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Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***Do Little White Lies Hurt in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Nancy DanielsThat is such an interesting question and I am confident were I to do a study on the subject I would receive just as many 'no' answers as 'yes.' Telling your audience a ‘fish story’ may be seemingly harmless, but even a little white lie can lead to others questioning your credibility. And, ...
Views: 3942(2 votes) - ***Do You Know the Difference Between the Informative and the Persuasive Presentation? - by Submitted on Jan 23, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhatever your reason for standing in front of an audience, it is important to identify your objective before you even outline your material. What is your primary goal? Are you being requested by your boss to give a report on your latest sales presentation? Are you taking a course in public ...
Views: 3921 - ***The Value of Imagery in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen you speak at the lectern, on a stage or even at the head of the boardroom table, have you ever considered the imagery you use, thereby depicting your thoughts more effectively? Too often I hear those who speak so quickly and are so anxious to get it over with, that their words are said in ...
Views: 3906(8 votes) - ***How to Address an All-Female Audience - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2010 from Nancy DanielsMy first piece of advice is to relax and enjoy it. With a doubt, an all-female audience is much easier to address than an all-male audience. Women are quicker to voice their approval and to express laughter. And, it is their response to your words or your message that can boost your ...
Views: 3889 - ***Without Integrity in Public Speaking, You Have Nothing to Offer - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn the internet world, the amount of information on public speaking or presentation skills is overwhelming – from choosing a topic and then preparing and creating your speech or presentation to the best means of delivering your material with enthusiasm and passion. What is often neglected, ...
Views: 3886 - ***3 Steps ffor Normalizing Your Volume Whether You Speak Too Softly or Too Loudly - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen I first began teaching voice improvement many years ago, I was unaware that once you began using your chest to power or amplify the voice, your volume would normalize on its own. It was quite an 'ear-opening' discovery for me because so many other voice teachers or coaches were providing ...
Views: 3864 - ***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) - ***5 Steps for Great Voicemail Messages - by Submitted on Jan 08, 2010 from Nancy DanielsThe phone rings and suddenly you are confronted with leaving a message on someone’s voicemail. Panic ensues and you become tongue-tied or speechless. My first question would be to ask you what is your fear? Had someone indeed answered the phone, would you have been prepared to address that ...
Views: 3843(1 vote) - ***Could Your Speaking Voice Use Some Work? - by Submitted on Oct 28, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhen you hear yourself on your voicemail, chances are good that you don’t recognize what you hear. Chances are even better that you not only don’t recognize the sound but that you find it embarrassing, shocking, or revolting. Because you are unable to hear yourself the way everyone does, the ...
Views: 3816(6 votes) - ***Always Leave Your Audience Wanting More! - by Submitted on May 16, 2009 from Nancy DanielsThere is nothing worse than sitting in the audience, checking your watch as you wait for the speaker to close, knowing your presenter still has 8 more main points to cover and you have already heard 14 of them! When this happens it is interesting to note that the speaker usually seems totally ...
Views: 3787 - ***When Public Speaking, Supplement Your Air Supply BEFORE You Run Out Of It! - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2012 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most common complaints I hear from novice public speakers is lack of air while public speaking. It doesn’t matter whether you are delivering a speech, giving a presentation, or introducing the next speaker. It also doesn’t matter how long or how short your talk. Lack of air in ...
Views: 3786 - ***How to Strengthen Your Voice - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsVoice power is something many are lacking. Some people can talk all day without a problem but many of us cannot. Do you find your voice getting weaker as the day progresses? Do you sometimes lose your voice by the end of the day and you are not sick? If so, then you should consider voice ...
Views: 3775 - ***Why You Must Make Eye Contact with Your Audience - by Submitted on Nov 19, 2009 from Nancy DanielsImagine watching a speaker who has wonderful words of advice, encouragement, experience and/or success and that speaker never once looks in your direction – in fact, that speaker never acknowledges you or anyone filling those seats to hear his/her wonderful words. Does that happen? More often ...
Views: 3773(3 votes) - ***Follow These 2 Steps to Discover Your Deeper, Richer Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWe all have one – a voice that has resonance and depth. It sounds more mature but not old. It is ageless. In fact, it will continue to improve as you age. Unfortunately, 99% of the population is unaware that they have a better voice inside; and, that same percentage is unaware that their ...
Views: 3767 - ***Is There a Difference Between the Personal Introduction and the Elevator Speech? - by Submitted on Apr 30, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhile my last two articles dealt with the elevator speech, I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the differences between the elevator speech and the personal introduction. You may think that the two are one and the same, but they are not. One of the factors that differentiate the two is ...
Views: 3766 - ***What Is Your Voicemail Message Saying About You? - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2009 from Nancy DanielsYou are probably not comfortable hearing your voice on your voicemail or your answering machine and yet you may not realize that if you hear your voice that way, so does everyone else. Because the manner in which you hear yourself is vastly different than what the recording equipment is telling ...
Views: 3754(2 votes) - ***A Nasal Voice Could Be a Stumbling Block to Your Success - by Submitted on Jan 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSome of the adjectives that come to mind when I hear someone who has excessive nasality are whiny, strident, shrill, and grating. And, given the right volume, tone, and duration, it can lead some listeners to develop a headache. Don’t laugh. It has been reported that the voice of Mary Hart, ...
Views: 3751 - ***Too Much Confidence in Public Speaking Is Just As Bad As Too Little! - by Submitted on Dec 10, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWhile being overconfident in public speaking is not common, there are some who tell me that they are not nervous when standing at the lectern. My question to them is, “Why not?” If you do not experience nervous jitters, a racing heartbeat, or some bit of anxiety, then I pity your ...
Views: 3716 - ***5 Tips for Selecting a Presentation Skills Workshop - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are interested in improving your presentation skills, one route is the workshop. You would be amazed at the transformation possible; however, it is important to understand that not all workshops are alike. In this article, I list the 5 things you should look for if you are serious about ...
Views: 3707(4 votes) - ***Does Your High-Pitched Voice Do Justice to the Rest of Your Image? - by Submitted on Jan 22, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWhen someone looks at you, your visual image is obviously the first thing they see. And, that image has an impact on the other person – your attire, your figure, your face, your hair – everything that is presenting the picture of you. But what happens when you open your mouth to speak? ...
Views: 3692(2 votes) - ***An Occasional Mistake in Public Speaking Is Not a Problem – Seeking Perfection Is - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsTake two internationally renowned speakers. One speaker who I will refer to as Mr. X occasionally forgets where he is because he adds anecdotes pertinent to his main points throughout his presentation. In doing so, he sometimes forgets where he was since he is not using any visual aids. He is ...
Views: 3686 - ***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) - ***Keep It Simple in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsHow often had you heard the premise in public speaking that you should tell your audience what you want them to hear, tell them again what you want them to hear and finally tell them once more what you have already told them? The reasoning behind this advice is that your listeners will only ...
Views: 3672(1 vote) - ***If You Sound Like a Wimp, You Are Guaranteed Not to Get the Job or the Girl! - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI just received a phone call from a young man who asked if I was hiring. I am not hiring; however, were I looking for help with my business, this man would definitely not be on my list of candidates. He sounded like a wimp; and, while I did not use those exact words, I suggested that in ...
Views: 3662 - ***A Voice Like That of George Clooney or Kathleen Turner Is Within Your Reach - by Submitted on May 13, 2013 from Nancy DanielsImagine standing out from the crowd when you speak. Is it possible? Everyone has a better voice inside of them; unfortunately, most people are unaware of it. What is a better voice? One that vibrates in your chest when you speak and grabs your listeners’ attention with its warmth and ...
Views: 3657(2 votes) - ***How I Fell Asleep during a Double Stereotactic Breast Biopsy - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Nancy DanielsLadies, I want you to imagine lying on a table on your stomach, your breast is dangling through a huge hole in the table, and a mammography machine proceeds to squeeze your breast in the exact same manner it does during a mammogram. Now I want you to imagine that instead of being in that ...
Views: 3655(3 votes) - ***If You're Serious About Public Speaking, You Should Be Serious About Voice Training - by Submitted on May 21, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI am ever amazed at the number of people in public speaking who never give any consideration to their speaking voice. Concerned about their physical image, their content, and their delivery skills, they have yet to realize that the vehicle for transmitting their message is the voice. And, it ...
Views: 3648 - ***The Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response in Public Speaking -- Which Reaction Describes You? - by Submitted on Jul 13, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSo, you have been scheduled, invited, or commanded to speak. It could be the quarterly budget report for your firm. Maybe you are a member of Toastmasters. You could be enrolled in a local public speaking course. Perhaps it is your best friend’s wedding. Whatever the reason for your ...
Views: 3645(1 vote) - ***Why Diaphragmatic Breathing Should Be Your 1st Step in Eliminating Stress - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe other day I was reading an article about stress written by Health Information Publications and I was delighted to see that the medical professionals really do understand the value of diaphragmatic breathing in the elimination of stress. Most of the articles on stress that I have encountered ...
Views: 3596(9 votes) - ***5 Tips for Improving Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWhen it comes to public speaking, it never ceases to amaze me how many people profess a desire to improve their presentation skills, learn how to create their material or script properly, and work on their delivery skills, yet never concern themselves with the sound of their speaking voice. In ...
Views: 3588(2 votes) - ***Hiring People for Tele-Sales? Why Not Select Those Who Speak Intelligibly! - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIt is Saturday morning and I just received a phone call on my business line from a man who was doing a survey. The person he wanted to speak to had to be male and had to be over 21. [Thankfully, I was able to respond politely that I did not ‘fit the bill’ and proceeded to quickly end the call. ...
Views: 3578(2 votes) - ***The Voice That Quivers in Your 40's Will Be Twice As Bad in Your 80's - by Submitted on Jan 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most embarrassing characteristics of the speaking voice is the wobble or the quiver, reminiscent of a turkey. While it affects women more so than men, it may happen when you are nervous or when you are giving a speech or presentation, for example. However, a voice that shakes can ...
Views: 3548(1 vote) - ***A Whiny, Nasal, or Shrill Voice Is Definitely Not an Asset! - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2012 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever considered the image that your speaking voice is projecting? By the way, I am not talking about the voice you hear in your head – I am talking about the one you hear on your voicemail or some other form of recording equipment. I am also not talking about the words that come out ...
Views: 3541(1 vote) - ***When Nervousness Makes Your Voice Quiver - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2011 from Nancy DanielsNothing is more embarrassing for a speaker than to be plagued with a voice that quivers, shakes, or skips an octave when standing at the lectern or the head of the conference table. It is a problem for many people and can easily be eliminated by taking control of your nervousness and speaking ...
Views: 3541(4 votes) - ***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) - ***Can You Be Both Composed and Nervous in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAbsolutely. While it may not seem possible to be both composed and nervous at the lectern, it is most definitely what happens when you take control of your nervousness and let it work for you and not against you. Therein lies the problem for many novice speakers. When you are nervous, the ...
Views: 3522(1 vote) - ***Want to Sound As Good As You Look...Or Even Better? - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhen it comes to image, everyone is concerned about how they look, how they project themselves, what they say and what they wear. Yet few are aware that the sound of their speaking voice accounts for a large part of that image. So, my question to you is, do you like hearing your voice on your ...
Views: 3518(3 votes) - ***A Better Voice is Just a Breath Away - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from Nancy DanielsThe number of people looking for information, books, CDs, and seminars on self-improvement is staggering. Ever concerned with honing our business skills, improving the image we project, feeling good about ourselves, juggling jobs and family…we are all on the search for bettering ourselves and ...
Views: 3516 - ***Podium Power: Finding Composure When Addressing an Audience - by Submitted on May 23, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIs it possible to be composed when your heart is racing, your knees are shaking, and your stomach is in knots? Most definitely. When you look at the great speakers like Jack Canfield, Zig Ziglar, and Mark Victor Hansen, do you think they are not nervous? They are, but all you see is ...
Views: 3510 - ***Articulate - Articulate - Articulate - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn our fast-paced and hectic world, the ability to be understood the first time you say it is imperative for your success. There is never enough time to accomplish what we need to do. Wasting both your time as well as that of your listeners is neither efficient nor profitable. To constantly ...
Views: 3490(2 votes) - ***Are Your Delivery Skills Lacking in Expression? - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you speak in a monotone, there is only word to describe it: boring. That is not a very comforting thought if you care about the image you are projecting. A delivery without emotion or life means a message that will not be received. Your listeners may grasp the first of your thoughts; but, ...
Views: 3480(2 votes) - ***Can You Be Good at Public Speaking If You Are Shy? - by Submitted on Sep 03, 2009 from Nancy DanielsAbsolutely. I have worked with many, many people who were not outgoing or extroverted but were able to 'bite' the bullet, so to speak, and address an audience with great success. The question is, how do you 'face' the crowd the first time and conquer your fear, your inhibitions, your ...
Views: 3474(5 votes) - ***Easy, Effective, Efficient - 5 Steps for Improving Your Presentation Skills - by Submitted on Sep 03, 2010 from Nancy DanielsPublic speaking is only as difficult as you allow it to be. Unfortunately, many people make it more difficult than it is because their fear or their nervousness is in control. If such is the case with you, then you should consider changing your approach so that you have the upper hand over your ...
Views: 3474 - ***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) - ***Discover a Means to Improve Dyslexia That No One Knows About - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsThrough my many years teaching voice improvement, I have made some startling discoveries regarding dyslexia, stuttering and even spasmodic dysphonia. Because my approach deals with learning how to breathe with the support of the diaphragm, my clients have benefited in ways unimaginable; and, ...
Views: 3471(5 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) - ***The Value of Diaphragmatic Breathing in Public Speaking - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsThere are several dynamics that make for good public speaking but the one component that far outweighs all others is the need to breathe while speaking. Without air, there is no voice. And yet, many novice speakers never think about that life-giving force when addressing an audience. In fact, ...
Views: 3467(1 vote) - ***Is Your Soft-Spoken Voice Holding You Back? - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen you look at your assets and liabilities in the business world, have you ever considered that your soft-spoken voice is not an asset but indeed a liability? If others cannot hear you, your message is not being received. Volume is a very tricky dynamic. A voice that is too loud is ...
Views: 3462 - ***Painting a Picture with Your Voice - by Submitted on May 23, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the best pieces of advice I give to my clients is to paint a picture with your voice, with your facial expression, and with your body language when speaking. Those who read audio books are marvelous in this respect because their job is to depict everything they are saying so that the ...
Views: 3445(3 votes) - ***Stop Yelling - Start Projecting - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2011 from Nancy DanielsTrying to run a business from your home with children underfoot requires that you are in control of them, of yourself, and of your business as well. That control is much more likely when you can use your voice to keep your kids in line. But it doesn’t mean yelling at them. In raising my ...
Views: 3444(2 votes)