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593 articles by Nancy Daniels · showing 50

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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Plain Speaking is the Best Approach in Public Speaking

If you are scheduled to give a speech or presentation, plain speaking should be your choice so as not to appear affected, superior, or on exhibit. Plain speaking, simply put, is the ability to speak and be easily understood by all in attendance. And, it goes hand-in-hand with the theory of treating your audience as if you were having a conversation in your living room. Lengthy sentences, long words, flowery speech, or highly technical terms do not lend themselves to plain speaking.

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

***Must You Be an Expert to Get on the Public Speaking Circuit?

The answer really depends on your topic. There is one situation in which the answer would be, ‘no.’ Let’s say, for example, that you have survived a death-defying event and are being interviewed on TV to talk about your experience. Labeling yourself as an expert is a non-issue. However, if your goal in public speaking is to talk about motivation, social media, marketing, sales, etc., then the answer would most definitely be, ‘yes.’ Otherwise, why would an audience be drawn to listen to you if you were not an expert?

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

***How to Find Your 'Real' Speaking Voice in 60 Minutes or Less

Recently, I read an article about improving your voice in 7 days. While I do not agree with the writer’s suggestions or methodology, the truth is that you can actually find your ‘real’ voice in about 1 hour. Admittedly, your ‘real’ voice will not be a habit in only 60 minutes, but one of the fascinating results about the correct approach to voice training is that you will begin your hour with your old or habitual voice and you will end that hour with your real one.

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

***5 Ways to Bring Your Audience into Your Presentation

When I attended James Malinchak’s BootCamp a few months ago, one of many things he did to grab our attention was to ‘cast the net’ during the introduction. Those are his words. His introductory material was designed to bring the audience into the fold and immediately build a rapport with us. And, there is no doubt that it worked. - When you create your introduction, do you consider your audience in your opening remarks? - Do you tailor your material around their needs as you ‘cast the net’ to become more intimate with them?

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

***4 Tips for Eliminating the Ums and Ahs in Public Speaking, You Know?

One of the most annoying traits among some public speakers, be they professional or novice, is verbal disfluency. According to Wikipedia, verbal disfluencies are, “any of various breaks, irregularities, or utterances that are often not consistent with any specific grammatical construction and occur within the flow of otherwise fluent speech." What is important to note is the fact that disfluencies interrupt smooth speech.

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

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

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

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

***Great Speaking Voice Vibrates in Your Chest – Not in Your Nose

When you listen to the greats, like James Earl Jones, Julia Ormond, George Clooney and Diane Sawyer, one characteristic which they all share is that their voice vibrates in their chest when they speak. While everyone vibrates in the area directly below the vocal folds, as well in the throat, mouth, and nasal cavities, those who power their voice by means of their chest cavity actually feel vibrations in their mid-torso region. Does it matter whether you vibrate in your chest or not? Only if you want a warm, rich, resonant sound.

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

***Do You Know the 1 Thing People Never Think to Do in Public Speaking

It does not seem possible that this one commonality exists among so many people in public speaking. Whether it is for the presentation or the speech, it happens quite frequently and is both visible and audible to an audience. It may only occur in the opening; although, it often continues throughout one’s delivery. Without it, it is sometimes difficult to be heard. Do you have an idea what I am talking about?

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

***Constant Clearing of Your Throat May Be a Sign of Vocal Abuse

If you find that you are clearing your throat frequently when you speak, it may be a sign of vocal abuse. Ignoring it will not make the abuse go away because the process of talking is creating the problem. Therefore, the more you talk, the more you are irritating your throat and vocal folds (cords). While it is quite possible that post nasal drip or Gerd is the cause, I would suggest that you first go to a doctor and see if you have medical issues. If the physician finds no physiological reason for the irritation, then you need to change the way you are producing voiced sound.

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

***What Is Color in Public Speaking?

Color is the life, the emotion, the animation, and the passion you express in speaking. Whether you are in conversation, holding a conference call, or giving a speech or presentation, not expressing color when you talk is referred to as speaking in monotone. Another way of saying it is boring. I have found a distinct relationship between dressing colorfully and speaking with expression.

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

***Be Yourself in Public Speaking Because Everyone Else Is Taken!

Some years ago, two radio broadcasters were studying voice improvement with me. One, in particular, wanted me to make him sound like Paul Harvey. Paul Harvey was an icon and an original in the radio business. Part of his greatness was his originality. Wanting to emulate this announcer was not what the young broadcaster should have desired. Wanting to be himself should have been his goal.

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

***How to Stand Out From the Crowd in Your Job Interviews

Today, unemployment is higher than it has been for quite some long time and, in many cases, older workers are looking for a job after years of security in their former positions. For some, just the idea of being interviewed is a frightening experience. With the high number of applicants seeking the same job, older workers may feel quite daunted in their search. What can you do if your experience is excellent but your interview skills are less than stellar? Without a doubt, good interview skills are one of the most important characteristic for those obtaining employment today.

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

***3 Tips for Addressing a Mixed Audience

As a speaker, there are times you might be addressing an all-female audience or an all-male audience. Unless your topic is geared to just women or just men, however, you will find that, in most instances, your audiences are mixed. The question is how mixed are they and does it matter? The answer is yes.

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

***Stop Yelling for Your Favorite Team -- Try Projecting Your Voice Instead!

When I hear a raspy, gravelly, hoarse voice, I know what the problem is. It is called vocal abuse; and, I also know that it will not get any better on its own unless the speaker changes how he or she produces voiced sound. Those who suffer from chronic hoarseness, a persistent sore throat or even loss of voice are often fans rooting for their favorite teams. It is not just happening to those in the stands at professional sports games or those watching on television. It can also happen when we attend our children's football, baseball, soccer and/or hockey games

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

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

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

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

***3 Steps for Adding Color to a Monotone Voice

If you are plagued with a voice that puts your listeners to sleep, it might be an idea to learn how to add some color – some life – some emotion to your delivery. Because we are unable to hear our own voice as others do, we are also unable to recognize when our delivery is less than expressive. Only when you hear yourself on some type of recording equipment or are told by others that you speak in a monotone can you become aware of this problem. And, do not delude yourself into thinking that a voice that is boring is not a problem. It is.

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

***Help! I Don't Want to Sound Like My Mother!

As a child or a teenager, how many times did you say to yourself, “I will never say or do that which my mother is saying or doing?” Many of us can certainly testify to that statement; however, my question to you is not the words your mom may have used but the actual sound of her speaking voice. Our genetic heritage means that we will sound like our same-sex parent if the relationship in our early developmental years was a loving and nurturing one. Our environment and our community also help shape the voice.

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

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

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

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

***If You Hail from New Jersey or New York, How's Your Diction?

You know what this article is not about? Nasality. I know, New Yorkers, you have heard it over and over again. Have you ever considered how fast you talk, however? While there is much to be said about diminishing, lessening or even eliminating nasality, one of the greatest problems for New Yorkers is their speed. Aside from the fact that you drive fast as we do here in South Jersey, you also talk at 100 mph! Add that to the nasality issue and it may be more than difficult for others to understand you.

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

***Would You Consider Your Speaking Voice An Asset or a Liability?

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.

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

***Hearing Only Half the Sentence Is Not Quite As Good As Hearing the Whole Thing!

For those of you refuse to interrupt your sentences to breathe, you have a mass of listeners who are frustrated because they do not catch the 2nd half of your sentences. Do you know why this is? I’ll give you a clue. It’s got something to do with oxygen. Without air, there is no voice. What is happening when you do not supplement your air supply in speaking (especially on the podium) is that you are unable to finish your thoughts with enough volume to be heard comfortably.

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

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

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

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

***Being Overlooked in Business Because of Your Childlike Voice?

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.

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

***If Your Voice Is Wimpy, Weak or Soft, What Message Is It Sending?

Do you think that the sound of your speaking voice effects how others perceive you? If the voice you hear on your voicemail or some other form of recording equipment has any of the above traits, then the image you are projecting is quite possibly that you are characteristic of those ‘qualities,’ especially over the phone where there is no visual for comparison.

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

***Public Speaking: What Novice Speakers Never Think to Do

It is simple, it is basic, it is fundamental, and, it is a necessity. It is something we do every day without a 2nd thought. At the lectern, however, it is something we do not allow to happen and yet it is something we cannot do without. It is called breathing. The 1st thing your body did at birth was to take a breath. And, it will be the last thing you do at death. In public speaking, it is something we never consider and is the one thing we are often lacking while addressing an audience.

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

***Approaching the Lecte With Grace and Composure

The first time I had to introduce myself professionally was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. I remember sitting, waiting for my turn to stand and walk to the lecte amidst 150 members of the London, Canada Chamber of Commerce. At first I was relaxed until it dawned on me that my voice, my own personal introduction, was my business. And then I began to sweat!

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

***If Your Eyes Are the Window to Your Soul, What Do Yours Reveal in Public Speaking?

When I work with my clients in color – the life, the emotion, the animation we express in speaking – one of the many exercises we cover is one in which they must say, “She said yes,” in a fearful manner. Many people have difficulty saying those three words as if they were in fear. Of course, I jokingly tell them to imagine that their mother-in-law is coming to stay with them for 6 months! Upon hearing this, many are then able to express those words admirably.

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

***What You Need to Do in Public Speaking That You Probably Don't Do

Do you know the #1 thing most novice speakers never think to do when delivering a presentation? It never crosses their mind and yet it is the one thing they are in desperate need of throughout their talk. And, once they lose it, they are in a constant race to catch up on it. No, I am not talking about your train of thought, your words, your ideas, your speed or any other technique to help in your delivery. I am talking about what you need to take in – physically – in order to support your spoken words. It is called air.

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

***Talk TO Your Audience, NOT AT Them

One of the secrets for becoming a dynamic public speaker is to make eye contact with your audience. While there are some courses on presentation skills or public speaking that teach you to stare at an object on the wall in order to eliminate your nervousness, I couldn’t disagree more. Forget ...

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

***I Never Yelled at My Kids -- I Projected!

Do you know the difference between projecting your voice and yelling? The latter hurts your throat and can be painful to your listeners’ ears. The latter also does not make your children sit up and take notice of what you are saying. Instead, they either cower in fear or stop listening to you.

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

***When You Speak in a Monotone, You May Be Sending the Wrong Impression

Whether it is in public speaking, the sales presentation, or just normal conversation, speaking in a monotone does not captivate, enthuse, or even interest your listeners. If you know that you exhibit this trait, then it is important to realize that your delivery is flat, lifeless and dull, all characteristics that can put others to sleep.

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

***Discover a Means to Improve Dyslexia That No One Knows About

Through my many years teaching voice improvement, I have made some startling discoveries regarding dyslexia, stuttering and even spasmodic dysphonia. Because my approach deals with learning how to breathe with the support of the diaphragm, my clients have benefited in ways unimaginable; and, this has become very apparent with those who are afflicted with dyslexia. Part of the material I use in my training is from Edgar Allen Poe’s, The Fall of the House of Usher.

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

***How to Define Tone in Public Speaking

Tone is the expression of a mood or emotion. In relationship to your delivery, tone is determined by your topic or your subject. If you are giving the after-dinner speech at a conference, it is quite possible that your talk will be funny; thus, your tone is going to be quite different than if you are giving the eulogy at a funeral.

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

***If You Want A Deeper Speaking Voice, Do Not Do This!

Recently I have been reading some questionable articles about the various ways in which you can gain a deeper voice and I am appalled at the number of people who are giving advice. People who have no understanding of or training in the speaking voice. In addition, their tips and tricks are wrong and can produce serious damage to the vocal folds.

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

***Are You Aware of Your Vocal Shortcomings?

How many times have you spoken to a stranger on the phone and formed a mental picture of that individual only later to be surprised when you met that person face to face? How we speak and how we sound often conflict with our education, our cultural background, and even our intelligence. Your speech reveals many things about you and yet it often does not reflect who you truly are: your training, your experience or your abilities.

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

***The Value of Imagery in Public Speaking

When you speak at the lectern, on a stage or even at the head of the boardroom table, have you ever considered the imagery you use, thereby depicting your thoughts more effectively? Too often I hear those who speak so quickly and are so anxious to get it over with, that their words are said in haste with no qualifiers, no adjectives, and no adverbs. Your success in public speaking is not just your message but how well you deliver that message. Using imagery to create a more vivid picture of what you are saying is part of those dynamics.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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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
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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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