Becoming a great vocal performer isn't as easy as it seems, even if one was born with a great voice. As any freelance voice over artist Los Angeles will tell you, it takes years of practice and hard work to reach any level of success. With that in mind, why not take a look at some of the techniques you could use to fortify your talent?

Similar to how you'd stretch your muscles in preparation for a workout, your vocal cords also need a warm up before practice. Be sure to explore various sounds, scales and mouth openings while doing this. This will not only improve your utilization of air flow and breath, but also minimize your likelihood of straining your voice.

Tweaking your breathing technique to ensure your lungs are properly inflated will give you more control over your voice when singing or performing. Experts recommend breathing from the diaphragm to make the bottom part of the belly expand, rather than the rib cage. Adopting this fully will obviously take a bit of practice, but it should help you develop more stamina and capacity.

Recording yourself when practicing will not only boost your confidence, but also help you identify areas that need improvement. A decent USB microphone plugged into your PC should be enough for this, but you could also use your smartphone or an online recorder. Other than that, it's worth practicing speech with different variations and comparing these clips to see where your strengths lie.

It's worth stressing that a professional coach can take you much farther than your training routine or talent can. One-on-one vocal coaching will help you progress faster and fix mistakes before they develop into habits. Not to mention that you'll likely end up hurting yourself if you keep applying the wrong techniques for too long. So don't discount the value of having a coach by your side. Alternatively, look for tutorials online if you can't afford a good coach.

Sound is a product of the rapid vibration of the membranes in your vocal cords. These function best when they're sufficiently lubricated, so make sure to drink plenty of water across the course of each day. Consuming foods rich in moisture will also keep you hydrated, as will abstinence from coffee, alcohol, and other dehydrating substances.

There's a good reason why experts often stress the need to get enough sleep every night. Simply put, nothing can substitute the role sleep plays in restoring balance throughout the body. Getting a full eight hours of slumber every night will also facilitate the growth of your vocal cords as well. If that proves daunting or inadequate, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can.

Staying fit is always a good idea, but even more so when you're hoping to become an artist. Your ability to last through a performance lasting one or several hours generally depends on your physical shape. No matter how important other elements seem, don't be tempted to discount the significance of physical training in your strategy.