio station using your voice on the microphone to apply the training and gain some experience. For the stage, join the local theatre group and take on a part for the experience of using all the nuances of your voice along with projecting to the audience.

Finding a mentor can come from your volunteer groups that you interact with or from a professional radio announcer. This can also be a great lead to other projects that could use your vocal talent. Don’t forget your training coach who has been helping you along the way, as often he or she can refer you to opportunities to gain experience, or continue to be a mentor for your work. Once you have some documented experience then you can go after the professional jobs.

Make the decision to go for the voice training to achieve your passion. If you find that time or budget does not allow you to have a personal coach; then use a self-help training guide that is broken down into the steps from beginners to advanced level. Follow-through with these steps, then nothing will stop you from having the voice you want!

Are you ready to try the training steps used by radio or drama performers? Order and download the “Ten Steps to Unlocking your Voice: a Supercharge Method to Power and Profit” which will give you a powerful start with practical exercises to develop and strengthen your voice. Click here: http://bit.ly/z7hsJs

This book has been developed by Brenda Smith, a specialist Speech and Drama Coach from her training thousands of clients to improve the sound of their voice and delivery method for radio, stage, and presentations, who have gone on to win outstanding awards for using their vocal and dramatic talents.

Ready to be on radio now! Check out our special Radio Online Training

Course How to be a Radio & Voice-Over Performer consisting of 10 Modules with Step-by Step Content and Webinar Delivered right to your Inbox to fit your schedule. Click here http://bit.ly/yIVSAA to sign up with our team of professional radio broadcasters and drama trainers to give you the training and substance for the career you want.

Getting Past the Fear of Public Speaking

04/01/2012 09:46:00

The only way you will ever get past the fear of public speaking is to speak in public. Yikes! …you may shout in your subconscious mind. But wait, it’s not that horrible. Public speaking is used all the time in business by branding your products, company name, and networking to increase your income. There are ways to ease your body, mind, and mouth into speaking in front of people through an almost subliminal process.

The key steps of this process involve preparation, practise, and presence.

Step #1 Preparation:

Start with a simple topic about something you already know, such as, how to brush your teeth; wash your car; train your dog; bar-be-que a steak; or anything else. Then organize what you think are the three main things a person must know or do about the topic you’ve chosen.

Stand up and imagine that you are showing and explaining to your child, your spouse, or a friend your steps; then begin to speak aloud on how to do it.

Repeat this again a few times, being sure that you have included the three main points, and also, add in any extra detail or special technique that you know from experience. Remember, this is just doing it out loud with no one listening.

Step #2 Practice:

Go find your friend, spouse, or child; or if they’re not available, your dog, to practise your speech in front of a listener. Repeat it again, but this time put some enthusiasm into it.

Next, when you get to work or visit friends or relatives, be sure to immediately tell them that you’ve discovered an excellent way to do “your thing,” then go right into your speech. At this stage, it’s important that you speak to a few people and not just one person; but it doesn’t matter if someone leaves or ignores you. Just remember that you are giving the listeners the best secret of their lives from you, the expert.

You can even answer questions at the end, if you want to give them more tips.

Step #3 is Presence:

Finally, invite a group to join you in larger room at home or at work, to demonstrate and speak about your topic of interest.

Bring any props if you need to use them in your demonstration, such as, a tennis racket, or bar-be-que flipper, or a cleaning rag, dependent on what your topic is.

Do a quick vocal warm-up such as repeating a tongue twister to loosen your lips, teeth, and tongue. Take three deep diaphragmatic breaths to relax you completely.

You can create presence by speaking to the group with energy and passion about the very thing that you are clearly interested in. Look at each person in your audience during your speech, to keep them involved personally. Use your vocal inflection and pause to give variety and emphasis while speaking.

Put a smile into your talk and be sure to thank them at the end, as you leave them with your most valuable tips.

The real benefit of the above process is that you can duplicate this process on any advance topic which is thrown at you at work to present information on a product launch, or a new process, or to visiting delegates on what your company does. Simply research your information that you don’t know, and find the three key points that the listener can take away with them when you’re finished. Practise several times the speech that you have organized; then deliver your speech with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

Remember to take all opportunities to speak while networking or just chilling out. Your fear of speaking is solved by being prepared, and by practising. Hence, you will find yourself not only overcoming the fear of public speaking; but also, looking forward to the next one to present.

Did you find this blog helpful? Please leave your comments below. Brenda C. Smith is a personal Speech and Drama coach who helps entrepreneurs, professionals, coaches with oral presentations and communication training. Brenda is the author of "Ten Steps to Unlocking Your Voice: a Supercharge Method to Power and Profit" , and she will help you with her easy-to-follow systems to get confidence and presence to make you a successful speaker.

Actor's Voice Training to Skyrocket Your Speaking Business

03/18/2012 14:50:00

Why do actors spend so much time devoted to voice and speech training; yet, so many public speakers and business entrepreneurs think it is not needed? The answer is quite simple: actors recognize that they are in the business using their voice and speech skills to generate income and art. Most public speakers have not considered how valuable this training is; however, now is your time of enlightenment! You are about to discover how a well-trained voice will massively benefit your business.

The bottom line of your business is how effectively you use your voice. If you take the time to receive accurate training and coaching to improve your vocal quality, you will master the three key fundamentals: breath control, quality tones, and crystal enunciation. Your audience will be so attracted to your voice that they will clamber to hire you and your products.

The first actor's training fundamental is breath movement with your ribs. What a treat it is when you develop your diaphragmatic breathing method so that you have firm control of how to manipulate your breath and create sensitivity in your message. You will have the power of movement of every muscle working for your expression, and projection without ever having any shortness of breath or strain of delivery.

Secondly, your body is your instrument that needs care and tuning in order to emit the sounds that are the extension of what you want to achieve. Training shows you what to tune and how to tune it. A squeaky instrument turns a listener away, while a fully tuned one invites the audience to you while keeping them enraptured. An actor learns how to manipulate his resonator cavities of the chest, pharynx, mouth, and nose to be flexible and produce well-rounded tones. Knowing these skills will give you the confidence to avoid muffled, throaty, or too nasal a sound. The individual configuration of size and shape of your resonators will affect your pitch, and musicality of tone. You will go from boring to dynamic with this training.

The third fundamental actor's voice training includes perfecting enunciation of consonants and vowels so every word has clarity of sound and meaning. Combine this with the correct pace and knowledge of where, when, and why to pause brings a hypnotic empathy to capture the audience's mind, heart, and spirit. The actor's training of voice for the public and business speaker is a combination of techniques that emote a compelling speech to create a connection and movement between you and your listener as you experience the energy together.

Don't become routine and lifeless; hone your voice and speech skills just as the actor does by taking the time to understand how your voice nuances work individually. Then practise until it becomes second nature. This is not a quick-fix investment; but definitely well worth the effort and time, because you will encompass this knowledge and training skills for the rest of your life.

If you are willing to invest in your business, then you need to invest in yourself; after all, your voice is your business.

Did you find this blog post helpful? Our book "Ten Steps to Unlocking Your Voice: A Supercharge Method to Power and Profit" gives you all the foundation steps to attain clear speech skills, and advanced steps to achieve voice power and performance presence using specific drama skills. Brenda C. Smith is a personal Speech and Drama coach and director who helps emerging and expert professionals improve the sound of their voice. Visit our website at http://www.voicepowertraining.com today, and discover more tips on our Blog page. Your voice is your business; so let us show you how to leverage it today.

Self-Critique With Video Feedback

02/27/2012 14:15:00

If you don’t have a speech coach to help you critique your speech, presentation,or performance, then record yourself with video so you can self-critique. This is a worthwhile tool that most speech coaches use to reinforce the process of speech improvement with before and after samples of your work. The coach is an observer of your performance through the audience’s eyes and can suggest ways to change or enhance both the little things, and the key things. However, you could do a self-critique; but be sure to analyze the essential areas of your speech skills, voice sound, body language, and your presence. Here is a great checklist to give yourself a start and a sense of how you might be received. Score each item out 3 (1-needs work; 2-ok needs improvement; 3-great, only needs a warm-up); and determine what your level is and where you may need improvement.

1. Speech:

__clarity of speech (beginnings & endings of word, no slurring)

__correct pronunciation of all words and phoneme sounds

__loudness of speech (heard by everyone without shouting)

2. Voice Sound:

__full tone (no nasality, no hoarseness)

__optimal pitch level

__variety with appropriate inflection (no monotone)

__emphasis where needed

__pace (not too fast, not too slow)

3. Body Language:

__posture(standing, alignment up straight but not stiff); appropriate clothing

__facial expression (smile, pleasant, welcoming, dramatic when needed)

__hands, arms (not fidgeting, no hands in pockets, no distractions –playing with hair, scratching)

__eye contact with audience

__stage movement that is not distracting

4. Presence:

__energetic and dramatic use of pause

__style of tone: (conversational,expert, humorous); or (too aggressive, too tired, too boring)

__content valuable and organized to fit an expert presenter

__drama/actor’s method of creating authenticity and inspiration

__overall flow, rhythm, and effect

You may have to play your video several times to focus on several areas independently. If you discover one or more areas that you cannot immediately make the appropriate adjustment; then see a Speech Coach who specializes in drama and performance,or presentation skills to give you the solutions, plus work with you over a period of time to make the necessary adjustments. It is the coach who will notice the things needing improvement that you take for granted, or don’t know that you are doing them. After all, your audience will be affected by your performance, and this is your business and profession

The 3 Biggest Mistakes for ESL Job Applicants at Interviews

02/02/2012 11:09:00

Most of the professional ESL clients that I have worked with have an advanced level of English; but lack oral standards of clarity because of pronunciation, speech rhythm, or grammar. Generally, all of these can be improved upon. It’s prudent for you as a professional to have a mentor or trainer to work with you for your job interview, because it can make or break receiving the final offer of employment. However, it’s the little things that will have the biggest effect on the oral presentation at job interviews. The three essential elements that should be developed further include: articles, prepositions,and plurals.

First, missing articles (a, an, the) are the most common and obvious clue to listeners that you are not a native English speaker. For example, “We trust bank” should be: “We trust the bank. For such tiny words they make a loud impact on the listener’s ear.

Second, using prepositions (of, to, in, under,for, from, and many more examples) are another group of small words that are problematic for English speakers of a second language. They must always be used in a phrase: under the bed, in the closet, during the week are examples. Most ESL job candidates will miss out on this use.

Third, the differences in using singular and plural forms of our English words are awkward to both native English speakers and second language English speakers.There are further rules which deal with count and non-count words, such as it being incorrect and frustrating to state 2 furnitures. Orally, these little errors sound like big mistakes.

A discrepancy in communication in most cases is minimal except when it requires clarity for safety concerns or for employment. Job interviews can be more effective if a non-native English speaker takes the time and training to practise interviews, videotaping, and receiving feedback on mock interviews. Further practice on articulation, pronunciation, projection of voice, and body language will impress the interviewer of the applicant’s clarity and competency. Therefore, the candidate can be confident that he or she has a fair chance in acquiring employment.

Please comment on your interview experiences as an ESL candidate.

And be sure to view our ESL for professionals page at http://www.voicepowertraining.com/P-ESL-SPEAK-UP.html for a complete training package, or our quick training tailored to mastering your job interview as soon as possible.

3 Audience Wake-up Steps Using Your Power Point Presentations

01/23/2012 09:07:00

Presenters using Power Point need to realize that this is a performance, and definitely not just some slide show.The solution is to keep your audience entertained and informed so they leave with vital content and are entertained. Today, since Power Point presentations have become the norm, you need to distinguish your show. I’ve noticed a need for some of my professional clients who have gone back to school requires them to do a power point presentation.Three simple steps will add punch to wake-up your listener!

3 Wake-up Steps:

1. Organize and Know your Content:

You need to have your content organized clearly and learn it. A successful blueprint to follow consists of three main points that you want your listener to gain. Under each of these three main points you must have a story, or data to provide examples and evidence. Your examples must connect to the listener because this will keep them awake.

Once you’ve got the meat of the content done; then create a dynamic opening using a question or a game. This is their alarm clock beeping them to wake-up. You need to tease the listener with key tips that you are about to tell them.

The end of your content must not be ignored because the listener will drift off. Recharge your three points so your audience still wants more. Do this by including a quotation, a closing exercise, or an excited possibility.

Subsequently, learn your content so you sound confident and organized. How do you learn this? Ask yourself: What are my 3 main points? Be able to answer this without any hesitation. Thenrelate your examples using the same template. Learn one point and those examples; then, repeat the process with the other two points.

2. Rehearse, Rehearse, and Rehearse:

Rehearse by speaking it out loud! Nothing is more effective than this. Do not memorize every word, it is better to rehearse in a passionate way so your audience will not fall asleep.

The order of rehearsal is to start in small chunks. Here's an effective path:

Main content: ask and answer with examples - What are my 3 main points?
Opening: infuse the listener with anticipation so he wants to stay awake.
Closing: use the same zeal that you started with to come across as genuine.
Entire content as one presentation: get feedback on any visual distractions such as, shifting from foot to foot, excessive arm movements, or other body gestures.Check for your facial expressions and eye contact being inviting and inclusive.Check for any vocal distractions: um,like, ah, coughs, etc.
Technical rehearsal: rehearse the entire presentation with your power point equipment. This is crucial!

3. Warm-up your voice:

The final step is a must “to do” for voice power. Warm-up with a few arm and leg stretches; release tension in the neck; loosen facial muscles and jaw; and say a tongue twister. Take three deep breaths with the diaphragm, located below your rib cage. Repeat your opening lines.

Now you are geared up to keep your audience awake as you juggle from point to screen to point again – no more bored expressions, just excitement and applause!

Benefits of Voice Power Training

12/05/2011 12:33:00

Your voice is really your personal and professional business card. The benefits of voice power go beyond knowing what it is you want to communicate; it goes to the level of HOW to orally execute your message in the most effective way. This includes having specific training in oral skills through a process from preparation, to effective presence, and finally to an awesome

performance.

There are four keys that you need in order to unlock your Voice Power: Breath, Resonation, Enunciation, and Expressive Delivery. These keys will open the passage to giving you specific vocal power benefits.

No. 1 Key is Breath Power: In your preparation process you can easily unlock your breathing potential by using the diaphragm, just like swimmers,actors, and singers do. This will give you the maximum effect of how much air to use, and how much to control or to conserve for later, with a minimum of effort.

Also, your diaphragmatic techniques for breathing will give you the benefit of being able to relax and avoid nervousness immediately. Relaxation is the foundation to Voice Power – for you need a balance of physical relaxation and mental relaxation as preparation to achieving your best vocal power. In addition, diaphragmatic breathing techniques allow you to project your voice to the listeners in the back of the room and to manifest energy. It pumps the air out in the direction and distance where you want it to land, without shouting, yelling, or any other means of torturing your vocal folds; it simply projects the sound to the inner core of the listener.

No. 2 Key is Resonation Power: Learn how to find your true tone or sound,resonating from within your chest; not simply in your neck, throat, or mouth areas to produce your best tonal quality- a warm, rich, resonant and relaxed sound. Warm-up exercises will greatly help develop your best tonal and pitch expression. Did you know that your voice improves as you age just like a good bottle of wine?

No. 3 Key is Enunciation Power: Your message must be heard and understood clearly. Good pronunciation will boost your presentation or speech immensely. A person with Voice Power needs to take the time to exercise the speech muscles: the tongue, lips, teeth, upper palate, and jaw- so there is never any miscommunication. Warm-up your articulators with a few tongue twisters for the beginning and end consonants of the words to be distinctly heard. If you have a regional accent that clouds the clarity of your speech, practise your vowel sounds to fit universal standard English pronunciation. Mumbling and speaking too quickly will definitely make your message messy – so slow down and group your thoughts into chunks, so the listener will understand.

No. 4 Key is Delivery Power: The final key is how you deliver your message to create presence in your performance. Knowing how to adjust pace, utilize pause, and “colour” your words through your voice in order to paint the picture for the listener will benefit your total voice power package. Use inflection, which is the rise and fall of your voice, and emphasis on key words to bring about variety of expression. Add passion, authenticity, energy, and focus of your story. Part of Voice Power training will transfer skills from the actor’s training so the listener enters into the world of your story, the characters, and emotion. This is where presence is created.

With preparation of vocal techniques and the practice of your emotional impact, you will empower your presence and evolve into an amazing speaker to advance your personal and business expertise and success.

Please explore our website www.VoicePowerTraining.com and be sure Join our Members page to receive your complimentary relaxation warm-up as one of the key benefits to advancing your Voice Power. Add your comments below so we can get a discussion on voice power benefits.

POSITIVELY THE TOP 5 KEYS ON SPEAKING WITH A MICROPHONE

11/03/2011 23:10:00

As social marketers, many of us are using the microphone for radio podcasts, interviews, videos, voice-overs,or as a Master of Ceremony. Just as we need advice on managing our computer sites, any tips that make us sound great will enhance our image and benefit our business. So, from a recent interview with Craig Smith, Radio Producer and Announcer, from Bayshore Broadcasting Corporation in Ontario, Canada; I was able to glean the absolute top 5 Keys when using a microphone.

#1. Don’t crowd the microphone.

Maintain a four-inch distancefrom your mouth. Too often young people have the impression that their lips need to touch the microphone. This is not only unhealthy, but unnecessary.Technically, it could overload the microphone and the audio channel that it’s going to. Your aim is for naturalness and quality of your voice.

#2.Sit or stand directly in front of the microphone.

This point may seem obvious, but you would be amazed at how often the speaker will speak across the microphone at an angle; and therefore, miss the best sound quality. Most of the microphones in use for vocal or speech have a “cardioid” sensitivity pickup pattern. This means that it is quite directional, rejecting sounds from the sides and back of the microphone. For this reason, you can’t talk across the microphone, but you must be directly in front for the best audio response.

#3. Speak in a normal voice.

Relax and speak with your normal pitch and volume. Using a more conversational tone, speak to your audience as an individual, not a crowd. Recording live voice can be extremely difficult if there is sudden loudness or softness because of the instaneous peaks of audio levels. So, as a speaker, have inflection, but try to limit unnecessary changesi n voice level.

#4. Control your breathing.

Using your diaphragm to support your breath will help you to control the breath, so it is silent. A good microphone will accentuate every breath you take. If you are doing your own recording, self modulate and look on your computer screen at the audio levels; then,make the appropriate adjustments to these levels. Opera Singers, for example,know when they are going into a high Aria; they will step back automatically to allow for a change in their louder projected level.

#5. Interview by appropriately holding themicrophone.

When interviewing with a single microphone be sure not to move the microphone away too soon. Also, instruct the interviewee not to speak until the microphone is pointed in his direction. For example, in news reports you often see the interviewer suddenly pull the microphone before the person has completed their comment. You must allow a pause, or in the business called “a beat,” to allow for editing of the interview.

Even the legendary Harrison Ford in his early days of his Star Wars, circa 1977; he was shy. Smith remembers from a Toronto interview that Ford needed assistance with proper microphone techniques, such as, not turning his head from side to side.

Hence, the best advice is to treat the microphone as a listener, as opposed to an object!

Going to experts that have experience in an area that may be new to you can serve your business well. Even Craig Smith has noticed that when he is approached to do voice-over commercials or documentaries, it is usually the companies that want to give their products a more professional sounding edge. How do you use your microphone? Leave a comment below or a question - we loved to hear from you.