The title of this article might confuse you. However, a salesperson wrote to tell me that he and his colleagues experience better cold calls when they speak in a more "laid back" manner with a lower energy level. Fascinating! This salesperson relates, ...

Unless you are Clint Eastwood or a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, a voice that’s too breathy can be one of the biggest credibility killers. On the positive side breathy speakers are stereotyped as compassionate, likeable and sexy. On the negative side the...

There comes a time in life when we need to throw our weight around. To be taken seriously. To command attention. Not to intimidate or manipulate others (I hope) but to take a powerful stand for something we believe in. With my three-step VoiceShaping ...

A boring speaker isn't just tedious for the audience. It's embarrassing for the speaker. If you've ever suspected you might be putting people to sleep, fear not. You don't need an elaborate bag of gimmicks to liven up your talks. All you need is a little ...

What’s the best way to maintain your vocal health? To find out, I interviewed top Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, Dr. Wallace Rubin. Dr. Rubin is a clinical professor of otorhinolaryngology and bio communication at Louisiana State University and has a ...

Although TV and radio are mass media, the best broadcasters are able to make each listener feel as if they are sharing an intimate one-on-one conversation. They never elevate themselves about their audience, but speak to everyone as if they were a dear, ...

Warning! You may be infected with a virus that could be lethal to your sales, your public relations and even your social life. I call it a "Verbal Virus. " Verbal viruses are meaningless fillers that speckle our speech, distract from our message, drain...

If you speak a lot during the day, you may find that your mouth becomes dry, even if you drink plenty of water. Here are some things that have worked for me: 1. ADD A LITTLE LEMON JUICE TO YOUR WATER The tartness stimulates the flow of saliva. And re...

Do you remember the first time you heard yourself on tape, on an answering machine or voice mail? You may have been shocked and thought: “Do I really sound like THAT?” As you start to become aware of your voice you may feel it is: - “Letting y...

Your "SQ" is your “Speaker's Quotient.” It's a measure of your ability to communicate your ideas in an effective and memorable manner. ANSWER YES OR NO When you give a presentation, do you: 1) Feel as if the audience is scrutinizing you and...

The United States has always been a nation of immigrants and with the global economy, many of us deal with more non-native speakers of English than ever before. These relationships are valuable and to make them work we need not only good communication ski...

A stockbroker recently asked me, “Does speaking in a pitch that is not your natural pitch make your voice more likely to get tired and scratchy at the end of the day (or is that just from the whiskey and cigars!)? I think I also tend to lapse into a mon...

Breaking bad news to customers is not an easy task. However, when the time comes, it must be done with empathy and professionalism. Here are five strategies for delivering the message with compassion: 1. Tell the truth. People tend to fear what they...