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Susan Berkley's Quick Voice Tips For Radio Interviews

1. Warm up: Most radio interviews are first thing in the morning, before you've had a chance to speak. Don't let your "morning voice" be the first thing listeners hear. Humming or singing makes a fast, easy warm-up. Warm up for at least five minutes before you go on the air.

2. Hydrate: Your vocal chords need moisture in order to sound their best. We are at our most dehydrated after sleeping, yet most people start their day with caffeinated beverages that dehydrate them further. To remedy, drink at least two large glasses of water as soon as you wake up plus one glass of water for every cup of coffee or tea you drink. When the heat is on, sleep with a humidifier.

3. No dairy: If your voice tends to sound froggy or phlegmy, you may be allergic to dairy or other food products. Lay off the milk, butter and cheese for a while and see if it helps. Consult an allergist if the problem persists.

4. Don't slump: Body language plays a big part in vocal energy level. Watch your posture. Sit up straight or stand for best effect. With practice you can learn to sound enthusiastic even if you don't feel like it.

5. Headset: Get a high-quality headset and use it for your interviews. Being hands-free allows you to gesture while on the air. Life in your body adds life to your voice. Plantronics makes a good headset.

6. Learn to breathe properly: To sound your best, you must support your voice with abdominal breathing. Stress often causes us to breathe shallowly from the chest. Take a yoga class to learn proper breathing technique or check out "The Breather," a resistive breathing training device, available at my Web site www.greatvoice.com.

7. Get feedback: Almost nobody can be objective about the sound of their own voice. For better or worse, the way you think you sound is probably not the way you come across to others. Most annoying vocal habits are unconscious. Tape your interviews. It's the only way you'll improve. But let other (supportive) people critique the tape. Don't try to do it yourself. You cannot be objective about the sound of your own voice. Radio Shack has inexpensive gizmos that let you tape both sides of a conversation.