Practice

• Your vocal chords are muscles. While the vocal cords might be more delicate than biceps or quads, exercise will increase their strength in a similar way. Sing by yourself, whether you're in a car, dry basement or just home alone. Don't be afraid of singing badly at first; the idea is to have fun. An audience will be more likely to enjoy the sound of your voice if you're having fun.
  
  The key to singing well is precision. Get a chromatic tuner and some kind of musical instrument, whether it's a guitar, keyboard or maybe even a harmonica to start. Find out what your range is by trying to hit the notes on your instrument, and improve your accuracy by keeping an eye on your tuner and adjusting your notes accordingly.
  
  

Maintenance

• Limit your exposure to especially dusty or moldy environments. Know your limits and don't push yourself too hard by singing too loud or too far outside of your range. If you feel like your voice is getting worn out before you're ready to quit, drink hot tea-preferably with lemon. This will warm up and loosen the vocal chords and probably keep you from croaking for a while.
  
  

One Man's Awful Singer Is Another Man's Idol

• "The better a singer's voice, the harder it is to believe what they're saying... so I use my faults to an advantage."
  
  Don't be discouraged if your friends or family members don't like the way you sing. Voices are completely subjective; the only "bad singing" is singing that is off-key, and, with practice, you should be able to improve your accuracy. While it's commonly accepted that Bob Dylan can't sing as well as Eric Burdon or John Lennon, many people prefer the sound of his voice. David Byrne once said, "The better a singer's voice, the harder it is to believe what they're saying... so I use my faults to an advantage." If you love singing and can hit the notes, somebody out there will probably eat it up. Simon Cowell probably isn't impressed by Jack Black or Lou Reed, but their records have sold millions.
  
  At the same time, be aware of what your voice sounds like. Record yourself and listen to the sound of your voice, so that you can get a sense of what other people are hearing. You won't sound exactly like you think you do; nobody does. The more often you record, the more familiar and comfortable you'll get with your own voice.
  
  

Take It Outside

• Put yourself out there. Open mic nights are a great way to get used to an audience and usually are a safe space for trial and error without booing or criticism. Don't worry if you're not a big hit your first time out; the point is to shed your stage fright.
  
  If you're passionate about singing, find a teacher you can work with and take lessons. This is a great motivator; if you don't practice, you'll be wasting money and you'll need to answer to your teacher.