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Articles by Nancy Daniels

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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Benefits of Your Adrenaline Rush Far Outweigh Your Nervousness in Public Speaking

If nervousness is keeping you from making that ‘dreaded’ presentation, might I suggest a different approach to your thought process? Instead of focusing on your nerves or your fear, why not focus on your success? Whether you are scheduled to speak for your boss, for your own business, or for some other occasion, your inability to stand at the lecte could be jeopardizing your career. What is holding you back is exactly what could make your speech or presentation a success.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,761 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***What Is Your General Purpose in Public Speaking?

When it comes to public speaking, it is important to establish your general purpose before you even begin the creation of your material. What is your reason for speaking? Have you been asked to speak at a business convention or give the convocation speech at your alma mater? Maybe you are enrolled in a public speaking course or are a member of Toastmasters. Possibly you belong to a leads organization and it is your turn to give a 10-minute overview of your business. Of course, it is also possible that you are looking to establish yourself in the business of public speaking.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,691 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Acting and Public Speaking? Worlds Apart

Acting 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 speaking is the art of communicating with an audience whereas acting is a means of entertaining an audience.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,629 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Why Recording Yourself in Public Speaking is Priceless

When you practice your material for your speech or presentation, do you record yourself by means of a camcorder? If not, then you should definitely consider this important step in the process of preparing for your delivery. Camcorders today are not that expensive. Look at the purchase of this ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,460 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Public Speaking: The Positive Effects of Nervousness

It never ceases to amaze me how many people want to get rid of their nervousness in public speaking. In truth, they should embrace that wonderful rush of adrenaline. If you’re not nervous when presenting, then I am because being overly confident is never a good thing in public speaking or any live venue for that matter.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,375 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Content Or Delivery - What Counts The Most?

While some academics may argue that one’s content is more important than one’s delivery, I beg to differ. If one’s delivery is of lesser value than one’s content, why not copy the speech, pass it out, and then everyone can go home or back to work? Assuming your audience is there to hear you ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,352 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If You Clip Your Words, Your Message Can Get Lost

Recently I was talking on my cell phone to a woman from my credit card company and I was continually asking her to repeat herself. When our business was completed, I told her that because of the way she clipped her words, I had missed much of what she was saying.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,347 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response in Public Speaking – Which Reaction Describes You?

So, 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 upcoming speech or presentation, what is your reaction to public speaking? Fight? Flight? Freeze?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,273 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Public Speaking: How Connectives Make Your Presentation More Interesting and Easier to Follow

Imagine that you are listening to a speaker at a conference or even at the head of the boardroom table and you begin to notice that every sentence is connected with the word and. Have you ever heard this before? Nothing could be less interesting than listening to this dull, unimaginative style of addressing an audience except possibly hearing you know at the end of every sentence!

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,256 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Why Speaking Louder Is Not the Answer If You Are Soft-Spoken

As a voice coach, I hate the word loud when it is used in conjunction with the speaking voice. Loud hurts your listeners’ ears; and, over time, loud can hurt your throat. I don’t want you to speak louder – I want you to speak with more power, with an increase in your volume which is not painful to your throat or your listeners' ears.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,256 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***3 Steps for Effectively Acknowledging Your Audience

While the value of making eye contact with your audience is one of the most important things you can do in public speaking, it doesn’t mean that you should begin this process after you begin your delivery. It starts before you open your mouth to speak and is part of the confident posture you assume in your walk.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,166 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Next Time You Give Your Personal Introduction, Why Not Stand Out From the Crowd?

Oh, how I dislike the business lunch or dinner meeting in which everyone must stand and introduce themselves. What we tend to hear, one after the other, is a name, a profession, and a place of business that becomes sing-song after the 1st introduction. Not only is it spoken in a lilt, but everyone takes their voice up at the end of each statement so that it sounds like they are asking a question.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,070 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Do You Sound Like a Valley Girl When You Speak?

Ending your sentences on the upswing is what I call the Valley Girl sound. Basically, it means that your statements sound like questions. It may be cute for 16-year-olds, but it definitely does not lend credibility to a professional image. If you are ending your sentences on a pitch higher than that with which you started, you should make the change. Careers are built on ability, credibility, and sounding mature – not too old – not too young. When your inflection makes you sound like you are questioning yourself, you are not projecting a professional image. Nor do you sound credible.r

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

5,029 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Use Of Vulgarities, Obscenities & Swearing In Public Speaking

Because we as a people are losing our sense of decency, vulgarities are becoming the norm in our everyday life: we see it in people’s actions; we see it in the entertainment world; we hear it in conversation on a daily basis. So how do we judge what is appropriate in public speaking? The ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,899 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking: What Many Novice Speakers Never Think To Do

The 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.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,890 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***A Dynamic Delivery Can Make Even a Mediocre Speech Soar

Ideally, it should be your goal to deliver an excellent speech or presentation with enthusiasm and passion. However, if you had to choose, which one do you think would be better? A great speech with a boring delivery? Or a mediocre speech given with expression and emotion? There is no simple answer to that question; however, with a lifeless, dull and flat delivery, you will lose your audience no matter how great your words.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,865 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Speaking In Monotone - How To Be More Expressive In Your Delivery

Through my many years teaching voice improvement and presentation skills, I have found some interesting correlations between personality types and the degree of expressiveness heard and seen in people. While I am about to be most ‘politically incorrect,’ those who tend to be more expressive in ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,846 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***5 Common Misconceptions about Your Speaking Voice

It is fascinating to listen to others explain why they sound the way they do. I am sure that I have heard it all in my many years teaching voice improvement. What I have found, however, is that you have a better voice inside no matter how you hear yourself or how others recognize your sound. The 5 most prevalent misconceptions about the voice are:

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,733 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

How to Deliver a Speech (And Not Sound Like You Are Reading It!)

While you may be giving presentations in your business or your public speaking career, there are times in which you may be called upon to give an actual speech and not a presentation. One of the differences between the speech and the presentation is that the former should be read and the latter should be spoken. So how do you read a speech effectively and not sound like you are reading it?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,648 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***3 Steps for Eliminating Valley GirlEse

If your speech is symptomatic of the Valley Girl sound, you need to break the habit. Unless you are at a bar, speaking in Valley Girl-Ese gives the wrong impression, especially to prospective employers. They are looking for professionalism. Inflecting the pitch of your voice up at the end of your sentences does not give the impression of maturity or professionalism.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,608 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***4 Steps for Eliminating a Verbal Tic

Nothing is more annoying for an audience than to be subjected to a verbal tic over and over and over again. Instead of paying attention to your message, your audience begins to count the tics. Verbal tics include the sounds um, ah, uh, or the words like or you know. If your message is replete with any of these habitual utterances, you should stop the practice. The best way to do this is to:

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,472 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***When the Pause Becomes Sing-Song in Public Speaking

For all my talk, my articles, and the advice I give about the wonderful, marvelous pause in public speaking, a difficulty for some is that it can become rhythmic, taking on a sing-song effect. The one thing you never want from the pause is for your audience to know in advance when it is coming.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,415 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***3 Steps for Making Your Speaking Voice One of Your Greatest Assets

Most people who hear themselves on their voicemail or answering machine do not like what they hear. How do you feel when you hear yourself on some form of recording equipment? When you think about the image you project, be it in person or over the phone, would you consider your recorded voice to be an asset? Does it ‘speak well’ for you?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,390 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Good Voice Training Means Discovering the Voice You Don’t Know You Have

There are various approaches to voice training that you should be aware of if you are interested in improving your vocal image. Even some coaches who are published will not teach you the basic fundamental of good voice improvement because they are working with the voice you already have. Good voice training means discovering the voice you don’t know you have. And the only way that will happen is when you are taught to use your chest cavity as your primary sounding board.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,368 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Take the Test to See If Your Speaking Voice Is Plagued by Excessive Nasality

When you think of Fran Drescher in her role as The Nanny, what thought first comes to mind? Her beauty or her nasal voice? For many people, their first thought is her whiny voice which, over time, can be quite annoying, even nerve-wracking, for her listeners. While Drescher’s infamous sound is typical of some who live in North Jersey or one of the five boroughs of New York City, nasality doesn’t just affect those in the Big Apple or the Garden State!

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,367 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Did You Know That Voice Training Will Improve Your Diction Automatically?

When I first started my business, I was showing my husband the 'before & after' video clips of my clients. A German-speaking Austrian, he was amazed at how much better he understood their words in the 'after' takes. What is fascinating is that I did not work with my clients on their diction - aside from nasality which is a subject unto itself - because I have found that with the right approach, your articulation will improve and be much more distinct once you find your true or 'real' voice.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,292 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Animal Magnetism and the Male Speaking Voice

Consider the following scenario: there are two men both equally attractive. One has a voice that is warm, rich and deep. The other man has a voice that is soft, high-pitched, wimpy. Which man do you think women will find more attractive? If you guessed the man with the dynamic voice then ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,251 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Discover Your 'Real' Voice and Listen to What Happens to Your Nasality!

Nasality, whether it is excessive as in the Brooklyn or Bronx sound, a little more gutteral like Philly talk, twangy as we hear in Texas or only slightly exaggerated as in the speech of Detroit or the Midwest, occurs when voiced sounds travel through the nose. While not all nasality is bad, too much of it can be. In the English language, we have 3 sounds – called nasals – which should vibrate in our nose when we speak. They include m,n, and, ng. Words like Maine, Naomi, and bring will vibrate in the nose.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,218 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***How Do You Exude Confidence and Composure in Public Speaking When You Are Dying a Thousand Deaths?

Yes, nervousness in public speaking may be man’s greatest fear but those nervous jitters do not mean you cannot exude confidence and composure in the process. We often wrongly believe that the secret to dynamic public speaking is to eliminate our nervousness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Nervousness is a blessing and the sooner you can appreciate the rewards of that marvelous rush of adrenaline, the better.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,201 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Why We Find a Deep Voice Sexy

Consider the actors who have great voices: George Clooney, Cher, Vin Diesel, Julia Ormond, Kathleen Turner, Sean Connery, Peter Coyote, Morgan Freeman, Catherine Zeta Jones, Kate Beckinsale, James Earl Jones, Ashley Judd and the late great Barry White, to name a few. Now think about the voices of these actors: Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith, Fran Drescher, and Tom Cruise. None of the voices in the 2nd grouping are memorable, let alone sexy. Do you know what distinguishes the great voice from the not-so-great?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,197 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***How Voice Training Improves Your Diction

When I first started my voice business, my husband remarked that he did not understand what my clients were saying in their ‘before’ recording. He was, however, able to understand everyone in their ‘after’ clips. Why were my clients speaking more clearly in their ‘after’ recording? While I will certainly help someone with his/or her enunciation if there is an obvious problem, accent reduction is not my specialty.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,737 views1/5 (1)

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Value of Recording Yourself Before the Interview

Without a doubt, the video recorder is one of the best pieces of equipment you have for honing your skills. The ability to see and hear yourself in action is a marvelous learning tool, especially if you can get someone to help you by asking the questions. There is no doubt that it is easier to speak to a living, breathing person than just to the lens of the camcorder.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,142 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Best Way to Eliminate Excessive Nasality in Your Speaking Voice

A few years ago, my son’s 7th grade teacher had the strange ability to increase the volume of her voice by means of her nose. While I have worked with thousands of people in voice and presentation skills, this particular ‘skill’ is something I had never heard before and haven’t heard since. The majority of people who have excessive nasality when speaking are not amplifying their sound by means of their nose. As much as their voice may be making its final descent through the nasal passages, their increase in volume generally comes from their throat and voice box.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,141 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Let Your Chest Do Your Talking and Your Childlike Sound Will Be Gone

It always amazes me when I hear someone on the phone who sounds like a teenage, pre-teen, or younger still, and am later surprised to discover a mature individual who is well over 21. If your voice sounds like that of a child, what image do you think you project, not only over the phone but in person as well?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,123 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Do You Know the Difference Between the Informative and the Persuasive Presentation?

Whatever 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 speaking and it is your turn to deliver a speech? Maybe you are interested in pursuing public speaking as a career.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,030 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***How to Address an All-Female Audience

My 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 confidence and make your presentation that much easier and fun to deliver.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,004 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Without Integrity in Public Speaking, You Have Nothing to Offer

In 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, however, is the idea of integrity in public speaking, a subject that could be a book in itself. What is meant by integrity? Total honesty with your audience, which can only be accomplished if you know your topic extremely well, respect those in attendance and value their presence.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,997 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***3 Steps ffor Normalizing Your Volume Whether You Speak Too Softly or Too Loudly

When 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 exercises specifically designed for increasing volume or decreasing it.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,962 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***When Public Speaking, Supplement Your Air Supply BEFORE You Run Out Of It!

One 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 public speaking is a huge problem that can be rectified immediately if you learn to do one thing and implement it in your next talk. - Pause and take a supplemental breath before you run out of air – not afterwards.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,913 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Follow These 2 Steps to Discover Your Deeper, Richer Speaking Voice

We 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 ‘real’ voice will be a vast improvement over their habitual one.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,889 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***How to Strengthen Your Voice

Voice 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 training because the problem will not go away on its own.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,887 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***A Nasal Voice Could Be a Stumbling Block to Your Success

Some 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.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,864 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Always Leave Your Audience Wanting More!

There 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 ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,842 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Too Much Confidence in Public Speaking Is Just As Bad As Too Little!

While 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 audience.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,833 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Is There a Difference Between the Personal Introduction and the Elevator Speech?

While 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 ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,828 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***An Occasional Mistake in Public Speaking Is Not a Problem – Seeking Perfection Is

Take 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 speaking from both his head and his heart. His delivery is dynamic and exciting. The other individual, Mr. Y, talks perfectly word-for-word. His memorized delivery is very fast and includes no anecdotes as he is saying each word directly from his PowerPoint presentation.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,791 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If You're Serious About Public Speaking, You Should Be Serious About Voice Training

I am ever amazed at the number of people in public speaking who never give any consideration to their speaking voice. Conce ed 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 is not the one they hear inside their head; it is the one they hear on their voicemail.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,785 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If You Sound Like a Wimp, You Are Guaranteed Not to Get the Job or the Girl!

I 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 his future cold calls, he should speak with confidence. Not aggressive by any means, but certainly not wimpy!

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,743 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Podium Power: Finding Composure When Addressing an Audience

Is 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 composure. Calm, reassuring, and confident, they address their audience just like they were having a conversation with you in your living room. They also talk to you – not at you – but directly to you, the individual in the seat, hanging on their every word.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,641 views

By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***A Better Voice is Just a Breath Away

The number of people looking for information, books, CDs, and seminars on self-improvement is staggering. Ever conce ed 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 ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,605 views

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