Imagine tuning into a podcast where the host’s voice draws you in immediately—an authentic, expressive tone that feels like a cosy chat down the pub. That’s the power of a great vocal warm-up. Whether you’re spinning a compelling narrative for true crime or delivering insights via your business-themed podcast, warming up your voice will enhance your storytelling and keep those listeners engaged from start to finish.
Why Should I Warm Up My Voice Before Recording?
Your voice is a muscle, and like any muscle, it performs better with preparation. It’d be pretty fecking hard to run a marathon without doing a few wee stretches first, and it’s the same with your voice. A solid warm-up:
– Releases tension, so your voice flows naturally and you sound like a human
– Boosts your vocal range, making your delivery more expressive and engaging so you’re listener hangs on your every word
– Reduces vocal fatigue, helping you sound fresh for the entire recording- even on long batch recording days
– Harnesses the nerves for those live eps when the adrenalin is pumping to make sure your voice still comes out how you want it to and not some high-pitched, breathless chipmunk version of yourself!
With that in mind, here are a few quick and effective vocal warm-ups for podcasters.
Before you hit record, spend 5–10 minutes giving these a wee go:
1. Let a Breath Drop -In
Take a few moments to settle your breath. Let it all sigh out (think of that end of the day, floopping on to the sofa sigh). Then let your belly hang out and let a breath back into the body, nice and low it as you release tension in your shoulders, neck, and jaw. Repeat a few times at a gentle, easy pace. This not only grounds your voice and settle nerves, but also releases tension in the voice which helps set a confident tone for your podcast.
2. Buzz It Out
Let your breath out on a gentle, buzzy hum. The kinda hum you do when you’ve just eaten something proper yum. An indulgent, overly expressive hum which makes the front of your face tingle a wee bit. You can start on any pitch in the voice that is comfy and keep the volume low. This will wake up your vocal cords and loosen your lips. It’s fun and helps create a smooth, supported sound.
3. Slug Tongue Exercise
One of my faves. Stick your tongue out gently, letting it rest on the bottom lip. Then speak through days of the week, months of the year and count 1-10, letting your lips do their dance around the chilled out tongue. It may feel silly, but it frees up tension and improves articulation for clearer delivery which will speed up your editing process no end ‘cos you’ll make less mistakes! Winner winner more time for dinner.
4. Pitch Play
Using th hum from earlier, glide up and down through your vocal range, starting low and sliding up to a comfortable high note. This prepares your voice for a more dynamic performance and combats that monotone vibe that sometimes comes with nerves or being tied to reading from a script.
5. Articulation Drill
You can’t beat a decent tongue twister to get the muscles ready for action. Try “Irish Wristwatch, Swiss Wristwatch” or “Black Background Brown Background”. This sharpens your diction so your listen will hear every word. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about making it easier for your mouth to keep up with your thoughts!
Make It a Habit
Now, the truth about warm-ups is that consistency is key. Warm up before every session to build a reliable vocal foundation. You’ll feel more confident on the mic, and your storytelling will become a standout feature of your podcast.
Whether you’re a journalist trying to make the switch from a reporter’s delivery to a podcaster’s delivery, or someone who is completely new to podcasting and wants to sound more natural on the mic, these will be really useful.
Ready to Transform Your Voice?
Take the next step toward powerful podcast storytelling. Download my free vocal warm-up and give your voice the attention it deserves.
