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593 articles by Nancy Daniels · showing 50

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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***If You Expect to Hear What You Are Saying, They Must Be Able to 'Hear' You Saying It!

Nothing is more frustrating than not hearing the person who is speaking. The problem for the soft-spoken, however, is that they do no recognize this problem for what it is. If you are soft-spoken, the reason you are being interrupted or talked over is because others tire of straining to hear you. Unfortunately, this can lead you to believe that what you are saying is not important or of no consequence. Nothing could be further from the truth. - If others cannot hear you, then it matters little if what you are saying has value or not.

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

How to Train Your Voice to Be More Charismatic

There is an interesting article in the Wall Street journal, by the same title, about the charismatic influence your voice can have in your professional life. Having analyzed the voices of leaders in countries such as Brazil, France, and Italy, scientists have found that those who exhibited charisma “use their voices to dominate, rouse and influence a large audience.”

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

How to Increase Your Volume without Yelling

When you increase your volume, does your throat hurt? If you root for your favorite sports team, is your voice hoarse the next day? Perhaps you have no voice by the next day. All three of these situations are known as vocal abuse. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, then you are not increasing your volume correctly.

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

***What Language Is Your Body Speaking at the Lecte ?

Body language. The nonverbal communication of your body that can tell your audience you are speaking with confidence or cowardness, delight or disingenuity. Do you know which language your body is speaking? Something as simple as an arm gesture could be telling your audience one thing while your voice is saying something totally different. And, of course, no body language usually means no vocal variety which is always boring.

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

***5 Steps for Overcoming a Monotone Voice

A voice that lacks color is dull and uninteresting. It also says something about you, as the speaker, which may or may not be true. If you speak in a monotone, how do you think others perceive you? A few words that come to my mind are cold, indifferent, and unemotional. Do those words describe you? If so, there are 5 steps you can take to immediately change that perception.

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

***10 Benefits of Voice Training That Have Nothing to Do with Your Voice

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.

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

***5 Steps for Delivering an Excellent Presentation -- Not a Perfect One!

If there is one thing that cannot happen in public speaking, it is the possibility of delivering a perfect presentation. What skills would you need to make your words or your manner of speaking perfect? Can you answer that honestly? Your presentation may be great; it may be excellent; it may be the best you have ever done; but, that doesn’t make it perfect. Perfection is subjective in this particular venue. In fact, any live performance, be it music, theatre, or even in the sports arena, cannot be judged by that one particular word – perfection.

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

***The 5 Secrets Of Dynamic Public Speaking

As A voice specialist, I teach people not only how to improve the sound of the speaking voice but also how to be a dynamic public speaker. Below are listed the 5 most important things you should do that will allow you to control your nervousness as well as deliver a dynamic presentation. ...As A voice specialist, I teach people not only how to improve the sound of the speaking voice but also how to be a dynamic public speaker. Below are listed the 5 most important things you should do that will allow you to control your nervousness as well as deliver a dynamic presentation.

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

***If Your Nose Vibrates When You Speak, You've Got Nasality!

Would you like to test yourself for nasality? Gently place a finger on each side of your nose and say the word ‘greet.’ Did you feel any vibrations in your nose? Now say the word ‘great.’ Again, did you vibrate? If your answer is yes, then you have nasal issues. Those two sounds, the long a and long e should not be articulated through your nose. They really don’t belong there. If you had said the word grain or green, however, you would have noticed some vibration because both words contain a nasal.

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

If You Smile At Your Audience, I Guarantee They Will Smile Back

Were you to give a presentation with no vocal variety, no facial expression and no body language, what do you think the reaction would be of your audience? Unless you are a comedian and that characteristic is part of your ‘shtick,’ do not expect your listeners to be much enamored by your lack of color – the life, emotion, and animation one displays in speaking.

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

***Watch What Your Face Is (Or Isn't) Saying in Public Speaking

Before your give your next presentation or speech, can I make a suggestion? Why don’t you video-record yourself, study the playback, and watch your facial expressions. Are they in line with what you are discussing? Does your face display enthusiasm if you are excited about your message? Does it show worry, for example, if you are conce ed about the serious nature of your remarks? - While color deals with the vocal variety of your voice, it also includes your body language and your facial expression.

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

***How Confident Do You Sound If You Are Soft-Spoken?

Volume is an aspect of your personality that can say a lot about you. Yes, there was a time when women spoke in a very soft voice. It was considered a feminine trait: demure, coy, flirtatious. It was also a time when women were treated as 2nd class citizens. In today’s highly competitive business world, however, there is no room for the voice which is difficult to hear. Your volume, or lack of it, may be saying something about you which is not correct whether you are male or female.

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

***Is It Good to 'Wing It' in Public Speaking?

If there is one thing I would never recommend for the novice in public speaking, it would be to ‘wing it’ or, in other words, to speak without note cards or some form of visual aid. You must have something to help keep you on track. If, however, you have been speaking about the same topic for many, many years (as I have been doing), then I would leave that decision entirely up to you. - Trying to establish yourself as a professional speaker is not easy; and, ‘winging it’ will make that road much more difficult to navigate.

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

***Be Nervous in Public Speaking -- Just Don't Let Them 'Hear' You Sweat

A big problem for many in public speaking is a voice that quivers due to nervousness. First of all, I would hope that you would be nervous in public speaking. I don’t care how many times you’ve given a presentation, whether it is your fifth time or your five hundredth. Nervousness is that wonderful rush of adrenaline that can give your delivery pizzazz. What you need to understand is that those nervous jitters are a blessing in disguise.

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

***Do You Speak with Enough Volume?

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.

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

*** Excessive Nasality Is Like Nails on a Blackboard

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.

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

***All Great Speaking Voices Have One Thing in Common

There is one word I use to describe the resonance I am looking for in each every ‘real’ voice I discover. While all voices that have had training exhibit a greater depth and breadth of sound – a fuller, rounder quality – some voices will be deeper in pitch, some brighter in tone, others may be darker in quality.

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

***Getting Rid of the Um's and Ah's Is Easier Than You Think

While the phrase ‘you know’ has not yet replaced the verbal tics ‘um’ and ‘ah,’ it is gaining momentum both in the delivery of presentations and in normal conversation. If you are aware that you use one of more of these fillers, it really is not difficult to eliminate them if you willing to practice and record yourself.

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

***Public Speaking: Using FORCE on a Word for Emphasis

While there are various means of being expressive in speaking, one of the most common components is the use of force. Force refers to expending extra energy or strength on a particular word, phrase, or sentence for emphasis. The majority of the population use force at one time or another in conversation. It is normal; it natural; it is effective; however, it is sometimes lacking in public speaking.

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

***Just How Good Do You Sound in Your Webinar or Teleseminar?

That’s a leading question, isn’t it? With teleseminars there is definitely no visual and with webinars, there may be a picture of you, but more than likely, your listeners will be focusing on the visuals; i.e. slides, videos, or webpages as well as the sound of your speaking voice. And, the sound of your speaking voice is what you are hearing through your headphones and not the familiar voice you hear in your head.

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

***When Your Inflection Sounds Like That of a Valley Girl!

The other day I watched an interesting documentary on military planes and the man describing the different parts of the plane ended every, single sentence on the up-swing. What this means is that the inflection he used with every statement sounded like a question. (Inflection refers to changes in pitch in speaking.) As he is an authority on the subject, my first reaction was that he did not sound like an expert in his field. Instead, he sounded like a Valley Girl.

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

***Nervousness in Public Speaking Is Not Selective!

When it comes to public speaking, most people are aware that it is man’s greatest fear. Thus, it is not selective in who it affects nor how it affects those who stand at the lecte or at the head of the boardroom table to give that all-important presentation. There is no doubt that practice can be one of your best tools in conquering your fear; but, there is something else that most people are unaware of that can allow you to take your nervousness and let it work for you and not against you. Simply put, it is learning to breathe with the support of your diaphragm.

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

***When the Pause Becomes Ineffective

The other day I heard a speaker who was very dynamic in his delivery except in one respect. He paused too often and for too long. Without a doubt, pausing is one of the most important characteristics of good public speaking: pausing that is excessive or predictable is not. The beauty of the ...

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

***Public Speaking Will Not Improve Your Voice But Voice Training Will Improve Your Public Speaking

The search for good public speaking or presentation skills is on the rise. People want to know how to improve or hone their abilities to address an audience. One thing that is often overlooked, however, is training for the speaking voice. When you hear yourself on an answering machine, voicemail or some other form of recording, do you like what you hear? Indeed, if you are like most people, your answer is probably No.

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

***If You are a Whisperer, You are Doing Great Harm to Your Voice!

I met a website designer named Donna at a business expo who had a wonderful, eye-catching display that was drawing large crowds of visitors. Unfortunately for Donna, she lost her voice after having spoken to perspective clients for only 1 hour. It was 10 o’clock in the morning and the expo was not going to close for 8 more hours. While her booth was bringing great traffic, she was struggling to speak. Her voice was very hoarse and very soft in volume. In addition, her throat was sore.

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

***The 2 Best Audiences for Public Speaking

What I have found with the various groups I have addressed through the years, whether it is a business versus an organization or a club, is that the there are two groups of people who are very good at listening. Their job or the purpose of their organization almost guarantees that they have strong listening skills. By and large, I have found the two best audiences to be Toastmasters and teachers, both of whom can be easily explained. 1.Teachers enjoy teaching and they also enjoy learning. They pay attention and always ask questions afterwards.

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

***The Problem May Not Be Your English, It Might Be Your Diction

Many of my clients speak English as a second language, initially contacting me because they are not being understood when they speak. Of course, they question if their English skills are lacking. In 99% of the cases, I have found that their English is good; it is their diction that is the problem. - Being understood the 1st time you say it is a prerequisite in business as competition in the job market is incredibly fierce in today’s questionable economic times.

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

***If You Don't Know Your Material Well, You Are Selling Your Audience Short!

One of the secrets of good public speaking is to know your material very, very well. You may not think it a secret but you would be surprised how many people approach the lectern, the stage, or the boardroom table and do not know their script. And, the only way that can happen is if you practice it out loud over several days or maybe even a few weeks in advance. How much practice you need is entirely dependent on how quickly you learn.

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

***How to Put Your Nervousness to Good Use

In public speaking or any other type of live performance, the idea of trying to get rid of your nervousness is definitely not the right approach. Nervousness is that wonderful rush of adrenaline that can make you sharper, more alert and more focused. In fact, the benefits of nervousness are so powerful that trying to eliminate it is a huge mistake. - If you’re not nervous, then you lose that wonderful edge.

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

***5 Reasons Someone Else May Get the Job Instead of You

Imagine that there are number of candidates for a particular job and all of the candidates have similar education and experience. Without a doubt, the choice is going to be difficult. Now let’s imagine that of all who are applying for the position, one candidate in particular has strong communication skills. Who do you think will get the job? Naturally, the individual who has good communication skills will be the winner in this situation. How good are your presentation/communication skills? Do you sound as dynamic as you look? Do you sound as impressive as your resume may look?

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

***Do You Know Which Sounds Are True Nasals?

While we tend to equate nasality with New Yorkers, this issue is not just their problem. It is found in many parts of the United States and Canada as well. In the English language, there are 3 sounds known as nasals which should vibrate in your nose. They are the n, the m, and the ng sounds. Notice that true ‘nasal’ sounds are all consonants.

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

***Why Women Are Attracted to a Deep Voice

That’s right. Women find a deep voice sexy because it has a warm quality and sounds confident. It stirs something inside of us, without a doubt. The last time you heard your voice on voicemail, an answering machine or some other form of recording equipment, were you impressed? Remember, how she hears your voice is exactly what you hear on the recording, not the sound you hear in your head. So judge your speaking voice accordingly.

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

***Losing Your Voice in the Club Scene?

Does this sound familiar? You go to a loud club and your friends tell you that they can’t hear you even though you’ve been talking in a louder voice. Your throat feels raw and sore or perhaps you have lost your voice after an hour or two of straining to be heard. What you are experiencing is vocal abuse. You’ve been pushing your voice, which is not only straining your vocal cords and throat, but is not being heard in the process. This is tiring, frustrating and can lead to permanent damage. - Your friends don’t have this problem so why do you?

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

How You Sound Is Who You Are - True or False?

The answer is maybe. As an example, let's say that you are soft-spoken. If you are asked to repeat yourself a lot, others may think you lack confidence. This is just one description which comes to mind when I hear someone who doesn't speak at a normal volume level in conversation. However, I have met many soft-spoken people who are confident. - The real question is what impression do others have of you because of how you sound?

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

***Is your Voice Holding You Back from Landing That Coveted Job?

With the high level of unemployment today, landing a job with any company is highly competitive. What is the possibility that your voice is not an asset but indeed a liability? Before pursuing graduate studies, I worked for a company in the Philadelphia area in which we sold pre-arranged tours to Hawaii, Mexico, and Califo ia over the telephone. While my boss, Harry, was an excellent salesman, his speaking voice was definitely his greatest asset. Deep, rich, and resonant, Harry’s voice was captivating and his success at Your Man Tours was outstanding.

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

***5 Steps for Great Voicemail Messages

The phone rings and suddenly you are confronted with leaving a message on someone’s voicemail. Panic ensues and you become tongue-tied or speechless. My first question would be to ask you what is your fear? Had someone indeed answered the phone, would you have been prepared to address that individual? For some people, just the thought of making that important phone call and possibly being confronted with voicemail on the other end is frightening enough not to make the call. If such is the case, then the business you are hoping to introduce and/or sell will not happen.

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

***Want More Color and Life in Your Voice?

When I teach my clients or my students how to speak with emotion, I emphasize that there is no right or wrong answer with color. Color is the life, the emotion, the animation you express in speaking. Color is determined by your topic as well as your mood or attitude. The only thing that would be considered wrong would be to deliver a speech or presentation without any life or emotion. That is called speaking in monotone and it is boring.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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