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593 articles by Nancy Daniels · showing 50

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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Take Your Nervousness For a Ride During Your Next Presentation!

Instead 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. Bear in mind, everyone gets nervous (or should) in public speaking. If your nervousness is in control of you, however, then the outcome of your delivery is highly questionable. Instead, why not allow your adrenaline to feed your body rather than deplete it?

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Get Your Voice Out of Your Throat and Let Your Chest Do Your Talking!

Through the years, I have been amazed at how many people are totally unaware that they have a richer, warmer, resonant, and even sexier speaking voice inside. Most people believe that the voice they are using out of habit is something they cannot change. Nothing could be further from the truth. Unless you are already powering your voice from your chest cavity, you do have a better voice inside. There are some changes on the 'before' and 'after' video clips of my clients that are so dramatic you might think it was two different people speaking.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Speaking for Great Lengths of Time Is Taxing Your Throat -- Especially As You Age

Gosh, that sounds depressing, doesn’t it? It needn’t be however. Yes, your voice ages just like the rest of your body does. The good news for the voice, however, is that you can not only eliminate the discomfort or hoarseness you are experiencing but you can also find your voice improving with age. It is happening to me as well as my clients.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Easy, Effective, Efficient - 5 Steps for Improving Your Presentation Skills

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.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If Your Accent Interferes with Your Diction, You Need Voice Training

Many 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 first language. What my husband, Alexis, was noticing was the clarity of their speech in the ‘after’ videos.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***There Is an Art to Storytelling in Public Speaking -- Do You Have It?

Have 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 you aren’t using them, you should begin to do so. You might liken a good story to the icing on the cake; however, if not delivered with life and with emotion, then your story will not grab your listeners.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Speaking in Monotone Is Not a Permanent Fixture!

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.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Don’t Know What to Do with Hands in Public Speaking?

A problem for many novice public speakers is what to do with their hands during a presentation. Standing at a lecte giving a speech is the not the same as addressing an audience for 20, 30 or 40 minutes without benefit of a scripted text or lectern. The presentation is a different animal than the speech. Those who deliver presentations usually take advantage of the entire stage upon which they stand or the front of the classroom or the head of the boardroom table.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Keep It Simple in Public Speaking

How often had you heard the premise in public speaking that you should tell your audience what you want them to hear, tell them again what you want them to hear and finally tell them once more what you have already told them? The reasoning behind this advice is that your listeners will only remember between 10% and 30% of your message; thus, it is to your advantage to repeat the information which you want them to remember.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Help -- I'm 35 But I Sound Like A 12-Year-Old!

Have you ever considered the sound of your speaking voice and what it says about you? Have you given any thought to the fact that your speaking voice could be holding you back from landing a particular job or getting that promotion? Take this scenario for example. There are two candidates ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The 3 Factors That Determine the Quality of Your Speaking Voice

Through my many years as a voice coach, I have learned more from my clients than any book or theory on voice. What has been extremely fascinating is what I have discovered as to why we sound the way we do. It didn't start out as a study, rather it is the years I spent listening to my clients and asking them one specific question, "Do you sound like your mom or your dad?" Just like fingerprints, voices are very individual: no two are exactly alike but they can be very similar. There are three factors that affect why you sound the way you do: 1. Genetics; 2. Environment; and,r

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Your Soft-Spoken Voice Is Impressing No One!

One of the most frustrating things for a listener is not hearing what the other person is saying. They are listening but they’re not hearing. After repeated attempts asking the speaker to increase his/her volume, they stop listening. If you want others to hear your message, then you must learn how to increase your volume properly. Yelling is definitely not the answer. You have a normal, natural volume level that you have not been using for any number of reasons. 1. Possibly you were raised in a quiet household. 2. Your mother or father spoke softly.r

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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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
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

A Better Voice is Just a Breath Away

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 ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Why Not Address Your Fears of Public Speaking Instead of Being Consumed by Them

Yes, man’s greatest fear is public speaking. The statistics tell us so. Instead of being part of those statistics, however, why not address those fears and learn how to put your nervousness to good use? Of course your first response is to question how that is possible. How do you take your nervousness and let it work for you and not against you?

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Are Your Delivery Skills Lacking in Expression?

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!

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Captivating Your Audience Means Speaking From Both Your Head and Your Heart

Ever wonder why the best in the business are so successful when addressing an audience? Is it their message? How about their delivery? In truth, it is both of these components. While you may have an excellent message, without a dynamic delivery, your message will not be heard. Likewise, you may regale your audience with color and passion as you speak, but if your words have no value, your message is non-existent. Successful public speaking needs a strong delivery as well as a strong message – a message tailored to satisfy the needs of your listeners.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Are You a Whisperer?

Are you one who often reverts to whispering or speaks consistently in a soft voice instead of a normal volume of sound? I am not talking about the horse whisperer or the dog whisperer in this particular case, but the individual who speaks in a whisper even when his/her throat is not sore or ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Why Diaphragmatic Breathing Should Be Your 1st Step in Eliminating Stress

The other day I was reading an article about stress written by Health Information Publications and I was delighted to see that the medical professionals really do understand the value of diaphragmatic breathing in the elimination of stress. Most of the articles on stress that I have encountered on the internet place little, if any, importance on this simple, healthy technique.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Stop Worrying About the WHAT IF’s in Public Speaking and Start Focusing on the WHY NOT’s!

So much time is wasted worrying about what could go wrong in public speaking that the tremendous opportunities provided by speaking to an audience are often overlooked. No matter what your reason for speaking – be it a requirement of your job; be it the chance to introduce your new business, service, or product to the community; be it a requirement of your presentation skills class; be it an occasion to present yourself as a political candidate – public speaking is a golden opportunity.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Articulate - Articulate - Articulate

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.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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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
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***In Public Speaking, What Does Your Visual Image Say about Your?

One of the best pieces of advice I give to my clients when teaching presentation skills is to always be prepared for the unexpected and that goes for your clothing as well as your visual image. Without a doubt, what you are saying and how you are saying are the most important aspects of your presentation; however, your visual impact can either add to your image or detract.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The Type A Personality and Public Speaking

When it comes to public speaking, those who have the most difficulty permitting themselves to deliver a dynamic presentation are those of the Type A personality. Characterized by an intense drive for perfection, the Type A individual does not allow for mistakes. And, that is the crux of the ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If Your Voice Is Nasal, You Do Not Sound Professional

Getting a job is not easy with today’s high rate of unemployment. It is certainly to your advantage to not only have the right education and experience but also the best presentation skills as well. When you think about the image you project, what does your voice say about you? In order to answer this question, however, you must base your answer on the voice you hear on your voicemail or answering machine and not the sound you hear in your head.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Want to Sound As Good As You Look...Or Even Better?

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.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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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
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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
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***3 Steps for Overcoming a Voice That Is Monotone

If you have been told that you speak in a monotone or if you have heard yourself on a recording and find your voice lacking in expression, it is time to do something about it. This is important for reasons both personal and professional. Boring doesn't sell; boring isn't interesting; and boring puts your listeners to sleep.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Stop 'Screaming at the Top of Your Lungs' -- Start Projecting!

Several years ago I made one of the greatest mistakes of my life. In coaching and rooting for my son’s soccer team, I felt my voice rip. I cannot explain the sensation, but, from that day on, I was unable to sing again. As one who teaches voice improvement, I did something which I know not to do and which I teach others not to do. I yelled for our team instead of projecting my voice. Trust me, there is a huge difference between the two. Earlier that day I had given two 3-hour presentations which is a lot of work for the voice – even a trained voice.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

Is a Sexy Voice More Attractive Than a Pretty Face?

I read an article in Psychology Today entitled, Is a Sexy Voice More Attractive Than a Pretty Face? My question with the statistics and the studies is not whether a sexy voice is more attractive than one’s face but how they judged their findings. There is no doubt that women find men with a deep voice both sexy and attractive – the late great Barry White had not only an incredibly rich, warm sensual singing voice but his speaking voice was just as alluring. We swooned over this man.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Don't Make Public Speaking More Difficult Than It Is!

While public speaking may be man’s greatest fear, often those who are scheduled to speak waste too much energy worrying about their talk and not enough energy in the planning, creating and delivery of their material. Whether you have been scheduled to speak at your next presentation skills class or at Toastmaster, deliver a 10-minute presentation to your leads group, or have been volunteered to give the quarterly budget report to the CEO, instead of approaching the date with dread, try looking at the event positively.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***What is Your Greatest Fear in Public Speaking?

With all the articles written on nervousness in public speaking, I thought I would approach this topic from a different perspective. Everyone gets nervous in public speaking (or should). There is a reason why it is man’s greatest fear. The questio I would like to ask you is what is the one thing that conce s you the most when you are scheduled to speak? Your answer cannot be dying while public speaking because that has never happened and I don’t think you will be the 1st one to get that title!

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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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
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Use Your Mind, But Speak From Your Heart at the Lecte

While knowledge of your speech or presentation is invaluable in public speaking, if you are unable to speak from your heart, then all your knowledge is for naught. The best in public speaking are those who are able to excite, captivate, and enthrall their listeners. And, none of those adjectives are possible if your heart is not involved in the process.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If Your Listeners Pull Back When You Are Talking, Then You Are Too Loud

During a recent 2-day workshop I was holding, one of the participants was a lovely woman by the name of Angie who had a big, nasal voice. When she got excited, not only did the pitch of her speaking voice rise, but her volume increased as well. Does that sound familiar? While speaking too loudly is not nearly as common as speaking too softly, it does happen. And, for your listeners, it can be painful to their ears. If you find others recoiling when you talk, you should consider voice training in order to learn how to lessen your volume to a comfortable level.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***To Memorize or Not in Public Speaking? That Is the Question

Some coaches advocate memorization; others do not. While I want your opening statements memorized so that you are able to get through the beginning of your presentation or speech without flaw, I am not an aficionado of memorizing the remainder of your script or material. And, my reasoning is two-fold: - You stand a chance of forgetting where you are.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***The 3 Benefits of Nervousness in Public Speaking

While you may not think that nervousness is beneficial in public speaking or for that matter in any other type of live performance, be it in the performing arts or in professional sports, the truth is that there are wonderful bonuses of the dreaded adrenaline rush. Many people, however, are unable to appreciate just what nervousness can do for them, because they have no control over it. In truth, I would rather an individual be nervous in public speaking than not because nervousness or the increased level of stress actually increases your chances of success at the lectern.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Is Your Soft-Spoken Voice Holding You Back?

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.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

COVID-19 Masks and Your Muffled Voice

Today we are living in a precarious situation because of COVID-19 in which we need to stay 6 feet away from others when we are outside of our homes. Have you considered what is happening to your voice when you are wearing a mask and need to be heard when speaking? Most likely, your voice will be softer in volume and muffled because the mask is preventing clear sound.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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