How to Protect Your Voice On ZOOM

 

STEP 1: DO THIS SHORT WARM-UP ROUTINE BEFORE YOU START YOUR MEETING:

  • Step I: Do Head & Neck Rolls to release neck tension

  • Step 2: Do a Breath Check– Make sure to take a deep belly/diaphragmatic breaths to fire up support for your voice.

  • Step 3: Check Your Posture– Have your head balanced evenly on your spine, have your sitting posture upright from the base of your spine.

  • Step 4: Warm-up your face with lion face (stretch wide)/ lemon face (scrunch small), then do lip and tongue trills (“brrr…”), and some gentle jaw openers.

             

STEP2:  SET UP YOUR TECH FOR SUCCESS:

  • Check that your audio level is strong so you don’t have to yell/project your voice. Use an external microphone & headphones for best sound.

  • Set up your monitor or phone at eye level for your best posture.

  • Have a large water bottle nearby and drink in between and during meetings when needed. Drink at least 8 cups of H20 per day/64 ounces.

       

STEP 3:   USE THESE BEST SPEECH PRACTICES DURING YOUR MEETING:

  • Speak slow enough for listener comprehension: Ideal Rate of Speech is between 140-160 words per minute for conversational public speaking.

  • Enunciate your words: Speak clearly by opening your mouth and releasing your lower jaw. Use the 1-2 finger space guide when you speak to check that you are opening up your mouth enough. 

  • Engage your eyes as well as your mouth when you speak for clearer speech, more animated delivery, and a brighter vocal tone.

  • Speak at your ideal vocal “neutral” pitch, not too low that you experience glottal fry (gravelly voice), or too high that you feel strain, but a medium/neutral vocal tone for optimal resonance that requires the least effort.

 

RED FLAGS & GOOD VOCAL HEALTH PRACTICES:

  • Listen to your voice for these signs of fatigue: vocal strain, hoarseness, dry throat, fullness of throat, excessive throat clearing. These are RED FLAG signs that your voice needs rest. 

  • Think of your voice like a battery, full at the beginning of each day and in need of a recharge by the end.

  • Pace your voice and schedule breaks between meetings, use the warm-up above before your first meeting, continually hydrate your voice, and speak “on breath” with enough breath support.

  • Get adequate nightly sleep, daily exercise, and a healthy diet for a healthy voice. Limit irritants that can dehydrate your voice like coffee, alcohol, citrus, or antihistamines. 

  • If you experience ongoing vocal issues like hoarseness, acute pain when you speak, or constantly lose your voice, you may want to consult a medical professional such as a Medical Speech Pathologist or an Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist.

If you want to improve and protect your voice, consider training with a Voice Coach or join Coach Jessica’s Public Speaking Course, IMPACT: The Essential Public Speaking Course for your Online and In person Presentations HERE

Jessica Neighbor