VOCAL HYGIENE (How to get the best mileage from your voice)

DO DON’T

Drink plenty of water Drink or eat excessive amounts of caffeine chocolate, milk products, alcohol or tobacco

Relax your throat by doing deep abdominal breathing

Clear your throat or cough habitually

Allow natural expansion/release in ribs & abdomen when breathing

Hold your breath, squeeze or push the voice out

When speaking, pause often at natural boundaries to allow the breath to be replaced before continuing

Squeeze out the last few words of a thought without sufficient breath

Match your breath to what you are physically doing

Yell or speak extensively during strenuous physical exercise

Initiate voice gradually on the out-flowing breath, as on a sigh ‘hahh’

Initiate voice with a harsh or sudden glottal attack

Keep the voice at a comfortable pitch Force your voice in a register beyond a comfortable pitch

Be aware of the effects stress and emotions have on your voice, in neck, throat, jaw, face or chest

Do prolonged yelling, whispering, cheering or screaming especially if it causes muscle tension

Whistle, clap, blow a horn, or find some other form to attract attention in a noisy environment

Use your voice in noisy cars, planes, Etc. Don’t out-talk or out-sing environmental noise

Keep your upper and lower teeth separated allowing the jaw to relax

Ever clench your teeth or hold your jaw tense as you speak or sing

Allow for periods of vocal rest during the day, especially when tired or ill

Use your voice extensively when you have a cold

www.voicepower.ca

Learn to recognize first signs of vocal fatigue (hoarseness, dry throat, tension, poor vocal projection)

Use your voice when it feels strained

Consult your doctor when you experience throat discomfort or hoarseness for more than six days

Ignore prolonged symptoms of vocal strain, hoarseness, pain, heartburn or allergies

Maintain proper humidity, both inside and outside your body

Expose your voice to excessive pollution, cigarette smoke, or chemical fumes

Key reasons that most voicemail messages are inefficient are

talked to fast ~ slurred words ~ unclear purpose (rambling rather than getting to the point) ~

not warm and friendly (apologetic does not substitute for warmth, friendliness and a clear, succinct message) ~ no clear call to action

Be sure to leave:

Your name ~ where you are calling from (if it's someone who doesn’t know you and it’s an external call from your office or dept) ~ who you are calling for ~ the purpose of the call ~ the reason to call back (or the call of action...what you want them to do...spoken very succinctly, no apologies) ~when they should call back (urgency) ~ Return phone number ~ Warm ending

For Example: Hi Lucy, It's Lynn from VoicePower. I'm calling to remind you to do your exercises for 10 minutes every day this week... Call me if you have any problems understanding the material I sent you on Saturday. My number is 416 461-1012. Again, that's - 416 461-1012. I'm looking forward to seeing you next Friday at 5:00 pm. Have a great day and stay warm!

OR if you don’t know the person, it will have to be a bit more formal.

Hello, this is Lynn Woodman calling from Voice Power in Toronto. This call is for Ms. Lucy Lee. Ms Lee, the reason for my call is to address your inquiry into voice & speech training with my company. I'm calling because there are few things that I need to discuss with you regarding your goals. I'd like for you to return my call please. The best time to reach me is Monday, Jan. 17th between 9:00 & 5:00 pm. It's very important that we speak. The number for you to call me back is 416 461-1012. Again that's 416 461-1012. Should you reach my voice mail, please leave the best time for me to return your call. Thank you very much. I look forward to speaking with you. Have a great day.