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Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***How to Put Your Nervousness to Good Use - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIn public speaking or any other type of live performance, the idea of trying to get rid of your nervousness is definitely not the right approach. Nervousness is that wonderful rush of adrenaline that can make you sharper, more alert and more focused. In fact, the benefits of nervousness are so ...
Views: 2964(2 votes) - ***3 Steps for Overcoming a Voice That Is Monotone - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsIf you have been told that you speak in a monotone or if you have heard yourself on a recording and find your voice lacking in expression, it is time to do something about it. This is important for reasons both personal and professional. Boring doesn't sell; boring isn't interesting; and boring ...
Views: 2093(4 votes) - ***A Great Exercise for Eliminating Nasality - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThere is no question that excessive nasality, also known as hypernasality, can be like nails on a blackboard. Just listen to Fran Drescher for any great length of time and you may find that her whiny, nasal sound becomes quite annoying. There are 3 sounds in the English language which ...
Views: 3408(4 votes) - ***Why You Should Not Seek Perfection in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen you have a job at hand, is your goal to do it perfectly or to the best of your ability? Be honest with yourself in answering that question because, in public speaking, it could mean the difference between a dynamic presentation and one that is so-so. Without a doubt, there are some ...
Views: 1921 - ***Who Makes the Better Audience - Men or Women? - by Submitted on May 29, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen I first started my business some years ago, I was told that, “insurance people think they’re perfect but realtors know it.” While this was an interesting tidbit I stored away for future reference, I have found that audiences vary far beyond those in the insurance or real estate ...
Views: 1839 - ***3 Reasons Why Breathlessness Is Such a Problem in Public Speaking - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsOne 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 ...
Views: 3295 - ***If You're Serious About Public Speaking, You Should Be Serious About Voice Training - by Submitted on May 21, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI am ever amazed at the number of people in public speaking who never give any consideration to their speaking voice. Concerned about their physical image, their content, and their delivery skills, they have yet to realize that the vehicle for transmitting their message is the voice. And, it ...
Views: 3647 - ***If You Are Looking For a Professional Image, Do Not Forget Your Voice - by Submitted on May 17, 2012 from Nancy DanielsYes, we take professional development courses of all shapes and sizes. And, there is no doubt that in today’s business world, having an edge over the other candidates for a job or a promotion or even a sales contract can bring the success you are seeking. Have you ever considered, however, the ...
Views: 1905(1 vote) - ***When the Pregnant Pause Goes into Labor! - by Submitted on May 14, 2012 from Nancy DanielsRecently 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 ...
Views: 2304 - ***Just How Good Do You Sound in Your Webinar or Teleseminar? - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsThat’s a leading question, isn’t it? With teleseminars there is definitely no visual and with webinars, there may be a picture of you, but more than likely, your listeners will be focusing on the visuals; i.e. slides, videos, or webpages as well as the sound of your speaking voice. And, the ...
Views: 2628 - ***Voice Training Can Change Your Life - Both Professionally and Personally - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsIf you are like most people, you probably don't like hearing yourself on your voicemail or answering machine. Did you know, however, that what you hear on any type of recording equipment is exactly how everyone else recognizes you? Your inner ear, the means by which you hear your own voice ...
Views: 2689(2 votes) - ***Knowing Your Audience is Your 1st Step in Creating Your Speech or Presentation - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen you are asked, requested, or invited to speak, whether it is for your company, a business organization, a leads club, or some type of conference, how familiar are you with your audience and their needs? As much as you may want to deliver a stellar presentation, if you do not know to whom ...
Views: 1952(2 votes) - ***If Your Accent Interferes with Your Diction, You Need Voice Training - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2012 from Nancy DanielsMany years ago when I first started my business, my husband commented on the ‘before & after’ video clips of my clients, remarking that he could understand everyone in the ‘after’ takes but none of the speakers in the ‘before’ takes. All the speakers were Canadians in which English was their ...
Views: 2467(1 vote) - ***Mastering Movement While Presenting in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2012 from Nancy DanielsA problem you may have in public speaking is how to move effectively and what to do with your hands. There are no absolutes in being expressive in your delivery aside from exhibiting no expression, the latter of which is boring and most certainly the fastest way to put your audience to ...
Views: 1929 - ***The 2 Best Audiences for Public Speaking - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhat I have found with the various groups I have addressed through the years, whether it is a business versus an organization or a club, is that the there are two groups of people who are very good at listening. Their job or the purpose of their organization almost guarantees that they have ...
Views: 2055 - ***If Voice Training Doesn't Cover Volume and Projection, It Isn't Voice Training - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThe other day I received an email from a young man who told me that he was getting a sore throat by speaking loudly at the clubs and wondered if my training dealt with volume. I had to smile when he said that he had read several books on voice and none of them talked about how to increase or ...
Views: 2375 - ***Dynamic Public Speakers Grab Their Audience with Their Opening and Never Let Go! - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI recently watched a brief video of a woman who was entering a public speaking content and was looking for feedback from other speakers. Her ‘performance’ looked rehearsed, static and flat, lacking in enthusiasm and passion. And, my remarks were just that. What this woman failed to ...
Views: 2062(1 vote) - ***If You Are Suffering from Vocal Abuse, Voice Training Is the Only Answer - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI hear it on a daily basis. People complaining to me that they are constantly hoarse, have a persistent sore throat, or lose their voice by the end of the day. The one I just read about is a young man who wants to speak louder in the clubs without hurting his throat. Unfortunately, vocal ...
Views: 2266(4 votes) - ***How Important Are Your Presentation Skills in Getting a Job? - by Submitted on Mar 26, 2012 from Nancy DanielsYes, your education is important; yes, your experience is important; and, most definitely, your attitude is important in landing a job in today’s questionable job market. Have you ever taken into consideration, what your presentation skills are saying about you however? You may look ...
Views: 2366(2 votes) - ***Nasality Puts a Real Damper on a Sexy Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Mar 26, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhenever I hold a 2-day workshop, my clients do a ‘before & after’ video which is not only eye-opening but most definitely ear-opening as well. What is striking is the decrease in nasality no matter the background, the language or the culture of the individual. This change occurs because of a ...
Views: 2665 - ***When Public Speaking, Supplement Your Air Supply BEFORE You Run Out Of It! - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2012 from Nancy DanielsOne 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 ...
Views: 3785 - ***5 Ways to Bring Your Audience into Your Presentation - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen 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. ...
Views: 2356 - ***A Whiny, Nasal, or Shrill Voice Is Definitely Not an Asset! - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2012 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever considered the image that your speaking voice is projecting? By the way, I am not talking about the voice you hear in your head – I am talking about the one you hear on your voicemail or some other form of recording equipment. I am also not talking about the words that come out ...
Views: 3540(1 vote) - ***If Your Voice Is Wimpy, Weak or Soft, What Message Is It Sending? - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2012 from Nancy DanielsDo 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 ...
Views: 4263(1 vote) - ***Are You Giving a Speech or a Presentation? - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThere 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. ...
Views: 2994(1 vote) - ***Speaking Too Softly Does Not Speak Well of You - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsRecently I held a 2-Day Voice & Presentation Skills Workshop in which one of the attendees, named Mohammad, was quite soft-spoken. He came to the seminar not just to work on his presentation skills, but more specifically to learn how to speak in a normal volume of sound. Notice I said ...
Views: 2663 - ***Does Your Posture Speak Confidence Or the Lack of It? - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI had an interesting experience recently when I had new photos taken. One of the shots showed my shoulders drawn in – not back and straight. Whether I had liked the smile on my face or not was irrelevant, because the position of my shoulders did not speak of confidence which is something I ...
Views: 2937 - ***The 3 Things You Must Do to Increase Your Volume Without Shouting - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2012 from Nancy DanielsRecently, I worked with an NFL player in voice and presentation skills. During his 3rd session, he discovered the techniques for increasing his volume without shouting which I refer to as projection. He was stunned. It did not hurt his throat; it sounded better; and, his voice carried with ...
Views: 3011(3 votes) - ***Do You Want a Deeper Voice, a Bigger Voice, or Both? - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThere is a commercial in which an announcer is looking for a speaker who has a big voice. What is unnerving about this commercial is that the terminology regarding the voice is wrong. As the commercial plays, you hear someone saying the lines in a progressively deeper voice. So what is the ...
Views: 6839 - ***3 Reaons to Know Your Competition If You Plan a Career in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWith all the articles about public speaking, few ever talk about knowing your competition. If you are a novice and planning a career at the lectern, part of your homework is to listen to as many speakers as you can and get to meet them in the process if at all possible. Words cannot say how ...
Views: 2379 - ***Public Speaking Will Not Improve Your Voice But Voice Training Will Improve Your Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThe search for good public speaking or presentation skills is on the rise. People want to know how to improve or hone their abilities to address an audience. One thing that is often overlooked, however, is training for the speaking voice. When you hear yourself on an answering machine, ...
Views: 2206 - ***3 Steps ffor Normalizing Your Volume Whether You Speak Too Softly or Too Loudly - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen 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 ...
Views: 3863 - ***A Simple Exercise to Overcome a Monotone Voice - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2012 from Nancy DanielsYou can do it. You can end a vocal delivery that is flat, insipid, and lackluster. But first you will have to give yourself permission to do so. This does seem like a strange suggestion, doesn’t it? If you speak in a monotone, however, you probably keep your emotions bottled up inside of ...
Views: 6646 - ***What Your Chronic Hoarseness May Be Telling You - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI did damage to my own speaking voice some years ago when I was coaching my son’s soccer team. I will pay for that mistake for the rest of my life because I will never sing again. Considering my voice is my business, I am blessed that it did not do the same damage to my speaking voice. What ...
Views: 3075(2 votes) - ***How Voice Training Can Improve Your Life As Well As Your Voice - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhen I first started my business, I had no idea the number of benefits that would result just by finding your ‘real’ voice. In fact, I never tire of hearing each and every new experience my clients tell me about. How can this type of training improve your life? For one very basic and ...
Views: 2654(1 vote) - ***Why Your Use of Color and Language Is So Invaluable in the Commemorative Speech - by Submitted on Feb 02, 2012 from Nancy DanielsOf all the various types of speeches and presentations we hear, that which stirs the most emotion, that which expresses the most passion, is the commemorative speech. For the sole purpose of paying tribute, the commemorative speech is dedicated to people, places, institutions, or ideas. ...
Views: 1995 - ***What Differentiates the After-Dinner Speech from All Others? - by Submitted on Feb 02, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhile the after-dinner speech is as old as mankind, this type of oratory became most popular in England in the early 1900’s. Although its purpose was originally intended to be a light-hearted speech after the evening meal, the after-dinner speech today is often given after a business lunch or ...
Views: 3356 - ***5 Reasons Someone Else May Get the Job Instead of You - by Submitted on Jan 30, 2012 from Nancy DanielsImagine that there are number of candidates for a particular job and all of the candidates have similar education and experience. Without a doubt, the choice is going to be difficult. Now let’s imagine that of all who are applying for the position, one candidate in particular has strong ...
Views: 2747(2 votes) - ***Voice Training Can Do Wonders for Your Public Speaking Career - by Submitted on Jan 30, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIt fascinates me how many people are seeking help in public speaking and presentation skills yet how few realize that their speaking voice is the vehicle for their message. Voice training is not just for actors and politicians. It is something you should strongly consider if you are looking to ...
Views: 2083 - ***Speaking for Great Lengths of Time Is Taxing Your Throat -- Especially As You Age - by Submitted on Jan 30, 2012 from Nancy DanielsGosh, that sounds depressing, doesn’t it? It needn’t be however. Yes, your voice ages just like the rest of your body does. The good news for the voice, however, is that you can not only eliminate the discomfort or hoarseness you are experiencing but you can also find your voice improving ...
Views: 2617(1 vote) - ***Do Your Homework BEFORE Opening Your Mouth to Speak! - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWe 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 ...
Views: 2664 - ***Why Nervousness Is Your Best Friend in Public Speaking and Even the Job Interview - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI love all the articles and advice on the internet today which deal with quelling nervousness, combating nervousness, eliminating nervousness and ending those nervous jitters. Unfortunately, most of them do not discuss the benefits of nervousness in public speaking or in the job interview and ...
Views: 3275(6 votes) - ***How Confident Do You Sound in the Interview? - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2012 from Nancy DanielsMany 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 ...
Views: 2810(3 votes) - ***Public Speaking - Use Your Head But Speak from Your Heart - by Submitted on Jan 23, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhile you can’t go very far in public speaking if you do not know your material well – and that means inside and out – what will capture your audience is your delivery. A colorful, dynamic delivery determines whether your audience will pay attention to you or not. That is not to say that your ...
Views: 2819 - ***Do You Know the Difference Between the Informative and the Persuasive Presentation? - by Submitted on Jan 23, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhatever your reason for standing in front of an audience, it is important to identify your objective before you even outline your material. What is your primary goal? Are you being requested by your boss to give a report on your latest sales presentation? Are you taking a course in public ...
Views: 3921 - ***Do These 3 Things and You Can Sound As Good As You Look! - by Submitted on Jan 17, 2012 from Nancy DanielsAre you concerned with the image you project? If you are like most people, your answer is probably ‘Yes.’ When you hear yourself on your voicemail, answering machine, or some other type of recording equipment, can you appreciate that that sound is part of the image you are projecting? ...
Views: 2893(4 votes) - ***Increasing Your Volume Correctly Is Called Projection -- Anything Else is Shouting - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIt never ceases to amaze me how many people yell or shout doing great damage to their throats and vocal folds. In addition, a voice produced by yelling hurts your listeners’ ears. There is a technique, however, which saves both your throat and everyone else’s ears. It is called ...
Views: 4768(2 votes) - ***Ladies, Is Your Face a 10 and Your Speaking Voice a 2? - by Submitted on Jan 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsYes, we are a sex very concerned 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 ...
Views: 3010(4 votes) - ***Move on Stage But Don't Pace! - by Submitted on Jan 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThere is a big difference between moving on stage and pacing; and, I am a huge advocate of the former. The latter, however, is something you must stop if you want your audience to pay attention to your words. Moving on Stage Those who move effectively treat their audience as if in ...
Views: 1990 - ***A Dynamic Delivery Involves Not Just Vocal Variety But Body Language As Well - by Submitted on Jan 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsColor refers to the life, the emotion, the animation you express in speaking. Whether it is for the purposes of public speaking, a sales presentation or just in normal conversation, those who speak with color are more dynamic than those who do not. In fact, those who do not are called boring. ...
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