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Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- COVID-19 Masks and Your Muffled Voice - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2020 from Nancy DanielsToday we are living in a precarious situation because of COVID-19 in which we need to stay 6 feet away from others when we are outside of our homes. Have you considered what is happening to your voice when you are wearing a mask and need to be heard when speaking? Most likely, your voice will be ...
Views: 832 - Vocal Abuse: Causes, Characteristics, & Cure - by Submitted on Jan 17, 2020 from Nancy DanielsVocal Abuse is the misuse of the voice which can lead (or already has led) to permanent damage to the vocal cords. Teachers, trainers, coaches, and politicians are the most likely candidates for vocal abuse. However, anyone who uses their voice heavily throughout the day can experience the ...
Views: 924 - Sounding Like a Valley Girl Doesn't Sell - Professionalism Does! - by Submitted on Nov 26, 2019 from Nancy DanielsIn working with a group of young professionals some years ago, I was stunned to hear all the participants ending their sentences on the upswing as if they were asking a question. I had often heard this type of speech inflection at the business lunch during the personal introductions, but this ...
Views: 1079 - Why Men Are Attracted to a Deep Voice No Matter What the Psychologists Say! - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2019 from Nancy DanielsIt seems that studies done on the speaking voice say that men prefer women with higher-pitched voices. These studies report that men ‘see’ women with higher-pitched voices as being younger and thinner. I beg to differ! In all the movie in which the directors specifically want an attractive ...
Views: 876 - Superman or Clark Kent - Which One Are You? - by Submitted on Oct 19, 2017 from Nancy DanielsRecently 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 ...
Views: 1570 - The Tone of Your Voice Tells a Story - What Is Yours Saying? - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2017 from Nancy DanielsWhen it comes to the speaking voice, tone deals with the expression of a mood or emotion. In relationship to your delivery, your tone can have a surprising influence on how your topic or subject is perceived. Were you to give a motivational speech, your tone would be different than if you were ...
Views: 1840 - Do You Run Out of Air BEFORE You Run Out of Sentence? - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2017 from Nancy DanielsI remember when one of my sons was in 2nd or 3rd grade and was practicing reading out loud. He would take a breath after almost every word. Teachers explain to children in that age group that they should wait to take a breath until they come to the end of the sentence. At that age, there are ...
Views: 2287 - Is a Sexy Voice More Attractive Than a Pretty Face? - by Submitted on Dec 01, 2016 from Nancy DanielsI read an article in Psychology Today entitled, Is a Sexy Voice More Attractive Than a Pretty Face? My question with the statistics and the studies is not whether a sexy voice is more attractive than one’s face but how they judged their findings. There is no doubt that women find men with a ...
Views: 1602 - If You Smile At Your Audience, I Guarantee They Will Smile Back - by Submitted on Mar 16, 2015 from Nancy DanielsWere 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 ...
Views: 2612 - How You Sound Is Who You Are - True or False? - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2015 from Nancy DanielsThe 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 ...
Views: 1986 - Do You Sound Like a Valley Girl When You Speak? - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2014 from Nancy DanielsEnding your sentences on the upswing is what I call the Valley Girl sound. Basically, it means that your statements sound like questions. It may be cute for 16-year-olds, but it definitely does not lend credibility to a professional image. If you are ending your sentences on a pitch higher ...
Views: 4839 - How to Train Your Voice to Be More Charismatic - by Submitted on Dec 02, 2014 from Nancy DanielsThere 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 ...
Views: 5702 - Hate How You Sound on a Recording? - by Submitted on Nov 25, 2014 from Nancy DanielsDoes this sound familiar? You hear a recording of your voice and you cringe? Perhaps you are embarrassed. Well, you are not alone. Most people do not recognize what they hear on the recording because it does not sound like the voice they hear in their head. Unfortunately, the voice on the ...
Views: 1823 - Speaking with Color - You Don't Want Too Much Or Too Little - by Submitted on Nov 10, 2014 from Nancy DanielsColor refers to those various effects in speech which give life to your delivery. Another way to describe color is the emotion and the animation heard in your voice and seen in your body language and facial expression when talking. The interesting thing about color is that you don’t want too ...
Views: 1679 - Why Speaking Louder Is Not the Answer If You Are Soft-Spoken - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2014 from Nancy DanielsAs a voice coach, I hate the word loud when it is used in conjunction with the speaking voice. Loud hurts your listeners’ ears; and, over time, loud can hurt your throat. I don’t want you to speak louder – I want you to speak with more power, with an increase in your volume which is not ...
Views: 5054 - Just How Good Is Your Diction? - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2014 from Nancy DanielsWhile it is true that most people do not like to hear themselves on recording equipment because they do not like or recognize the sound of their speaking voice, there is another group of people who are also surprised by their lack of clear diction. And it does not just happen to those in which ...
Views: 1669 - Voice Training Not Only Improves Your Voice But Your Diction As Well - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2014 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most fascinating things I find on television or in the movies is that everyone’s speech is clear and understandable. Whether the actors are playing hoodlums or heroes, whether the characters are from Harlem or Park Avenue, they all speak distinctly. This particular characteristic is ...
Views: 1610 - 3 Things You Must Do If You Want a Sexy Voice - by Submitted on Oct 21, 2014 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever noticed that the best speaking voices in the business are deep, rich, and warm? Think of those actors – both men and women – who are known for having a great sound. Who is your favorite? James Earl Jones or Sean Connery or George Clooney? How about Angelina Jolie, Felicia ...
Views: 1689 - How to Increase Your Volume without Yelling - by Submitted on Oct 14, 2014 from Nancy DanielsWhen 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 ...
Views: 1923 - Imagine the Audience Is in Their Underwear? You Must Be Kidding! - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2014 from Nancy DanielsWhen I first heard the phrase, ‘imagine your audience is sitting in their underwear,' I thought the speech coaches who suggested this were kidding. But they’re not. They are serious. They believe that by focusing on this visualization, you will eliminate your nervousness. The last thing ...
Views: 1768 - A Voice Without Expression Is Like a Garden Without Color - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2014 from Nancy DanielsFor 5 months of the year, my garden is brown, lifeless, and dull. Were it to remain colorless through the rest of the year, I would have no passion or interest in gardening. That which makes the voice interesting to listen to – by means of your vocal variety, facial expression, and body ...
Views: 1713 - ***Public Speaking: Should You Thank Your Audience Or Not? - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2014 from Nancy DanielsThere is much debate as to the idea of thanking your audience. Some suggest never doing it while others recommend it be done as your parting words. There are even those who prefer that you thank your audience twice, both in your introduction and in your closing. Thanking your audience in ...
Views: 1769 - ***Losing Your Voice in the Club Scene? - by Submitted on Aug 05, 2014 from Nancy DanielsDoes 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 ...
Views: 1612 - ***Does Your Voice Complete Your Profressional Image or Detract from It? - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2014 from Nancy DanielsAs a people, we are concerned about the image we project. Certainly in business we want to project a professional image. Does your speaking voice complete that image or does it detract? By the way, I’m not talking about the voice you hear in your head. I’m referring to the sound you hear on ...
Views: 1601 - ***5 Ways Your Voice May Be Sabotaging Your Success - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2014 from Nancy DanielsSome years ago, Barbara Walters interviewed Kathleen Turner, commenting on Turner’s “low, wonderful voice.” The actress responded that she could not understand how a woman could spend thousands of dollars on her clothing, hair, and makeup and not spend some of that money on her voice, as she ...
Views: 1885 - ***3 Steps for a More Mature-Sounding Voice - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2014 from Nancy DanielsThe number of adult voices I hear which sound like teenagers, preteens, or younger still is astounding. Add the familiar Valley Girl sound to the picture and you have an image which does not project maturity. I am not talking about sounding old. I am talking about a voice which you would call ...
Views: 1950 - ***Keep Your Accent - Just Learn to Speak More Clearly - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2014 from Nancy DanielsWith the world becoming a huge melting pot, we are hearing accents wherever we go and whatever we listen to. This article is not about getting rid of your accent. Accents are part of what makes you, you. I would never advocate trying to eliminate it. The only problem with an accent or even ...
Views: 1958 - ***Don't Push Your Voice - Empower It! - by Submitted on Jan 06, 2014 from Nancy DanielsOne of the difficulties people have with their speaking voice is that they have no control over it. They push hard from their throat and vocal cords to speak instead of allowing their sound to be powered by their chest cavity. And the difference between these two practices can be quite ...
Views: 1679 - ***One Simple Technique That Can Change Your Life Forever - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2013 from Nancy DanielsWhen I was in graduate school studying music composition, my singing professor told me that I was not using my ‘real’ voice when I spoke. I had no idea what she was talking about. I thought the voice you had was the voice you would always have. She then explained that the pitch of my ...
Views: 1759(2 votes) - ***Your Voice Is Your Calling Card - Is That Good or Not So Good? - by Submitted on Dec 16, 2013 from Nancy DanielsOne 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 ...
Views: 1578 - ***Do Not Ignore a Persistent Sore Throat - by Submitted on Dec 10, 2013 from Nancy DanielsIf a persistent sore throat or chronic hoarseness is something you are experiencing, your 1st step is to find out the cause. If left unattended, it will likely get worse and possibly result in permanent damage to your speaking voice. What I am talking about is known as vocal abuse and it is ...
Views: 1796 - ***How Voice Training Improves Your Diction - by Submitted on Nov 25, 2013 from Nancy DanielsWhen 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 ...
Views: 1557(1 vote) - ***Must You Be an Expert to Get on the Public Speaking Circuit? - by Submitted on Nov 25, 2013 from Nancy DanielsThe 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 ...
Views: 1493 - ***How to Avoid Public Speaking Excuses - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2013 from Nancy DanielsI love to hear the excuses my clients give for why they did not do well at their last speaking engagement. Whatever the excuse, in most cases, the real reason for this problem is lack of preparation. I cannot tell you how many people tell me that they went over their material several times and ...
Views: 2147 - ***Your Diction Has a Direct Influence on Your Success - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2013 from Nancy DanielsIn watching TV or the movies, I am always impressed with the diction I hear from the actors. It doesn't matter what characters they are playing. And, it doesn't matter which nationality they are, their articulation is clear and concise. It is part of their training. Can you say the same about ...
Views: 1522 - ***Is a Voice Improvement Workshop Something You Should Consider? - by Submitted on Sep 24, 2013 from Nancy DanielsToday there are numerous ways you can improve the sound of your speaking voice. There are books, CDs, DVDs, webinars, private sessions, group sessions and even Skype. I find that one of the most effective means of discovering your ‘real’ voice is the 2-day workshop. While voice training ...
Views: 1553 - ***The Eulogy - Allowing for Your Emotions - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2013 from Nancy DanielsI recently attended my uncle’s memorial service and it was wonderful to watch 4 of his 6 children talk about him. There is no doubt that all were experiencing butterflies as they stood at the lectern but they did an excellent job controlling their nervousness. The expression of their emotions, ...
Views: 1769(1 vote) - ***Vocal Abuse: Unless You Change How You Place Your Voice, It Will Never Go Away - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2013 from Nancy DanielsI recently received an email from a man who runs a museum in Australia inquiring whether he could include my blog posts in his newsletters for his museum guides. Why would a museum guide need information on the voice? Because his employees often speak non-stop throughout their day. Anyone ...
Views: 1670 - ***Do You Know What Color Refers to in Speaking? - by Submitted on Nov 19, 2013 from Nancy DanielsBeing expressive when you speak is referred to as color. Color is heard in the various and vivid effects of your vocal sound: it is also seen in your facial expression and body language. Speaking without color is called speaking in a monotone. It is also called boring. You can have the ...
Views: 1613(2 votes) - ***Do You Breathe - I Mean Really Breathe? - by Submitted on Aug 28, 2013 from Nancy DanielsDo you know the difference between diaphragmatic breathing and what you are doing right now? The chances are good that you are a shallow or lazy breather because the majority of the population breathes in this manner. What do I mean by shallow or lazy breathing? Using the upper chest for ...
Views: 2147(2 votes) - ***Too Much Nose in Speaking Is Not a Good Thing! - by Submitted on Aug 23, 2013 from Nancy DanielsExcessive 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’ ...
Views: 1781 - ***Are Your Projecting Your Voice or Are You Shouting? - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2013 from Nancy DanielsI 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 ...
Views: 1809 - ***5 Questions You Need to Ask When Invited to Speak - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2013 from Nancy DanielsToo often we concern ourselves with The How of public speaking and give much less thought to 5 other questions we should be asking of our host. Yes, your public speaking skills may be top notch, however, there are certain things you need to know before you do anything else. All 5 questions ...
Views: 1672 - ***Did You Know That Your Speaking Voice Could Be a Fantastic Tool for Your Business? - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2013 from Nancy DanielsThe 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 ...
Views: 1403 - ***Public Speaking: What Is the Bottom Line? - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2013 from Nancy DanielsIf you desire to be a public speaker, then you have a goal that needs to be met if you are going to be successful in your career. I am not talking about the wedding toasting, the valedictorian speech, or a travel presentation to a senior citizens group. I am talking specifically about the ...
Views: 1428 - ***Public Speaking: The Positive Effects of Nervousness - by Submitted on Sep 24, 2013 from Nancy DanielsIt never ceases to amaze me how many people want to get rid of their nervousness in public speaking. In truth, they should embrace that wonderful rush of adrenaline. If you’re not nervous when presenting, then I am because being overly confident is never a good thing in public speaking or any ...
Views: 5158 - ***When You Stop Pushing Your Voice, You Will Stop the Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2013 from Nancy DanielsI hear from many people about their chronic hoarseness, a persistent sore throat, and even loss of voice by the end of the day. This is called vocal abuse and until you change how you produce voiced sound, you will not stop this abuse. Most people are using only 4 of their 5 resonators to ...
Views: 1592 - ***Voice Training: Hate Hearing Yourself on Your Voicemail? - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2013 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt about it. Most people not only dislike hearing themselves on recording equipment, but they also don’t want to believe what they hear. The unfortunate truth about what you hear on your voicemail, camcorder, or some other form of recording is that that sound is exactly how ...
Views: 1664(1 vote) - ***Your Real Voice Is Deeper in Pitch and More Mature in Sound - by Submitted on Jun 18, 2013 from Nancy DanielsIn an article I wrote about the value of diaphragmatic breathing in public speaking, what I did not discuss was how this type of breathing is what you must do in order to find your ‘real’ speaking voice. And that ‘real’ voice is deeper in pitch, warmer in quality and resonant in sound. So ...
Views: 2009 - ***The Value of Diaphragmatic Breathing in Public Speaking - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsThere 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, ...
Views: 3391(1 vote)