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One of the most common complaints I hear from women is that they sound like a child; and, they are tired of answering the phone and having the caller ask to speak to their mother. Does that sound familiar?
If my first statement resonated with you, there is good news and even better news. ... Views: 3400
Writing a persuasive article can be quite fun yet challenging. However, before you even get to that point, you have to deal with choosing the right subject. Persuasive speech topics are usually more serious than subjects of other essays. You have to think of something that has weight and has two ... Views: 3400
One of the most embarrassing characteristics of the speaking voice is the wobble or the quiver, reminiscent of a turkey. While it affects women more so than men, it may happen when you are nervous or when you are giving a speech or presentation, for example. However, a voice that shakes can ... Views: 3394
There is an interesting lesson we learned in our early elementary school years that has managed to cause more negative results than the positive results for which it was intended.
In 2nd or 3rd grade, our teachers taught us to wait until we came to the end of the sentence before taking a ... Views: 3364
Have 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: 3360
When it comes to image, everyone is concerned about how they look, how they project themselves, what they say and what they wear. Yet few are aware that the sound of their speaking voice accounts for a large part of that image. So, my question to you is, do you like hearing your voice on your ... Views: 3359
Absolutely. While it may not seem possible to be both composed and nervous at the lectern, it is most definitely what happens when you take control of your nervousness and let it work for you and not against you. Therein lies the problem for many novice speakers.
When you are nervous, the ... Views: 3349
By The Pioneer of Subliminal Messages Online.
The PowerPoint is a very useful and powerful tool used in selling and marketing nowadays. Salespersons have discovered that using a PowerPoint tool when presenting products and services to potential clients is an effective way of gaining their ... Views: 3349
Unless you live along the Boston-Washington corridor, chances are good that you if you have a problem with volume it is probably that you speak with too little of it. We, in the Northeast region of America, tend to use too much of it – we drive fast, we talk fast, and we are loud.
Volume ... Views: 3348
What is Platform Presence? It can be felt but not seen. Some speakers have it, others don’t. How did they get it?
There are three major aspects involved with Platform Presence. The most important one is absence of fear.
From the instant someone with Platform Presence stands and begins ... Views: 3344
If you speak in a monotone, there is only word to describe it: boring. That is not a very comforting thought if you care about the image you are projecting. A delivery without emotion or life means a message that will not be received. Your listeners may grasp the first of your thoughts; but, ... Views: 3331
In our fast-paced and hectic world, the ability to be understood the first time you say it is imperative for your success. There is never enough time to accomplish what we need to do. Wasting both your time as well as that of your listeners is neither efficient nor profitable. To constantly ... Views: 3329
Absolutely. I have worked with many, many people who were not outgoing or extroverted but were able to 'bite' the bullet, so to speak, and address an audience with great success. The question is, how do you 'face' the crowd the first time and conquer your fear, your inhibitions, your ... Views: 3321
Public speaking is only as difficult as you allow it to be. Unfortunately, many people make it more difficult than it is because their fear or their nervousness is in control. If such is the case with you, then you should consider changing your approach so that you have the upper hand over your ... Views: 3315
Is it possible to be composed when your heart is racing, your knees are shaking, and your stomach is in knots? Most definitely. When you look at the great speakers like Jack Canfield, Zig Ziglar, and Mark Victor Hansen, do you think they are not nervous? They are, but all you see is ... Views: 3309
When you look at your assets and liabilities in the business world, have you ever considered that your soft-spoken voice is not an asset but indeed a liability? If others cannot hear you, your message is not being received.
Volume is a very tricky dynamic. A voice that is too loud is ... Views: 3296
Some people can yell or talk non-stop all day and never experience hoarseness or sore throats; others cannot. Your voice is as individual to you as are your fingerprints: no two are alike. They may be similar but not exact. In that sense, your vocal apparatus is also unique.
For 60 years, ... Views: 3287
Convince people with your ideas
Do you persuade and convince people easily with your ideas? Do you want to convince people more easily with your point of view?
You are probably like everyone else want to learn how to convince people with your ideas, opinions, or point of views. Many people ... Views: 3280
Biorhythmic differences aside, generally speaking, the majority of people are not at their peak first thing in the morning. What does this mean for you if you want to public speak like a pro? Especially if you're expected to "warm them up" with your witty repartee?
Well, it means that ... Views: 3277
Persuasive public speaking is all about connecting with your audience. One of the quickest ways to heighten your audience connection is to use a theatre acting technique called 'Breaking the Fourth Wall.
One of the reasons you go to the theatre is to be transported to a different time
and ... Views: 3272
When it comes to improving your presentation skills, only one voice matters – yours! Have you ever considered what your speaking voice is saying about you? Have you ever listened to a recording of yourself? No, I mean listened, truly listened to how others recognize your voice.
Most people ... Views: 3271
For all the years that I have been teaching people how to find their ‘real’ voice, what never ceases to amaze me are the numerous benefits that can result which have nothing to do with the speaking voice. The reason is simple; however, unless you are pointed in the right direction for finding ... Views: 3270
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, ... Views: 3266
One of the best pieces of advice I give to my clients is to paint a picture with your voice, with your facial expression, and with your body language when speaking. Those who read audio books are marvelous in this respect because their job is to depict everything they are saying so that the ... Views: 3264
Are 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: 3264
New speakers make the mistake of focusing all their creative efforts on the body of their talk, and maybe the opening. But guess what? The 'close' is just as important as the 'opening' of your talk.
In fact, your audience may remember you more from your close than from your opening. If ... Views: 3264
While nervousness or fear of the speech or presentation is researched frequently on the internet, some of the finer points of one’s personality and delivery are often excluded. Once you are able to control your nervousness, it is important to recognize some of these finer points, the most ... Views: 3262
At a recent corporate storytelling workshop for Microsoft, I was asked a question that I hear frequently: “How do I open my speech?” Several others in the room agreed that the first two or three minutes of a speech are often the most awkward.
Is it that way for you, as well? Do you have a ... Views: 3259
In 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: 3246
Whether you are looking for a job, firmly ensconced in one, or in the midst of starting your own business, improving the sound of your voice is something you might consider especially if the sound of your voice on recording equipment leaves much to be desired. Yes, it is unfortunate that we do ... Views: 3243
Women often wonder why men don’t listen. There are a number of possibilities, one of which could be that your voice is irritating. If you have a whiny, high-pitched, nasal sound that is reminiscent of a poorly-tuned violin, then the image you are projecting is definitely not one of warmth, ... Views: 3243
You’ve been invited to speak or perhaps your boss has ‘requested’ you speak. Whatever your reason for speaking, if you are like most people, nervousness takes over as you begin the process of anxiously awaiting the date. Hopefully, you create your speech or presentation well in advance and ... Views: 3225
A common complaint for those giving presentations or speeches is that they run out of air and can never seem to catch up on their air supply. The biggest problem with breathlessness is that your body is starved for oxygen because you are not allowing yourself the luxury of breathing. Instead, ... Views: 3223
There 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: 3222
Recently, I had the opportunity of working with a group of young professionals in a corporate workshop on voice and presentation skills. Comprising six women and one man, the group was under 30 years of age except for one woman who was 32. Smart, savvy, outgoing and most able, this group took ... Views: 3218
Imagine 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: 3215
In today’s multicultural world, many people are looking to eliminate their accent and I have a better suggestion. Instead of trying to get rid of your dialect or accent, why not clean it up?
You may believe that your accent is keeping you from getting the job you want or moving ahead in ... Views: 3211
When I first started teaching voice improvement, I had no idea how many fantastic benefits would result just by discovering your ‘real’ voice. Yes, the voice that is powered by means of your chest cavity versus your throat and vocal folds (cords) is richer, warmer, deeper and mature-sounding. ... Views: 3209
While 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: 3199
One of the most frequent questions I hear is how do I tell my spouse, my friend, or a colleague that they need to improve their speaking voice? This really is a tough issue because if you approach someone advising them that their speaking voice needs some work, they are probably going to be ... Views: 3189
When 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: 3173
I’ve been thinking about how we create barriers to understanding because of our language patterns and habits.
Lately, I’ve worked with scientists and engineers from around the world. My workshops have had participants from China, Columbia, France, India, Sweden, United Kingdom, Ukraine and, of ... Views: 3167
Being a charismatic storyteller is a talent and skill that attracts and engages others and it is the ideal way to attract the opposite sex, land a job during the interview process, or entertain family and friends.
Stories are meant to liven the situation, whether a formal setting or informal ... Views: 3164
I am working with a woman who taught kindergarten for many years and is now in the process of changing her career. Susan would like to become a professional public speaker and consultant. Regarding her voice and presentation skills, her delivery is similar to that of a kindergarten teacher ... Views: 3161
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 ... Views: 3157
Nobody becomes an inspirational speaker by calling himself one. You can inspire people without the title.
Forget the title.
You may give yourself the title of inspirational speaker. It does not matter. Titles are just names. Inspirational speaking is not about what you do. Inspirational ... Views: 3154
Getting a job is not easy with today’s high rate of unemployment. It is certainly to your advantage to not only have the right education and experience but also the best presentation skills as well.
When you think about the image you project, what does your voice say about you? In order to ... Views: 3152
Becoming an effective public speaker is certainly not something that happens overnight.
There are no shortcuts to becoming a great public speaker.
It's a journey that takes time, patience and effort.
Since my professional rugby career came to an end back in 2001, public speaking now ... Views: 3149
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 ... Views: 3145
1. No speech is ever perfect. Perfectionism creates more fear. Do your best and leave it at that.
2. Forget about what you forgot to say. Trust that the audience heard what was needed.
3. Someone has said that you should put ten hours of practice into every one hour presentation. You can, but ... Views: 3144