Speaking loudly doesn't come naturally to everyone. If you find yourself yearning to be heard, then you will need to take a look at both your mental and physical approach to speaking. Project your voice across a room by breathing deeply, keeping good posture, and speaking from your diaphragm. Try to speak with confidence and take ownership of what you say. Find your voice and learn to share it!
Projecting Your Voice
1Breathe through your diaphragm. The diaphragm is the main muscle involved in respiration, and it is located deep within your belly. Inhale and exhale deeply so that you increase the volume of air in your lungs. Focus on your belly: let it expand as you inhale air, and contract as you exhale. Speak as an exhalation of this deep breath to give more force to your words.
2Keep a comfortable, upright posture. Relax your shoulders and keep your back straight. Standing up straight allows your lungs to expand to their full capacity, which gives more weight to your voice. Good posture will also help keep your diaphragm open so that more air can flow through more quickly.
3Speak evenly. Take a nice, deep breath, and use this air as fuel for your voice. Do not speak quickly or madly, releasing all of the air into one phrase. Let your lung capacity sustain you through an entire steady sentence.
- Make sure that you aren't speaking from your nose. When the air comes through your nose, it can result in a high, reedy pitch that is hard to pick out from the crowd. Try to be conscious of your exhalation.
4Practice breathing deeply and projecting your voice. It may take some work to master the technique – but be patient. Take the time to tune into your body and critically engage with your breathing pattern. Be conscious of how your throat, your lungs, your diaphragm, and your belly when you speak. Try it out in a room of people and see whether people take notice.
Speaking With Confidence
1Think about how you feel when you speak. Perhaps you feel self-conscious about speaking in front of people. Maybe you are uncomfortable with coming across as assertive or confrontational. Analyze your own thought patterns, and consider that you may need to work on more than just your speaking voice.
2Practice speaking with confidence. Own your words, and don't be afraid of what anyone else thinks. Notice when you are being hesitant, and check the impulse in yourself. Try to overcome a fear of judgment.
- Try not to apologize or hedge the things you say. If you are always hesitating, then you won't speak as loudly as you are able.
- Speak to a person as though he or she is your equal, not your superior. Try to suppress low self-esteem and "fake it until you make it."
3Match the volume of the people around you. When you are having a conversation or speaking with a group of people, try to speak at roughly the same volume that they are. Be aware of the energy of the conversation. Speak loudly when the energy is high, and speak softly when the energy is low. You don't always need to speak loudly to be heard!
How can I do this when I am shy?wikiHow ContributorPretend as if you know exactly what you're doing. Doing this will get rid of your insecurities for just a second. It'll get easier in time.
What do I do if my face goes red while I'm trying to speak loudly?wikiHow ContributorYou may be straining your voice too much. Practice speaking at a slightly lower volume, then work your way up to speaking more loudly.
Is it a must to match the volume of people around me?wikiHow ContributorNo. If you want to bring your friends' voice levels down, tell everyone you have something to tell them, then talk more quietly. You may find they adjust their voices to match yours.
- The sooner you start speaking this way, the sooner it will become a habit and the sooner you will be comfortable with your new, more powerful way of speaking.
- Do you hear yourself yelling ie. sensitive hearing? (Record your voice and listen. You can then turn up your volume and not feel like you are yelling.)
- Your lungs contain almost 1,500 miles (2,400 km) of airways and over 300 million alveoli. Every minute, you breathe in 13 pints of air.
- Talk out of your belly, not your throat or your nose.
- Don't talk too loudly in inappropriate situations. Part of learning to use your voice is learning when not to use it.
- Try not to strain your voice. Just speak strongly, letting the air out at an even speed. Avoid shouting too often. There is a fine line between talking loudly and yelling at someone.
Sources and Citations
- ↑ http://www.innerbody.com/image/musc06.html
- ↑ http://www.askavocalcoach.com/how-do-i-sing-from-my-diaphragm-not-my-throat-641/
- ↑ http://www.personalitytutor.com/how-to-talk-loud.html
- ↑ http://www.speakingaboutpresenting.com/delivery/project-your-voice/
- ↑ http://www.succeedsocially.com/quietvoice
- ↑ https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-overcome-my-fear-of-speaking-loudly-and-confidently-in-normal-conversations
- ↑ http://bodyodd.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/03/14/10673717-loud-talkers-why-do-some-voices-seem-to-be-set-at-top-volume?lite
- ↑ http://www.livescience.com/4078-10-tips-healthy-voice.html
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