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Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***Take Your Nervousness For a Ride During Your Next Presentation! - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2009 from Nancy DanielsInstead of trying to eliminate or put an end to your nervousness, would you be interested in one simple remedy that will allow you to grab on to your nervousness and take it for a ride? That is the feeling you get when you are in control of those nervous jitters and not the other way around. ...
Views: 2481(5 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) - ***If You Don't Know Your Material Well, You Are Selling Your Audience Short! - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsOne of the secrets of good public speaking is to know your material very, very well. You may not think it a secret but you would be surprised how many people approach the lectern, the stage, or the boardroom table and do not know their script. And, the only way that can happen is if you ...
Views: 2467 - ***If Your Accent Interferes with Your Diction, You Need Voice Training - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2012 from Nancy DanielsMany years ago when I first started my business, my husband commented on the ‘before & after’ video clips of my clients, remarking that he could understand everyone in the ‘after’ takes but none of the speakers in the ‘before’ takes. All the speakers were Canadians in which English was their ...
Views: 2467(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 - ***Color at the Lectern Doesn't Just Refer to What You Are Wearing! - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsHave you been told that you speak in a monotone when delivering a speech or presentation? You may have been surprised to hear that description about yourself because in normal conversation you are quite animated, displaying a lot of emotion. What happens at the lectern, however, is that you ...
Views: 2457 - ***Talk TO Your Audience, NOT AT Them - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2009 from Nancy DanielsOne of the secrets for becoming a dynamic public speaker is to make eye contact with your audience. While there are some courses on presentation skills or public speaking that teach you to stare at an object on the wall in order to eliminate your nervousness, I couldn’t disagree more. Forget ...
Views: 2446 - ***Presentation Skills: To Whom Are You Speaking? - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsSometimes we get so caught up in the idea of public speaking – be it from nervousness or excitement – that we often do not have a clear idea about those to whom we will be addressing. In truth, you cannot even begin to create your presentation until you know about your audience. And, the best ...
Views: 2444 - ***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) - ***Why the Pause is Invaluable in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSometimes it appears that there is just too much to think about, to be aware of, and to focus upon in public speaking. While that may seem true at first, if you allow yourself to pause during your delivery, you will discover one of the most important aids when delivering a speech or ...
Views: 2433 - ***Which is Better in Public Speaking - Impressing or Expressing? - by Submitted on Feb 02, 2010 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt that public speaking is a battle, a battle often lost because the speaker is trying to be something or someone he is not. What is interesting about public speaking is that you stand a much better chance of winning the battle if you would stop trying to impress your audience. ...
Views: 2431(2 votes) - ***Watch What Your Face Is (Or Isn't) Saying in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsBefore your give your next presentation or speech, can I make a suggestion? Why don’t you video-record yourself, study the playback, and watch your facial expressions. Are they in line with what you are discussing? Does your face display enthusiasm if you are excited about your message? Does ...
Views: 2416(1 vote) - ***The Abuse of the Word - AND - in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen I teach public speaking, one of the tips I offer is to learn how to stop connecting your sentences with verbal tics, such as “um” or “ah.” There is a word, however, that is that is sometimes abused in speaking as well. Many people connect their sentences with the word and. After some ...
Views: 2406(2 votes) - ***Do You Know the 1 Thing People Never Think to Do in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Nov 01, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIt does not seem possible that this one commonality exists among so many people in public speaking. Whether it is for the presentation or the speech, it happens quite frequently and is both visible and audible to an audience. It may only occur in the opening; although, it often continues ...
Views: 2402 - ***Speaking Clearly Is the Name of the Game in Business Today - by Submitted on May 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn the past, you could afford to speak with a Brooklyn dialect because your business probably dealt with those who spoke the same way. Today, however, no matter where you live, business is global. What this means is that your clients and associates need to be able to understand your words. If ...
Views: 2401 - ***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 - ***How to Stand Out From the Crowd in Your Job Interviews - by Submitted on Oct 28, 2009 from Nancy DanielsToday, unemployment is higher than it has been for quite some long time and, in many cases, older workers are looking for a job after years of security in their former positions. For some, just the idea of being interviewed is a frightening experience. With the high number of applicants ...
Views: 2393 - The Truth About Loss of Voice, Hoarseness, & Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2007 from Nancy DanielsMany people suffer from chronic hoarseness, sore throats and even loss of voice; and, most of these people do so because of misuse of the speaking voice. It is common; it is world wide; and, it is a growing concern. Through the years that I’ve had a website on voice improvement, 40% of those ...
Views: 2393 - ***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 - ***What Are Your Options If You Forget While Public Speakiing? - by Submitted on Aug 14, 2009 from Nancy DanielsAdmittedly, part of the difficulty for many in presenting is just this fear. It happens to lots of speakers; it has certainly happened to me. Even with notes or some form of visual aid upon which to refer, however, you may find yourself at a total loss as to how to continue. What is the ...
Views: 2382(1 vote) - ***3 Reaons to Know Your Competition If You Plan a Career in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWith all the articles about public speaking, few ever talk about knowing your competition. If you are a novice and planning a career at the lectern, part of your homework is to listen to as many speakers as you can and get to meet them in the process if at all possible. Words cannot say how ...
Views: 2380 - ***How Confident Do You Sound If You Are Soft-Spoken? - by Submitted on Mar 11, 2013 from Nancy DanielsVolume is an aspect of your personality that can say a lot about you. Yes, there was a time when women spoke in a very soft voice. It was considered a feminine trait: demure, coy, flirtatious. It was also a time when women were treated as 2nd class citizens. In today’s highly ...
Views: 2380(1 vote) - ***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) - ***If Voice Training Doesn't Cover Volume and Projection, It Isn't Voice Training - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThe other day I received an email from a young man who told me that he was getting a sore throat by speaking loudly at the clubs and wondered if my training dealt with volume. I had to smile when he said that he had read several books on voice and none of them talked about how to increase or ...
Views: 2376 - ***How Important Are Your Presentation Skills in Getting a Job? - by Submitted on Mar 26, 2012 from Nancy DanielsYes, your education is important; yes, your experience is important; and, most definitely, your attitude is important in landing a job in today’s questionable job market. Have you ever taken into consideration, what your presentation skills are saying about you however? You may look ...
Views: 2367(2 votes) - ***Dynamic Public Speaking Means Never Letting Them 'See You Sweat' - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsYes, I want you nervous for your upcoming speech or presentation because nervousness is good. I do not want your audience to see it however. Great public speakers are nervous. As many times as they have spoken, as many times as they have delivered the same presentation over and over, ...
Views: 2360(2 votes) - ***5 Ways to Bring Your Audience into Your Presentation - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen I attended James Malinchak’s BootCamp a few months ago, one of many things he did to grab our attention was to ‘cast the net’ during the introduction. Those are his words. His introductory material was designed to bring the audience into the fold and immediately build a rapport with us. ...
Views: 2357 - Do You Run Out of Air BEFORE You Run Out of Sentence? - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2017 from Nancy DanielsI remember when one of my sons was in 2nd or 3rd grade and was practicing reading out loud. He would take a breath after almost every word. Teachers explain to children in that age group that they should wait to take a breath until they come to the end of the sentence. At that age, there are ...
Views: 2356 - ***If You Plan A Career in Public Speaking, Start With the 'Freebies' - by Submitted on Dec 29, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIn order to establish yourself in the business of public speaking, you should begin contacting local clubs and organizations in your area as soon as possible. It is important to understand that the majority of those engagements will not be paid. In fact, at this stage, I would doubt that any ...
Views: 2346 - ***Capitalize on the Voice You Don't Know You Have - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2011 from Nancy DanielsMost people are unaware that voice training is something they can do for their personal and professional development. No, it is not just actors and politicians who study with a voice coach. More and more people are discovering that they are not stuck with the voice they hear on their answering ...
Views: 2338(2 votes) - ***Are You Aware of Your Vocal Shortcomings? - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2009 from Nancy DanielsHow many times have you spoken to a stranger on the phone and formed a mental picture of that individual only later to be surprised when you met that person face to face? How we speak and how we sound often conflict with our education, our cultural background, and even our intelligence. Your ...
Views: 2336(2 votes) - ***Target Your Smilers in Public Speaking -- They Will Bolster Your Confidence - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWhen you look into the sea of faces in your audience, have you noticed that there are some people who smile? Whatever the reason, every audience has smilers and they can be found throughout the room when you are speaking. It just happens. Whether you are presenting to 5 people or 500, there are ...
Views: 2336 - ***If Your Voice Is Childlike, What Image Are You Projecting? - by Submitted on Jun 18, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI hear it all the time: women phoning me and complaining that their voice sounds like that of a child. If you have this problem, then the image you are projecting is not one of confidence or maturity. The good news is that you have a better voice inside of you which is resonant and more ...
Views: 2329(6 votes) - ***There Is No Reason for Breathlessness in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most common complaints I hear from my clients is that they run out of air in public speaking. This may be a problem for you as well. Do you know why this is happening? Many who teach public speaking will tell you it is because you are nervous. Certainly nervousness exacerbates the ...
Views: 2317(2 votes) - ***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 - ***Want to Heard in the Club Scene? - by Submitted on Jun 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsYes, your lack of volume is the issue. I can’t tell you how many people get in touch with me because of this problem. And, it doesn’t just affect those who are soft-spoken. The amount of volume needed in a loud bar or club (or even a wedding) is at least 50% more that what I refer to as ...
Views: 2306(3 votes) - ***When the Pregnant Pause Goes into Labor! - by Submitted on May 14, 2012 from Nancy DanielsRecently I was interviewed on a blog radio program and the host paused so long after every comment I made that I wondered how many listeners she really had. Yes, the internet station of which she is a member has an excellent listenership, but I seriously question whether this particular woman ...
Views: 2305 - ***There Is an Art to Storytelling in Public Speaking -- Do You Have It? - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever listened to Zig Ziglar tell a story? One of today’s most highly sought after speakers, this man captivates you with his true stories and anecdotes. His passion and enthusiasm are contagious as well which means he motivates his audience to action. Audiences expect stories so if ...
Views: 2302(2 votes) - ***In Public Speaking, Nervousness Is a Stumbling Block Only If You Allow It to Be! - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2010 from Nancy DanielsThe angst, the agony, the sleepless nights. The overwhelming dread that pervades your life knowing you are scheduled to speak, either for your business or personal life. It could be toasting the groom at your best friend’s wedding or giving the quarterly budget report for your company. It ...
Views: 2298(1 vote) - ***Stop the 'Um's and 'Ah's and Get Your Message Across - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2009 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever listened to a speaker who used so many ahs or ums that you started counting them? When that happens, you then lose the ability to concentrate on what the speaker is saying. Suffice it to say that the ums or ahs become the message. Um, ah, uh and you know are verbal tics ...
Views: 2297 - ***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 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) - ***What Should You Do with Your Hands in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on May 03, 2011 from Nancy DanielsA lot of people ask me what they should do with their hands when they are addressing an audience. My answer to them is simple. “What do you do with your hands when you are talking to your family, your friends or your colleagues?” If you are not sure of the answer to the above question, ...
Views: 2279(1 vote) - ***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 - ***Learn How to Increase Your Volume Without Shouting - by Submitted on Jun 19, 2012 from Nancy DanielsTo yell or shout is offensive to your listeners’ ears and can be offensive to your throat and vocal folds (cords) as well. Over time, continual yelling can do untold damage to both your pharynx and larynx. So what is the answer when you need to increase your volume? Learn how to speak with ...
Views: 2269(3 votes) - ***If You Are Suffering from Vocal Abuse, Voice Training Is the Only Answer - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI hear it on a daily basis. People complaining to me that they are constantly hoarse, have a persistent sore throat, or lose their voice by the end of the day. The one I just read about is a young man who wants to speak louder in the clubs without hurting his throat. Unfortunately, vocal ...
Views: 2267(4 votes) - ***The #1 Injury Super Bowl Fans Will Experience This Sunday - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2010 from Nancy DanielsDefinitely the biggest day of the year when it comes to sporting events in America, Sunday’s Super Bowl game will result in thousands of injuries for fans that most will not take seriously. No, it is not overeating, gastric reflux, or drunken stupors. It does not involve your legs, your arms ...
Views: 2257(2 votes) - ***One of the Little Known Secrets of Dynamic Public Speaking - by Submitted on May 03, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever sat in an auditorium, hall, church, or theater and listened to the coughing, sniffling, shuffling of papers and overall restlessness of those in the audience during a rather dull presentation or speech? It happens and it happens when the speaker is not very dynamic. Too often, ...
Views: 2250(2 votes) - ***Research the Company Before Your Next Interview - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWith today’s high unemployment, finding a job and then landing the position is a difficult process. While you may think you are perfect for the job, there are many other candidates who feel the same way about themselves. There is no question that your competition is fierce. Being able to ...
Views: 2247(4 votes) - ***Nervous in Public Speaking? Good! - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDid you know that nervousness in public speaking is beneficial? While many articles are written to help you try to eliminate or stop those nervous jitters, I want the exact opposite. Yes, I want you nervous. However, I want you to learn how to take control of it. When you can put your ...
Views: 2245(1 vote)