3 Best Practices For Projecting Your Voice To Be Heard
Have you ever sat in the back of a room and struggled to hear the speaker? Or worse, sat in the front and felt like the presenter was shouting?
Speaking to large audiences requires more than volume—it demands projection, a skill that ensures your message is heard, understood, and remembered.
Voice projection isn’t about yelling; it’s about allowing your voice to carry naturally. This starts with posture.
Stand or sit with your feet hip-width apart, shoulders back, arms relaxed at your sides.
Avoid slouching—your body is the instrument that produces your voice. Breathing is the next key. Shallow breaths from your chest limit power and strain your voice. Instead, breathe from your diaphragm. This deeper breath gives your words the energy they need to fill the room without damaging your vocal cords.
Pacing matters, too. When you speak without pausing, you rob yourself of the chance to breathe fully. Pauses not only help you project, but also give your audience time to absorb your message.
Finally, enunciate. Words ending in “-ed” and “-ing” often get lost in rapid speech. Clear articulation ensures your message is understood, even from the back row. Here’s your three-step projection checklist:
Posture: Open stance, shoulders back, arms relaxed.
Breathing: Diaphragmatic breathing for power and endurance.
Clarity: Enunciate every word to maintain listener engagement. When you project with power, you don’t just speak—you influence.
Influence, Monday to Monday®, is how you inspire action long after you’ve left the stage.
