Make sure you speak loud enough for the audience to hear you. Nothing is worse than having to strain to hear a speaker present. So, before you begin a presentation, have someone stand at the back of the room and tell you if you can be heard.

Don't speak in a monotone voice. The easiest way to put an audience to sleep is by speaking in the same voice for a long period of time. Make sure you use natural speech patterns — with highs and lows — instead of a flat monotone.

Alternate the pace of your voice. By speaking at different speech rates for short periods, you can add energy to your speech pattern. Just look at the way you speak in normal conversation. You will notice that sometimes you speak quickly and sometimes you slow down.

Slow down for important points. By slowing your speech rate for key points, you can emphasize important points.

Use the pause. Silence is an excellent exclamation point. By slightly extending a pause, you can add emphasis to a key point in your presentation. All presenters pause naturally, but the best presenters plan their pauses for maximum impact!

Drink water. Before presenting, have a glass of water. Water can prevent potential voice problems during a presentation. You can also use a sip of water as a pause in a presentation.

Bonus Tip! Check out the national news! News anchors provide some of the best examples of effective voice usage.