Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***Nasality: Too Much Nose Can Ruin a Great Speaking Voice - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsIf your voice is plagued with too much nose, then what is hiding inside could be a truly amazing instrument. And since the majority of the population is not aware of and thereby not using their ‘real’ voice, the majority of the population does not know just how great their speaking voice may ...
Views: 1612(2 votes) - ***The #1 Secret of Dynamic Public Speaking That Is Seldom – If Ever – Discussed - by Submitted on Aug 20, 2010 from Nancy DanielsSo many articles, books, programs and CDs on presentation skills cover all aspects on the creation and delivery of your script. They may be discussing nervousness and how to conquer your fears, giving advice on dynamic public speaking, or talking about the value of your audience. Yet never ...
Views: 2622(2 votes) - ***The Best Training for Your Speaking Voice Means Learning to Breathe - The Right Way - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIf you are looking to improve your speaking voice, your first priority is to find a coach who will teach you how to breathe with the support of your diaphragm. Breathing with this support is something most people are not doing. In fact, 99% of the population is renowned for being lazy or ...
Views: 3076(2 votes) - ***The Differences between Speaking to a Large Group Versus a Small One - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIn addressing an audience, be it to 4 people or 400, one factor will remain the same: the format of your presentation. You will still have an opening, a development, and a closing. However, there are major differences in your delivery as well as your contact with your audience which is ...
Views: 6174(2 votes) - ***The Negative Effects Stress Has On Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2009 from Nancy DanielsStress is one of the most debilitating factors affecting our lives today. From the stress of losing a job to the frustration of finding a new job, from the strain of running a household to the additional pressure of handling a career, from the stress of raising children to the stress of trying ...
Views: 8690(2 votes) - ***To Mark Your Script or Not? That Is the Question in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Dec 01, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIt is interesting to note the diverse opinions when it comes to marking your speech with pauses and smiley faces and underlining particular words for emphasis. My questions to you follow. Do you want to give a speech that is akin to delivering a script as if you were acting on a stage? Or, do ...
Views: 2946(2 votes) - ***What Is Your Soft-Spoken Voice Saying About You? - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever considered what your lack of volume is saying about you? Possibly in days of old, a soft-spoken voice was considered feminine and endearing. Today, however, with the number of women in business, a voice lacking in ‘normal’ volume is not an endearing quality. Unfortunately, it ...
Views: 2862(2 votes) - Public Speaking: Make It Move to Make It Memorable - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhile I cannot take credit for the title of this article, those words have haunted me since I discovered them a few months ago in which the writer was discussing animating your PowerPoint presentations, certainly good advice. I was fascinated by those words because movement in public speaking ...
Views: 2561(2 votes) - ***Can You Discover Your 'Real' Voice in a 2-Day Workshop? - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAbsolutely. In fact, given the right approach, you could enter the workshop in the morning with your ‘old’ voice and have lunch with your ‘new’ one. It happens that quickly. Of course, it is not a habit at that point, but it is the beginning of an amazing change in your life, both ...
Views: 3059(3 votes) - ***10 Benefits of Voice Training That Have Nothing to Do with Your Voice - by Submitted on Jul 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen 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: 3392(1 vote) - ***3 Steps for Eliminating Nasality - by Submitted on Aug 28, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt that excessive nasality can be most annoying for your listeners. Voices which possess excessive nasality sound like Fran Drescher, Don Johnson, and pro golfer, Jack Nicklaus. Of course, Fran Drescher has made a fortune on her sound which is akin to nails on a blackboard. If ...
Views: 2517(1 vote) - ***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: 3537(1 vote) - ***Are You Aware That Your Soft-Spoken Voice Is a Liability? - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn today’s fast-paced business world, speaking in a soft-spoken voice is definitely not to your advantage: you need to be heard the 1st time you say it. While softer levels of volume may be culturally correct in some countries, here in the States, we tend to talk in a volume that is ...
Views: 2433(1 vote) - ***Be Nervous in Public Speaking -- Just Don't Let Them 'Hear' You Sweat - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2011 from Nancy DanielsA big problem for many in public speaking is a voice that quivers due to nervousness. First of all, I would hope that you would be nervous in public speaking. I don’t care how many times you’ve given a presentation, whether it is your fifth time or your five hundredth. Nervousness is that ...
Views: 2707(2 votes) - ***Discover the Best Means of Increasing Your Volume If You Are Soft-Spoken - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are soft-spoken, there is a right way and a wrong way to increase your volume. Just speaking 'louder' is not the answer. In fact, the difficulty for those who speak softly is that when they do try to increase their volume, they think that they are shouting. As a voice coach, I ...
Views: 2375(1 vote) - ***How Professional Do You Sound If Your Voice Is Childlike? - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2012 from Nancy DanielsDo you find that others have difficulty taking you seriously because you sound like a 12 year-old or worse still, an 8-year-old? Yes, ladies, I am talking about answering the phone and the caller asks to speak to your mother! Some years ago, I worked with Janice who not only sounded like an ...
Views: 3003(1 vote) - ***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: 2650(1 vote) - ***I Never Yelled at My Kids -- I Projected! - by Submitted on Nov 20, 2012 from Nancy DanielsDo you know the difference between projecting your voice and yelling? The latter hurts your throat and can be painful to your listeners’ ears. The latter also does not make your children sit up and take notice of what you are saying. Instead, they either cower in fear or stop listening to ...
Views: 2488(1 vote) - ***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: 1903(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: 4259(1 vote) - ***Is Your Choppy Speech Putting Your Audience to Sleep? - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2009 from Nancy DanielsChoppiness in speaking occurs when you pause too often. Pausing in conversational speech is normal; pausing during a speech or presentation is ideal. Pausing too often, however, is tedious for the listener and is referred to as choppy speech. The problem with choppy speech is that you ...
Views: 6041(2 votes) - ***Is Your Voice Telling on You? - by Submitted on Jul 13, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHaving worked with the speaking voice for more than 25 years, I have heard them all. What does your voice say about you? Does it say you are weak or strong? Does it say that you are soft-spoken or too loud? Does it say that you speak in a monotone or does it exude color, life and emotion? Do ...
Views: 2532(1 vote) - ***Stop Shouting -- Learn the Power of Projection - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from Nancy DanielsDoes this sound like you? You spend a few hours at a football game and find you have no voice afterwards. Or perhaps you are coaching your kid’s soccer team and, after an hour of practice, you have a sore throat. Or maybe you have been providing some training sessions and your voice is hoarse ...
Views: 3980(1 vote) - ***The 3 Factors That Influence the Sound of Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2010 from Nancy DanielsThrough my many years in the voice business, I have learned more from my clients than any book or theory on voice. What has been extremely fascinating is what I have discovered as to why we sound the way we sound. It didn't start out as study, rather it is the years I spent listening to my ...
Views: 10896(3 votes) - ***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: 3463(1 vote) - ***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: 6823(2 votes) - ***Think Your Mumbling Doesn't Matter? Think Again! - by Submitted on Jan 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are a mumbler, the chances are you a man. I know; I know. While generalizing may not be politically correct, from my vast experience and background, I have found that mumbling is more common among men – especially tall men; whereas, women tend to get lockjaw. The problem for those ...
Views: 4213(1 vote) - ***Vocal Abuse Not Just a Result of Yelling or Shouting - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWe are hearing it more and more each day. We hear it with politicians, ministers, professional speakers, coaches, trainers, singers, aerobics instructors, and even the guy next door. It is called vocal abuse and it results from unnecessary wear and tear on the vocal folds (cords). Notice I ...
Views: 3051(1 vote) - ***Voice Training Can Transform a Childlike Voice Faster Than You Think - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne 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: 3473(1 vote) - ***Voice Training Is the Only Answer for Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI just received an email from a nurse telling me that she has been suffering from hoarseness for a long time, unable to sing high notes any more, shouting at her deaf patients to be heard and always clearing her dry throat. Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? Possibly not the shouting ...
Views: 2832(1 vote) - ***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: 1727(1 vote) - ***When Nervousness Makes Your Voice Quiver - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHas this ever happened to you? You stand to give your speech or presentation; and, when you begin speaking what comes out of your mouth is higher in pitch and quivering to boot. So what is to be done? In most cases, nervousness is the cause of the quiver. (There are some voices, however, ...
Views: 5846(2 votes) - ***When the Caller Asks to Speak to Your Mother - by Submitted on Nov 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI hear it time and time again. Women emailing me or phoning to ask me what they can do about their childlike voice, wondering if it is possible to change that sound. Absolutely. You have a voice inside of you that sounds more mature and can even improve with age no matter how old you are. ...
Views: 2496(1 vote) - ***Why Women Are Attracted to a Deep Voice - by Submitted on Nov 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThat’s right. Women find a deep voice sexy because it has a warm quality and sounds confident. It stirs something inside of us, without a doubt. The last time you heard your voice on voicemail, an answering machine or some other form of recording equipment, were you impressed? Remember, ...
Views: 7725(3 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: 8457(2 votes) - ***If You Are Built Like Adonis But Sound Like a Wimp, She May Not Find You That Attractive! - by Submitted on Sep 03, 2010 from Nancy DanielsYou work out every day. You eat the right foods. Your hair is in the latest style. Your clothes speak well of you. However, when you open your mouth to speak, what comes out is anything but what your visual image is saying. Women are attracted to a deep voice and if you have a high-pitched, ...
Views: 4459(6 votes) - ***If Your Nose Vibrates When You Speak, You've Got Nasality! - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWould you like to test yourself for nasality? Gently place a finger on each side of your nose and say the word ‘greet.’ Did you feel any vibrations in your nose? Now say the word ‘great.’ Again, did you vibrate? If your answer is yes, then you have nasal issues. Those two sounds, the long ...
Views: 7998(2 votes) - ***Do You Know the 5 Most Important Benefits of Voice Training? - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile you may think that voice training is just for politicians and actors, today, people in business are becoming much more aware of its value. Courses are offered by means of books, CDs, and even video, as well as workshops and private consultations. Originally, recording the speaking ...
Views: 2594(1 vote) - ***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: 1612(1 vote) - ***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: 2706(1 vote) - ***Man's Greatest Fear Need Not Be Yours! - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever questioned what you are truly afraid of in public speaking? Personally, I am glad that you are nervous; if you’re not, then something is wrong. All the greats – from professional athletes to entertainers are nervous. And, they will tell you so. It is their nervousness, however, ...
Views: 4628(1 vote) - *** 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: 3389 - ***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: 2376 - ***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: 3293 - ***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: 3861 - ***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: 2005 - ***3 Steps for Effectively Acknowledging Your Audience - by Submitted on Aug 24, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWhile the value of making eye contact with your audience is one of the most important things you can do in public speaking, it doesn’t mean that you should begin this process after you begin your delivery. It starts before you open your mouth to speak and is part of the confident posture you ...
Views: 5043 - ***3 Steps for Eliminating a Nasal Voice - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen we hear the word nasality, we tend to think of New York City and her 5 boroughs. Excessive nasality is not limited just to New Yorkers though. You can find various forms of nasality in certain pockets of both the United States and Canada. If you are from Philadelphia, Detroit, or ...
Views: 3017 - ***3 Steps for Eliminating Valley GirlEse - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIf your speech is symptomatic of the Valley Girl sound, you need to break the habit. Unless you are at a bar, speaking in Valley Girl-Ese gives the wrong impression, especially to prospective employers. They are looking for professionalism. Inflecting the pitch of your voice up at the end of ...
Views: 4476 - ***3 Steps for Finding Your Deeper, Sexier Speaking Voice - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt about it. You have a deeper, sexier speaking voice. Even if your voice is nasally, there is a remedy. All it takes is the knowledge of how to discover your true voice and some practice in making it a habit. 1. Your first step is to learn to breathe with the support of ...
Views: 1801