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***Public Speaking is a Great Form of Free Advertising- ***What Your Chronic Hoarseness May Be Telling You - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI did damage to my own speaking voice some years ago when I was coaching my son’s soccer team. I will pay for that mistake for the rest of my life because I will never sing again. Considering my voice is my business, I am blessed that it did not do the same damage to my speaking voice. What ...
Views: 3080(2 votes) - ***What You Need to Do in Public Speaking That You Probably Don't Do - by Submitted on Jan 08, 2010 from Nancy DanielsDo you know the #1 thing most novice speakers never think to do when delivering a presentation? It never crosses their mind and yet it is the one thing they are in desperate need of throughout their talk. And, once they lose it, they are in a constant race to catch up on it. No, I am not ...
Views: 3079(1 vote) - ***When “Um’s” & “Ah’s” Are Part of Your Vocabulary -- You Know? - by Submitted on Mar 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most annoying traits in speaking is the use of verbal tics. We have all heard them at one time or another. If you are aware that your speech is plagued with these filler words, it would be a good idea to work on eliminating them because they take away from your message: your ...
Views: 3079(5 votes) - Voice Power in Public Speaking - Speak Loudly and Slowly Enough - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2009 from Gilda BonannoA key component of non-verbal communications is your voice. Along with eye contact, gestures, movement and facial expression, your voice can communicate meaning and help your audience focus on your message. Your voice has an incredible range and ability to convey meaning and emotion, yet ...
Views: 3075(2 votes) - ***5 Tips for Selecting a Voice & Presentation Skills Workshop - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn my last article, I discussed what you should be seeking if you are interested in improving your presentation skills. In this article, I have added 5 more tips if you are planning to attend a workshop that covers both voice improvement and public speaking skills. 1. Make sure the company ...
Views: 3066(3 votes) - ***Can You Discover Your 'Real' Voice in a 2-Day Workshop? - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAbsolutely. In fact, given the right approach, you could enter the workshop in the morning with your ‘old’ voice and have lunch with your ‘new’ one. It happens that quickly. Of course, it is not a habit at that point, but it is the beginning of an amazing change in your life, both ...
Views: 3064(3 votes) - ***Do You Cringe When You Hear Yourself on Your Answering Machine or Voicemail? - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe first time I heard myself on a recording was many years ago when I was in college. I had a small portable Sony tape recorder and I was with my friends when we recorded ourselves. I was horrified when I heard my own speaking voice. What is fascinating about that experience is that ...
Views: 3061(2 votes) - ***Vocal Abuse Not Just a Result of Yelling or Shouting - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWe are hearing it more and more each day. We hear it with politicians, ministers, professional speakers, coaches, trainers, singers, aerobics instructors, and even the guy next door. It is called vocal abuse and it results from unnecessary wear and tear on the vocal folds (cords). Notice I ...
Views: 3059(1 vote) - ***Approaching the Lectern With Grace and Composure - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThe first time I had to introduce myself professionally was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. I remember sitting, waiting for my turn to stand and walk to the lectern amidst 150 members of the London, Canada Chamber of Commerce. At first I was relaxed until it dawned on me ...
Views: 3058 - The Seven Habits of Motivational Speakers - by Submitted on Mar 26, 2011 from Dr. Stephen JonesThere are important habits that help motivational speakers to excel as they expand their speaking career. Some get so motivated that they forget the basic speaking principals. There is a great need to help speakers to spend their preparation times in the right places. You can increase your ...
Views: 3055(2 votes) - ***Color in Public Speaking Does Not Refer to What You Are Wearing! - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the requirements for dynamic speaking, whether it is at the lectern or just in normal conversation, is to be expressive when you talk. This is known as color and refers to your vocal variety, facial expression, and body language. All three elements work hand-in-hand to make your ...
Views: 3053(1 vote) - 8 Ways to Overcome Fears Related to Public Performance - by Submitted on Oct 15, 2015 from Alice CalchPublic performance isn't limited to singing, acting, dancing, or performing other acts of entertain in front of others. It is any activity in which you engage, in front of other people where you are in a position to receive criticism, judgment, feedback, or praise. Giving a speech or ...
Views: 3053 - Manage the Pre Show Jitters - by Knocking knees, butterflies (who came up with that word?) in your stomach, sweaty palms, quavering voice. We’ve all been there ?some of us more than others. I’m going to share with you some of the tricks of the trade to help manage and reduce your anxiety before and during your presentation. ...
Views: 3053 - The Five Fatal Flaws Of Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 12, 2008 from Robert GrahamWe’ve all seen – and given – poor presentations. It’s inevitable if we are involved in speaking on even a somewhat regular basis. What is avoidable, however, are the five worst mistakes that presenters make that doom their talks to being anxiety-ridden, boring, forgettable time-wasters. From my ...
Views: 3051 - ***The Only Way to Successfully 'Treat' Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Dec 13, 2009 from Nancy DanielsI receive emails on a daily basis regarding vocal abuse – not just from those who are experiencing difficulty in talking but from singers as well. The only piece of advice I give them is to take the pressure off of the throat and vocal folds (cords) and allow their chest to become their ...
Views: 3042(3 votes) - Lessons from Les Miserables -- the movie! - by Submitted on Jan 08, 2013 from Stephanie ScottiHopefully, you enjoyed some relaxing downtime with your family and friends during the holidays. For me, it was a welcome break to go to the movies with my daughter-in-law Jill and watch her all-time favorite story, Les Miserables — starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway. I ...
Views: 3040(1 vote) - ***If You Are Expecting Perfection in Public Speaking, You Will Lose the Battle - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are an A-type personality, public speaking can be most frustrating for you because of your need to make your delivery perfect. One of the definitions of perfection is to be entirely without fault. Have you ever seen a theater performance or listened to a concert that was entirely ...
Views: 3039 - ***Constant Clearing of Your Throat May Be a Sign of Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you find that you are clearing your throat frequently when you speak, it may be a sign of vocal abuse. Ignoring it will not make the abuse go away because the process of talking is creating the problem. Therefore, the more you talk, the more you are irritating your throat and vocal folds ...
Views: 3032(1 vote) - ***Are You Losing Your Voice BEFORE the End of the Sermon? - by Submitted on Mar 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsA frequent problem that is coming to my attention is the number of ministers, rabbis, those in the clergy, who get in touch with me because of voice loss. For many of these people, they are sometimes losing their voice before the end of the sermon. Unfortunately, microphones are not the answer ...
Views: 3029(6 votes) - ***3 Steps for Eliminating a Nasal Voice - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen we hear the word nasality, we tend to think of New York City and her 5 boroughs. Excessive nasality is not limited just to New Yorkers though. You can find various forms of nasality in certain pockets of both the United States and Canada. If you are from Philadelphia, Detroit, or ...
Views: 3026 - ***The 3 Things You Must Do to Increase Your Volume Without Shouting - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2012 from Nancy DanielsRecently, I worked with an NFL player in voice and presentation skills. During his 3rd session, he discovered the techniques for increasing his volume without shouting which I refer to as projection. He was stunned. It did not hurt his throat; it sounded better; and, his voice carried with ...
Views: 3017(3 votes) - How to Present an Effective Speech - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2009 from Andrew RondeauPublic speaking is a challenge in itself, let alone being effective at it. However, if you are going to make a speech you should strive to make it an effective one. In London's Hyde Park you can just get up and speak about any subject you wish! Public speaking is both an art and a science. ...
Views: 3016(1 vote) - ***Your Childlike Voice Does Not Lend Credibility in Your Business Dealings - by Submitted on May 17, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo you believe that the image you project has an impact on your professional or business life? I would imagine that your answer is yes. I would also imagine that you have heard yourself on some type of recording equipment - your voicemail, an answering machine, a camcorder, or maybe even an old ...
Views: 3014 - ***How Professional Do You Sound If Your Voice Is Childlike? - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2012 from Nancy DanielsDo you find that others have difficulty taking you seriously because you sound like a 12 year-old or worse still, an 8-year-old? Yes, ladies, I am talking about answering the phone and the caller asks to speak to your mother! Some years ago, I worked with Janice who not only sounded like an ...
Views: 3012(1 vote) - Peter Fogel's "The Worst Time to Test HUMOR on An Audience!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelVictor Borge, the late, great, Danish comedian once said, "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." Well, it can also be the longest yard in trying to make an audience laugh, as I tell you what happened to me when I once performed on a cruise ship. Remember: when it comes to ...
Views: 3009(5 votes) - ***Do You Know Which Sounds Are True Nasals? - by Submitted on May 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile we tend to equate nasality with New Yorkers, this issue is not just their problem. It is found in many parts of the United States and Canada as well. In the English language, there are 3 sounds known as nasals which should vibrate in your nose. They are the n, the m, and the ng sounds. ...
Views: 3005(2 votes) - Peter Fogel's "Effective Story Telling Tips & Tactics That'll Make You a More Persuasive Speaker!" (Part One) - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelPerhaps you've been there yourself. You are listening to a speaker drone on with facts and figures… and figures and facts. At that moment your eyes are rolling towards the back of your head. As I always say - audiences will forgive a lot of things from you -- but they will never forgive a ...
Views: 3004(3 votes) - ***Improve Your Voice; Improve Your Life - by Submitted on May 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsImagine the CEO of a company sounding like Fran Drescher in her role as “The Nanny” or the bimbo voice Melanie Griffith. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? In fact, when Melanie Griffith played in the movie “Working Girl” in which she takes over for her boss, she enrolls in voice training in order to ...
Views: 3003(2 votes) - Public Speaking 101: Owning the Stage - by Submitted on May 11, 2009 from Marc AdamsNo public speaker should ever forget this important fact! “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” You have most likely heard that quote before, and it is true. If you are a speaker who wants to be a dynamic and exceptional communicator, then you need to start ...
Views: 3002(1 vote) - ***If You Are Soft-Spoken, Try These 5 Steps for Being Heard the 1st Time You Say It - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo others ask you to repeat yourself a lot? If so, do you realize how much time and energy you waste saying your message a 2nd or 3rd time? In today’s fast-paced world, being heard the 1st time you say it is vital to your success. If others continually ask you to repeat yourself, eventually ...
Views: 3001(3 votes) - ***Are You Giving a Speech or a Presentation? - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThere is a lot of debate right now at a popular social media site whether there is a difference between the speech and the presentation. In truth, the answer might depend on what country you live in. Here in the States, we look at the speech as something that is probably ‘written’ out. ...
Views: 2999(1 vote) - ***Life, Emotion, Animation – Just How Colorful Are You in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2010 from Nancy DanielsYou can have the greatest voice in the world but if your delivery is not colorful then you are boring. There is no other way to say it. Speaking in a monotone does not sell, no matter what your business is. From all my years of experience, I have found that there are primarily three types ...
Views: 2999(4 votes) - Secrets from Teleprompter Pros - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2009 from Stephanie ScottiWatch any skilled speaker on TV - a celebrity, news commentator, or political leader - and chances are, much of their seemingly "effortless" delivery is due to practiced use of a teleprompter. It's also likely that, at some point in your role as a professional communicator, you'll be called ...
Views: 2999(2 votes) - Confidence Through Words and Actions - by Submitted on Feb 03, 2009 from Eliot ShapiroImagine this: an audience of employees and stockholders gathers to hear what inspiring words their esteemed CEO has for them. On cue, the CEO strides to the microphone, puts his hands on the lectern, squints into the teleprompter and launches into a monotone presentation: “It’s ...
Views: 2997 - Communication Skills - become a superb communicator with 5 easy techniques - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2011 from David windleCommunication Skills – Become a superb communicator with 5 easy techniques Communication skills are the key to success in many areas of life, whether at work or in socially. It is true that some people seem better at communicating than others. Why is this? Why are there people that you ...
Views: 2994 - Peter Fogel's "Self-Introductions or 'How to Plan for the Unexpected When You Speak!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelI always say when it comes to speaking or performing, you must adhere to Murphy's Law. What can wrong … will. I don't know who this Murphy was, but perhaps he should get in touch with Montezuma (and his revenge.) Please note, dear reader, I am not a fatalist. I am more of a realist. Yes, you ...
Views: 2980(3 votes) - ***Nervousness in Public Speaking Is Not Selective! - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhen it comes to public speaking, most people are aware that it is man’s greatest fear. Thus, it is not selective in who it affects nor how it affects those who stand at the lectern or at the head of the boardroom table to give that all-important presentation. There is no doubt that practice ...
Views: 2979(3 votes) - Public Speaking 101: Becoming a Great Storyteller - by Submitted on Apr 30, 2009 from Marc AdamsIf you want to be an exceptional speaker, and ignite your audience, you must learn the fine art of storytelling. Have you ever wished you could captivate an audience? Ever felt the desire to grip a crowd in such a way that you could move them to action? Nothing grabs our attention, holds ...
Views: 2978 - ***Breathe Life Into Your Words When You Speak - by Submitted on Oct 12, 2010 from Nancy DanielsSomething we never think to do in public speaking is to breathe. We never think about our air supply and yet we find we are constantly running out of it as we struggle to get the words out of our mouth. Without air, you have no voice; and, yet, one of the most common complaints I hear from my ...
Views: 2974 - In the Strictest of Confidence - by Submitted on Jul 19, 2009 from Marshall NorthcottAre you entrusted with proprietary information? It’s very easy to innocently divulge confidential information just in passing. Years ago while calling on a small construction company the owner’s wife (let’s call her Joan) told me a story that emphasizes the significance of what you share ...
Views: 2973(1 vote) - ***How to Put Your Nervousness to Good Use - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIn public speaking or any other type of live performance, the idea of trying to get rid of your nervousness is definitely not the right approach. Nervousness is that wonderful rush of adrenaline that can make you sharper, more alert and more focused. In fact, the benefits of nervousness are so ...
Views: 2972(2 votes) - Develop your Authentic Public Speaking Style - Seven Tips - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2008 from Sandra ZimmerWhen it comes to speaking, presenting or performing, each of us must decide how we are going to present ourselves to the world. We might each ask ourselves, “Will I create an image I think my audience will approve or will I risk presenting myself as I authentically am?” This ...
Views: 2972 - ***Discover One of the Little Known Secrets of Voice Training - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsOne of the little known secrets of a good voice training course is that it will change your life for the better, both personally and professionally. Yes, your confidence will be bolstered and you will certainly sound more mature, but the improvements in your life will go far beyond your voice. ...
Views: 2967 - ***Horrified By What Comes Out of Your Mouth When You're Nervous? - by Submitted on Jun 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever stood at the lectern or were sitting for an interview and when you opened your mouth to speak, the sound emanating from your lips was much higher in pitch than you expected, wanted, or appreciated? While the raising of the pitch of the voice is common when nervous, it is also ...
Views: 2960(1 vote) - ***If Your Voice Is the Vehicle for Your Words, Are You Driving a Cadillac or a Jalopy? - by Submitted on Nov 23, 2010 from Nancy DanielsNo matter how great your message or how powerful your delivery, have you ever considered the vehicle or instrument that is transporting your words? What does the sound of your speaking voice say about you? If you are over 21 and sound like a teen or preteen, do you know that you image you ...
Views: 2958 - ***To Mark Your Script or Not? That Is the Question in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Dec 01, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIt is interesting to note the diverse opinions when it comes to marking your speech with pauses and smiley faces and underlining particular words for emphasis. My questions to you follow. Do you want to give a speech that is akin to delivering a script as if you were acting on a stage? Or, do ...
Views: 2955(2 votes) - ***Treat Your Audience Like You're Having a Conversation and Watch What Happens! - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the great mistakes made in public speaking is trying to be someone or something that you are not. Your audience is not in attendance, giving of their time, to hear or watch you be something other than yourself. They came to hear you be you. As a voice specialist, I have found that ...
Views: 2954(1 vote) - ***Plain Speaking is the Best Approach in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIf you are scheduled to give a speech or presentation, plain speaking should be your choice so as not to appear affected, superior, or on exhibit. Plain speaking, simply put, is the ability to speak and be easily understood by all in attendance. And, it goes hand-in-hand with the theory of ...
Views: 2948(4 votes) - ***What Should You Do With Your Hands When Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Aug 07, 2009 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most common questions I hear from my clients when they are practicing their presentation skills, is what should they do with their hands? That is a good question, so let me answer that question with a question to you? What do you do with your hands when you are in conversation? ...
Views: 2946(1 vote) - Public Speaking - Avoid These 5 Common Voice Mistakes - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from Gilda BonannoYour voice has the ability to convey an incredible range of meaning and emotion when you present. It's an important part of your non-verbal communications, or body language, and can help you can communicate your message clearly and effectively to your audience. Avoid these five common ...
Views: 2946(2 votes)