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593 articles by Nancy Daniels · showing 50

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By Nancy DanielsRecently published1 topic

***What Image Do You Project When Approaching the Lecte ?

Often we are so consumed by our speech or presentation, our delivery, or our nervousness, that we fail to recognize the value of composure in approaching the lecte or the head of the boardroom table. You are judged not only when you begin to speak but also during your walk to the front of the room or onto the stage of the auditorium or the hall. If your shoulders are slouched, your head hanging low and your eyes staring at your feet, how confident do you look?

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

Superman or Clark Kent - Which One Are You?

Recently I worked with a wonderful young man from Qatar by means of Skype. When I first started working with him, his voice was soft-spoken and he did not exude much confidence. After a few sessions, I showed him a video clip from Superman which really opened his eyes – not only for the difference in Christopher Reeve’s voice but also in the actor’s posture and comportment.

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

***Does Your Voice Shake When You're Nervous? 3 Tips for Eliminating the Quiver

When addressing an audience, there is nothing more embarrassing than opening your mouth to speak and the voice that comes out is high in pitch and shaking to boot! The shaking is known as a quiver and it can happen even when you’re not nervous. If your voice is quivering when you’re nervous, rest assured that you are not alone. It happens to a lot of people and it is the result of poor voice placement exacerbated by your nervousness.

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

***The Value of Body Language in Public Speaking

In my last article I discussed the importance of using your face to express emotion in public speaking. In addition to your facial expression, though, is the language of your body because the latter talks as well during your presentation. The question is, ‘what is it saying?’ Standing perfectly still, rigid, or immobile during a presentation (or even a speech where you are somewhat limited by the presence of a lectern) says one thing to your audience. That you are most uncomfortable and would rather be somewhere else!

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

***Don’t Ignore Vocal Abuse – It Won’t Go Away on Its Own!

A surprising number of people suffer vocal abuse and are unaware that it is a problem which will not go away on its own. There are no drugs or medicines a doctor can prescribe that will end your suffering because the abuse is being caused by misplacement and/or overuse of your speaking voice. In the long run, what this means is that as long as you continue with the same vocal habits which created the abuse, it will not go away and it will probably get worse. The symptoms of vocal abuse may be chronic hoarseness, persistent sore throats or even loss of voice by the end of the day.

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

***5 Tips for Selecting a Presentation Skills Workshop

If you are interested in improving your presentation skills, one route is the workshop. You would be amazed at the transformation possible; however, it is important to understand that not all workshops are alike. In this article, I list the 5 things you should look for if you are serious about improving your skills in public speaking and having several opportunities to present your material in front of an audience.

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

***Do You Know the Similarities Between Public Speaking and Conversation?

A lot of acting teachers believe that public speaking and acting are very similar and I would beg to differ. What I find more credible are the similarities between public speaking and conversation. Yes, in both cases, you are addressing an audience; but, that is where the similarities end. In acting, you are playing the role of another individual. And, your goal is not to interact with your audience but to entertain them. In public speaking, I would hope that you are entertaining as well, but your goal is to inform or persuade your audience and to be yourself, first and foremost.

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

***If You Don't Believe in Yourself, Why Should Your Audience?

One of the most important skills you need in public speaking is the ability to believe in yourself; otherwise, why should your audience? Many people approach the lecte or the head of the boardroom table, thinking they are going to fail. If that is your approach, then your chances of success are greatly reduced. Believing in yourself requires only one prerequisite – knowing your material inside and out. This is often a problem, however, for the novice speaker. If your lack of preparation is due to your fear, then your prediction of failure will become a reality.

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

***Confidence Is the Name of the Game in Securing the Job

The last thing some people think about when heading out the door for a job interview is confidence. Too often, there is such trepidation and fear, that their vision lacks this one thing the employer is looking for. Why should someone hire you if you do not look and sound confident? Trust me, some of your competition is definitely not lacking in this department. By no means do I suggest overconfidence however. Sounding too assured of yourself is just as bad as the opposite extreme. So how do you project confidence when you are ‘dying a thousand deaths?’ By believing in yourself.r

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

***Why We Are Attracted to a Deep Voice

When it comes to the speaking voice, those which are most appealing to your ear, tend to be deep in pitch. Think of James Earl Jones, Felicia Rashad, Diane Sawyer and Sean Connery. All of these voices have a depth and breadth that you do not hear with the likes of Fran Drescher or Don Johnson. Even Tom Cruise is not known for his voice: in his particular case, his voice is recorded with a large boost in the bass.

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

***The Value of Diaphragmatic Breathing in Public Speaking

There are several dynamics that make for good public speaking but the one component that far outweighs all others is the need to breathe while speaking. Without air, there is no voice. And yet, many novice speakers never think about that life-giving force when addressing an audience. In fact, it is often the last thing on their minds when indeed it should be the first.

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

***Your Presentation Skills May Be Great, But What About Your Voice?

I have belonged to a public speaking network for some time now and it never ceases to amaze me that the members do not talk about the actual sound of the speaking voice. From topics covering the value of content versus delivery to the elimination of nervousness and even ways to find speaking engagements, they never discuss the image of the voice and what it says about them.

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

***If You Are Soft-Spoken, Try These 5 Steps for Being Heard the 1st Time You Say It

Do others ask you to repeat yourself a lot? If so, do you realize how much time and energy you waste saying your message a 2nd or 3rd time? In today’s fast-paced world, being heard the 1st time you say it is vital to your success. If others continually ask you to repeat yourself, eventually they will stop asking and stop listening. What this means is that your words and your ideas are not going to be heard.

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

***One of the Best Kept Secrets of Dynamic Public Speaking

Do you know what one of the best kept secrets is in public speaking? It has nothing to do with your material but is vital in your delivery. All the great speakers do it while many novices do not. It is easy to do and natural. In fact, you do it in normal conversation with your family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances and never give it a second thought. It is called moving. Now you may be questioning what moving has to do with public speaking. Everything. Moving is important for several reasons.

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

***How Important Is the Image You Project to Others?

In today’s hectic, competitive world, image is something that you are probably conce ed about. Be it your physical appearance or the content of what you say, you know that the person you project to the world matters. However, have you ever considered what the sound of your speaking voice is saying to your listeners? - If you know, for example, that you speak in a monotone, what is the image you are projecting? - If you sound like a 12-year-old and you are over 21, what is your voice saying about you?r

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

***Discover Your 'Real' Voice and Listen to What Happens to Your Nasality!

Nasality, whether it is excessive as in the Brooklyn or Bronx sound, a little more gutteral like Philly talk, twangy as we hear in Texas or only slightly exaggerated as in the speech of Detroit or the Midwest, occurs when voiced sounds travel through the nose. While not all nasality is bad, too much of it can be. In the English language, we have 3 sounds – called nasals – which should vibrate in our nose when we speak. They include m,n, and, ng. Words like Maine, Naomi, and bring will vibrate in the nose.

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

***How Do You Exude Confidence and Composure in Public Speaking When You Are Dying a Thousand Deaths?

Yes, nervousness in public speaking may be man’s greatest fear but those nervous jitters do not mean you cannot exude confidence and composure in the process. We often wrongly believe that the secret to dynamic public speaking is to eliminate our nervousness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Nervousness is a blessing and the sooner you can appreciate the rewards of that marvelous rush of adrenaline, the better.

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

***Never Let Them 'Hear' You Sweat

Does your voice ‘shake, rattle and roll’ when you stand to introduce yourself or address an audience at the lecte or the boardroom table? When I started my voice improvement business back in 1989, I joined the local chamber of commerce and attended a new members’ orientation. The room was ...

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

***Does Just the Thought of Public Speaking Make You Nauseous?

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

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

***The Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response in Public Speaking -- Which Reaction Describes You?

So, you have been scheduled, invited, or commanded to speak. It could be the quarterly budget report for your firm. Maybe you are a member of Toastmasters. You could be enrolled in a local public speaking course. Perhaps it is your best friend’s wedding. Whatever the reason for your upcoming speech or presentation, what is your reaction to public speaking? Fight? Flight? Freeze?

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

***The Conversation of Public Speaking

The last thing I want to hear when I’m in attendance for a 50-minute presentation is a speaker reading to me. My feeling is that if you are going to read your material, why not zerox it, pass it out and we can all go home or back to work. Better yet, email it to me! The next to the last thing I want to hear is the speaker expounding for 50 minutes of memorized text. Memorization is a necessity in acting. In public speaking, it is dangerous for 2 reasons: 1. You will sound rote; and, 2. If you lose your train of thought, you have nothing to fall back on.

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

***Nervous in Public Speaking? Good!

Did you know that nervousness in public speaking is beneficial? While many articles are written to help you try to eliminate or stop those nervous jitters, I want the exact opposite. Yes, I want you nervous. However, I want you to learn how to take control of it. - When you can put your adrenaline to use, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. Adrenaline comes into play in the body under duress and places you in the fight, flight, or freeze mode. Unfortunately, many people assume either the flight or freeze mode when addressing an audience.

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

***Public Speaking: How Connectives Make Your Presentation More Interesting and Easier to Follow

Imagine that you are listening to a speaker at a conference or even at the head of the boardroom table and you begin to notice that every sentence is connected with the word and. Have you ever heard this before? Nothing could be less interesting than listening to this dull, unimaginative style of addressing an audience except possibly hearing you know at the end of every sentence!

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

***The 3 Causes of Breathlessness in Public Speaking & How to Cure It

One of the most common complaints I hear from clients is that they run out of air at the lectern. If this is a problem for you, let me ask you a question. Do you experience breathlessness in normal conversation? Your answer is probably No. If you do not run out of air when you are speaking to friends, family or co-workers, then you should not be breathless at the lectern. The causes of lack of air are as follows: 1. You do not think to breathe. 2. You are waiting until you come to the end of a sentence to take a breath. 3. Nervousness is sapping your air supply.

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

***Speaking Like a Valley Girl Does Not Speak Well of You

If you are looking to make the best impression possible, sounding like a Valley Girl is not helping that objective. When you raise the pitch of your voice at the end of every sentence, you lose all semblance of credibility because your statements sound like questions. You may be very credible; unfortunately, a rise in the pitch of your voice at the end of statements does not sound that way. - Generally speaking, questions go up and statements go down. It is as simple as that.

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

***Are You Giving a Speech or a Presentation?

There is a lot of debate right now at a popular social media site whether there is a difference between the speech and the presentation. In truth, the answer might depend on what country you live in. Here in the States, we look at the speech as something that is probably ‘written’ out. Whether it is given word-for-word is another issue. Eulogies, toasts at weddings, sermons, graduation speeches, the State of the Union Address, and all those speeches we are hearing in the political scene are formal deliveries in which the speaker is most likely standing at a lectern.

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

***Speaking Clearly Is the Name of the Game in Business Today

In the past, you could afford to speak with a Brooklyn dialect because your business probably dealt with those who spoke the same way. Today, however, no matter where you live, business is global. What this means is that your clients and associates need to be able to understand your words. If not, your message is lost. With the lightning quick speed available because of the internet, prospective clients can come and go in the blink of an eye. If they are unable to understand you when you speak, then they are more likely to go and find someone else whose diction is clear and concise.

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

***Are Your Projecting Your Voice or Are You Shouting?

I had a wonderful experience recently as the proud parent of an officer in training in the United States Army. 137 young men and women were given their branching orders. They walked onto the stage alone, faced the audience and said “I’m Intermediate Officer Candidate,” followed by their last name and then announced their orders which included infantry, chemical, military police, engineer, military intelligence, etc.

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

***Are You Losing Your Voice BEFORE the End of the Sermon?

A frequent problem that is coming to my attention is the number of ministers, rabbis, those in the clergy, who get in touch with me because of voice loss. For many of these people, they are sometimes losing their voice before the end of the sermon. Unfortunately, microphones are not the answer because in most of these cases, they are using an amplification system. The problem lies in their internal amplification system. Because most people use their voice box, pharynx, mouth and nasal cavities as their primary amplifiers, they place tremendous wear and tear on their vocal folds and throat.

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

***Your Voice Is Your Calling Card - Is That Good or Not So Good?

One of the 1st things you do when you start a new business is to create a business card. While the purpose of the card is to identify you and your business, your goal with that card is to project a positive image of that business. In fact, you should probably hire a creative talent to design your card because you want an image that looks professional and successful.

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

***Addressing a Small Group Has Its Own Rewards in Public Speaking

While many public speakers ideally want to speak to the masses and are looking for large audiences with which to market their knowledge, their opinions, or their products, there are definite rewards in addressing small groups. And while your format will be the same, your delivery will be slightly different because with a small group, you have the ability to become much more personal with your listeners, even to the point of learning their names.

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

Does Your Handshake Match Your Speaking Voice?

What does your handshake say about you? Confident, diffident, overbearing, wimpy? Does the sound of your speaking voice match the grip of your handshake? In teaching voice improvement, I have found through the years that those whose speaking voices are weak or wimpy very often follow through ...

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

***The 2 Things You Must Do to Be Heard in the Club Scene and Not Lose Your Voice in the Process!

A surprising number of young men email me regarding the difficulty they are having being heard at the club scene. What is happening is that they are yelling and are ending up with sore throats. Is there a way to solve this problem aside from not speaking? The answer lies in learning how to place your voice properly in order to take the pressure – the strain – the wear and tear – off your throat and vocal folds (cords). The soreness, discomfort or even possible temporary loss of voice is known as vocal abuse.

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

***5 Factors That Can Affect the Health of Your Voice

Have you ever noticed that when you are extremely fatigued, your voice is much weaker than if you are energized? Not surprisingly, your vocal health is determined by the health of your entire body. Thus, if any of the following 5 factors are typical of your lifestyle, so too will the following 5 factors have an affect on your speaking voice.

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

***How Credible Are You As a Public Speaker?

Without a doubt, age is a factor in establishing credibility with an audience. I am sure that many people think that if you are older and being paid to address an audience, you must have something valuable to say. But what about novice speakers? How do these individuals, who may still be in their 20’s, get the opportunity to speak when no one knows who are they are?

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

***What Your Voice Is or Isn't Saying

Nothing is more frustrating for your listeners then when they are unable to distinguish what you really mean by what your voice is or isn’t doing. Given the wrong tone, the wrong inflection, the wrong volume or a total lack of vocal variety and your voice could be saying one thing when you mean something else.

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

***Why You Need an Elevator Speech!

Have you ever stood in line waiting for service? Stupid question, right? Have you ever used that time to introduce yourself, your product or your services to the individual in front of you, in back of you, or along side of you? If not, then you are missing a golden opportunity for potential ...

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

***How Confident Do You Sound in the Interview?

Many years ago when I was fresh out of graduate school, I applied for my first 'real' job in New York City at G. Schirmer, the largest publisher of classical sheet music in the States. What I didn't know then was that my speaking voice was my greatest asset in attaining employment with that firm. I sounded confident; I sounded like I knew what I was talking about; and, I was only 24 years old.

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

***Does Your High-Pitched Voice Do Justice to the Rest of Your Image?

When someone looks at you, your visual image is obviously the first thing they see. And, that image has an impact on the other person – your attire, your figure, your face, your hair – everything that is presenting the picture of you. But what happens when you open your mouth to speak? Have you ever considered whether your speaking voice does justice to the visual image you project? Or whether the content of what you are saying is being well-served by the sound of your speaking voice?

Primary topic: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
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