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593 articles by Nancy Daniels · showing 50

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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***Treat Your Audience Like You're Having a Conversation and Watch What Happens!

One of the great mistakes made in public speaking is trying to be someone or something that you are not. Your audience is not in attendance, giving of their time, to hear or watch you be something other than yourself. They came to hear you be you. As a voice specialist, I have found that some of my most difficult clients were those who wanted to sound like a famous broadcaster or a professional speaker, for instance. As great as Zig Ziglar is (and he really is terrific), the last thing you want to do is to imitate him. Learn from him but don’t try to copy him.

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

***Ladies, Is Your Face a 10 and Your Speaking Voice a 2?

Yes, we are a sex very conce ed with the image we project. We exercise on a regular basis; we are more aware of the foods we are eating; we try to get a good night’s sleep. As women, we want to look good; and, as we age, we know it takes more work. Our clothing is of the latest fashion; we moisturize and wear makeup; and, our hair must make a statement as well.

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

***Could Your Speaking Voice Use Some Work?

When you hear yourself on your voicemail, chances are good that you don’t recognize what you hear. Chances are even better that you not only don’t recognize the sound but that you find it embarrassing, shocking, or revolting. Because you are unable to hear yourself the way everyone does, the sound you hear on your answering machine is probably higher in pitch than that which you hear in your head. In addition, your voice may be whiny, nasal, breathy, throaty, weak, shrill, boring, monotonous, wimpy, loud, or too soft in volume.

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

***Does Your Voice Quiver, Shake or Skip an Octave Just at the Thought of Public Speaking?

Imagine that you are standing in front of an audience. Your hands are cold and clammy, your knees are wobbly, and your stomach is in knots. You manage to smile but you can feel your lips twitching. You open your mouth to speak, praying that your trembling lips allow for your voice to come out. And, it does! However, the sound that ensues is anything but solid, stable or reliable. 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.

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

***The Pros and Cons of Toastmasters

If you are looking for a means in which to practice your presentation skills in front of an audience on a weekly basis, then you should consider joining Toastmasters. According to Wikipedia, “Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills.” There are a lot of reasons that I find this organization of value. 1. It is inexpensive to be a member. 2. Its members all share the same goal.r

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

***Did You Know That Your Speaking Voice Could Be a Fantastic Tool for Your Business?

The first time I heard those specific words was from one of my clients many, many years ago. She had found her ‘real’ voice and told me that her she couldn’t believe what a fantastic tool her voice was for her business. Let me ask you a simple question. Would you rather listen to a high-pitched, nasal, weak or wimpy speaking voice or a captivating, resonant one? If you are like most people, you probably would prefer the latter.

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

***Do Your Homework BEFORE Opening Your Mouth to Speak!

We tend to think that the creation of our speech or presentation and its delivery are the two most important considerations in public speaking. In truth, what you do before you even set pen to paper can have a tremendous effect on the outcome of your material. Imagine that someone has gotten in touch with you and asked you to speak to their company, their firm, their organization or club, their university, or possibly at a convention or expo. Perhaps you are toasting a bride, giving a eulogy or delivering a graduation speech.

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

***Plagued By Tension in Your Shoulder and Neck Regions?

If your answer is ‘yes’ to that question, then the chances are good that you are female and that you are juggling family, career and everything else that is being thrown at you. At least 95% of the women with whom I work complain of tension in their shoulder and neck regions on a daily basis. And, generally it is at its worst by the end of the day. The cure is easy, effective and efficient; however, if you do not make it a habit, the tension will return. It requires breaking an old habit and establishing a new one.

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

***4 Methods for Closing Your Speech or Presentation That Will Leave a Lasting Impression

The last thing you want in public speaking is to leave your audience abruptly hanging without the knowledge that you have concluded. In my previous article, I discussed the need for signaling the end of your talk. The 2nd criterion, however, involves reinforcing your central idea. The most common closings are: 1. Briefly Summarizing Your Development. If you have a few subtopics, then you could end your speech or presentation by briefly listing those subtopics which all serve to reinforce your main topic.

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

***Do Your Presentation Skills Pass the Color Test?

Speaking with expression, emotion, life, animation – whatever you call it – is one of your most important characteristics in delivering a dynamic presentation or speech. Just how colorful are you at the lecte ? If you would like to test your ‘color’ skills, record yourself reading the following nonsense paragraph and then play it back.

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

***The Only Way to Successfully 'Treat' Vocal Abuse

I receive emails on a daily basis regarding vocal abuse – not just from those who are experiencing difficulty in talking but from singers as well. The only piece of advice I give them is to take the pressure off of the throat and vocal folds (cords) and allow their chest to become their primary sounding board. This piece of advice may sound strange but it is the only means of eliminating vocal abuse. Whispering is not the answer, nor is being silent for a year.

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

***Is Your Choppy Speech Putting Your Audience to Sleep?

Choppiness in speaking occurs when you pause too often. Pausing in conversational speech is normal; pausing during a speech or presentation is ideal. Pausing too often, however, is tedious for the listener and is referred to as choppy speech. The problem with choppy speech is that you leave your audience waiting for you to continue.

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

***3 Reasons Why Breathlessness Is Such a Problem in Public Speaking

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

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

***Why the Valley Girl Sound is Sabotaging Your Job Interviews

If there are 2 candidates for a job in which one sounds like a Valley Girl and the other does not, I guarantee that the candidate who speaks with normal inflection will win that battle. When your answers, remarks, or statements are on the upswing, it sounds like you are asking a question. This is the reason questions are posed with the pitch of the voice on the rise. (Incidentally, pitch refers to the highness or lowness of sound and is not similar to volume which deals with the loudness or softness of sound.)

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

***Presentation Skills: To Whom Are You Speaking?

Sometimes we get so caught up in the idea of public speaking – be it from nervousness or excitement – that we often do not have a clear idea about those to whom we will be addressing. In truth, you cannot even begin to create your presentation until you know about your audience. And, the best way to gain that information is to ask.

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

***Ladies, Is Your Voice an Asset or a Liability for Your Career?

In Shakespeare’s King Lear, Lear is carrying the dead Cordelia and says, “her voice was ever soft, gentle and low, an excellent thing in woman.” Those words epitomized the image of how a woman handled herself in society and is in direct contrast to the loud, outspoken and sharp-tongued Kate, from his earlier play, The Taming of the Shrew.

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

***Paint a Picture With Your Voice and Your Audience Will See It!

Do you know what it means to paint a picture with your voice? Sean Connery can do it and so can Kevin Spacey. Kathleen Turner can do it as well as Diane Sawyer. And, in the world of public speaking, no one does it better tha Zig Ziglar. When Kevin Spacey does the car commercials, you can see the car in your mind just from the way his voice describes it. Likewise, when Diane Sawyer gives the news, you can picture what she is saying just from the way she says it. And when Zig Ziglar recounts an anecdote, you can see every detail of his story.

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

***How to Address an All-Female Audience

My first piece of advice is to relax and enjoy it. With a doubt, an all-female audience is much easier to address than an all-male audience. Women are quicker to voice their approval and to express laughter. And, it is their response to your words or your message that can boost your confidence and make your presentation that much easier and fun to deliver.

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

***How Important Are Presentation Skills in Your Career Advancement?

Do you think the ability to speak effectively is important in your career? Whatever your job, be it working for someone else or starting your own company, presentation skills today are at the top of the ladder when it comes to business. And, you have the internet to thank for that. Video-conferencing, webinars, teleconferences, and workshops are on the rise even with our ‘sluggish’ economy as some might refer to it. People want answers and they want them yesterday. As a result, we are getting more and more information by means of the internet.

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

*** What Constitutes Perfection in Public Speaking?

What constitutes perfection in public speaking? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You can type a paper perfectly. You can have a perfect score on a test. You can sew or cut a perfectly straight line. But who is to say that a presentation or a speech is delivered perfectly? Perfection in such a situation is subjective.

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

***If You Look Like a Goddess, But Sound Like a Bimbo, He May Not Find You That Hot!

Yes, Fran Drescher is a beautiful woman, but when she opens her mouth to speak, it is hard to take her seriously. If you are hoping to meet the man of your dreams, have you ever considered what your speaking voice is saying about you? Do you sound nasal and high-pitched or whiny and irritating when you speak? If so, then your words will not be quite as inviting as you may think. Demi Moore, Cher, Kate Beckinsale, Ashley Judd, and Julia Ormond have voices that match their beauty. Each one of these voices is warm and, given the right tone, can be very, very sexy.

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

***Discover The Best Way to Cure Mumbling Now!

Tired of repeating yourself? Not sure if mumbling is the problem? If you are asked to repeat yourself a lot, you may be soft-spoken, you may be speaking unclearly because of an accent, you may be talking too fast, or you may be a mumbler. It is also possible that some or all of the above affect your speech. If you are unsure if you mumble, a simple test would be to record yourself saying something you know from memory and then listen to the playback. What did you hear? Or better yet, what did you not hear?

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

***Discover One of the Little Known Secrets of Voice Training

One of the little known secrets of a good voice training course is that it will change your life for the better, both personally and professionally. Yes, your confidence will be bolstered and you will certainly sound more mature, but the improvements in your life will go far beyond your voice. - The reason is because you will have to learn to breathe with the support of your diaphragm.

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

***When the Pregnant Pause Goes into Labor!

Recently I was interviewed on a blog radio program and the host paused so long after every comment I made that I wondered how many listeners she really had. Yes, the internet station of which she is a member has an excellent listenership, but I seriously question whether this particular woman has any real following.

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

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

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

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

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

In the internet world, the amount of information on public speaking or presentation skills is overwhelming – from choosing a topic and then preparing and creating your speech or presentation to the best means of delivering your material with enthusiasm and passion. What is often neglected, however, is the idea of integrity in public speaking, a subject that could be a book in itself. What is meant by integrity? Total honesty with your audience, which can only be accomplished if you know your topic extremely well, respect those in attendance and value their presence.

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

***The Value of Listeniing in Good Public Speaking

You talk; they listen. You move; they watch. You make a joke; they laugh. You say something profound; they muse or applaud or frown. My question to you is whether you ‘listen’ to your audience or not. As much as you are the center of attention when addressing an audience, are you aware of the conversation happening in the room? Good public speakers understand that, while they may be the one doing all of the talking, the reaction of their audience to their words is the conversation. Public speaking is not acting – it is the art of effective communication with an audience.

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

Public Speaking: Make It Move to Make It Memorable

While I cannot take credit for the title of this article, those words have haunted me since I discovered them a few months ago in which the writer was discussing animating your PowerPoint presentations, certainly good advice. I was fascinated by those words because movement in public speaking is vital if you want to keep the attention of your audience on you.

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

***Do You Cringe When You Hear Yourself on Your Answering Machine or Voicemail?

The first time I heard myself on a recording was many years ago when I was in college. I had a small portable Sony tape recorder and I was with my friends when we recorded ourselves. I was horrified when I heard my own speaking voice. What is fascinating about that experience is that while all of my friends sounded exactly the same on the recording as they did off, I was sure that my voice was a mistake. I even blamed Sony for what I heard, attributing the quality of my voice to cheap equipment.

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

***Excessive Nasality Smothers a Deep, Masculine Voice

So, you’re looking for a deeper, sexier speaking voice but you’ve got a nasal twang. Does this mean that you’re stuck with a high-pitched voice? No. Is it possible to have a better sound? You bet! Most people are not speaking at their optimum pitch or within their optimum range. The result is a voice that tends to be higher in pitch than it should be because the sound is being forced from the throat and voice box.

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

***Who Is In Control at the Lectern, You or Your Nervousness?

Nervousness is wonderful. In fact, I will take that one step further and tell you that nervousness is a blessing. How can it be a blessing, you ask? Because that rush of adrenaline can give you an edge. It can take your presentation to an entirely new level if you learn how to control it. Articles today talk about eliminating, stopping and ending your nervousness and I disagree. I want you nervous but I want you to learn how to take control of that nervousness. If you think the ‘greats’ in public speaking are not nervous, then you are wrong.

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

***Tired of Sounding Like a Teenager or Even Younger?

If you answer the phone and the caller asks to speak to your mother, you might want to consider voice training in order to add some ‘years’ to your voice. Not that I want you to sound old. I don’t. Good voice training means that you will no longer sound like a teen or pre-teen. Instead, you will sound mature. Not too old, not too young, ageless. You have a better voice inside. It is just a matter of discovering where that voice is. Located inside your chest cavity, your ‘real’ voice is deeper in pitch and warmer in quality.

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

***Does Your LOUD Voice Make Your Listeners Cringe?

Have you ever had a telephone conversation and the person on the other end of the line was speaking too loudly? What is your first reaction? Probably, to move the phone away from your ear. Talking too loudly is just as ineffective as speaking too softly except for one primary difference: the loud voice physically hurts your listeners’ ears. If there is a problem with volume, I have found that it generally tends to be with those who are soft-spoken. In that case, others will often move closer, straining to hear what you are saying.

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

***How to Tap the Full Potential of Your Speaking Voice

Speaking voices come in all shapes and sizes – literally. And, while you can attribute your vocal apparatus to genes, it is not just your genetic makeup that entirely determines the quality of your speaking voice. Your environment helps shape the sound of your voice as well. If you study twins living in different parts of the country, for example, both will have the same vocal apparatus and possibly the same quality; but, what they do with it will vary according to the area in which they were raised and how they are using their voice.

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

***Zero In On Your Smilers

Recently I gave a presentation at a Summit Conference in New York City and was confronted with a very ‘tight’ audience. I was blessed, however, to have two women in the large ballroom who smiled throughout, nodding their heads in agreement with everything I said. The second blessing was that ...

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

***Why Men Don't Listen!

I am about to be politically incorrect. When you reach a certain point in life, however, you discover from experience that some generalizing is correct. From my many years teaching voice improvement, I have found that women tend to be more expressive in speaking. I have also discovered that women carry their stress differently than men. And, it is always interesting to see women’s reactions when I make the statement that men are not good listeners. The fact that your male’s strong suit is not listening can be explained in 3 ways.

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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