Personal views & breaking news reports on voice, presentation skills, public speaking & full self expression with captivating celebrity chit-chat to top it off.

“Voice is More Than Words For Communicating Well”

I normally comment on entertainment celebrities or singing but today my blog title is a quote from celebrity Internet Marketer, James D. Brausch.

I came to know about James when my good friend Sam Beatson of www.fasttrackforex.com told me about James’s Statistical Copyrighting Software that Mathematically Validates Salesletters Using One-Click Statistical Software That Compares The Copy With Historically Profitable Ads.

I am a beginning internet marketer at best but have found Glyphius to be incredibly valuable for me when I write copy online, publish articles or work on printed materials for my offline coaching, training and seminar business.

James’s post today is on one of my top passions and areas of expertise…Voice. And I have lots of free voice & communication resources to share with you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to comment on James’s blog.

In the blog post he says, “Our voices even more so than our pictures are our “personality DNA” if you will. There may be some people who look just like you, but no one sounds exactly like you.”

I couldn’t agree more. I can forget a face but I hardly ever forget a good voice.

Each person’s voice is different and wonderfully unique. A voice is most beautiful when its sounds are unleashed from deep within the authentic self.

How do you accomplish that? Start with exercising your voice.

Everyone understands the importance of exercising the body but few realize the voice needs exercise as well. Performing simple singing exercises can increase your vocal power, variety, range, and dramatically improve the quality of your overall communication.

When speech isn’t enunciated clearly, ending consonants are dropped off, or a voice is unpleasant, it is oftentimes a result of physical tension specifically in the tongue, jaw, neck shoulders and face. Therefore, we must open up the body before we open up the voice.

Many of us spend a lot of time in front of a computer. And if someone is an internet marketer, it is vital to exercise both the body and the voice consistently.

Top internet marketers frequently report that the use of audio & video can dramatically increase subscribers, sales and customer satisfaction. Why is that? Because it helps them to develop better relationships with people they don’t often meet face to face.

The voice is a powerful “touch point” that penetrates way beyond the written word. It’s not only the sound of the voice but also the words we choose and how alive those words are. What I mean by that is that the more your voice can create audio pictures and impressions upon people, the more memorable you will be. And the more they will “feel” your communication.

The more connected you are to the words you choose and the more you can bring them to life for your listener, the deeper your touch points will be.

In James’s blog post he asks, “Do you sound friendly like someone who is genuinely interested in what he or she is teaching?”

One of the easiest ways you can sound friendly and warmer instantly is to smile while you are recording your voice.

For increased power and energy in the voice, stand up when you speak on the phone or record yourself. For internet marketers recording a Camtasia video that might be a bit more difficult so if circumstances don’t permit you to stand, at least sit in a peak state or alert posture with your 2 feet on the ground keeping your spine straight but not rigid.

When selling something online most people need to speak about 20% faster than there average speaking rate. However, when teaching it is important to speak at a pace that is more conducive to learning. This is especially true if you are recording a tutorial or explaining a step by step process.

The world’s most influential and memorable leaders have all been extraordinary communicators. Obviously, to be a great communicator takes lots of practice.

To receive ongoing tips & subscribe for complimentary online voice, presentation & public speaking training sign up at http://www.expressingyou.com.

To watch short film clips to learn how to take care of or warm up your voice, make your words come alive or release vocal tension click here.

To hear me explain why and how you should exercise your voice, listen to this short MP3 audio clip.

If you do nothing else, read this article titled Simple common sense tips to take care of your voice for guaranteed vocal health & vocal power.

I’ll end my own post with another quote from James D. Brausch. He says, “Your voice says a lot more about you than you might realize. Take full advantage of it!”

Eliminate, Overcome, or Dramatically Reduce the Fear of Public Speaking

FIF Final.jpgWow! I realized I haven’t posted to this blog in months.

That’s because I’ve been busy with a new product in development called Fearless in Five that will eliminate, overcome or dramatically reduce the fear of public speaking in 5 minutes or less…guaranteed!

The multimedia training course isn’t available yet but I started a blog dedicated to the topic.

Get access to the blog and a free 20-lesson e-course at http://www.fearlessinfive.com. If you sign up with your name & email, you’ll also get a dramatically reduced pre-launch discount on Fearless in Five.

Simple Common Sense Tips To Take Care Of Your Voice For Guaranteed Vocal Health & Vocal Power

In an article in Consumer Health Daily section of United Press Interntational, University of Alabama Professor Bonnie Pomfret is quoted “First, avoid speaking over loud noise and with excessive volume; use amplification if needed…. Take breaks; non-stop talking or singing has a detrimental effect, as can suddenly increasing daily singing or talking time.”

She also warns, “Avoid ‘vocal fry,’ a rough popping sound that occurs when speaking at very low pitches or without enough breath…. This fatigues the voice very quickly.”

I agree wholeheartedly with Professor Pomfret. We use our voices all day long but only a few people are aware of how to take care of your voice to guarantee optimum vocal health and vocal power.

Here’s a link to an article I wrote about it - Vocal Health Tips.

We all sound good singing in the shower - here’s why…

Why is it that you feel like the next American Idol Singing Sensation in the shower? Thanks to a great explanation in today’s Newsday.com edition we can understand.

  1. psychologically we feel less self conscious behind closed doors
  2. steam in the shower makes us feel more relaxed
  3. splashing water produces positive ions that make us feel happier
  4. the sound of the water, makes us feel more confident because we think we can’t be heard

How it works according to scientists…

  1. tiles in showers help sound waves richochet back and forth reflecting your sound so that it is amplified
  2. the shower acts like a bass booster giving you cavelike resonance frequencies
  3. like magic reverberation stretches out and echos sound waves usually making you sound in tune - even if you’re not

Want the best possible bathroom idol singing sound? Sing in a small shower with smooth tiles and a glass door.

Happy Singing!

World’s #1 Golfer Tiger Woods is Forced to Stand Up & Sing

World’s #1 Golfer Tiger Woods was forced to stand up & sing in front of his teammates after he tried to escape a bonding session organized by Ryder Cup American team captain Tom Lehman.

Asked to sing a college fight song that most people couldn’t remember, Tiger Woods was a good sport (as always). The performance report was that Tiger should definitely stick to his day job - golf.

Tiger Woods was embarrassed but allowed his 11 teammates to a laugh at his expense.

The moral of the story - if you get together with some old friends or classmates, make sure you brush up on those songs that could blast you surprisingly straight back into the past.

Talking & Singing Toothbrush - I’m all for it…

An innovative Korean company Digital TeleTek has invented a talking & singing toothbrush for our kids. Now how fun is that? I certainly can’t wait to get my hands on this little invention and I’m already convinced our toddler will absolutely LOVE it!

I think our whole family could get a kick out of this new technological singing gadget. (It can store special song recordings for up to 9 different toothbrushes.) Heaven knows if my toddler wants to brush her teeth longer, I’ll certainly be a happier parent.Now we all can sing in the shower or out of the shower. You can check out the new singing gadget here.

Professor Britton Discovers He Can Sing!

University Lab Director Britoon thinks he’s tone deaf but discovers he can sing instantly & magically for the first time right in front of you.

Graeme Britton said, “Excellent course - I did not realise there was so much technique involved in the art of speaking.  Very, very useful. Als a lot of fun”.

Witness his vocal breakthrough by clicking here.

Jessica Simpson Ordered Not to Sing

According to Fox News and Cinemablendmusic.com superstar Jessica Simpson has a serious case of laryngitis. This is a bit of bad luck for the pop princess as her new album titled “A Public Affair”was released on Tuesday.

I am constantly amazed when this happens. Certainly in Jessica’s case, she started out as a singer so we assume that she would know how to protect her valuable vocal cords. Understandably the demands on Jessica Simpson and other celebrities are great with so many public appearances that need to be done to promote a new CD, movie etc.

Her publicist said, “she has indeed lost her voice…she’s been ordered to rest….she can’t sing.” Because of this she had to cancel an appearance on “Late Show with David Letterman”. On the MTV show “TRL” Jessica Simpson could only discuss her new album because of a bruise on her vocal cords.

Taking care of your voice can be very simple as long as you make appropriate lifestyle choices, rest well and performing consistent, helpful vocal warm up exercises. Find vocal care and warm up tips on http://www.expressingyou.com.

Mick Jagger’s Vocal Lessons

Our vocal cords are muscles. So someone like Mick Jagger who literally sings for his supper needs to keep those vocal muscles as fit as possible. The good news is that vocal fitness is easy to achieve as long as you are willing to do simple vocal warm ups.

Not everyone wants to be a rock singer, the next international or American Idol or even a professional speaker or singer. However, consistent vocal warm ups can be a fun and easy way to vocal power.

Yesterday, The Stones were set to perform in but had to cancel their gig due to Mick Jagger’s laryngitis. Anyone who’s listened to Mick or seen him live would marvel at how he could sing night after night, concert after concert the way he does. However Mick is the first to admit that he can no longer take his voice for granted.

In recent interviews, Mick said, “I mean, you sing a lot; every night you are singing for hours and hours and your voice gets tired; like anything, like running every night. That’s why you have to warm up properly.”

He went on to say “Better late than never. I did a bit of voice coaching a couple of years ago, after 35 years with none. A bit of coaching and warm-ups… (It) really helps. I always tell these younger singers: ‘I never used to do it either, but you should.”

Visit this webpage for more than 20 minutes of free audio and video voice instruction. Or sign up for my free monthly newsletter here to get ongoing voice and presentation tips.


Drew Barrymore Needs Whiskey To Sing - Do You?

Today Starpulse.com announced that Drew Barrymore had to drink shots of Southern Comfort Whiskey to have the courage to sing while filming her new movie “Lucky You”.

I was shocked that Drew said “I fundamentally have the worst voice ever given to a human being!” I doubt that she would have said that when she was filming ET as a little girl.

I am constantly amazed at how many of my adult clients and people I meet think they can’t sing or worse - are petrified of singing.

We all sing as little children. What happens along the way?

Teachers, parents and society in general suppress our innate ability to express ourselves fully and joyfully in speech or in song. Or people that haven’t yet developed their auditory skills enough are classed as being tone deaf merely because no one took the time to train their musical ears.
So if you wish you could sing, I recommend:

  1. Try out some quick warm up vocal exercises in the audio/video section of www.expressingyou.com.
  2. Sign up for my free newsletter because in the month of September I’ll feature a video where I teach someone who thought he was tone deaf to sing right before your very eyes.

Give up being perfect - sing your heart out - no matter what people say. It feels good. It makes you happy. If nothing else, give yourself permission to sing to your hearts content in the privacy of your shower. You’ll have a brighter day because of it.

« Previous Entries