Toastmasters doesn't offer enough practice, in my opinion. My club meets only once a week.
I think to have a strong and assertive voice really means just finding
your voice, naturally. In toastmasters, I'm always reminded during evaluations that I have a radio quality voice (think car commercial deep voice guy "enjoy the ride..." I can do that), however I didn't start that way. I'm surprised by the comments, frankly. I used to be all meek mouthed and could barely talk in new situations without slurring, and then getting self conscious, then slurring, stuttering and stalling more.
So I practiced on my own. At first I did it to organize my thoughts into words so that I wouldn't be caught not having something to say. I found a quiet park nearby where I was just able to speak my mind at any volume. I did this for a few hours everyday, mostly to avoid homework. I got into the habit of speaking my mind in general and saying what flowed naturally. If I noticed that I was being weak and timid, then I was able to experiment in private and listen to my voice in different tones until I found what just felt right. I found my voice, free of any internal tension. talking this way also changes the way you think by necessity. You can't truly talk happy and be sad at the same time. So, as I kept on practicing I naturally used that voice with others, and people noticed. After a few months, new customers at my work (especially women) were commenting on my voice. It was awesome!
So, its all about practice. Sing in the shower. Talk to yourself in the car and in private. You'll look like a dork when somebody passes you in their car, so say to yourself "Oh god, I look like such a dork" with a huge grin. Voice whatever comes to mind without censorship. Jump at the opportunity to speak whenever you can, be it in class or in toastmasters. After a while, you'll be amazed by the change, depending on how far you were from your natural voice when you started. If you're shy and introverted and don't talk much, chances are your vocal chords and brain and lips aren't trained to work as well as they could.
Also through practice like free-association/thinking-out-loud, you get more in tune with what you are feeling in the moment. Usually it is what first comes to mind that is socially normal and comes across as natural. However, many shy and introverted (more so shy than introverted) people cover up or close to their initial feelings, and spit out habitual scripts and old thoughts that just don't feel right. It's fake, but they don't know it because they've desensitized themselves. And that comes across socially in subtle, mostly unconscious ways, but people pick up on it and feel like you're not being real. It's really important to be in touch with yourself, mentally and emotionally, so practice that. Most importantly, have fun with your voice in the process. Eventually, you'll love hearing the sound of you own voice resonating in your body.
Recorded on tape...thats something else
