vocal delivery emotions Expression public speaking tips vocal variety Memory and emotion are partnered in the brain. Rather than thinking of emotion as merely a way to be dramatic, think of it as a strategy to be remembered. Where you use it, therefore, is important. MORE

communication Storytelling vocal delivery gender characteristics of speech public speaking tips vocal imageI asked Denise Graveline, author of the fine blog, “The Eloquent Woman,” to tackle the topic of “finding your voice” as a woman speaker. Her thoughtful consideration of the topic gives us an appreciation for women’s unique talents and fears related to presenting. Her advice is this: to find your voice, you must start with [.]. MORE

singing Speaking vocal delivery vocal health vocal power World Voice DayThis Friday, April 16, is World Voice Day. World Voice Day is a day to celebrate your remarkable voice. It was started in 2002 by otolaryngologists and other voice professionals who wanted to focus awareness on the use, care, and problems associated with the human voice. There are concerts, voice clinics and festivals in various [.]. MORE

intention Speaking vocal delivery delivery Nancy Duarte opening and closing public speaking tips vocal impactTwo of the most important components of great communication are how you start and how you finish. This is as true for a phone conversation or a WebEx as it is for public speaking. In the first few minutes, your audience or conversation partners are making judgments about how and who you are and they [.]. MORE

communication Speaking vocal image analysis of presidential candidates Arizona debate delivery Mitt Romney Mitt Romney's voice Newt Gingrich Presidential debates Rick Santorum Ron PaulWhat if you could step back from the rhetoric of the debates and hear the candidates differently? What if there were hints about who they are hiding in plain site? Well, there are. That’s not to say that I can tell you who is the best candidate, but I can tell you what their vocal [.]. MORE

communication Speaking vocal delivery intention nudity opening and closing public speaking tips Storytelling MORE

vocal delivery vocal power breathing delivery vocal health vocal image vocal impactIt’s the day of your presentation. You eat your favorite day-of-talk breakfast. You warm up your voice and say a prayer. When you arrive, you shake lots of hands, set up your merchandise at the back of the room, and get yourself motivated to talk. When they call your name, you tell the obligatory joke [.]. MORE

vocal delivery vocal health voice lessons laryngitis tired voice voice problemsNot too long ago, someone called me asking for help with his voice. He wanted to sound like Rod Stewart. Without batting an eye, I said, “You don’t need a lesson. Just yell a lot, smoke a couple packs a day and don’t get any sleep.” He thanked me and hung up. How about that? [.]. MORE

vocal health vocal power delivery frog in throat laryngitis tired voicePulled from the archives, this post is still one of the most popular on this blog, along with its sequel, More Quick Remedies for Voice Malfunctions. We just added a new pic. You are just about to make your point, bringing your dynamic and well-prepared speech to its exciting climax, when you open your mouth [.]. MORE

Speaking vocal delivery pace Rate of Speech ROS Slow SpeechWhen listening to others, people can process speech at the rate of speech (ROS) of 90-140 words per minute. However, as speakers, we are able to articulate about 200 words per minute. That means you may speak faster than others can hear you. Speaking at a slower rate allows you time to breathe, time to [.]. MORE

communication vocal delivery vocal power delivery gender characteristics of speech International Women''s Day vocal impact women women''s voices This week, I attended a conference for women presented by one of my corporate clients. MORE

vocal delivery vocal health breathing intention public speaking tipsThe thermometer is pushing three digits and the idea of warming up anything is probably just not on your mind. However, if you have to give a talk, you need to warm up your voice before you practice, and definitely before you go on stage or on camera. The question is, what do you do [.]. MORE

intention vocal power delivery Life of Pi Vision vocal impact You can’t just increase the volume to create power in a voice. You must have a strong vocal physique and a voice that reverberates and this should be combined with intention and practice. This approach reaps rewards. MORE

vocal delivery vocal health vocal power delivery mask resonance vocal impact Do you lose your voice at parties and conferences because you can’t be heard over the noise? Ever wondered how to create a voice that is strong- one that carries well over a distance? You’re not alone I love my blog. It connects me with people all over the world. Many write to me via [.]. MORE

communication intention vocal delivery 2013 Expression public speaking tips vocal impactAs humans, we are passionately driven to communicate. We want to be heard. We want to be understood. But to be heard above all the noise of our culture, you must have a voice that others will listen to. MORE

vocal delivery vocal power energy efficiency vocal impact voice problems To my knowledge, when world leaders met to discuss climate change, they did not discuss the ways in which speakers and singers waste physical energy. However, many speakers and singers do just that, with detriment to their talk or song and, ultimately, their message. But how do you know if you are wasting energy, why […]. MORE

communication Storytelling vocal delivery breathing delivery public speaking tips volumeAs we have become more and more inundated with data and information, we have grown more and more hungry for stories. Stories help us find the human elements in the information. They remind us of why we care about the data in the first place. Presentations skills coach, Jerry Weissman, prevents scientists and doctors from [.]. MORE

Speaking vocal power delivery opening and closingWhat to do when the clock is running out and you get the high sign that says “5 Minutes till the hook. Keep your energy up without sacrificing expression and comprehension. Energy is a force to be reckoned with. When you have it, it colors your words and stimulates your listener. Keep your energy [.]. MORE

Content Delivery Public Speaking acting technique improv practicingWe’ve discussed the necessity to practice to be a better communicator, but many of you have told me that you love speaking extemporaneously; to your mind that means you would be better off not practicing. Practicing may take the joy out of something that you really like to do, to shape ideas as they come […]. MORE

Speaking vocal delivery vocal power breathing delivery vocal impactIn a non-stop world, we have become non-stop speakers. For this reason alone, silence is a powerful tool. Silence also allows you to breathe, and give your audience time to breathe as well. In our crazy world, silence is not easy to find, and it’s just not that easy to use either. Here are some [.]. MORE

Delivery Executive Presence Vocal Production energy focus posture vocal power How Green is Your Voice? We all want to be green. But as Kermit so wisely said, “it’s not easy being green.” Especially for people who have to get up and speak or sing in front of others. MORE

communication vocal delivery vocal impact vocal varietyThis is your weekly tip sheet for having maximum impact with your voice and in all your communication. A quick tip might just save your voice or get you through that important conversation. I welcome any comments or questions. They’re falling asleep out there! How do you hold interest when you have no [.]. MORE

singing Speaking delivery postaweek2011 stage fright vocal impactStage fright is a very real issue for many speakers and singers. For those people, just when they need clarity and focus, the mind is scattered and their head is filled with critical self-talk that can be immobilizing, or at least distracting at the very least. The internet is full of ideas for dealing [.]. MORE

intention vocal power authentic voice delivery postaweek2011 public speaking tips vocal imageRecently, I sat on a plane, connected to “GoGoWireless”, and “IM’d” with my seat mate while we both listened to our favorite music via Bose headphones. So who needs a voice? That experience was in contrast to this one: Later that day, I attended a presentation via Webex, and heard the presenter, but never saw [.]. MORE

Practical application Speaking vocal delivery vocal power delivery role-playing vocal image vocal varietyI recently re-Read a post from earlier in the year by gavin on Makeapowerfulpoint.com …saved in my Evernote notebook. Have I told you how much I love Evernote?!)The The post asks, “which speaker type are you?” and lists 6 types of speakers, with notes on the strengths and weaknesses of each. I agree that we all [.]. MORE

intention Storytelling vocal delivery Expression public speaking tips“The highest-paid person in the first half of the next century will be the ‘storyteller.’ The value of products will depend on the story they tell. Nike and many other global companies are already mainly storytellers. That is where the money is — even today.” Rolf Jensen, futurist and author of The Dream Society I [.]. MORE

Speaking vocal delivery vocal power articulation Expression intention public speaking tips vocal impactScenario 1: You are in the zone with your talk. The audience is with you, and you are just about to hit them with your Zinger point. Suddenly you get a nod from the time keeper. You have 5 minutes. You thought you had 15. You have lost track of time. What do you [.]. MORE

Speaking vocal delivery International Day of the Girl vocal image vocal impactThis week, I had the opportunity and the honor to work with speakers at TEDx Orange Coast. As you would expect, they were an inspiring group of thought leaders, innovators, creatives and passionate activists. It was there that I learned about the First International Day of the Girl, which is today, 10/11/12. I learned it [.]. MORE

Speaking vocal delivery vocal power cadence delivery public speaking tipsThe spoken run on sentence is also full of run on ideas and thoughts that confuse our communication because we stop being able to concentrate when there is no conclusion and too much data in what we hear as one long string of sound after awhile so we stop listening. Get it? Well, that is [.]. MORE

Practical application vocal power voice lessons delivery postaweek2011 public speaking tipsIt’s not a secret. But there is a mystery to it, and today I have an answer. Vince Lombardi is credited with saying, “The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to [.]. MORE

Speaking vocal delivery vocal image vocal power color delivery Expression public speaking tipsThe other day, I attended a presentation at a two-hour “All-hands” meeting. There were 200 people in the room. There were 800 others listening or watching via IPTV. Most of the presenters went over time, and their presentations were full of data and slides that were hard to read. People were squirming in their chairs, [.]. MORE

communication vocal delivery vocal power voice lessons delivery gender characteristics of speech Seth Riggs singing speech-levelYears ago, I studied voice with Seth Riggs, a teacher who had a profound impact on my teaching. He taught me that the voice is the same instrument whether you are singing or speaking. Today, when I teach singing, I teach people to find their “speech level.” When I work with speakers, I listen for [.]. MORE

communication vocal delivery vocal image Expression intention vocal impactEveryone has a gift to bring to the world. We are all unique with unique talents and perspectives. We are part of the whole, and as such, we are all important. This is what I believe, and it influences my work with voices. I am not interested in helping people develop a sound that is [.]. MORE

MORE

vocal delivery vocal image vocal power delivery Expression vocal impact vocal varietyVocal Variety is a term used by many speakers to describe variations in the sounds created by speaking. Other terms for this are inflection, expression or prosody. Vocal Variety is generally thought to be good. It creates interest and helps a speaker to have more influence over the audience. Toastmasters has a vocal variety speech [.]. MORE

communication Speaking vocal delivery Expression postaweek2011 public speaking tips The King's Speech vocal impactCreating interest as a speaker is hugely important. Not only does it keep your audience tuned in to you, but it also helps them remember you and your message. That’s why Toastmasters lists Vocal Variety as one of the most important skills to develop as a public speaker. I call this using “color” in the [.]. MORE

Delivery soccer vocal variety volume Women's World CupI loved seeing the US team win the women’s world cup of soccer. What an amazing display of skill and strategy, and what fun! MORE

singing vocal deliveryIt’s not a secret. I am a singer. I have a Master’s Degree in applied voice and began teaching singing in graduate school, which was far too long ago (but it’s given me at least 10,000 hours doing it!!) I have taken what I learned as a performer and vocalist, and applied it to [.]. MORE

Practical application Speaking vocal health breathing delivery public speaking tips voice problemsThis week I am starting a weekly post to give you tips for maximum impact with your voice and in all your communication. If you would like to receive these weekly tips in your inbox, please send me a note via my contact form to be added to my list. We will not share your [.]. MORE

Regular readers of this blog know that my mantra for alignment is this: For greatest vocal impact, align your intention with your content and both with your delivery. However, this post takes another, more physical look at alignment involving Posture, Presence and…(the REAL secret sauce) the Pelvic Floor. What are you talking about, Kate?) A […]. vocal health vocal image vocal power breathing Leslie Howard pelvic floor vocal impact MORE

communication vocal delivery vocal power delivery postaweek2011 public speaking tipsSo, I ‘m going to pick on the word “so.” So, it’s so common at the beginning of sentences that it doesn’t mean anything anymore. In fact, “so” appeared on the annual Lake Superior State University list of banished words as long ago as 1999. So, blogger Terry Odell writes of a software for [.]. MORE

Delivery engagement expression vocal varietySome people are just more expressive than others. When you listen to an expressive person, you hear lots of pitches and pace changes and even more pauses than someone who is not as expressive. MORE

Speaking delivery fear of public speaking Gary Genard public speaking tips stage fright tough love Do you have something important to share with an audience? If so, you may be excited about the opportunity. Chances are getting your content together hasn’t been difficult either. MORE