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Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***3 Steps for Making Your Speaking Voice One of Your Greatest Assets - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsMost people who hear themselves on their voicemail or answering machine do not like what they hear. How do you feel when you hear yourself on some form of recording equipment? When you think about the image you project, be it in person or over the phone, would you consider your recorded voice ...
Views: 4270 - ***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 - ***4 Steps for Eliminating a Verbal Tic - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2011 from Nancy DanielsNothing is more annoying for an audience than to be subjected to a verbal tic over and over and over again. Instead of paying attention to your message, your audience begins to count the tics. Verbal tics include the sounds um, ah, uh, or the words like or you know. If your message is ...
Views: 4351 - ***4 Tips for Eliminating the Ums and Ahs in Public Speaking, You Know? - by Submitted on Nov 01, 2010 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most annoying traits among some public speakers, be they professional or novice, is verbal disfluency. According to Wikipedia, verbal disfluencies are, “any of various breaks, irregularities, or utterances that are often not consistent with any specific grammatical construction and ...
Views: 5845 - ***5 Common Misconceptions about Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Aug 20, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIt is fascinating to listen to others explain why they sound the way they do. I am sure that I have heard it all in my many years teaching voice improvement. What I have found, however, is that you have a better voice inside no matter how you hear yourself or how others recognize your ...
Views: 4625 - ***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: 1740 - ***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 - ***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 - ***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: 1938 - ***A Better Voice is Just a Breath Away - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from Nancy DanielsThe number of people looking for information, books, CDs, and seminars on self-improvement is staggering. Ever concerned with honing our business skills, improving the image we project, feeling good about ourselves, juggling jobs and family…we are all on the search for bettering ourselves and ...
Views: 3515 - ***A Dynamic Delivery Can Make Even a Mediocre Speech Soar - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIdeally, it should be your goal to deliver an excellent speech or presentation with enthusiasm and passion. However, if you had to choose, which one do you think would be better? A great speech with a boring delivery? Or a mediocre speech given with expression and emotion? There is no simple ...
Views: 4754 - ***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. ...
Views: 2036 - ***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 - ***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 - ***A Smile Goes a Long Way in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Nov 20, 2012 from Nancy DanielsDo you ever think about smiling when addressing an audience? If not, you should. Did you know that it takes 43 muscles to frown but only 17 to smile? Therefore, when you consider energy consumption, it is much wiser to smile than it is to show fear no matter how bad your nervousness. In ...
Views: 1943 - ***A Speaker Who Never Studied Voice Is Like a Surgeon Who Never Studied Biology - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI sometimes voice my opinion on a forum that deals with public speaking issues and it never fails to amaze me how few understand that the untrained speaking voice can be an absolute liability. When you are trying to deliver a presentation and are unable to control your speed, your breathing, ...
Views: 1869 - ***Accents Are Not a Problem As Long As Your Speech Is Understandable - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsA lot of people contact me because they want to speak more clearly, more distinctly. What I explain to my clients and customers is that my goal for them is not to eliminate their accent – merely to have them be understood the 1st time they say it. I like accents. An accent or even a dialect ...
Views: 1743 - ***Acting and Public Speaking? Worlds Apart - by Submitted on Jan 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsActing and public speaking have only two things in common: both need an audience and both involve words coming out of your mouth. That is where the similarities end however. Actors who teach public speaking often disagree with me on this point because they fail to recognize that public ...
Views: 5505 - ***All Great Speaking Voices Have One Thing in Common - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsThere is one word I use to describe the resonance I am looking for in each every ‘real’ voice I discover. While all voices that have had training exhibit a greater depth and breadth of sound – a fuller, rounder quality – some voices will be deeper in pitch, some brighter in tone, others may be ...
Views: 1597 - ***Always Leave Your Audience Wanting More! - by Submitted on May 16, 2009 from Nancy DanielsThere is nothing worse than sitting in the audience, checking your watch as you wait for the speaker to close, knowing your presenter still has 8 more main points to cover and you have already heard 14 of them! When this happens it is interesting to note that the speaker usually seems totally ...
Views: 3786 - ***An Occasional Mistake in Public Speaking Is Not a Problem – Seeking Perfection Is - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsTake two internationally renowned speakers. One speaker who I will refer to as Mr. X occasionally forgets where he is because he adds anecdotes pertinent to his main points throughout his presentation. In doing so, he sometimes forgets where he was since he is not using any visual aids. He is ...
Views: 3685 - ***Animal Magnetism and the Male Speaking Voice - by Submitted on May 13, 2009 from Nancy DanielsConsider the following scenario: there are two men both equally attractive. One has a voice that is warm, rich and deep. The other man has a voice that is soft, high-pitched, wimpy. Which man do you think women will find more attractive? If you guessed the man with the dynamic voice then ...
Views: 4169 - ***Approaching the Lectern With Grace and Composure - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThe first time I had to introduce myself professionally was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. I remember sitting, waiting for my turn to stand and walk to the lectern amidst 150 members of the London, Canada Chamber of Commerce. At first I was relaxed until it dawned on me ...
Views: 3052 - ***Are Men With Deeper Voices More Attractive? - by Submitted on May 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt that women judge a man’s attractiveness by more than just his looks. Two qualities that the female sex takes note of are a man’s confidence and his voice. A deep, rich sound is definitely more alluring to her ears than a high-pitched, nasal whine or a weak and wimpy squawk. ...
Views: 5918 - ***Are Pacing and Speed the Same in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Oct 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThat is an interesting question. While I often use those two words interchangeably, there is a difference. I liken pacing to your overall speed. Do you generally speak slowly, quickly or at a moderate rate of speed? In North America, a good pacing is moderate. If you speak too fast, you will ...
Views: 2235 - ***Are You a Whisperer? - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2009 from Nancy DanielsAre you one who often reverts to whispering or speaks consistently in a soft voice instead of a normal volume of sound? I am not talking about the horse whisperer or the dog whisperer in this particular case, but the individual who speaks in a whisper even when his/her throat is not sore or ...
Views: 2646 - ***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: 1876 - ***Be Yourself in Public Speaking Because Everyone Else Is Taken! - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSome years ago, two radio broadcasters were studying voice improvement with me. One, in particular, wanted me to make him sound like Paul Harvey. Paul Harvey was an icon and an original in the radio business. Part of his greatness was his originality. Wanting to emulate this announcer was ...
Views: 2222 - ***Believing In Yourself At The Lectern - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2008 from Nancy DanielsOne of the characteristics of dynamic public speakers is that they believe in themselves. We all know that public speaking is man’s greatest fear; however, if you approach the lectern doubting yourself, how successful do you think you will be? Believing you cannot do it is a recipe for ...
Views: 1748 - ***Breathe Life Into Your Words When You Speak - by Submitted on Oct 12, 2010 from Nancy DanielsSomething we never think to do in public speaking is to breathe. We never think about our air supply and yet we find we are constantly running out of it as we struggle to get the words out of our mouth. Without air, you have no voice; and, yet, one of the most common complaints I hear from my ...
Views: 2971 - ***Color at the Lectern Doesn't Just Refer to What You Are Wearing! - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsHave you been told that you speak in a monotone when delivering a speech or presentation? You may have been surprised to hear that description about yourself because in normal conversation you are quite animated, displaying a lot of emotion. What happens at the lectern, however, is that you ...
Views: 2457 - ***Color Is What Makes for a Dynamic Delivery in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most remarkable aspects of color – the life, the animation, the emotion you express in speaking – is that there is no right or wrong. Certainly your attitude can affect your color, which I discussed in my last article, but the true beauty of speaking with expression is that it is as ...
Views: 1912 - ***Conquering Your Fear at the Lectern - by Submitted on Jun 05, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIn my last article, I discussed the fact that diaphragmatic breathing is the single most important thing you can do to take control your nervousness in any form of public speaking. I refer to it as the physical component of public speaking. There are 4 other factors, however, that can help ...
Views: 1495 - ***Content Or Delivery - What Counts The Most? - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2008 from Nancy DanielsWhile some academics may argue that one’s content is more important than one’s delivery, I beg to differ. If one’s delivery is of lesser value than one’s content, why not copy the speech, pass it out, and then everyone can go home or back to work? Assuming your audience is there to hear you ...
Views: 5284 - ***Did You Know That Voice Training Will Improve Your Diction Automatically? - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen I first started my business, I was showing my husband the 'before & after' video clips of my clients. A German-speaking Austrian, he was amazed at how much better he understood their words in the 'after' takes. What is fascinating is that I did not work with my clients on their diction - ...
Views: 4231 - ***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: 1456 - ***Discover How to Have a Deeper, Richer Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhen we think of the great speaking voices, those that come to mind are the likes of Vin Diesel, Kathleen Turner, James Earl Jones, Cher, Sean Connery, Morgan Freeman, Demi Moore, Barry White, and John Rhys-Davies. What distinguishes these particular voices from those of many other great ...
Views: 7449 - ***Discover One of the Little Known Secrets of Voice Training - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsOne 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. ...
Views: 2961 - ***Discover Your 'Real' Voice and Listen to What Happens to Your Nasality! - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2010 from Nancy DanielsNasality, 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 ...
Views: 4101 - ***Displaying Confidence in Your Interview Is a Strength -- Being Overly Confident Is Not! - by Submitted on Jun 20, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt that potential employers are looking for confidence in those whom they will hire. Seeing assuredness in how you handle yourself, how you dress, how you answer questions and even the way you sound says a lot to the person determining your future. Do you handle yourself ...
Views: 2614 - ***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: 1862 - ***Do You Know the 1 Thing People Never Think to Do in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Nov 01, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIt does not seem possible that this one commonality exists among so many people in public speaking. Whether it is for the presentation or the speech, it happens quite frequently and is both visible and audible to an audience. It may only occur in the opening; although, it often continues ...
Views: 2401 - ***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 - ***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 You Know the Difference Between the Specific Purpose and Central Idea of Your Speech or Presentation? - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhile much talk is given about the delivery of the speech or presentation and the controlling of nervousness, often what is lacking is how to begin the creation of your material. Where do you start? Let’s assume that you have your topic. Your 1st step is to select your general purpose which is ...
Views: 9001 - ***Do You Know the Similarities Between Public Speaking and Conversation? - by Submitted on Dec 27, 2010 from Nancy DanielsA 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. ...
Views: 7196 - ***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 - ***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 - ***Does Your Body Language Convey Confidence, Diffidence or Indifference? - by Submitted on May 09, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhen you are delivering a presentation, do you know that your body is speaking as well as your voice? Watch all great presenters and you will see that they use their bodies to express their feelings, their thoughts, and, most importantly, their confidence. If you walk to the podium with ...
Views: 3232 - ***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 ...
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