Many people are under the impression that if you have a desire to sing, you can just open your mouth and the song will come out as a song. Most likely it will come out as a croak. There are only a few lucky people who are natural singers and have a good voice to boost. The rest of the singers have to LEARN to sing and improve their voice.
1. Vocal Training: Without vocal training you cannot progress in your singing. The vocal chords, just like the strings of an instrument have to be cared for and used only in the correct manner. Improper use leads to damage of the vocal chords resulting in nodules in your vocal chords and a permanently raspy voice.
2. Practice Makes Perfect: There is nothing like practice to make you a good singer. Actually this is true of any learning. Holding your notes long, getting your pitch right, modulating your voice to suit the song, proper enunciation and more comes only with practice. Even after you become a professional you have to keep practicing to maintain the timbre of your voice.
3. Voice Rest: Resting your vocal chords is as equally important as practicing to sing. This means you have to talk less. Do not shout, yell or scream unless you want to get a sore throat. Nourish you voice with warm liquids, salt water gargling in the night, daily intake of half glass of warm water with a dash of lime juice and a teaspoon of honey in the mornings, and sufficient breathing exercise.