How to Develop a Friendly Voice

Having a friendly speaking voice helps you communicate more effectively and feel more comfortable in social situations. It also attracts other people to you and makes you more likable, which can improve both the professional and social aspects of your life. Much like learning to sing, developing a friendly speaking voice takes time and commitment. However, the basic steps are easy to follow and simple to understand.

Instructions

1. Listen to your voice during every day speech and pay attention to its tone, articulation and tempo. You must be sensitive to the quality and texture of your voice before you can make it friendlier.

2. Articulate your speech by pronouncing each word as clearly as possible. Emphasize the vowels and consonants that follow them to make your speech more intelligible and pleasant.

3. Breath from your diaphragm to increase your breath control and reduce the stress on your vocal cords. Allow your belly to expand when you inhale, and relax the muscles of your abdomen and chest to smoothly exhale.

4. Vary the pitch of your voice as you talk. Monotone speech is boring and unemphatic. Strive instead for a lilting, musical tone that's both soothing and captivating.

5. Speak at a moderate volume. Use enough air to activate your vocal cords, but using too much overpowers your listener and detracts from whatever point you're trying to make. The volume should be audible and comfortably soft.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your vocal cords hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

• Record your speech on a cassette tape or computer and play it back. Listen to the different components of your voice, and think about which ones you can improve.