I still feel a bit awkward using my voice with strangers (eg waitresses, shop staff, etc) but so far it has never raised an eyebrow. I do use a voice that I learned through therapy some 20 years ago, it's not higher in pitch, just lighter in tone. Hard to describe. Certainly softer sounding and a bit more melodic. I can maintain it for up to an hour in sessions with counsellors were I do most oft he talking and it isn't a strain (something you really need to be careful of). Thing is, how our voice sounds to ourselves is quite different to others. When I hear my voice played back it never sounds like me, but others say it does. Also, a lot of it is about presentation, sure the voice I use is not common for women but it is feminine enough that, coupled with my appearance, works. The phone is another thing, and until I really start using it at work I won't know how successful that will be.
There are plenty of vids on the internet that give good demos. I find imitating phrases - especially the intonation - I hear cis women in the street or on television using can be helpful. Just go for your normal range, don't try to force the pitch up but be careful of words that have a natural down pitch to them. Enunciating clearly and being especially careful of words that can twang your vocal chords is a case of practice, practice, practice but can become second nature once you start using it regularly.
