What do you think of when you think of being a public speaker?

Very likely you think of standing up and speaking before a large group of strangers. And having people judge you on the basis of your professional demeanor, how interesting your material is, and how you present that material.

But let's expand your concept of "public" and its accompanying scenario. What about the vocal image you present to friends, business associates, possible customers or clients?

For example, one of my clients is a professional woman whose voice mail message can make or break her listeners' decision to hire her. It was her cry of distress that is the title of this message. And, unfortunately, there was a great deal of truth in her complaint!

This is what I suggested she do to improve her sound:

BREATHE FROM YOUR BELLY.
She replied that she always breathed deeply. Her breath expanded her ribs and back from her belly button up.

Whoops! So wrong! The kind of breathing she needs to be doing is: TAKE IN YOUR BREATH FIRST FROM YOUR BELLY BUTTON DOWN, then let it expand all the way around your body and up to your neck.

To practice this, try sitting upright in a straight chair, hands meeting at the center of your body above your belly button. Then concentrate on breathing BELOW your hands so that your hands remain pretty still from your waist up, and your chest does not expand at all.

When you feel comfortable breathing that way, gradually increase the air you take in and let it expand your ribs, back and chest. Be careful not to take in so much air that you "lock" it in and create tension. When you breath out, expel ALL of the air.

It feels so foreign to most Americans that it takes a bit of concentration and practice to get it going.

It's worth it, though, because it not only feels very good, but you it makes it possible for you to speak "on the breath". That means simply that you keep breathing out a small, steady stream of air while you're speaking the words.

Avoid making tiny breath stops between each word. That'll make you throat and voice tense--and then who knows what critter you'll sound like!

Your voice will take on more depth and color, and you'll effortlessly project more volume.

You'll also make the happy discovery that you feel better physically and have more energy when you make this deep breathing the usual way you breathe.