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Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***How to Brand Yourself in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Mar 17, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn today’s world of public speaking, standing out from the crowd is one of your first priorities in establishing a career at the podium. Your success depends on it. In order to market yourself and your own individuality, you must have something that sets you apart from all others. What is ...
Views: 3410(1 vote) - ***How Would You Describe Your Speaking Voice? - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you had to choose, which word – or words – from the following list describes your voice? Whiny – high in pitch - nasal - hoarse - throaty - gravelly - scratchy - whispery - soft - loud - shrill - strident - thick - thin - childlike - old - muddy - chirpy – sharp - raspy - tight - wispy - ...
Views: 2737(2 votes) - ***Does Your Voice Drop Off at the End of Your Sentences? - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you find that your voice drops off at the end of your sentences, you are probably male. While this problem is not confined to the male sex, it is much more common among men than women. Why this happens could be for a few different reasons. 1. Fear of Interruption. You are hoping ...
Views: 6150 - ***The Abuse of the Word - AND - in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen I teach public speaking, one of the tips I offer is to learn how to stop connecting your sentences with verbal tics, such as “um” or “ah.” There is a word, however, that is that is sometimes abused in speaking as well. Many people connect their sentences with the word and. After some ...
Views: 2405(2 votes) - ***Speaking from Your Heart Is a Fundamental of Dynamic Public Speaking - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen you address an audience, are your more concerned with speaking from your head or your heart. While knowledge of your material is undeniably important, if it doesn't come from your heart, then you are missing a fundamental of dynamic public speaking. Those who speak from their head often ...
Views: 1449(1 vote) - ***Does Your Voice Shake in Public Speaking? 5 Steps to Stop the Quiver - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsYou are standing in front of an audience. Your knees and hands are shaking; your heart is pounding in your ears and in your cheeks; sweat has formed on your brow; your lips are quivering. If all of that isn’t bad enough, when you open your mouth to speak, the voice that results is quivering or ...
Views: 14077(6 votes) - ***The Value of Public Speaking Today - by Submitted on Mar 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThey say that man’s greatest fear is public speaking; his second greatest fear is dying. Imagine that – most people would rather be dead than stand and give a speech! But did you know that man’s 3rd greatest fear is dying while public speaking? No one has yet died on the podium to my ...
Views: 6827(2 votes) - The Soft-Spoken Voice: Is It a Strength or a Weakness? - by Submitted on Feb 10, 2015 from Nancy DanielsMany years ago when I first started my business, I had a most eye-opening experience that I will never forget. It happened on a consecutive Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, I had been working with a group from Nortel in voice and presentation skills. One of the men from the group told me that, ...
Views: 8459(2 votes) - ***Ladies, If Image Matters, Don't Ignore Your Voice - by Submitted on Mar 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI have spent the last few months questioning why my customers, as well as the subscribers to my newsletters, consist of 75% men and only 25% women. If you look at the picture objectively, we women often sound like ill-tuned violins. (And, it is certainly possible that this is one of the ...
Views: 2708(1 vote) - ***Nervous in Public Speaking? Good! - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDid 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 ...
Views: 2245(1 vote) - ***The Value of Recording Yourself Before the Interview - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWithout a doubt, the video recorder is one of the best pieces of equipment you have for honing your skills. The ability to see and hear yourself in action is a marvelous learning tool, especially if you can get someone to help you by asking the questions. There is no doubt that it is easier to ...
Views: 4024 - ***Your Accent Is Not Holding You Back -- Your Diction Is! - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsUnless you are planning to become an actor, I see no reason to try to get rid of your accent as long as you speak clearly. This is a prerequisite for success. It does not matter where you live or what language is your mother tongue. Along with your education and experience, your ...
Views: 3256 - ***3 Steps for Tapping the Full Potential of Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you want to tap the full potential of your speaking voice, do your homework first and research what is out there. The question you need to ask yourself is whether you want to improve the voice you already have or would you prefer to discover the voice you don’t know you have? Many coaches ...
Views: 3087 - ***Winning the Battle of Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsFor many people, just the thought of public speaking is enough to cause extreme panic. When you consider that it is man’s greatest fear, this is not surprising. While you may regard the act of standing in front of an audience and delivering a speech or presentation as a war that you will lose, ...
Views: 2908(2 votes) - ***How to Strengthen Your Voice - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsVoice power is something many are lacking. Some people can talk all day without a problem but many of us cannot. Do you find your voice getting weaker as the day progresses? Do you sometimes lose your voice by the end of the day and you are not sick? If so, then you should consider voice ...
Views: 3774 - ***If You Are Expecting Perfection in Public Speaking, You Will Lose the Battle - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are an A-type personality, public speaking can be most frustrating for you because of your need to make your delivery perfect. One of the definitions of perfection is to be entirely without fault. Have you ever seen a theater performance or listened to a concert that was entirely ...
Views: 3034 - ***5 Steps for Overcoming a Monotone Voice - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsA voice that lacks color is dull and uninteresting. It also says something about you, as the speaker, which may or may not be true. If you speak in a monotone, how do you think others perceive you? A few words that come to my mind are cold, indifferent, and unemotional. Do those words ...
Views: 15382 - ***Your Soft-Spoken Voice Could Be Jeopardizing Your Career! - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf others continually ask you to repeat yourself, what do you think that says about you? If you are striving to achieve success in your career, do you think your soft-spoken voice might be jeopardizing your goals? Have you ever considered that your lack of volume is possibly what could be ...
Views: 3218 - ***Why Diaphragmatic Breathing Should Be Your 1st Step in Eliminating Stress - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe other day I was reading an article about stress written by Health Information Publications and I was delighted to see that the medical professionals really do understand the value of diaphragmatic breathing in the elimination of stress. Most of the articles on stress that I have encountered ...
Views: 3595(9 votes) - ***The Truth About Chronic Hoarseness and Voice Loss - by Submitted on Feb 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsMany people suffer from chronic hoarseness, sore throats and even loss of voice; and, most of these people do so because of misuse of the speaking voice. It is common; it is world wide; and, it is a growing concern. Through the years that I’ve had a website on voice improvement, 40% of those ...
Views: 5375(3 votes) - *** Excessive Nasality Is Like Nails on a Blackboard - by Submitted on Feb 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsImagine nails on a blackboard and how it makes your skin crawl or how the hair on the back of your neck stands out. Now imagine a nasal voice similar to those who hail from Brooklyn or the Bronx. After hearing a sound like that for any great length of time, you might get the same reaction that ...
Views: 3393 - ***Confidence Is the Name of the Game in Securing the Job - by Submitted on Feb 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe 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 ...
Views: 2545(9 votes) - ***Speaking in Monotone Is Not a Permanent Fixture! - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAre you plagued with a voice that is luckluster when you speak? Have others told you that you sound boring when you talk? The good news about speaking in monotone is that you can change it. As long you allow yourself to do so. That is where the difficulty lies. If you express little ...
Views: 3416 - ***If Your Presentation Skills Are Good, Can the Same Be Said about Your Voice? - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI am going to assume that your delivery skills are above average. You have addressed an audience on numerous occasions and you enjoy the challenge of public speaking. As strong as your presentation skills are, however, how good is the sound of your speaking voice – the one you hear on your ...
Views: 2835(7 votes) - ***The Value of Imagery in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen you speak at the lectern, on a stage or even at the head of the boardroom table, have you ever considered the imagery you use, thereby depicting your thoughts more effectively? Too often I hear those who speak so quickly and are so anxious to get it over with, that their words are said in ...
Views: 3906(8 votes) - ***Dynamic Public Speaking Means Never Letting Them 'See You Sweat' - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsYes, I want you nervous for your upcoming speech or presentation because nervousness is good. I do not want your audience to see it however. Great public speakers are nervous. As many times as they have spoken, as many times as they have delivered the same presentation over and over, ...
Views: 2360(2 votes) - ***Stop Pushing Your Voice -- There Is a Better Way! - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe other day I spoke to 2 individuals with the exact same problem. They were pushing their voices from their throats. In both cases, I had to move the phone away from my ear because they were so loud that it hurt. If you are pushing hard from your throat when you talk, not only is it ...
Views: 4432(1 vote) - ***Your Individuality Is One of Your Greatest Strengths in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen clients tell me they want to be like Anthony Robbins or Zig Ziglar, my first question is why? Yes, I understand that they may want to be as famous or as rich or as talented, but why would they want to imitate either one of them? While your audience would probably love to see Robbins ...
Views: 3270(4 votes) - ***Prolonged Yelling or Shouting Can Do Serious Damage to Your Vocal Folds and Throat - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe Super Bowl is fast approaching and there is one result that I can predict: hoarseness and sore throats. Some may even experience loss of voice by the end of the night. This problem is known as vocal abuse and it can lead to serious problems for your speaking voice. There are those who ...
Views: 12471(1 vote) - ***Your Body Is Talking -- What Is Yours Saying? - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsBody language. It is a term we hear much about from articles, books, and the media. There is even a crime show, called Lie to Me, in which the main character specializes in interpreting the microexpressions and body language of others, cleverly changing his own body language to further ...
Views: 2934(4 votes) - ***Treat Your Audience Like You're Having a Conversation and Watch What Happens! - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne 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 ...
Views: 2951(1 vote) - ***The Unfortunate Truth about Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThat which causes your voice to sound hoarse or creates a chronic sore throat is called vocal abuse. While it is common for pop singers, it also happens to many people because of speaking and/or yelling for great lengths of time. Unfortunately, vocal abuse will not go away on its own if you ...
Views: 2816(3 votes) - ***There Is No Reason for Breathlessness in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most common complaints I hear from my clients is that they run out of air in public speaking. This may be a problem for you as well. Do you know why this is happening? Many who teach public speaking will tell you it is because you are nervous. Certainly nervousness exacerbates the ...
Views: 2316(2 votes) - ***If Your Audience Is Moving, You've Got a Problem! - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDynamic speakers move and audiences do not. Less than dynamic speakers tend to stand, riveted to one spot which means that their audiences are moving. When that happens, you have lost them. We tend to think of public speaking as something in which we must stand behind a lectern. If you are ...
Views: 2775(2 votes) - ***When to Memorize (& When Not To) in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI am not an advocate of memorization in public speaking except for your opening and possibly your closing. Because the opening is the most difficult part of the delivery, I recommend memorizing the first 3-4 lines. If ever there was a time when I wanted you to be flawless and smooth, it is ...
Views: 2487(1 vote) - ***A Nasal Voice Could Be a Stumbling Block to Your Success - by Submitted on Jan 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSome of the adjectives that come to mind when I hear someone who has excessive nasality are whiny, strident, shrill, and grating. And, given the right volume, tone, and duration, it can lead some listeners to develop a headache. Don’t laugh. It has been reported that the voice of Mary Hart, ...
Views: 3750 - ***There Is an Art to Storytelling in Public Speaking -- Do You Have It? - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever listened to Zig Ziglar tell a story? One of today’s most highly sought after speakers, this man captivates you with his true stories and anecdotes. His passion and enthusiasm are contagious as well which means he motivates his audience to action. Audiences expect stories so if ...
Views: 2301(2 votes) - ***If 37% of the Image You Project is the Sound of Your Voice -- Uh-Oh! - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsBefore the invention of equipment that could capture the sound of the speaking voice, people really had no way of telling how their voice sounded to others. When I first heard my voice, back in the '70's, I was horrified. What I could not understand was why my friends' voices on the tape sounded ...
Views: 2672(10 votes) - ***How to Find Anecdotes for Your Speech or Presentation - by Submitted on Jan 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsFor many of us who have spent years in business, our anecdotes are many and varied. There is no doubt that experience is not only the best teacher, but affords us many stories and anecdotes throughout our business careers. What does the novice speaker do, however, when his/her experience is ...
Views: 5595(2 votes) - ***Watch What Your Face Is (Or Isn't) Saying in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsBefore your give your next presentation or speech, can I make a suggestion? Why don’t you video-record yourself, study the playback, and watch your facial expressions. Are they in line with what you are discussing? Does your face display enthusiasm if you are excited about your message? Does ...
Views: 2416(1 vote) - ***The Pros and Cons of Toastmasters - by Submitted on Jan 22, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf 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 ...
Views: 8068(2 votes) - ***Ladies, Is Your Voice an Asset or a Liability for Your Career? - by Submitted on Jan 22, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn 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, ...
Views: 3173(1 vote) - ***5 Tips for Selecting a Voice & Presentation Skills Workshop - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn my last article, I discussed what you should be seeking if you are interested in improving your presentation skills. In this article, I have added 5 more tips if you are planning to attend a workshop that covers both voice improvement and public speaking skills. 1. Make sure the company ...
Views: 3060(3 votes) - ***5 Tips for Selecting a Presentation Skills Workshop - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf 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 ...
Views: 3707(4 votes) - ***The Most Important Thing You Can Do to Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 17, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile I believe there are 5 things you must do to gain control of your nervousness and actually put it to good use, the most important of those 5 is something many people do not do and never think to do. To make matters worse, the only time many speakers are aware of it is when they have ...
Views: 3301(2 votes) - ***Plagued By Tension in Your Shoulder and Neck Regions? - by Submitted on Jan 17, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf 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. ...
Views: 3193(3 votes) - ***Do You Know the Difference Between an Anecdote and Story in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsGood public speaking requires the use of anecdotes throughout your presentation and, in some cases, stories. All anecdotes are stories but not all stories are anecdotes. While the anecdote is usually shorter than a story, do you know what distinguishes the two? An anecdote is a true story; ...
Views: 6215 - ***Good Diction Could Be the Deciding Factor in Who Gets the Job - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsToday, good diction is on the decline. We are a nation of people who mumble, speak too quickly, or are generally too lazy to make the effort to speak clearly. In addition, we are the world’s largest melting pot with millions of people whose accent may be difficult to understand. If you ...
Views: 4100(1 vote) - ***Help! I Don't Want to Sound Like My Mother! - by Submitted on Jan 15, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAs a child or a teenager, how many times did you say to yourself, “I will never say or do that which my mother is saying or doing?” Many of us can certainly testify to that statement; however, my question to you is not the words your mom may have used but the actual sound of her speaking voice. ...
Views: 4676(3 votes) - ***3 Tips for Addressing a Mixed Audience - by Submitted on Jan 15, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAs a speaker, there are times you might be addressing an all-female audience or an all-male audience. Unless your topic is geared to just women or just men, however, you will find that, in most instances, your audiences are mixed. The question is how mixed are they and does it matter? The ...
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