Using Your Voice with Confidence: A Guide for Shy Speakers

1.Control the controllables!  This way you have more brain space for the inevitable variables and surprises.

Run through this list at least the day before a presentation / performance.

• Practice at least once in your performance outfit: clothes, shoes, eyewear (preferably contacts) make-up, and hairdo.  This way you know if the tie is just too tight or the shoes are just too pinchy.

• If you’re reading from something, make the text 18-point font and put big spaces where you intend to breathe.

• If you have visuals, practice with them.

• If you’ve never been in the presentation space before, visit before-hand and practice there so you know the acoustics, sound system, layout, lighting, lectern, etc.

2.Practice, practice, practice!

Know what you’re going to say / sing.  Don’t wing it!  Then practice it out loud - to the mirror, to your pet, to a loved one.  Do it until it’s familiar and comfortable.

3.Breathe and vibrate!

Belly breathing and the vibrations from your voice stimulate the vagus nerve with a calm signal, in turn regulating the autonomic nervous system.  In other words, deep breathing and singing / speaking will make you feel better, less nervous, and with practice, this breathing can be controlled.  How, you say?  Well, that’s where lessons come in.  Contact me through my website for more!