Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Public Speaking Articles
We are currently looking for an Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to "Public Speaking". If you have expertise in Public Speaking and your own website and/or product for this topic, please review this form for complete details. The Official Guide Position is part of our Premium Placement Package
SelfGrowth.com Recommended Articles:
***Public Speaking is a Great Form of Free Advertising- ***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: 5502 - ***Furtive Glances Are Not the Same As Making Eye Contact with Your Audience - by Submitted on Apr 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIf you have trouble making eye contact with your audience, I suggest you make every attempt to change that practice. A young lawyer with whom I was working would glance about the room, briefly looking at someone and then immediately glancing at someone else, never actually seeing any of us in ...
Views: 5464(4 votes) - ***Honesty Is the Best Policy in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jan 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn addressing an audience, it is important to have researched your topic and to know your material extremely well. This is a no-brainer. However, is it possible to know everything about your topic? If you are young and new to the public speaking world, probably not. Even those with a lot of ...
Views: 5458(1 vote) - Speak Up and Step Out of Your Comfort Zone! - by Submitted on Aug 05, 2010 from Arvee RobinsonYou already have your signature speech down, but sometimes you need to go beyond that. As a public speaker, it’s time to get moving and stretch yourself. It’s time to speak up, stand out and step out of your comfort zone. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Recently, I received the opportunity ...
Views: 5376(2 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: 5372(3 votes) - ***Why Recording Yourself in Public Speaking is Priceless - by Submitted on May 04, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhen you practice your material for your speech or presentation, do you record yourself by means of a camcorder? If not, then you should definitely consider this important step in the process of preparing for your delivery. Camcorders today are not that expensive. Look at the purchase of this ...
Views: 5369 - How to Prepare and Deliver a GREAT Introduction - by Submitted on Feb 08, 2011 from Warwick MerryThe audience are hushed as the MC comes to the lectern. The MC looks nervously at their notes and then looks up to start. "Our next speaker is a person who needs no introduction…" They then go on for five minutes introducing the person. It is as if they are reading their resume to ...
Views: 5359(1 vote) - ***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 - Peter Fogel's "How to Boost Your Back of Room Sales!" - by Submitted on Dec 18, 2010 from Peter FogelFor many people, selling is still a dirty word, conjuring up images of deceitful used car salespeople selling shonky vehicles or struggling door-to-door salespeople selling encyclopedias and getting doors slammed in their faces. Know this: You do not need to be embarrassed about selling your ...
Views: 5266(14 votes) - Definition: Voice Training - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2008 from Stephanie OuelletteVoice Training/Vocal Technique Vocal Technique is the practice of using the voice in a particular way when singing or speaking. Vocal Technique is a rehearsed way of adjusting the voice both musically and non-musically; to create different sounds or voice qualities. The techniques required to ...
Views: 5241 - ***If You Clip Your Words, Your Message Can Get Lost - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2010 from Nancy DanielsRecently I was talking on my cell phone to a woman from my credit card company and I was continually asking her to repeat herself. When our business was completed, I told her that because of the way she clipped her words, I had missed much of what she was saying. Admittedly, had I been facing ...
Views: 5239 - ***Public Speaking: The Positive Effects of Nervousness - by Submitted on Sep 24, 2013 from Nancy DanielsIt never ceases to amaze me how many people want to get rid of their nervousness in public speaking. In truth, they should embrace that wonderful rush of adrenaline. If you’re not nervous when presenting, then I am because being overly confident is never a good thing in public speaking or any ...
Views: 5234 - ***The 3 Benefits of Nervousness in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWhile you may not think that nervousness is beneficial in public speaking or for that matter in any other type of live performance, be it in the performing arts or in professional sports, the truth is that there are wonderful bonuses of the dreaded adrenaline rush. Many people, however, are ...
Views: 5201(6 votes) - ***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) - ***If You Are Soft-Spoken, Your Message Is Not Being Heard - by Submitted on Apr 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsI once met a man who told me that his soft-spoken voice made others become quiet and pay attention to him. It took everything in my power not to laugh in his face. In today’s loud, fast-paced, hectic world, being soft-spoken is definitely not a strength, especially in America. To be ...
Views: 5187(4 votes) - ***The Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response in Public Speaking – Which Reaction Describes You? - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2010 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: 5170 - ***How Loud Is Too Loud in Speaking? - by Submitted on Jan 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you find others recoiling when you speak, it could be that you talk too loudly. While those who speak too softly far outnumber those who are too loud, the difficulty with the loud voice is that it is offensive to your listener’s ears. How loud is too loud? If you have been told that ...
Views: 5136(2 votes) - Vocal Power - by DEVELOP A PLEASING VOICE
In our highly visual culture, many of us underestimate the power of our voices. The sound of our voice will either draw people toward us, or repel people away. Our voice is a very strong, often unconscious, motivating factor. It can help people decide whether or not ...
Views: 5122 - ***Kevin Spacey Is Proof That You Don't Need a Deep Voice to Have a Great Voice - by Submitted on Jan 14, 2010 from Nancy DanielsMany men wish that the pitch of their speaking voice was deeper – similar to that of James Earl Jones or Vin Diesel. You don’t need to be a bass, however, to have a great speaking voice; and, Kevin Spacey is proof of it. Warm, resonant, rich and melodious, Spacey’s voice is very soothing and, ...
Views: 5118(1 vote) - ***Public Speaking: How Connectives Make Your Presentation More Interesting and Easier to Follow - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2013 from Nancy DanielsImagine that you are listening to a speaker at a conference or even at the head of the boardroom table and you begin to notice that every sentence is connected with the word and. Have you ever heard this before? Nothing could be less interesting than listening to this dull, unimaginative style ...
Views: 5116 - Why Speaking Louder Is Not the Answer If You Are Soft-Spoken - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2014 from Nancy DanielsAs a voice coach, I hate the word loud when it is used in conjunction with the speaking voice. Loud hurts your listeners’ ears; and, over time, loud can hurt your throat. I don’t want you to speak louder – I want you to speak with more power, with an increase in your volume which is not ...
Views: 5116 - Public Speaking Will Be Your Most Important Skill in the Future - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Michael LeeThe days of the shrinking violets are over. The world is changing, and there is no longer a future for people who are unable to promote themselves and sell their services and skills. As the economy changes and hopefully eventually shakes off the current recession, one thing that is not going ...
Views: 5055 - ***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 - ***Next Time You Give Your Personal Introduction, Why Not Stand Out From the Crowd? - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOh, how I dislike the business lunch or dinner meeting in which everyone must stand and introduce themselves. What we tend to hear, one after the other, is a name, a profession, and a place of business that becomes sing-song after the 1st introduction. Not only is it spoken in a lilt, but ...
Views: 4966 - No Two People Are the Same - by One of the most important ingredients of successful communication is rapport. Whether your communication is with one person or several hundred, to be effective and get the outcome you want, harmonious relationship is essential.
Next time you go to a restaurant, observe the people sitting with ...
Views: 4949 - Strategic Storytelling for Business Presentations - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2004 from Doug StevensonPeople remember the stories! You can give a presentation that’s a dazzling display of your vast intellectual knowledge, but when all is said and done, people remember the stories. Studies about how adults learn show that memory is formed when a person’s attention is engaged over a sustained ...
Views: 4944(1 vote) - ***Plagued by Tightness, Soreness, or Tension in Your Jaw? - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhile this particular problem can affect men, tension in the jaw is much more common in women. Women carry stress differently than men and it usually affects us in our shoulders, neck and/or jaw regions. If you are experiencing tightness or soreness in your jaw, it is more than likely that it ...
Views: 4941(5 votes) - ***Your Soft-Spoken Voice Is Not an Asset – It Is a Liability! - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2010 from Nancy DanielsSpeaking in a normal volume of sound can be especially tricky for the soft-spoken. If you are asked to repeat yourself or are often interrupted, then you should consider remedying the problem if you expect others to hear what you have to say. Those who are unable to hear you, tire of asking ...
Views: 4932(1 vote) - Do You Sound Like a Valley Girl When You Speak? - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2014 from Nancy DanielsEnding your sentences on the upswing is what I call the Valley Girl sound. Basically, it means that your statements sound like questions. It may be cute for 16-year-olds, but it definitely does not lend credibility to a professional image. If you are ending your sentences on a pitch higher ...
Views: 4896 - ***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) - ***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) - Fear of Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 02, 2011 from Josh JennerIt’s an often cited fact that when most people are asked what their greatest fear is, they list public speaking more often than anything else. Even though daily business life requires us to give presentations to coworkers, clients, and superiors, most of us will never really overcome our fear of ...
Views: 4808(1 vote) - ***Use Your Mind, But Speak From Your Heart at the Lectern - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2010 from Nancy DanielsWhile knowledge of your speech or presentation is invaluable in public speaking, if you are unable to speak from your heart, then all your knowledge is for naught. The best in public speaking are those who are able to excite, captivate, and enthrall their listeners. And, none of those ...
Views: 4796(3 votes) - ***3 Things You Must Do to Improve the Sound of Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2010 from Nancy DanielsIf you are looking for answers when it comes to improving the sound of your speaking voice, there are 3 things you should seek in your training because there are sseveral different approaches. You will find articles, books, CDs, and DVDs all promising to improve your voice. Which approach is ...
Views: 4788(8 votes) - ***Speaking In Monotone - How To Be More Expressive In Your Delivery - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2008 from Nancy DanielsThrough my many years teaching voice improvement and presentation skills, I have found some interesting correlations between personality types and the degree of expressiveness heard and seen in people. While I am about to be most ‘politically incorrect,’ those who tend to be more expressive in ...
Views: 4783 - ***The Use Of Vulgarities, Obscenities & Swearing In Public Speaking - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2008 from Nancy DanielsBecause we as a people are losing our sense of decency, vulgarities are becoming the norm in our everyday life: we see it in people’s actions; we see it in the entertainment world; we hear it in conversation on a daily basis. So how do we judge what is appropriate in public speaking? The ...
Views: 4778 - ***Increasing Your Volume Correctly Is Called Projection -- Anything Else is Shouting - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIt never ceases to amaze me how many people yell or shout doing great damage to their throats and vocal folds. In addition, a voice produced by yelling hurts your listeners’ ears. There is a technique, however, which saves both your throat and everyone else’s ears. It is called ...
Views: 4765(2 votes) - ***3 Steps for Stopping Vocal Abuse Once and For All - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2010 from Nancy DanielsYou know you have vocal abuse but you don’t know what to do about it. Some may tell you to whisper (truly a no-no!) while others tell you to stop talking. Neither is the answer. Whispering is very hard on your vocal folds (cords) and should never be done. And, most people are not in a ...
Views: 4762(1 vote) - Public Speaking: What Many Novice Speakers Never Think To Do - by Submitted on Nov 28, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe one thing that many new speakers don’t think about and never have enough of is something that has a negative impact on their delivery skills. It is actually very simple, basic, and a necessity. Without it, there are no words; thus, no message. It is called breathing. Because of ...
Views: 4755 - ***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: 4751 - Public Speaking 101 - How to Warm Up Your Audience - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2012 from Jack Wong | The Family Centred EntrepreneurHow many of you have attended any motivational workshops before? If so, how many of you noticed that there was something different in these workshops but you could not really tell what the difference was? And how many of you know that any difference you noticed was a result of the effort made by ...
Views: 4732 - How to Win the Crowd with Charisma - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2012 from Andre ThunaWhether in a business meeting, or a group of singles, you can win the crowd with charisma. Charisma is that certain appeal that just seems to come naturally to some individuals while others must practice to develop charisma. Charismatic individuals have the power to capture and captivate those ...
Views: 4725(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) - Definition: Public Speaking and Nervousness - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2008 from Stephanie OuellettePublic Speaking and Nervousness Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners. The art and science of public speaking, especially in a North American competitive environment, is also ...
Views: 4652 - ***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) - ***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) - ***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: 4622 - ***Does Your Voice Quiver, Shake or Skip an Octave Just at the Thought of Public Speaking? - by Submitted on May 21, 2010 from Nancy DanielsImagine that you are standing in front of an audience. Your hands are cold and clammy, your knees are wobbly, and your stomach is in knots. You manage to smile but you can feel your lips twitching. You open your mouth to speak, praying that your trembling lips allow for your voice to come ...
Views: 4612(2 votes) - Skills of a Performance Test Engineer – A Software Testing Company’s perspective - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from Rishi RanjanOverview The pertinent question in the minds of every Software Testing Companies is about the desired skill sets of a Performance Test Engineer they intend to hire. Should they look out for a Performance Test Engineer with sound knowledge of functional testing or a fresher with good coding ...
Views: 4608 - How to Deliver a Speech (And Not Sound Like You Are Reading It!) - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2015 from Nancy DanielsWhile you may be giving presentations in your business or your public speaking career, there are times in which you may be called upon to give an actual speech and not a presentation. One of the differences between the speech and the presentation is that the former should be read and the latter ...
Views: 4561