Nerves can be a tricky thing, although it’s a natural part of our defence system to be on high alert when we don’t feel comfortable, it can hinder and ultimately stop us from performing our best.

Whether you're talking live to an audience, recording soundbytes, or performing an interview, it’s important to be yourself, that’s why we’re going to cover techniques to help you relax and better engage with your listeners.

Key Takeaways

• Warm up properly: Loosen your jaw, tongue, cheeks, neck, and shoulders before using your voice.
• Exercise your voice: Spend five or ten minutes practising vocal exercises before recording. 
• Build confidence: Know your audience and research your topics to feel more prepared.
• Find ways to relax: Try stretching, organising your workspace, or listening to your favourite music to calm down before going live. 
• Be yourself: Staying relaxed and confident can help you connect more naturally with your listeners. 

Warm Up

Your voice is the most important tool you have as a radio host to communicate your message to your audience. Just like professional athletes, you need to warm up before exercising your vocals. Here are some fun little things you can do to help get you loosened up:

• Release Tension From Your Temporomandibular Joints: Do this by placing your fingertips just by and in front of your ears and open your mouth - Massage these joints using your fingertips.
• Stretch Your Tongue: As far as you can in all directions.
• Stretch Your Cheeks And Facial Muscles: Open your mouth wide and rub your cheeks.
• Loosen Up Your Neck And Shoulders: Release tension with neck and shoulder rolls.
• Hum And Yawn: This opens up the back of your throat so you're less likely to strain your voice.

Perform short warm ups to avoid straining your vocals, but once you're nice and limber you can start exercising your voice.

Exercise Your Voice

No matter who you are or what you do, chances are you need to use your voice most of the day, so it’s important to exercise it.
 

There are a number of ways you can stretch out your vocals to get ready, such as:

• Keep your back straight when doing exercises, either sitting or standing (remember that posture is key!).
• Sound off with “aahhh” or “mmaahh” while massaging your throat (this exercises your vocals so it doesn’t strain your voice).
• Tablespoon of honey before exercises coats your throat and makes it easier to warm up.
• Regular exercise should be done to practice your vocals.

Try to set aside 5 or 10 minutes before recording to exercise and really get warmed up.

Be Confident

Confidence can be a tricky thing, you have to feel good about yourself to come across to others as someone they can take as knowledgeable and knows just exactly what they’re talking about whilst believing in what they’re saying.

The key to confidence can be broken down into 4 easy steps:

1. Looking The Part: Dress well for your audience even if they can’t see you. It’s always a good self-esteem boost, and if you look good, you feel good.

1. Get Out Of Your Head: To really connect with your audience you need to really be in the moment, so block out any distractions, focus on what’s in front of you and go with the flow.

1. Know Your Audience: It helps to know who you’re talking to and how better to address them.

1. Research Your Topics: Know what you’re talking about by going out and doing the research.

Remember that everyone struggles with confidence from time to time. Some people are good at hiding it, but nearly every person has had problems with his or her self-confidence in some shape or form.

You will be fine if you keep these key tips in mind and practice as often as you can.

Relax

We all have our little secrets when it comes to relaxing, whether that’s unwinding watching a movie, squeezing a stress ball, or something simple like remembering to take deep breaths.

Whatever works for you it’s important to set some time aside and do it before recording or talking live on air as it helps relieve stress and brings out your natural and more confident side.

If you don’t have a “go to” relaxation technique, then you could try to:

• Drink Herbal Tea: Herbal teas such as chamomile or lavender are known to help promote relaxation and ease tension. Caffeine-free, their natural elements can soothe the nervous system.

• Brush Your Hair: It may sound silly, but repetitive motions cause the body to relax. Alternatively try another repetitive action such as washing up.

• Get Organised: Take a few minutes to file away any stray documents or reorganise your desk as clutter can be distracting.

• Stretch: Standing or walking around can relieve muscle tension and help you relax.

• Listen To Your Favourite Band: Listening to your favourite track can naturally release endorphins.

In the end, the most important thing to remember is to be yourself, be confident, and believe in what you’re saying. Most of all, try to relax!

If you’re not quite relaxed yet, then sit back and enjoy our video that explains further.