Public Relations Tips: Public Speaking

Want to get publicity through giving speaches? Start with the basics.

Good speakers are not born, they are created. Like any other skill, effective speaking is learned. It takes preparation and practice.

Every speech has an opening, a middle and a closing. There is a saying among speakers: "Tell them what you're going to tell them. Tell them. Then tell them what you've told them." In other words, tell them what they can expect to hear, then provide them with the supporting material and finally, summarize the important points you want them to remember.

This is the A-B-A form that is as old as Greek Drama and still found in art, music, literature and theater - (A) Exposition; (B) Development; (A) Recapitulation.

Tips and techniques for effective public speaking can be found in Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the world of business, succeeding and accomplished speaking go hand-in-hand.

To speak well, you first need to have an interest in what you are saying, and then say it with interest. How you hear yourself is not necessarily how others hear you.
How much thought and attention have you given to your voice? How you speak permeates everything you do and reveals so many things about you-your educational level, professional competence, personality, mood, attitude toward others and feelings about yourself. First impressions are made in the first ten to fifteen seconds and are often difficult to change. Physical characteristics tend to fade into the background, vocal characteristics do not. Learn to make the most of your voice.

In her manual Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action, Dr. June Johnson teaches you how to be aware of what your voice says about you, make your voice work for you, not against you, and develop a vocal image that complements your physical image.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are you constantly facing on-the-job miscommunications? You may have a problem with mispronunciation and possibly be hurting your image at the same time.

Remember the abuse George W. Bush took for his mispronunciation of "nuclear?" Don't fall into that trap - learn how to pronounce words correctly for the best P.R. results.

The mispronunciation of vowels and the elimination of consonants and syllables are common problems. They are often the cause of misunderstandings. The following list represents a few of the words most commonly mispronounced. As you read through the list, check those you use frequently and may mispronounce. Practice saying them correctly. Make your own list of mispronounced words as you listen to others speak.

Correct Incorrect Correct Incorrect

Actual Akchul Library Liberry

All right Awright Literally Li/rully

Always Aw-weez Mayor Mare

Any Iny Midst Mist

Asked Axed Million Miyun

Attentive Atenive Mirror Mirra

Ball game Bawgame Model Mahdo

Because Buhcuz Nuclear Nuclur

Center Cenner Older Odor

Cold Code Particularly Particly

Comparable Compable Perhaps Praps

Could have Cudda Picture Pitcher

Didn't Dint Plenty Plenny

Etcetera Eksetra Probably Probly

In her manual Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action, Dr. June Johnson provides solutions to speech and speaking associated problems that may be preventing you from achieving further success in the business world.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are you always "dropping syllables"? Learn to fix the problem and you fix your professional image. According to Dr. June Johnson:

Consistently dropping syllables can seriously affect your professional image. The clarity and effectiveness with which you speak determines how seriously people take you. Each syllable in a word is there to be pronounced.

There are innumerable words in which syllables are frequently dropped. Note these few examples and others throughout this chapter.

reglar for regular

comtable for comfortable

particly for particularly

probly for probably

When George Bush was president, Dan Quayle often referred to him as Present Bush! I think that if Mr. Quayle likes the title of President, he should learn how to pronounce it!

President - - - Present

Consistently dropping syllables can seriously affect your professional image. Listen to others speak. Notice how often people drop consonants and how it weakens their speech.

You can learn more valuable tips for improving your speaking abilities in Dr. June Johnson's manual Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An effective speech or presentation means understanding the basics of delivering it.

Your opening is the most important part of your speech. You establish your credibility from the moment you enter the stage or room. You set the tone with your opening words. Plan your opening to catch and hold the attention of the audience and establish rapport. Memorize it, be able to say it in your sleep and deliver it with vitality and enthusiasm. If you have a humorous story that is pertinent to your topic, include it.

Organize your ideas in a logical, comprehensive format or segment. Depending on the makeup of the audience, bring in illustrations and stories that are relevant, including their occupations or hobbies.

Cover each segment in detail and recap it briefly to strengthen your message before moving on to the next section. Keep transitions clear. Speak in a natural, conversational tone. Avoid words that are too big and sentences that are too long.

In closing, summarize your main points. Conclude with a memorable closing, no longer than a short paragraph, that you have memorized. It can be a quote that is particularly relevant or your own thought. The purpose of the closing is to leave the audience with something to think about and take home with them. If there's time, ask for questions, or make yourself available.

Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action provides professionals with valuable tips and solutions that will enable them to achieve success in their presentations.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did you know tongue twisters can help you improve your professional speaking? Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action says:

Tongue twisters are an excellent way to sharpen your articulation. Singers, actors and television personalities use these regularly. Not only are they useful, they are fun.

Select one of the tongue twisters below and begin by saying it slowly, articulating every consonant. Don't be afraid to overdo it at this point. Tape yourself and listen for consonants that are sloppy or eliminated. When you are able to say the sentence accurately, gradually increase your speed. When you stumble or eliminate a consonant, slow down and repeat the sentence.

Your goal is to be able to say each sentence as rapidly as possible, pronouncing each consonant clearly and crisply. Volume is not important. Saying them softly is effective as long as they are said with energy.

Twisters to twist your tongue

A tutor who tooted a flute tried to tutor two tutors to toot. Said the two to the tutor, is it harder to toot or to tutor two tutors to toot.

Betty bought some butter but the butter Betty bought was bitter. So Betty bought some better butter to make the bitter butter better. But the bitter butter Betty bought makes the better butter bitter.

Theopholus Thistle, the thistle-sifter, sifted a sieve of unsifted thistles. If Theopholus Thistle the thistle-sifter, sifted a sieve of unsifted thistles, where is the sieve of unsifted thistles Theopholus Thistle, the thistle-sifter, sifted?

If she stops at the shop where I stop and if she shops at the shop where I shop, then I shan't stop to stop at the shop where she stops to shop.

A big black bug bit a big black bear and the big black bear bled blood.

For more valuable techniques, tips, and tools to improve your voice and professional speaking, use Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action by Dr. June Johnson.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vocal training can help you succeed in getting more publicity, but don't forget the role body language plays in your delivery.

Body language is the oldest, most trusted language in the world. It was around long before the spoken word and accounts for 55% of what we communicate, while the voice accounts for 38% and the words for only 7%. ..

Before you even open your mouth, people are making assumptions about you based on your non-verbal cues. Are you to be taken seriously or dismissed? Are you warm and friendly or stiff and distant?

Do you smile easily, or do you scowl? Do you walk with assurance and confidence when you enter a room, or do you slip in hoping you won't be noticed? Do you meet people easily, or do you have difficulty in new situations? These are only a few of the things that your silent voice, or body language, reveals about you.

Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action provides valuable tips that help professional individuals achieve complete success with public speaking.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Having trouble projecting a professional speaking image? It may be time to clean up your vowels. Dr. June Johnson, author of Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action shares this:

Vowels are as important to speech as consonants. Mispronounced vowels and sloppy consonants are responsible for many misunderstandings. One of the challenges in the English language is the many different pronunciations of single vowels and vowel combinations.

When I was Professor of Voice at the Eastern Illinois University, one of my responsibilities was to teach vocal diction to voice majors. English was their native language, but they still had to learn to pronounce words correctly so they could be understood as they sang. Many had regional accents that turned sentences like "When can I get it?" into something that sounded like "Win kin ah git it?" They had to work to develop a consistent pronunciation of vowel sounds.

In the English language, there are only five written vowels, a, e, i, o, u, but there are ten vowel sounds.
ooh to
oh no
oo took
aw saw
ah fond
a apple
uh up
eh said
ih sit
ee me

Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action provides many additional solutions and techniques that will help you achieve on-the-job success through improved professional speaking.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Effective on-the-job speaking starts with effective and sincere listening.

Active listening can be one of your most powerful communication tools. There is a definite correlation between the ability to listen and the ability to persuade. It is not possible to be persuasive if you have not listened carefully. This is particularly important in sales.

Fortunately, active listening is a skill you can master. Use body language to establish rapport with the speaker. Remain alert and maintain eye contact. Use facial expressions and simple gestures such as nodding, raising eyebrows and leaning forward to convey interest. Interject with occasional comments such as "I see" and "I understand." Ask questions to clarify a point or provide you with additional information.

Make it a point to:

Focus on the speaker, not on what you are saying.

Ignore Distractions.

Avoid interrupting.

Practice memory association to improve recall.

Mentally summarize and recap the main points.

Avoid interjecting your thoughts or anticipating the next words.

Use body language to encourage.

Allow time to process what you heard.

Think before you speak.

The key to successful communication in business and social situations lies in the fine art of active listening. Pay attention and you may be surprised what you will learn.

Learn more ways to improve your professional communications with Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Actionhttp://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want to deliver a powerful, effective presentation and get more publicity? Try these techniques successful public speaking:

The better you know your presentation, the more relaxed you will feel. All of your practice will pay off to secure your memory, reduce nerves and fear and promote a feeling of confidence.

Use a natural, conversational approach with an easy, direct, informal manner. Tell stories and use humor that's relevant to your subject, even though the topic may be serious. There is humor to be found in every situation and the audience will appreciate it. Self-deprecating humor helps the audience to identify with you and feel comfortable.

Always look professional with your stance and bearing. Be aware of your body language and use gestures and mannerisms to emphasize, not undermine, your words.

If you are using notes, put them in outline form on 5" x 8" cards and refer to them as little as possible.

When using a script, use large print, double-spaced for easy reading. Print the words on the top two-thirds of each page and slide the pages from left to right (or right to left) rather than flipping them.

Know your material so thoroughly that you only need to glance down occasionally. The audience needs to see your eyes, not the top of your head.

Keep in mind that every great speech motivates, educates and entertains and you'll be successful. Be prepared for anything that might happen because it probably will!
Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action provides additional tools for successful public speaking and successful communications.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You can improve your professional speaking by perfecting your vocal energy.

Energy is the vitality and enthusiasm you bring to your voice and is not to be confused with volume.

Volume is the decibel level at which you speak.

Energy is the intensity in the voice.

It is the difference between speaking at people (volume) and to people (energy).

Whether you're speaking with your full voice or softly, energy is a vital element. Supporting the voice from the diaphragm enables you to use a stronger, more energetic voice without pushing or forcing.

In her book Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action Dr. June Johnson suggests exercises to improve your energy level, and many more exercises and tips that will assist you in improving your professional voice.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did you know by slowing down you can become a more powerful speaker? Vocal coach Dr. June Johnson suggests checking your rate of speech.

Do you speak faster than people can listen? Is it because your inner motor is running too fast? Or, is it because you are nervous? In either case, take a deep breath and slow down.
Information delivered at too fast a pace is difficult to absorb. It is possible to speak 250 or more words a minute, but the average person can easily comprehend only about 150 to 180 words a minute.
When you speak too fast there is no time for inflection, phrasing or word stress - all necessary for interpretation.
If you have been told you speak too fast, take heed and slow down.

Learn more ways to speak professionally in Dr. Johnson's manual Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want to project a professional spoken image? According to Dr. June Johnson, you need to lose the "fillers".

As with hesitations, fillers create the impression that you either don't have much to say or are not sure of what you're saying. Fillers are the "garbage" words such as:

ya know ya see

like ya unnerstan

really uh

-er um

Filler words clutter speech and fill time without contributing a thing to communication.

One radio station runs a contest in which callers have to talk for 20 seconds about a given topic without using "uh." You might want to try timing yourself, with "uh" or any of the above words.

Place your tape recorder beside your telephone and turn it on whenever you are on the phone. Forget that it's there. You'll not only hear how often you use fillers, but also how you sound to others.

Your speech habits are extremely important when you're on the telephone because there is no body language to help listeners interpret your meaning. They can only hear what you say, and the way you say it.

In Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action, Dr. June Johnson provides professionals with additional tips to improve on-the-job communication.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Does your on-the-job public speaking not seem successful? It may be what you're saying with your eyes.

The eyes have it. There is a wonderful old Irish song that goes "When Irish eyes are smiling, all the world seems bright and gay." Take these words to heart because the world does seem bright and gay when you meet smiling eyes.

Your eyes show how you feel about yourself and have a direct bearing on how others feel about you. People are constantly interpreting what they read in other's eyes. How often have you heard the expression, "I could see it in her eyes?" or "Did you see those shifty eyes?"

People in power know how to use their eyes to maintain control. They master looks that convey authority, confidence, warmth or concern. They know better than to look down or look nervously around a room since that indicates disinterest or insecurity.

Direct eye contact should be maintained only about 70 to 75% of the time. By glancing away occasionally you avoid intense staring that makes people uncomfortable.

When speaking before a group, let your eyes sweep around the room to include everyone. Audiences want to feel that you are speaking directly to them. Avoid looking over their heads, at the ceiling, off to the side or concentrating your attention on only a few individuals.

In Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action Dr. June Johnson provides solutions to public speaking challenges, and offers techniques and tools that will help professionals communicate effectively.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Speaking professionally with depth and power begins with proper breathing.

Although you have been breathing since you were born, you have probably not paid much attention to it. You need to be aware of the two types of breathing - diaphragmatic and costal.
Diaphragmatic breathing uses the full lung capacity while costal (or high chest) breathing uses only the upper half or third of the lung capacity.
Diaphragmatic breathing is the foundation of speech, the support that provides the power behind the voice. By using the full lung capacity, your body provides the energy that gives your voice its depth and authority and enables you to project with ease. By limiting the intake of air it deprives the voice of support and pushes the voice into the throat. The result is a higher pitch, vocal strain, and a voice that lacks depth and the ability to project.

Professionals can learn to master their breathing and vocal techniques, as well as learn valuable skills with Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Effective and professional telephone communications are just as vital as public communications.

Following are ten tips to help you on the phone:

1. Answer the phone promptly. The suggested rule is to answer after the second ring. This enables you to prepare yourself for the call and also gives the caller a moment to prepare.

2. Prepare your greeting. Identify yourself. Keep a smile in your voice to make it sound pleasant and upbeat.

3. Speak clearly and naturally at a moderate pace. Most people speak too fast on the telephone. Without body language, the voice must do all the work.

4. Place a tape recorder by your phone and tape yourself in a conversation. You will learn how you sound to other people. Determine the changes you need to make and put them into practice.

5. Treat every caller like your best customer whether they are or not. Be courteous.

6. If you must put a person on hold, ask their permission and wait for their answer. If they agree, do not allow it to go longer than 20 to 25 seconds. A better technique might be to take their number and say you will call them back later.

7. Use your body as you speak. When you involve your body, you energize your voice. Stand up and move around or use hand gestures. Use a headset to free your hands.

8. Talk and act as though the person were standing in front of you.

9. Place a mirror before you to check your expression as you speak. If it is a pleasant one, your voice will be pleasant. If it is an unpleasant one, it will reflect in your voice and make you sound cold and indifferent.

10. Give the caller your full attention. Avoid letting distractions bother you.

For more tips on successful professional speaking, read Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Delivering a powerful and successful spoken message means losing the whine and perfecting your resonance.

Resonance is the "hum" in the voice that gives it the warm, rich sound that is pleasant to hear. The body is full of sounding chambers called resonating cavities. They include the head, sinuses, mouth, throat and chest, all of which are essential to producing resonance. If you use these cavities or chambers well, you improve the quality of your voice, establish good vocal habits and eliminate vocal fatigue.

Nasality, on the other hand, is caused by lowering the soft palate so that most of the air is exhaled through the nose rather than the mouth. The result is the concentration of the resonance in the nose, closing off all the other resonating cavities. This causes a twang in the voice and is usually identified with people who whine.

An example of good use of resonance is the actor, James Earl Jones. With his deep and vibrant voice, he is thrilling to listen to. When he speaks, you are hearing resonance at its richest. But James Earl Jones was not born with that wonderful sounding voice.

As a child, he stuttered so badly he tried to avoid speaking. With determination and practice, however, he not only overcame the stuttering but went on to develop the resonant voice that has become his trademark.

In her manual Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action, Dr. June Johnson shares extensive techniques and valuable solutions that allow individuals to achieve success in professional public speaking.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Confident public speaking begins with confidence your audience can see.

The expression on your face has a direct bearing on the way you sound. If you look stern, you will sound stern. A smile produces an upbeat, positive sound to your voice. The animation that a smile brings to the face puts a vitality and energy into the voice that says "I'm happy to see you!"

To hear the difference the smile makes in your voice, tape yourself reading a few sentences. Smile as you read them. Then assume a dour expression and re-tape the sentences. Play the tape back and notice the difference in the voice quality of each. The "smiling voice" will have vitality and interest; the "frowning voice" will sound lifeless and dull.

A smile will also help you to hide any nervousness you might be feeling. When you have a pleasant expression on your face, you will feel much more positive about yourself. So, keep smiling. Others will catch it!

Learn valuable ways to speak effectively with Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Successful public speaking can be achieved by facing your fears of it.

Lack of confidence, insufficient knowledge of the subject matter, lack of preparation, the fear of making mistakes or looking foolish usually cause the fear of speaking in public. Sufficient preparation and ample practice can help you control this.

When fear takes over, tension in your chest forces you to resort to costal breathing, making diaphragmatic breathing nearly impossible. Fear can force the voice into the throat, producing a tight, high-pitched, quavering sound. When uncontrolled fear is obvious to your audience, your message is compromised.

To control fear you must first identify its cause. If you fear making a mistake or forgetting, don't take yourself so seriously. It's how you handle the situation that matters. When you make an obvious mistake, treat it casually and with humor and the audience will identify with you.

We all fear making mistakes. This is very human. But often the audience is not even aware that a mistake has been made. If the mistake is not obvious, ignore it and move on.

Determine to control your fear rather than allowing it to control you. Create as many opportunities for speaking in public as possible. Join Toastmasters, a community theater group or take a class in public speaking or dramatics. Read aloud to get used to the sound of your voice. Always practice your speech out loud.

Irrational fear can be conquered if it is faced squarely. Following are a few steps that will help you:

Identify the cause of your fear and anxiety.

Practice out loud.

Practice positive self-talk.

Recognize that making a mistake is not fatal.

Concentrate on the message.

Learn how to effectively improve your public speaking performance with Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 02:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Public speaking is a great tool to generate publicity.

Do you worry about on-the-job speaking? Relinquish worry and improve your professional communications by learning to relax.

Use the following techniques to help you relax.

Stand tall, with both feet planted squarely on the floor, under your hips.

Raise your arms and stretch as high as possible.

Drop the arms and rotate the shoulders backward and forward to loosen them.

Move your head slowly from side to side to relax the neck.

Swing your upper torso from side to side, gently, to loosen the waist muscles.

Stretch the back throat muscles with deep yawns, letting the jaw drop completely

Close your eyes and breathe deeply several times as you inhale and exhale slowly.

You should be feeling very relaxed. Whenever you experience tension, practice this routine to help you reduce the tension.

These and additional techniques for improving professional vocal abilities can be found in Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Confidence is the key to powerful and effective public speaking and getting publicity.

Power lies with the person who appears confident and in control. How you carry yourself, enter a room, walk, sit, or shake hands contributes to the impression of confidence. Whether stepping on stage or entering a room for a meeting, conference or interview, make your entrance a strong one. Stand tall, shoulders back and head high, and walk with a good steady stride.

To convey confidence and authority with your stance:

Stand tall and act with confidence, whether you feel it or not.

Place feet directly under hips, one foot slightly in front of the other.

Balance your weight on balls of both feet.

Hold your shoulders back and chest high.

Enter a room with a stride that indicates confidence.

Move about easily, but refrain from excessive roaming.

When sitting, sit tall and lean forward, with arms resting on the table rather than in the lap.

Avoid slouching in the chair.

Learn to perfect your public speaking with Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Confidence is the key to powerful and effective public speaking and getting publicity.

Power lies with the person who appears confident and in control. How you carry yourself, enter a room, walk, sit, or shake hands contributes to the impression of confidence. Whether stepping on stage or entering a room for a meeting, conference or interview, make your entrance a strong one. Stand tall, shoulders back and head high, and walk with a good steady stride.

To convey confidence and authority with your stance:

Stand tall and act with confidence, whether you feel it or not.

Place feet directly under hips, one foot slightly in front of the other.

Balance your weight on balls of both feet.

Hold your shoulders back and chest high.

Enter a room with a stride that indicates confidence.

Move about easily, but refrain from excessive roaming.

When sitting, sit tall and lean forward, with arms resting on the table rather than in the lap.

Avoid slouching in the chair.

Learn to perfect your public speaking with Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What should you do with your hands while you speak? Careful use of gesturing can help you effectively convey your message.

Gestures are as necessary to your speech as your words. Used effectively, they serve to highlight and emphasize the points you consider important. They should be large enough to be meaningful, but not so large as to be distracting. Meaningless gestures - those unrelated to what is being said - will only detract attention from your words and undermine your message.

"What do I do with my hands?" is probably the most frequent question I am asked in my workshops. Hand gestures are not difficult to control. A simple rule is to keep all movements natural and comfortable. Establish the habit because when you are excessively nervous you won't have the faintest idea what your hands are doing as you speak.

You can use your hands in many ways. The following suggestions offer several possibilities. Practice them until they feel natural. Once you are comfortable with these gestures, be sure to vary them as you speak. Repeating the same gesture over and over can be as distracting as gestures that are meaningless or too broad.

Let both arms hang by your side. This may feel uncomfortable at first but that will become more comfortable with practice.

Keep one hand down and the other at waist level.

Hold both hands at waist height, using one or both to emphasize your point.

Keep elbows free of your body, not clamped tightly to your waist or ribs.

Hands should be relaxed and open.

Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action by Dr. June Johnson provides professionals with additional tools that will allow them to perfect their professional speaking.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Articulation is the key to successful and professional communication in the business world.

Articulation is the meat and potatoes, the bread and butter of speech. According to the dictionary, articulation is, "The power of speech ... divided into clear and distinct words."

Well-articulated speech calls for:

Energized consonants.

Sentences that flow smoothly, using pauses not gaps.

Pronunciation of all syllables.

Articulation at ending consonants.

Consistent pronunciation of vowels.

Energy maintained throughout the entire sentence.

It takes energy to speak with good articulation. You can have the most beautiful voice in the world but if the consonants are missing or sluggish, the beautiful voice will have little effect.

Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action by Dr. June Johnson provides techniques and tips that will help you speak more clearly and effectively on-the-job.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is a squeaky voice hindering your communication? You can improve your delivery by improving your pitch.

The high-pitched voice is a handicap for anyone in business. It is irritating and lacks authority. Although it is usually associated with women, I have worked with many men who have high-pitched voices.

Take a small breath and, as you exhale, say "ah ha" as though you were surprised at something someone said. Then try "um-hum" with lips closed as though you were questioning something someone said. Both of these phrases will cause your voice to settle to its true pitch level, the level you want to work toward.

To determine the pitch level at which you are currently speaking, say in your natural voice range, "I am going to lower the sound of my voice." As you say the phrase move your voice into a singing tone at the same pitch level. This is the pitch level at which you are currently speaking. If it is a significantly different pitch level from the "ah-ha" or "um-hum," you will want to work toward matching your pitch to the pitch of the two phrases.

If your aim is to establish your voice at a lower pitch level, repeat the above sentence, lowering the pitch one tone each time you say it until you arrive at a pitch level close to "ah-ha" and "um-hum." If you think your voice is too low, reverse the exercise, gradually moving it, tone by tone, to a higher pitch. Experiment with this exercise until you arrive at the pitch level that sounds best in your voice.
Valuable solutions to public speaking and vocal improvement can be found in Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Compelling professional speaking starts with inflection.

The voice that lacks inflection speaks on one tone and sounds robotic, monotonous and dull. The speaking voice has a natural range of 5 to 8 tones. It is important to use these tones as you speak to add variety, interest and color to your voice and what you are saying.

Both Henry Kissinger and Robert Dole speak in monotones. Their speech is completely devoid of inflection.

In "My Fair Lady", Henry Higgins used a xylophone to show Eliza Doolittle how to develop inflection. He first played the sentence below on the xylophone and then had Eliza imitate the pitches. It was the most direct way to bring inflection into her voice. You can do the same on the piano with any sentence. As you read the sentences, notice how the voice rises and falls.

kind come.
let
How of you to me

Once you get the idea, try using inflection with other sentences. It adds to your personal style, making you sound so much more interesting than if you say everything on one pitch.
Learn more ways to improve your voice and spoken professional image with Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 07:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Professional success begins by perfecting your ability to use and control your voice.

You dress for success, diet to stay trim, exercise to stay slim and eat to stay healthy. But how do you sound?

In business and social situations the impression you make is determined largely by how you sound. Your voice leaves a far more lasting impression than your appearance.

According to recognized experts, billions of dollars are lost each year in missed opportunities and squandered sales all because of the ineffective way people speak.

The Internet, e-mail, voice mail, faxes and modems have all had their impact on communication. Technology that was beyond our comprehension just a few years ago now enables us to communicate easily and quickly anywhere in the world. But despite all of these incredible advances, nothing will ever take the place of the human voice. The spoken word has always been and always will be the most important means of interpersonal communication.

Whether you're speaking one on one, giving a presentation before a group, chairing a committee or selling on the telephone, how you use your voice is critical.

In her manual Building the Power of Your Voice: How to Improve Your Voice to Command Attention & Move People to Action, Dr. June Johnson provides valuable techniques and tips that allow professionals to understand and perfect their voices.
http://101publicrelations.com/voicepower.html?utm_source=prideas&utm_content=voice_power

Posted by Dan at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)