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Articles by Nancy Daniels

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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The 3 Step Approach for a Deeper Speaking Voice

While there are various methods and suggestions as to how to make your voice deeper in pitch, the difference between those approaches and the one that is correct lies in the word make. As soon as you make your voice do something it shouldn’t, you are forcing it. When you force your voice into an unnatural, lower pitch, you begin the process of damage to your vocal folds (cords) and throat, also known as vocal abuse.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,060 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***5 Ways Your Voice May Be Sabotaging Your Success

Some years ago, Barbara Walters interviewed Kathleen Turner, commenting on Turner’s “low, wonderful voice.” The actress responded that she could not understand how a woman could spend thousands of dollars on her clothing, hair, and makeup and not spend some of that money on her voice, as she imitated a whiny, nasal sound in the process.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,054 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Knowing Your Audience is Your 1st Step in Creating Your Speech or Presentation

When you are asked, requested, or invited to speak, whether it is for your company, a business organization, a leads club, or some type of conference, how familiar are you with your audience and their needs? As much as you may want to deliver a stellar presentation, if you do not know to whom you are speaking, then you may be wasting their time and yours.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,053 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

The Tone of Your Voice Tells a Story - What Is Yours Saying?

When it comes to the speaking voice, tone deals with the expression of a mood or emotion. In relationship to your delivery, your tone can have a surprising influence on how your topic or subject is perceived. Were you to give a motivational speech, your tone would be different than if you were speaking to a master’s level class on horticulture.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,038 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Best Means Of Practicing Your Presentation

One of the best tools for improving your presentation skills is to video-record yourself as a means of practice. While you may think this is a bit extreme, it really isn’t: you will learn so much by watching yourself on video. A lot of people are recorded during their presentation, but ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,033 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Why You Should Not Seek Perfection in Public Speaking

When you have a job at hand, is your goal to do it perfectly or to the best of your ability? Be honest with yourself in answering that question because, in public speaking, it could mean the difference between a dynamic presentation and one that is so-so.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,031 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***A Smile Goes a Long Way in Public Speaking

Do you ever think about smiling when addressing an audience? If not, you should. Did you know that it takes 43 muscles to frown but only 17 to smile? Therefore, when you consider energy consumption, it is much wiser to smile than it is to show fear no matter how bad your nervousness. In addition, smiling is better for your health both physically and emotionally. One of your goals in public speaking is to build a relationship with those in attendance and the chances of that happening are much greater with a smile than a face displaying lack of interest, scorn, or boredom.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,029 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Why You Can't Ignore Vocal Abuse

While my last article dealt with the causes and cure for vocal abuse, I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss the reason you must end this abuse as soon as possible. Simply put: where would you be without a voice? Whether you are suffering from discomfort, pain, or hoarseness to either ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,029 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Mastering Movement While Presenting in Public Speaking

A problem you may have in public speaking is how to move effectively and what to do with your hands. There are no absolutes in being expressive in your delivery aside from exhibiting no expression, the latter of which is boring and most certainly the fastest way to put your audience to sleep.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,018 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Visual Aids Should Be an Added Bonus -- Not Your Entire Presentation!

While visual aids can have a tremendous impact on your delivery, the danger in their use lies in placing your entire script on PowerPoint, a slide presentation or even a white board. What is fascinating about the overuse of this feature is that I have seen it not only with amateur speakers but ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,017 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Watch Your Body Language in Public Speaking

Have you ever considered what your body is saying when you are addressing an audience – even just talking in your living room or sitting at the kitchen table? Referred to as body language, non-verbal communication is expressed by the posture of your body, your gestures and even your face. The questio I would ask you is what your body language expresses when you speak? Does it match the emotion you are feeling? Or does it say something different? It is also possible that your body language is expressing no emotion, as well as your facial expression and your voice.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,016 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If You're Not Being Understood, Is It Because of Your Diction?

If your diction is difficult to understand, it could be due to an accent. Please understand that accents are not a problem. They are part of your culture; part of what makes you, you. If you have an accent, I do not recommend trying to eliminate it. Instead, I suggest you work on speaking more clearly and your 1st step in the process is to record your voice. Until you hear how you sound, you may not recognize that your diction is at fault.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,014 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Storytelling in Public Speaking Is a Vital Part of Your Presentation

When 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 reliability. Your audience needs to be able to trust in your worthiness to speak on a particular topic.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,011 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Hate How You Sound on a Recording?

Does this sound familiar? You hear a recording of your voice and you cringe? Perhaps you are embarrassed. Well, you are not alone. Most people do not recognize what they hear on the recording because it does not sound like the voice they hear in their head. Unfortunately, the voice on the recording equipment is exactly how you sound to everyone else.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,011 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Are Your Projecting Your Voice or Are You Shouting?

I had a wonderful experience recently as the proud parent of an officer in training in the United States Army. 137 young men and women were given their branching orders. They walked onto the stage alone, faced the audience and said “I’m Intermediate Officer Candidate,” followed by their last name and then announced their orders which included infantry, chemical, military police, engineer, military intelligence, etc.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,998 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If You Are Looking For a Professional Image, Do Not Forget Your Voice

Yes, we take professional development courses of all shapes and sizes. And, there is no doubt that in today’s business world, having an edge over the other candidates for a job or a promotion or even a sales contract can bring the success you are seeking. Have you ever considered, however, the sound of your speaking voice and what it says about you?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,997 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

*** What Constitutes Perfection in Public Speaking?

What constitutes perfection in public speaking? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You can type a paper perfectly. You can have a perfect score on a test. You can sew or cut a perfectly straight line. But who is to say that a presentation or a speech is delivered perfectly? Perfection in such a situation is subjective.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,991 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***A Speaker Who Never Studied Voice Is Like a Surgeon Who Never Studied Biology

I sometimes voice my opinion on a forum that deals with public speaking issues and it never fails to amaze me how few understand that the untrained speaking voice can be an absolute liability. When you are trying to deliver a presentation and are unable to control your speed, your breathing, your quiver, and/or the rise in the pitch of your voice, then your nervousness is in control and not you.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,986 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Too Much Nose in Speaking Is Not a Good Thing!

Excessive nasality or too much nose in speaking definitely has a negative impact on your listeners. A whiny voice can be shrill and is much akin to nails on a blackboard. The good news is that you can eliminate the excess nasal sounds in your voice if you practice and retrain your ‘inner ear’ to hear the difference.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,986 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Do Not Ignore a Persistent Sore Throat

If a persistent sore throat or chronic hoarseness is something you are experiencing, your 1st step is to find out the cause. If left unattended, it will likely get worse and possibly result in permanent damage to your speaking voice. What I am talking about is known as vocal abuse and it is becoming more and more common in today’s hectic and ‘loud’ world.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,985 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Color Is What Makes for a Dynamic Delivery in Public Speaking

One of the most remarkable aspects of color – the life, the animation, the emotion you express in speaking – is that there is no right or wrong. Certainly your attitude can affect your color, which I discussed in my last article, but the true beauty of speaking with expression is that it is as individual to you as are your fingerprints. No two people will give the same presentation exactly the same way; no two people will deliver a speech exactly the same way.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,980 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Eulogy - Allowing for Your Emotions

I recently attended my uncle’s memorial service and it was wonderful to watch 4 of his 6 children talk about him. There is no doubt that all were experiencing butterflies as they stood at the lecte but they did an excellent job controlling their nervousness. The expression of their emotions, however, varied greatly.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,978 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Why Your Soft Spoken Voice Wastes Their Time and Yours!

There is only one problem with being soft-spoken. It is that you are constantly being asked to repeat yourself. And, if it happens often enough, your listeners will stop listening or interrupt you and take over the conversation. Yes, your partner may not seem to be listening but have you ever considered that he or she cannot hear you? Or perhaps you never have a chance at work to finish your sentence because someone else takes over the conversation?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,976 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Do You Know the Most Valuable Part of Your Presentation?

Without a doubt, your audience is your most important commodity, your most valuable asset, in public speaking. Without an audience, you have no presentation or speech; therefore, it is crucial that you, as the speaker, value your audience in both the creation and presentation of your material.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,969 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Public Speaking: Should You Thank Your Audience Or Not?

There is much debate as to the idea of thanking your audience. Some suggest never doing it while others recommend it be done as your parting words. There are even those who prefer that you thank your audience twice, both in your introduction and in your closing.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,953 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Who Makes the Better Audience - Men or Women?

When I first started my business some years ago, I was told that, “insurance people think they’re perfect but realtors know it.” While this was an interesting tidbit I stored away for future reference, I have found that audiences vary far beyond those in the insurance or real estate business. The one commonality I have seen is that, in general, women make a better audience than men. There are a few answers for this that all have to do with the fact that the female sex is still not the same as the male sex even if college courses today try to tell us differently.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,950 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***One Simple Technique That Can Change Your Life Forever

When I was in graduate school studying music composition, my singing professor told me that I was not using my ‘real’ voice when I spoke. I had no idea what she was talking about. I thought the voice you had was the voice you would always have. She then explained that the pitch of my habitual speaking voice was too high and that my ‘real’ or true voice was lower by several steps.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,942 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Imagine the Audience Is in Their Underwear? You Must Be Kidding!

When I first heard the phrase, ‘imagine your audience is sitting in their underwear,' I thought the speech coaches who suggested this were kidding. But they’re not. They are serious. They believe that by focusing on this visualization, you will eliminate your nervousness. The last thing which is going to make me feel confident is addressing a group of people who are sitting in their undies! I don't want to focus on my audience in this stage of undress – I want to focus on the message I am presenting.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,942 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***How to End Breathlessness in Public Speaking

One of the most common complaints I hear from my clients is that they run out of air in public speaking. And, not surprisingly, breathlessness at the lecte often goes hand in hand with nervousness. Let’s look at the picture in its entirety. Nervousness does not cause breathlessness. It ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,925 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Why the Pause Is Invaluable in Public Speaking and When to Do It

I recently worked with a woman who spoke at 100 mph and seldom paused to take a breath – even in normal conversation. Most people, yes, the majority of the population, pause while talking to friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances and even the clerk in the grocery store. Unfortunately, the one time the pause is often missing is when addressing an audience. The pause is invaluable for several reasons: 1. It allows you to take a breath, thereby supplementing your air supply, instead of waiting until you are totally spent of oxygen. Remember, without air, there is no voice.r

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,920 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Freezing, Forgetting, & Other Foibles In Public Speaking

No matter what your phobia in addressing an audience, there is a reason that man’s greatest fear is public speaking: we don’t want to make a fool of ourselves. And, no matter how many courses or programs you take, no matter which techniques you use to control, eliminate, or ignore your ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,917 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Public Speaking Is the Art of Communicating WITH an Audience

If you are looking for the best means of delivering a speech or presentation, the first thing you need to understand is that public speaking is a form of oral communication with an audience. Too often, speakers do not recognize that this form of delivery is a 2-way street. They assume that the role of the audience is to sit and listen.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,917 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***What Causes Debilitating Fear At The Lecte ?

Through my many years teaching voice and presentation skills, I have found that those who experience truly debilitating, gut-wrenching fear of public speaking have had a bad experience sometime during their elementary or even middle school years when they’ve been required to stand and speak. ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,913 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***3 Steps for Finding Your Deeper, Sexier Speaking Voice

There is no doubt about it. You have a deeper, sexier speaking voice. Even if your voice is nasally, there is a remedy. All it takes is the knowledge of how to discover your true voice and some practice in making it a habit.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,898 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If You Are Soft-Spoken, We Can't Hear You!

You know others ask you to repeat yourself (a lot) and you know that you lose control of the conversation when people talk over you. You know you have great ideas but those ideas are not being heard because you are often interrupted. You know you are frustrated when you hear, “What did you say?” Being soft-spoken is not a quality that is highly regarded in the business world today. Business is moving faster than ever and if you expect to be taken seriously, you must be heard the 1st time you say it or business will pass you by.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,897 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

A Voice Without Expression Is Like a Garden Without Color

For 5 months of the year, my garden is brown, lifeless, and dull. Were it to remain colorless through the rest of the year, I would have no passion or interest in gardening. That which makes the voice interesting to listen to – by means of your vocal variety, facial expression, and body language – is known as color. It is what all listeners want to see and hear. If those we watched on TV and in the movies had no expression, Hollywood would not exist.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,897 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Best Way to Lose Credibility with Your Audience

I 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!

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,882 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Forget Perfection in Public Speaking - Seek Excellence!

When it comes to public speaking, my most difficult clients are those of the A-type personality who are seeking to deliver a perfect presentation. Let me ask you this. What is perfection in public speaking? Do you have a definition for such a thing? The art of oral communication with an audience is subjective.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,878 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***5 Questions You Need to Ask When Invited to Speak

Too often we conce ourselves with The How of public speaking and give much less thought to 5 other questions we should be asking of our host. Yes, your public speaking skills may be top notch, however, there are certain things you need to know before you do anything else.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,872 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Best Way to Conquer Nervousness in Public Speaking

There is a lot of information on the internet today about eliminating your nervousness in public speaking. I suggest learning how to control it instead, allowing your nervousness to work for you and not against you which can take your delivery to new heights. What I offer is not a tip or a ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,869 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Voice Training: Hate Hearing Yourself on Your Voicemail?

There is no doubt about it. Most people not only dislike hearing themselves on recording equipment, but they also don’t want to believe what they hear. The unfortunate truth about what you hear on your voicemail, camcorder, or some other form of recording is that that sound is exactly how everyone else recognizes you.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,862 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Don't Push Your Voice - Empower It!

One of the difficulties people have with their speaking voice is that they have no control over it. They push hard from their throat and vocal cords to speak instead of allowing their sound to be powered by their chest cavity. And the difference between these two practices can be quite extreme.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,860 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Speaking with Color - You Don't Want Too Much Or Too Little

Color refers to those various effects in speech which give life to your delivery. Another way to describe color is the emotion and the animation heard in your voice and seen in your body language and facial expression when talking. The interesting thing about color is that you don’t want too much or too little. Similar to the fairy tale, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, you want the right amount of color when you speak to keep your audience’s attention on your words.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,860 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

3 Things You Must Do If You Want a Sexy Voice

Have you ever noticed that the best speaking voices in the business are deep, rich, and warm? Think of those actors – both men and women – who are known for having a great sound. Who is your favorite? James Earl Jones or Sean Connery or George Clooney? How about Angelina Jolie, Felicia Rashad, or Kathleen Turner? All of these voices are deep in pitch – not high. One of the greatest and definitely the sexiest of the voices was the late Barry White. Whether the man was speaking or singing, his voice was incredibly sensual and one of the most alluring sounds I’ve ever heard.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,857 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Your Speaking Voice and 'What Lies Beneath'

You have a much more dynamic voice inside of you. You have a voice that is probably deeper in pitch than your habitual voice. You have a voice that is rich, warm and resonant. How can I say these things and be confident in my analysis of your voice without ever having heard you? Because the majority of people throughout the world power their voice by means of their throat and voice box. And, if you are part of the majority – which is 99% of the population – then you are unaware that by changing your voice placement, you could discover a voice that is truly your best asset.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,856 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The 5 Most Important Reasons to Make Eye Contact With Your Audience

One of the most important things you can do in public speaking is to make eye contact with your audience. Watching a clock on the wall, gazing above the heads of the audience, keeping your focus on your notes or a powerpoint presentation, or staring at just one person in the crowd is not making eye contact.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,851 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Just How Good Is Your Diction?

While it is true that most people do not like to hear themselves on recording equipment because they do not like or recognize the sound of their speaking voice, there is another group of people who are also surprised by their lack of clear diction. And it does not just happen to those in which English is not their first language. It happens to those in which English is their native tongue. - Being able to speak the language of the country in which you are living is very important.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,846 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Vocal Abuse: Unless You Change How You Place Your Voice, It Will Never Go Away

I recently received an email from a man who runs a museum in Australia inquiring whether he could include my blog posts in his newsletters for his museum guides. Why would a museum guide need information on the voice? Because his employees often speak non-stop throughout their day.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,835 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***When You (Unknowingly) Say Something Offensive to Your Audience

Some years ago, I was in London, Canada, speaking to a very large group of lawyers and their spouses about the power of the speaking voice. Part of my presentation on voice deals with color, which is the life, the animation, the emotion you express in speaking. In talking about this aspect of the voice, I mentioned a lawyer from London who was very well-known for being expressive – a most colorful man – by the name of Julius Melnitzer.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,831 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Accents Are Not a Problem As Long As Your Speech Is Understandable

A lot of people contact me because they want to speak more clearly, more distinctly. What I explain to my clients and customers is that my goal for them is not to eliminate their accent – merely to have them be understood the 1st time they say it. I like accents. An accent or even a dialect is part of what makes you, you.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,829 views

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