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Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***How Credible Are You As a Public Speaker? - by Submitted on Jan 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWithout a doubt, age is a factor in establishing credibility with an audience. I am sure that many people think that if you are older and being paid to address an audience, you must have something valuable to say. But what about novice speakers? How do these individuals, who may still be in ...
Views: 1621(1 vote) - ***Acting and Public Speaking? Worlds Apart - by Submitted on Jan 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsActing and public speaking have only two things in common: both need an audience and both involve words coming out of your mouth. That is where the similarities end however. Actors who teach public speaking often disagree with me on this point because they fail to recognize that public ...
Views: 5506 - ***The Best Way to Lose Credibility with Your Audience - by Submitted on Jan 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI recently heard a 'public speaker' who was marketing himself as one who had made a lot of money from a book he had written. I caught this on video on the internet and counted my blessings that I hadn't been in the audience, especially in the front row! This man spoke for at least 20 minutes ...
Views: 1787 - ***Does Your Voice Shake When You're Nervous? 3 Tips for Eliminating the Quiver - by Submitted on Jan 02, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen addressing an audience, there is nothing more embarrassing than opening your mouth to speak and the voice that comes out is high in pitch and shaking to boot! The shaking is known as a quiver and it can happen even when you’re not nervous. If your voice is quivering when you’re nervous, ...
Views: 7847(3 votes) - ***Learn to Breathe Correctly: It Will Make Your Voice and Your Presentations Stand Out! - by Submitted on Jan 02, 2012 from Nancy DanielsAs a voice coach, the first thing I teach my clients is how to breathe with the support of the diaphragm. The reason is because you cannot discover your ‘real’ voice until you learn this simple technique. When I discuss your ‘real’ voice, I am not talking about using different words or ...
Views: 2470(2 votes) - ***Discover the Best Means of Increasing Your Volume If You Are Soft-Spoken - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are soft-spoken, there is a right way and a wrong way to increase your volume. Just speaking 'louder' is not the answer. In fact, the difficulty for those who speak softly is that when they do try to increase their volume, they think that they are shouting. As a voice coach, I ...
Views: 2378(1 vote) - ***Are You Aware That Your Soft-Spoken Voice Is a Liability? - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn today’s fast-paced business world, speaking in a soft-spoken voice is definitely not to your advantage: you need to be heard the 1st time you say it. While softer levels of volume may be culturally correct in some countries, here in the States, we tend to talk in a volume that is ...
Views: 2435(1 vote) - ***If You Don't Believe in Yourself, Why Should Your Audience? - by Submitted on Dec 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most important skills you need in public speaking is the ability to believe in yourself; otherwise, why should your audience? Many people approach the lectern or the head of the boardroom table, thinking they are going to fail. If that is your approach, then your chances of success ...
Views: 2309 - ***The Secret to Connecting with Your Audience - by Submitted on Dec 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the secrets of dynamic presentation skills is the ability to connect with your audience. In that sense, the idea is to make each person think you are talking directly to him/her. How is this possible if you have an audience of 50, 150 or 500 people? There are several things you can do ...
Views: 2134 - ***Stop Yelling for Your Favorite Team -- Try Projecting Your Voice Instead! - by Submitted on Dec 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen I hear a raspy, gravelly, hoarse voice, I know what the problem is. It is called vocal abuse; and, I also know that it will not get any better on its own unless the speaker changes how he or she produces voiced sound. Those who suffer from chronic hoarseness, a persistent sore throat or ...
Views: 2390 - ***Voice Training Could Have Prevented Vocal Cord Surgery for Yankees Mariano Rivera - by Submitted on Dec 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIt is sad that Mariano Rivera underwent surgery on his vocal folds (cords) recently. The Yankees’ closer was diagnosed with severe vocal abuse in which polyps had developed on his vocal folds. A month prior to his surgery, he noticed a decrease in his ability to speak which was characterized ...
Views: 2395 - Public Speaking: What Many Novice Speakers Never Think To Do - by Submitted on Nov 28, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe one thing that many new speakers don’t think about and never have enough of is something that has a negative impact on their delivery skills. It is actually very simple, basic, and a necessity. Without it, there are no words; thus, no message. It is called breathing. Because of ...
Views: 4759 - ***Storytelling in Public Speaking Is a Vital Part of Your Presentation - by Submitted on Nov 28, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen you give a speech or presentation, do you include stories or anecdotes in your material? If not, you should. Anecdotes and stories are not only interesting for your audience but they also lend credibility to you as a speaker; and, one of your goals as a speaker is to establish this ...
Views: 1938 - ***Hearing Only Half the Sentence Is Not Quite As Good As Hearing the Whole Thing! - by Submitted on Nov 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsFor those of you refuse to interrupt your sentences to breathe, you have a mass of listeners who are frustrated because they do not catch the 2nd half of your sentences. Do you know why this is? I’ll give you a clue. It’s got something to do with oxygen. Without air, there is no voice. ...
Views: 3157(2 votes) - ***Why Women Are Attracted to a Deep Voice - by Submitted on Nov 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThat’s right. Women find a deep voice sexy because it has a warm quality and sounds confident. It stirs something inside of us, without a doubt. The last time you heard your voice on voicemail, an answering machine or some other form of recording equipment, were you impressed? Remember, ...
Views: 7728(3 votes) - ***Discover Your Deeper, Sexier Voice - by Submitted on Nov 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt about it. You’ve got one: a richer, warmer speaking voice that, given the right tone, can be very, very hot. It is merely a matter of finding it. Most speaking voices need work because most voices are higher in pitch than they should be. (Pitch deals with the highness ...
Views: 2634(2 votes) - ***When the Caller Asks to Speak to Your Mother - by Submitted on Nov 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI hear it time and time again. Women emailing me or phoning to ask me what they can do about their childlike voice, wondering if it is possible to change that sound. Absolutely. You have a voice inside of you that sounds more mature and can even improve with age no matter how old you are. ...
Views: 2501(1 vote) - ***Getting Rid of the Um's and Ah's Is Easier Than You Think - by Submitted on Nov 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile the phrase ‘you know’ has not yet replaced the verbal tics ‘um’ and ‘ah,’ it is gaining momentum both in the delivery of presentations and in normal conversation. If you are aware that you use one of more of these fillers, it really is not difficult to eliminate them if you willing to ...
Views: 2458 - ***Would You Consider Your Speaking Voice An Asset or a Liability? - by Submitted on Nov 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI recently listened to a webinar in which the speaker’s voice was so nasal, it gave me a headache. And I use Bose speakers on my computer! Is this man’s voice an asset? No. In his case, it is most definitely a liability. The problem with his overly nasal voice is that he does not sound ...
Views: 3527(2 votes) - ***Do You Know the Difference Between Your Throat Voice and Your Chest Voice? - by Submitted on Nov 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen most people speak, they power their voice by means of their voice box and throat. To a lesser extent, the mouth and nasal cavities are also acting as resonators, aiding in the production of voiced sound. And, of course, you probably think this is normal. It may be normal for you but, in ...
Views: 11546(2 votes) - ***I Can't Believe He Said the D-Word! - by Submitted on Oct 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsRecently I had the opportunity to hear an international speaker address a large group of women. The women’s ages ranged from their 20’s to their 60’s. While the speaker used the F-word once, the silence in the large ballroom was much more palpable when he then used a 4-letter word that begins ...
Views: 1644 - ***Are Pacing and Speed the Same in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Oct 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThat is an interesting question. While I often use those two words interchangeably, there is a difference. I liken pacing to your overall speed. Do you generally speak slowly, quickly or at a moderate rate of speed? In North America, a good pacing is moderate. If you speak too fast, you will ...
Views: 2236 - ***The Value of Good Diction in Business Today - by Submitted on Oct 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever noticed when watching a movie or a primetime television show that you can always understand the diction of those actors in which English is not their ‘mother tongue?’ We see and hear actors with German, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arab and African accents, ...
Views: 3074(2 votes) - ***How to Select a Topic for a Persuasive Presentation - by Submitted on Oct 15, 2011 from Nancy DanielsNothing is more frustrating than finding a topic for a persuasive presentation for your public speaking class or for Toastmasters, especially if you are not one to voice your opinion on subjects that could be controversial. If you are stymied for a topic, do some soul searching and make a list ...
Views: 2275 - ***Don't Just Talk to Your Audience -- Captivate Them! - by Submitted on Oct 15, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThere are so many people with so many great messages but the moment they open their mouth to speak, the sound that emanates from their lips is anything but captivating. All too often, we are so preoccupied with the message and subsequent delivery, that we never take into account the vehicle ...
Views: 1700 - ***5 Steps for Delivering an Excellent Presentation -- Not a Perfect One! - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf there is one thing that cannot happen in public speaking, it is the possibility of delivering a perfect presentation. What skills would you need to make your words or your manner of speaking perfect? Can you answer that honestly? Your presentation may be great; it may be excellent; it may ...
Views: 3116(3 votes) - ***Ladies, Plagued With a Voice That Is Irritating? - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWomen often wonder why men don’t listen. There are a number of possibilities, one of which could be that your voice is irritating. If you have a whiny, high-pitched, nasal sound that is reminiscent of a poorly-tuned violin, then the image you are projecting is definitely not one of warmth, ...
Views: 3424(3 votes) - ***Why Nervousness Increases Your Breathlessness in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt that for many novice speakers, breathlessness is an annoying problem. It goes hand-in-hand with a voice that rises in pitch and a speed that goes faster and faster. None of these ‘qualities’ are beneficial in public speaking. Obviously, without air there is no voice. The ...
Views: 2810 - ***What Your Breathing and Your Mind Can Do When Your Body Says NO - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsLast week I was not looking forward to my upcoming 2-day workshop in Chicago. I had gotten a cold/flu the previous Sunday, after attending my high school reunion the night before – and hopefully not infecting everyone who was there. In any event, I so wanted to cancel the workshop because ...
Views: 3192(1 vote) - ***Does Just the Thought of Public Speaking Make You Nauseous? - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile the majority of those who stand to address an audience are nervous, there is a small percentage of people whose nervousness is debilitating. And, their first reaction is often to feel sick to their stomach. If the thought of public speaking makes you want to ‘bring up lunch,’ there are a ...
Views: 3322(1 vote) - ***Your Speaking Voice and the Image It Projects - by Submitted on Oct 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe other day a woman phoned me and her volume was so loud that I had to move the phone away from my ear. My immediate opinion of the caller was that she was overbearing. Her loud volume was making a statement about her that may or may not have been true. Another recent voice was by a ‘man’ ...
Views: 2555(2 votes) - ***Is Your Soft-Spoken Voice Sending the Right Message? - by Submitted on Oct 03, 2011 from Nancy DanielsFor many people who speak in a normal volume of sound, straining to hear someone who speaks too softly is very frustrating. If you are soft-spoken and refuse to increase your volume to be heard comfortably (notice I didn’t say to speak loudly), then your message is not being heard. What ...
Views: 2560(3 votes) - ***Public Speaking: Using FORCE on a Word for Emphasis - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile there are various means of being expressive in speaking, one of the most common components is the use of force. Force refers to expending extra energy or strength on a particular word, phrase, or sentence for emphasis. The majority of the population use force at one time or another in ...
Views: 4629(1 vote) - ***How Important Are Presentation Skills in Your Career Advancement? - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo you think the ability to speak effectively is important in your career? Whatever your job, be it working for someone else or starting your own company, presentation skills today are at the top of the ladder when it comes to business. And, you have the internet to thank for ...
Views: 3674(2 votes) - ***Voice Training Can Transform a Childlike Voice Faster Than You Think - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most common complaints I hear from women is that they sound like a child; and, they are tired of answering the phone and having the caller ask to speak to their mother. Does that sound familiar? If my first statement resonated with you, there is good news and even better news. ...
Views: 3474(1 vote) - ***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: 3059(2 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: 3060(3 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: 3056(1 vote) - ***Learn From the Greats in Public Speaking But Don't Try to Imitate Them! - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWithout a doubt, you can learn much from Zig Ziglar, Anthony Robbins, and Brian Tracy and so you should. What you shouldn't do, however, is try to copy them. The best public speakers are themselves, first and foremost. They are not trying to be or to sound like someone else. One of the ways ...
Views: 2283(2 votes) - ***Is Breathlessness a Problem For You in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most common complaints I hear from my students and clients is lack of air in public speaking. This is indeed a problem because without air, there is no voice. And, without voice, there is no speech or presentation. Breathlessness can be easily ‘cured’ by supplementing your air ...
Views: 2758(2 votes) - ***If Your Nose Vibrates When You Speak, You've Got Nasality! - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWould you like to test yourself for nasality? Gently place a finger on each side of your nose and say the word ‘greet.’ Did you feel any vibrations in your nose? Now say the word ‘great.’ Again, did you vibrate? If your answer is yes, then you have nasal issues. Those two sounds, the long ...
Views: 8001(2 votes) - ***Be Nervous in Public Speaking -- Just Don't Let Them 'Hear' You Sweat - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2011 from Nancy DanielsA big problem for many in public speaking is a voice that quivers due to nervousness. First of all, I would hope that you would be nervous in public speaking. I don’t care how many times you’ve given a presentation, whether it is your fifth time or your five hundredth. Nervousness is that ...
Views: 2709(2 votes) - ***If Your Listeners Pull Back When You Are Talking, Then You Are Too Loud - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDuring a recent 2-day workshop I was holding, one of the participants was a lovely woman by the name of Angie who had a big, nasal voice. When she got excited, not only did the pitch of her speaking voice rise, but her volume increased as well. Does that sound familiar? While speaking too ...
Views: 2579(2 votes) - ***What Is Your Soft-Spoken Voice Saying About You? - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever considered what your lack of volume is saying about you? Possibly in days of old, a soft-spoken voice was considered feminine and endearing. Today, however, with the number of women in business, a voice lacking in ‘normal’ volume is not an endearing quality. Unfortunately, it ...
Views: 2865(2 votes) - ***How to Increase Your Volume and Be Heard the 1st Time You Say It - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsLack of volume in speaking is a big problem for many people. Unfortunately, this characteristic can label you incorrectly. While it is possible that your soft-spoken voice is due to a lack of confidence, it is also possible that you speak softly because you were raised to speak softly. If ...
Views: 2285(2 votes) - ***Learn to Speak Distinctly -- The Best Tip for Those Who Mumble - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2011 from Nancy DanielsMany times people are not being heard because they speak too softly. There is another group, however, who are not being heard because they are not speaking distinctly and clearly. They are known as the mumblers. If you are being asked to repeat yourself because your words are not being ...
Views: 7695 - ***When Nervousness Makes Your Voice Quiver - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHas this ever happened to you? You stand to give your speech or presentation; and, when you begin speaking what comes out of your mouth is higher in pitch and quivering to boot. So what is to be done? In most cases, nervousness is the cause of the quiver. (There are some voices, however, ...
Views: 5851(2 votes) - ***If Deep Breathing Is One of the Principal Foundations of Yoga, Why Not Breathe That Way 24/7? - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsMany people gain tremendous emotional, spiritual and physical benefits from yoga. Its value is undeniable. I would like to posture a question to you. If you find the deep breathing advantageous in reducing your stress during yoga, why not make it a habit and do it all day long? If you ...
Views: 3857(3 votes) - ***Do You Speak with Enough Volume? - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsUnless you live along the Boston-Washington corridor, chances are good that you if you have a problem with volume it is probably that you speak with too little of it. We, in the Northeast region of America, tend to use too much of it – we drive fast, we talk fast, and we are loud. Volume ...
Views: 3468(2 votes) - ***Voice Training Is the Only Answer for Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI just received an email from a nurse telling me that she has been suffering from hoarseness for a long time, unable to sing high notes any more, shouting at her deaf patients to be heard and always clearing her dry throat. Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? Possibly not the shouting ...
Views: 2836(1 vote)