Public Speaking Articles

It 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.

Have 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 of your mouth. I am talking about sound, the actual quality of your voice.

When 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 conce themselves with the sound of their speaking voice. In any form of communication, your voice is the vehicle for your words. Could your voice use some work? If you would like to improve the vehicle, I suggest the following 5 tips:

Nothing is more embarrassing for a speaker than to be plagued with a voice that quivers, shakes, or skips an octave when standing at the lecte 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 from your chest. And your reaction to those words is probably to question how you can possibly speak from your chest when everyone knows that you talk from your voice box, your throat, your mouth, and, in some cases, your nose.

One 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 also occur in normal conversation.

Absolutely. 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.

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.

I want you to imagine having a group of clients — whether it’s 5, 15 or 50 people. In this group are your ideal clients, and you get to work with them deeply. These are clients who have invested in themselves at a high-level, which generally goes hand-in-hand with people who are going to do the work. They are going to take your expertise and use it to manifest something amazing in the world. Would that feel incredible, or what?

When it comes to image, everyone is conce ed 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 voicemail or your answering machine? Most people do not. My second question is, if you knew you had a great speaking voice inside, would you be interested in discovering it? You probably are unaware that you possess a better sound. It is what I refer to as your ‘real’ voice.

What is Platform Presence? It can be felt but not seen. Some speakers have it, others don’t. How did they get it? There are three major aspects involved with Platform Presence. The most important one is absence of fear. From the instant someone with Platform Presence stands and begins moving toward the platform they are completely at peace, both with themselves and their surroundings. That powerful peaceful presence cannot be faked. It is either there or it isn’t. In either case, the audience feels it.

I 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 credible because his sound is whiny, sharp and irritating. Excessive nasality is not the only problem with speaking voices that are annoying however. - If you are over 21 and sound like a child, a pre-teen, or even a teenager, then you are projecting a childlike image.

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 ...

There 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, it is often the last thing on their minds when indeed it should be the first.

In 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 repeat yourself so that others can understand what you are saying is demoralizing as well.

Public 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 nervousness. Personally, I love nervousness. That adrenaline rush helps me be more dynamic and allows for my passion and enthusiasm to be seen and heard. And, because I am in control of it, my audiences have no idea that I am nervous. They neither see it nor do they hear it in my voice.

If 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, if you are talking for any great length of time, you will definitely put them to sleep. While they may not all take the opportunity to nap, you may notice a significant increase in the number of people studying their iPhones and not you!

When 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 offensive, overbearing and uncomfortable for your listeners’ ears. One that is too soft, on the other hand, shouts timidity, lack of confidence, and is hard for your listeners to grasp.

Unless 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.

What time is it? 2:17AM Move around: adjust the covers; hit the pillow. It must be later! “What time is it?” 2:21 AM Not again! Uncontrollable thoughts are popping around in my head. Some time must have passed! “What time is it?” 2:29 AM I’ll never be able to get up at 6:00 AM and be alert and ...

Let’s face it your current “reality” is an effect of your thoughts. Therefore your current “reality” was created by your thoughts that you chose to hold in the past. Although your present moment is an effect of your past thoughts you can now create your future “reality” by your current thoughts. I put “reality” in quotations because our “reality” is different than other peoples based on our perception of it. I rarely use the word “reality” because it’s hollow and meaningless because everybody’s reality is different and changing according to one’s perception and perspective.

One 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 listener becomes riveted to the story and to their words.

Women often wonder why men don’t listen. There are a number of possibilities, one of which could be that your voice is irritating. If you have a whiny, high-pitched, nasal sound that is reminiscent of a poorly-tuned violin, then the image you are projecting is definitely not one of warmth, attraction, or authority. What is fascinating about the speaking voice is that you have a better voice inside of you which is resonant, more mature in sound, and most likely deeper in pitch. To find it, you will have to learn how to power your voice by means of your chest cavity.

One 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. The good news is that your ‘real’ or true sound is a voice inside of you that you do not know is in there. And that voice is richer, warmer, and much more mature-sounding than your habitual voice.

While nervousness or fear of the speech or presentation is researched frequently on the internet, some of the finer points of one’s personality and delivery are often excluded. Once you are able to control your nervousness, it is important to recognize some of these finer points, the most humbling of which is humility. Displaying arrogance, self-praise, and bravado are not the traits found in truly great public speakers. What you will find instead are speakers who are honored by and grateful for their audience.

There is no question that excessive nasality, also known as hype asality, can be like nails on a blackboard. Just listen to Fran Drescher for any great length of time and you may find that her whiny, nasal sound becomes quite annoying.

Biorhythmic differences aside, generally speaking, the majority of people are not at their peak first thing in the morning. What does this mean for you if you want to public speak like a pro? Especially if you're expected to "warm them up" with your witty repartee? Well, it means that you have to make allowances for early morning audiences and make some slight adjustments to your talk. You will rarely find an early a.m. audience to be a rowdy raucous bunch of lively participants.

Some people can yell or talk non-stop all day and never experience hoarseness or sore throats; others cannot. Your voice is as individual to you as are your fingerprints: no two are alike. They may be similar but not exact. In that sense, your vocal apparatus is also unique.

You’ve been invited to speak or perhaps your boss has ‘requested’ you speak. Whatever your reason for speaking, if you are like most people, nervousness takes over as you begin the process of anxiously awaiting the date. Hopefully, you create your speech or presentation well in advance and practice it out loud over and over and over again. What is important to understand in this process is that you need to focus on what you have to offer your listeners. Why will they be in attendance and what need of theirs can you satisfy?

In today’s world of public speaking, standing out from the crowd is one of your first priorities in establishing a career at the podium. Your success depends on it.

Are you plagued with a voice that is luckluster when you speak? Have others told you that you sound boring when you talk? The good news about speaking in monotone is that you can change it. As long you allow yourself to do so. That is where the difficulty lies. If you express little emotion in talking, you must: 1. want to make the change; and, 2. allow yourself to do it. For those who speak in a monotone, this is easier said than done. Yes, the 1st criterion is simple but the 2nd one will take effort, diligence and permission from yourself to make the change.

For all the years that I have been teaching people how to find their ‘real’ voice, what never ceases to amaze me are the numerous benefits that can result which have nothing to do with the speaking voice. The reason is simple; however, unless you are pointed in the right direction for finding the correct approach, those benefits will not be realized.

Trying 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 two sons, I never yelled at them – I projected. What is the difference? Yelling or shouting hurts your throat and your listeners’ ears. Projection, on the other hand, does not damage your vocal folds (cords) or throat, is not painful to your children’s ears, and keeps you in control. It works!

Whether you are looking for a job, firmly ensconced in one, or in the midst of starting your own business, improving the sound of your voice is something you might consider especially if the sound of your voice on recording equipment leaves much to be desired. Yes, it is unfortunate that we do not recognize our own voice on our voicemail; however, everyone else does. That is hard to swallow for many people.

When I first started teaching voice improvement, I had no idea how many fantastic benefits would result just by discovering your ‘real’ voice. Yes, the voice that is powered by means of your chest cavity versus your throat and vocal folds (cords) is richer, warmer, deeper and mature-sounding. And, with your ‘real’ voice, you can increase your volume without shouting and also eliminate vocal abuse. The other results, however, are truly amazing and have nothing to do with the voice.

Imagine nails on a blackboard and how it makes your skin crawl or how the hair on the back of your neck stands out. Now imagine a nasal voice similar to those who hail from Brooklyn or the Bronx. After hearing a sound like that for any great length of time, you might get the same reaction that you did from the nails as they scrape the smooth surface of the board.

There is an interesting lesson we learned in our early elementary school years that has managed to cause more negative results than the positive results for which it was intended. In 2nd or 3rd grade, our teachers taught us to wait until we came to the end of the sentence before taking a ...

I’ve been thinking about how we create barriers to understanding because of our language patterns and habits. Lately, I’ve worked with scientists and engineers from around the world. My workshops have had participants from China, Columbia, France, India, Sweden, United Kingdom, Ukraine and, of ...

Recently, I had the opportunity of working with a group of young professionals in a corporate workshop on voice and presentation skills. Comprising six women and one man, the group was under 30 years of age except for one woman who was 32. Smart, savvy, outgoing and most able, this group took me by surprise when I heard them in normal conversation.

While the after-dinner speech is as old as mankind, this type of oratory became most popular in England in the early 1900’s. Although its purpose was originally intended to be a light-hearted speech after the evening meal, the after-dinner speech today is often given after a business lunch or even after a breakfast meeting.

A big complaint I hear from many women is that when they answer the phone, the caller asks to speak to their mother. Does that ever happen to you? There is no doubt that this is a problem for the woman who is looking to succeed in her career. Women have enough difficulty competing with their male counterparts as it is. If you are being overlooked for a promotion or a raise because of how you sound, there is hope and help.

I am working with a woman who taught kindergarten for many years and is now in the process of changing her career. Susan would like to become a professional public speaker and consultant. Regarding her voice and presentation skills, her delivery is similar to that of a kindergarten teacher telling a story to a class of 5-year-olds with exaggerated facial expression, body language and vocal variety.

While the majority of those who stand to address an audience are nervous, there is a small percentage of people whose nervousness is debilitating. And, their first reaction is often to feel sick to their stomach. If the thought of public speaking makes you want to ‘bring up lunch,’ there are a few things you can do to make the job easier and give you a fighting chance.

While public speaking may seem like a war in which you are doing battle, it really isn’t. In truth, it is not that different from standing at your desk among a group of people and explaining to them how you successfully won a long sought-after account. It is not unlike sharing a story about a recent experience you had. And, it is certainly not unlike telling a joke to a group of friends at the water cooler.

When it comes to improving your presentation skills, only one voice matters – yours! Have you ever considered what your speaking voice is saying about you? Have you ever listened to a recording of yourself? No, I mean listened, truly listened to how others recognize your voice. Most people ...

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.

While I believe there are 5 things you must do to gain control of your nervousness and actually put it to good use, the most important of those 5 is something many people do not do and never think to do. To make matters worse, the only time many speakers are aware of it is when they have totally run of out it.

One of the reasons people contact me is because of lack of air at the podium, in the webinar, or in a sales presentation. So I have a question for you. - Do you ever experience breathlessness when in conversation with family, friends or colleagues? More than likely, your answer is No unless you are very excited. So what is happening in public speaking that causes you to gasp for air and always feel like you are running on empty? There are three possibilities. 1. You are nervous. Nervousness can sap your oxygen.r

OK If I Laugh Now? It seems the jury is out on this one, with opinion divided on whether or not it is okay to laugh at your own jokes. Maybe it's just me (although I doubt it given the number of comedians and humorous speakers who also laugh at their own jokes. But I believe the aim of a speaker is to connect with the audience, and sharing a laugh is the perfect bridge to achieve that. Speakers are entertainers. Entertainers do it because not only do they love what they're doing, they love the interaction with and the reaction of the audience.

When faced with the seemingly daunting task of preparing a speech at the last minute there is usually one of two scenarios which put us in this predicament: 1. You have been given the topic of your speech or presentation weeks ago, but you have put off preparing for it until the day before it is due Or 2. You have been approached a day before (or maybe hours before) you need to give a speech and are left with the responsibility to come up with an award winning presentation in

In today’s multicultural world, many people are looking to eliminate their accent and I have a better suggestion. Instead of trying to get rid of your dialect or accent, why not clean it up? n You may believe that your accent is keeping you from getting the job you want or moving ahead in ...