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Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***3 Steps for Overcoming Breathlessness in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile fear of public speaking is the first major hurdle for many who must address an audience, breathlessness is most definitely the second. It is surprising how many people are affected by this easily remedied problem. When you are talking to your friends, your family, your colleagues or ...
Views: 17123(1 vote) - ***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 ...
Views: 4868(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: 2991(1 vote) - ***Attention Mumblers: Speaking Clearly Is Much Easier Than You May Think - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsOne of the biggest frustrations when trying to communicate with those who mumble is the fact that we, the listeners, cannot understand their diction. What generally results is that we will ask that oft-repeated question, "What did you say?" Recently, a young man called me and wanted to ...
Views: 1643(1 vote) - ***Be a Chest Talker and Watch What Happens When You Speak! - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo you find that people do not pay as much attention to you as you might wish? Does you voice trail off at the end of your sentences, leaving your listeners struggling to understand what you are saying? Maybe the sound of your voice is strident and irritating or perhaps you speak so softly ...
Views: 6427(1 vote) - ***Captivate Your Audience with Your Voice, Your Facial Expression and Your Body Language - by Submitted on May 17, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever watched someone give a speech or presentation who does not move a muscle and speaks in a monotone voice? It is pretty devastating to be subjected to such an ordeal but it happens. And, when it does, one can only pray that it will last 10 minutes and not 50! Your facial ...
Views: 2648(1 vote) - ***Constant Clearing of Your Throat May Be a Sign of Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you find that you are clearing your throat frequently when you speak, it may be a sign of vocal abuse. Ignoring it will not make the abuse go away because the process of talking is creating the problem. Therefore, the more you talk, the more you are irritating your throat and vocal folds ...
Views: 3024(1 vote) - ***Discover the Best Approach to Sound More Mature - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2009 from Nancy DanielsSome years ago a woman phoned me and asked if she could attend a presentation I was holding in Detroit. The woman sounded like a child on the phone and I wondered if she was old enough to drive herself to the hotel. She then asked if she could bring her daughter and my first thought was that ...
Views: 4273(1 vote) - ***Do You Know the Most Valuable Part of Your Presentation? - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWithout a doubt, your audience is your most important commodity, your most valuable asset, in public speaking. Without an audience, you have no presentation or speech; therefore, it is crucial that you, as the speaker, value your audience in both the creation and presentation of your ...
Views: 1875(1 vote) - ***Does a Hot, Sexy Voice Matter? - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIf the numbers are correct and 37% of the image you project is the sound of your speaking voice, then without a doubt, having a hot, sexy voice that exudes warmth and sensuality is a turn-on. For both men and women, deeper voices are much more attractive to the listeners’ ears than a ...
Views: 5183(1 vote) - ***Does Just the Thought of Public Speaking Make You Nauseous? - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile 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: 3319(1 vote) - ***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: 2059(1 vote) - ***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: 2357(2 votes) - ***Get Your Voice Out of Your Nose -- It Doesn't Belong There! - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsNothing is more frustrating for me than listening to those who talk through their nose. And, you don’t have to be from New York to speak with excessive nasality. There are various pockets both in the United States and Canada where nasal talk is the norm. If you are plagued by too much nose, ...
Views: 14326(1 vote) - ***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: 4098(1 vote) - ***How Credible Are You As a Public Speaker? - by Submitted on Jan 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsWithout a doubt, age is a factor in establishing credibility with an audience. I am sure that many people think that if you are older and being paid to address an audience, you must have something valuable to say. But what about novice speakers? How do these individuals, who may still be in ...
Views: 1619(1 vote) - ***How Important Is the Image You Project to Others? - by Submitted on Aug 20, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIn today’s hectic, competitive world, image is something that you are probably concerned about. Be it your physical appearance or the content of what you say, you know that the person you project to the world matters. However, have you ever considered what the sound of your speaking voice is ...
Views: 5879(1 vote) - ***How to Combat Those Nervous Jitters in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile public speaking may seem like a war in which you are doing battle, it really isn’t. In truth, it is not that different from standing at your desk among a group of people and explaining to them how you successfully won a long sought-after account. It is not unlike sharing a story about a ...
Views: 3309(1 vote) - ***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: 2960(2 votes) - ***If Your Eyes Are the Window to Your Soul, What Do Yours Reveal in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWhen I work with my clients in color – the life, the emotion, the animation we express in speaking – one of the many exercises we cover is one in which they must say, “She said yes,” in a fearful manner. Many people have difficulty saying those three words as if they were in fear. Of course, I ...
Views: 4844(1 vote) - ***If Your Voice Is Nasal, You Do Not Sound Professional - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsGetting 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: 3242(1 vote) - ***In Public Speaking, Nervousness Is a Stumbling Block Only If You Allow It to Be! - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2010 from Nancy DanielsThe angst, the agony, the sleepless nights. The overwhelming dread that pervades your life knowing you are scheduled to speak, either for your business or personal life. It could be toasting the groom at your best friend’s wedding or giving the quarterly budget report for your company. It ...
Views: 2295(1 vote) - ***Is There a Difference Between Male and Female Audiences? - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2010 from Nancy DanielsYou bet. Generally speaking, women make better audiences for one specific reason: they laugh more. Male audiences, on the other hand, are more difficult because of ego. And, it does not matter whether you, as the speaker, are male or female. The results are the same either way. Studies done ...
Views: 3090(1 vote) - ***Is Your Accent Holding You Back? - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIn 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: 3307(1 vote) - ***Keep It Simple in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsHow often had you heard the premise in public speaking that you should tell your audience what you want them to hear, tell them again what you want them to hear and finally tell them once more what you have already told them? The reasoning behind this advice is that your listeners will only ...
Views: 3669(1 vote) - ***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: 1949(2 votes) - ***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: 2241(1 vote) - ***Public Speaking: Using FORCE on a Word for Emphasis - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile there are various means of being expressive in speaking, one of the most common components is the use of force. Force refers to expending extra energy or strength on a particular word, phrase, or sentence for emphasis. The majority of the population use force at one time or another in ...
Views: 4626(1 vote) - ***Stop Mumbling and Cure Lazy Lip Syndrome Today! - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2009 from Nancy DanielsThere is nothing more frustrating than having people ask you to repeat yourself because they did not hear what you were saying. There are several reasons why this may be happening: you may be soft-spoken; you may have an accent in which you are not enunciating your words clearly; or, you may ...
Views: 12097(1 vote) - ***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: 4431(1 vote) - ***The 5 Secrets Of Dynamic Public Speaking - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsAs A voice specialist, I teach people not only how to improve the sound of the speaking voice but also how to be a dynamic public speaker. Below are listed the 5 most important things you should do that will allow you to control your nervousness as well as deliver a dynamic presentation. ...
Views: 12721(1 vote) - ***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: 2402(2 votes) - ***The Best Way to Conquer Nervousness in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2009 from Nancy DanielsThere is a lot of information on the internet today about eliminating your nervousness in public speaking. I suggest learning how to control it instead, allowing your nervousness to work for you and not against you which can take your delivery to new heights. What I offer is not a tip or a ...
Views: 1796(1 vote) - ***The Eulogy - Allowing for Your Emotions - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2013 from Nancy DanielsI recently attended my uncle’s memorial service and it was wonderful to watch 4 of his 6 children talk about him. There is no doubt that all were experiencing butterflies as they stood at the lectern but they did an excellent job controlling their nervousness. The expression of their emotions, ...
Views: 1832(1 vote) - ***The Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response in Public Speaking -- Which Reaction Describes You? - by Submitted on Jul 13, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSo, you have been scheduled, invited, or commanded to speak. It could be the quarterly budget report for your firm. Maybe you are a member of Toastmasters. You could be enrolled in a local public speaking course. Perhaps it is your best friend’s wedding. Whatever the reason for your ...
Views: 3641(1 vote) - ***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: 5372(3 votes) - ***The Value of Good Diction in Business Today - by Submitted on Oct 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever noticed when watching a movie or a primetime television show that you can always understand the diction of those actors in which English is not their ‘mother tongue?’ We see and hear actors with German, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arab and African accents, ...
Views: 3069(2 votes) - ***The Voice That Quivers in Your 40's Will Be Twice As Bad in Your 80's - by Submitted on Jan 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne 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: 3546(1 vote) - ***Think Your Voice Is Nasal? Try This Test - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIt has been interesting for me to hear how many people think they have a nasal voice when in fact they do not. The reason this happens is because the voice they hear in their head when they speak (which is how they think they sound) is deeper in pitch than the one they hear on their answering ...
Views: 12427(1 vote) - ***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: 2949(1 vote) - ***Troubled by Hoarseness or a Persistent Sore Throat? - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2010 from Nancy DanielsYou have been to a specialist and been told that there is nothing medically wrong but you still suffer from hoarseness and/or a persistent sore throat. You may even lose your voice by the end of the day. Yet the doctor sees nothing wrong with your throat or vocal cords aside from some redness. ...
Views: 5197(1 vote) - ***What Causes Debilitating Fear At The Lectern? - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2008 from Nancy DanielsThrough my many years teaching voice and presentation skills, I have found that those who experience truly debilitating, gut-wrenching fear of public speaking have had a bad experience sometime during their elementary or even middle school years when they’ve been required to stand and speak. ...
Views: 1822(1 vote) - ***What Your Breathing and Your Mind Can Do When Your Body Says NO - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsLast week I was not looking forward to my upcoming 2-day workshop in Chicago. I had gotten a cold/flu the previous Sunday, after attending my high school reunion the night before – and hopefully not infecting everyone who was there. In any event, I so wanted to cancel the workshop because ...
Views: 3189(1 vote) - ***When the Caller Thinks You're a Female -- And You're Not! - by Submitted on Dec 27, 2010 from Nancy DanielsNothing is more distressing than for the person on the other end of the line to think you are a woman – or worse yet, to ask to speak to your mother – and you are a man. Rest assured that you are not alone but that does not make it any easier to bear. Being mistaken for a female over the phone ...
Views: 2931(1 vote) - ***When You Speak in a Monotone, You May Be Sending the Wrong Impression - by Submitted on Oct 11, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWhether it is in public speaking, the sales presentation, or just normal conversation, speaking in a monotone does not captivate, enthuse, or even interest your listeners. If you know that you exhibit this trait, then it is important to realize that your delivery is flat, lifeless and dull, all ...
Views: 4278(1 vote) - A Better Voice is Just a Breath Away - by Submitted on Jan 19, 2007 from Nancy DanielsA Better Voice is Just a Breath Away The 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 ...
Views: 6284(1 vote) - Does Your Handshake Match Your Speaking Voice? - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2008 from Nancy DanielsWhat does your handshake say about you? Confident, diffident, overbearing, wimpy? Does the sound of your speaking voice match the grip of your handshake? In teaching voice improvement, I have found through the years that those whose speaking voices are weak or wimpy very often follow through ...
Views: 1656(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: 3268(4 votes) - ***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) - ***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: 2815(3 votes)