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Voice Power Blog
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Brenda C. Smith: Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 7:32 AM
 Are you getting your message through effectively? Engaging and connecting to your listeners will make them aware that you do know what you are talking about. Three important questions may be troubling you and hindering you from delivering your vision to the rest of the world.1. Are You in Transition? - From being a new graduate to becoming a professional wanting to help others
- From being a mom to getting a job and needing confidence
- From being an older adult and going back to school and feeling out of place
2. Are You Overwhelmed Giving Presentations? - Because you feel that others know more than you do
- Because you find that technology is intimidating
- Because you feel you have no creativity
3. Are You Unsure of Your Speech Skills? - People ask you to slow down
- People ask you to speak louder
- People ask you to repeat yourself
The answer to these questions is in the expert training on how to leverage your voice skills into dynamic presentations so you immensely empower your message. You are able to engage thought or an emotional connection to stir the listeners into action. Confidence grows as rehearsals increase, and speech skills are fine-tuned.
As a Speech Coach with a Drama edge who loves to win over the audience with the message; I believe your most valuable asset is your voice skills. I’ve helped decades of clients raise their confidence level, improve their speech skills, and rid themselves of presentation fears. This is Voice Power! Take good care of your voice. ****************
*ANNOUNCEMENT: Surprise Offer! I'm really excited about this - pass it on.
A Special Bonus Offer to those of you who read my Voice Power Blog: - I’m offering you a core series of 6 one-on-one coaching sessions with me in person in Hanover, Ontario; or Online via Skype Video from your own home to help you boost your Confidence level, Speech/VocalSkills, and Presentation delivery.
- I especially want you to have the benefit of VOICE POWER SKILLS so you can make the above transitions (mentioned in this BLOG) in your life without fear, and move forward always delivering your message with confidence to result in a ripple effect to help others.
I know that the skills I teach you will last a lifetime.
- The VALUE of these core sessions is well over $1247.
But only until May 31, 2012 you can sign up for this savings price of $247.47
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- $247.47 for the core package of 6 personal coaching sessions (1 hr. each)
which will fix your presentation-fear phobias and enhance your Voice Power
PLUS
- AS AN EXTRA BONUS INCLUDED to the first 6 people who sign up for this special offer, you will also receive my E-book:
“Ten Steps to Unlocking Your Voice: A Supercharge Method to Power and Profit” ..........................a value of $24.47
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if you are not satisfied after OUR FIRST Session, and let us know within 10 days that you wish to withdraw, WE WILL REFUND YOUR MONEY Brenda C. Smith, Speech & DramaCoach, Author
Sign up NOW -You will learn how to tap into the power of your own voice as a source of personal expression and creativity, and as an enjoyable experience. - If you have any questions be sure to contact me.
- Click HERE to fill in our Contact Form, so we set up a schedule with you
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YES I Want You to Coach Me NOW $247
3. Watch for our Email address: info@voicepowertraining.com to put on your safe list.
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Brenda C. Smith: Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2012 4:05 PM
Podcasting is a great marketing tool to enhance your profile, business,
and advertising income. Are you presenting your speaking voice in the best way to
draw your listener into your podcast? The listener hopes to hear a tip or
strategy which will help them to advance their career or business, or improve
their life style.
You need to sound natural, clear and authoritative. Many of my clients
want to be part of this leading edge of marketing and connect with the listener
using podcast technology. They are newbies
at how to do a podcast. The key element for success is to have your voice
augment your podcast and not be the distraction to your message. The other elements are to familiarize yourself
with your podcast equipment and allow professional voices to partner with your
podcast. Here are the approaches to take so you can integrate your podcast with
your voice.
The #1 approach is to tune-up
your voice regularly because last-minute stress will affect your sound: · Do diaphragmatic breathing and stretching
exercises so you have a fuller relaxed sound · Repeat tongue twisters to loosen your lips,
teeth, tongue, and jaw muscles to sound sharper · Keep your tone sounding relaxed with a focus on
helpful tips to the listener · Use your voice with passion so the listener is
drawn into your examples
The #2 approach is to try your
voice with your podcast equipment to become familiar with the process: · Record with your microphone and podcast
equipment to achieve confidence · Aim for a conversational sound not a rehearsed
script, but follow an outline of points · Add energy and a varied inflection throughout
your podcast to avoid a monotonous tone · Do not rush through your podcast, but focus on
giving short clear points
The #3 approach is to partner
with the professionals to sound like an expert: · Hire a professional radio voice to act as an
interviewer for your podcast · Partner with a podcast technician for the
editing, adding music intro’s and exits, and tips on microphone sound · Go to a voice coach to assess your voice,
particularly if your voice sounds scratchy, hoarse, or too breathy · Partner with other related businesses for them
to sponsor your podcast or be their guest expert
If you follow these key approaches to doing a podcast you will be more
successful at keeping a subscription of listeners to your podcast. You will be
able to create numerous podcasts as part of branding yourself. Ultimately, your
listeners will look forward to listening to the information on your podcast and
to hearing the sound of your voice.
Leave a Comment below: Do you have any questions about podcasting? Do you have a podcast on your website?
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Brenda C. Smith: Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 11:09 PM
 How do you train your voice to be like
the pros? Whether your passion is to be on radio or act on the stage, your
voice is a critical part of how you will be perceived and how you will
communicate, because your voice is your tool for either of those professions. The
whole process may at first appear overwhelming, particularly, if you are the
kind of person that wants a quick fix to suddenly achieve results.
Many of my clients have the desire to go
into the media or on stage as an actor. So, let’s take a look at how you can
get your voice trained to gain your dreams. Your training needs three key
elements: an action plan; an application of the training steps; and experience.
Key
# 1: Set an Action Plan Your first step will be to find a voice coach
or self-help training book to assess your voice and take steps to show how to
improve it. Training is a must for you to follow through from your idea or
passion. Set up a checklist for yourself with a time-line; for example, go to a
voice coach for the next 3 months then re-evaluate your progress. This helps to
keep your confidence up by checking off your progress on a daily or weekly
basis. Post your plan up where you can see it often. I like to record a client’s
voice at different stages so the progress can be noted. An action plan gets you
from thinking about it to actually doing it.
Key
#2: Apply the Training Be sure to apply the exercises at all stages
of your training. If you have to do 5 minutes of daily diaphragmatic breathing
exercises, tongue twisters, or reading aloud the newspaper, then give yourself
a pat on the back for doing the training. You will have come a few steps closer
to your goal. Do not let doubt get in your way, stick to your training and have
fun with it.
There are common points of training your
voice for radio and the stage which include: breathing with the diaphragm for
control of your breath; articulating the words for clarity; and creating tone
to deliver your message. Doing audio voice overs and acting on stage are also commonly
concerned with using your voice for the character, age, and emotion.
However, there are different emphasis of
training between radio and the stage. How
to use a microphone for radio is critical; but an actor needs to focus on how
to project his voice to reach the back area of the audience without the use of
a microphone. The speaking pace on radio commercials is much faster as the
announcer will read from a script within a commercial time limit. Whereas, an actor
memorizes his lines and evokes these lines without use of a script, at a pace
in keeping with the character and movement of the play.
Key
#3: Gain experience Transfer your training to real life
experience. One of the easiest ways to gain experience is to volunteer your
voice in your community. Take the opportunity at local charity or sports events
to be the MC, or at your community radio station using your voice on the
microphone to apply the training and gain some experience. For the stage, join
the local theatre group and take on a part for the experience of using all the
nuances of your voice along with projecting to the audience.
Finding a mentor can come from your
volunteer groups that you interact with or from a professional radio announcer.
This can also be a great lead to other
projects that could use your vocal talent. Don’t forget your training coach who
has been helping you along the way, as often he or she can refer you to
opportunities to gain experience, or continue to be a mentor for your work. Once
you have some documented experience then you can go after the professional
jobs.
Make the decision to go for the voice
training to achieve your passion. If you find that time or budget does not
allow you to have a personal coach; then use a self-help training guide that is
broken down into the steps from beginners to advanced level. Follow-through
with these steps, then nothing will stop you from having the voice you want!
Are you ready to try the
training steps used by radio or drama performers? Order and download the “Ten
Steps to Unlocking your Voice: a Supercharge Method to Power and Profit” which
will give you a powerful start with practical exercises to develop and
strengthen your voice. Click here: http://bit.ly/z7hsJs
This book has been developed by Brenda Smith, a specialist Speech and Drama Coach
from her training thousands of clients to improve the sound of their voice and
delivery method for radio, stage, and presentations, who have gone on to win
outstanding awards for using their vocal and dramatic talents.
Ready to be on radio now! Check out our special
Radio Online Training
Course How to be a Radio & Voice-Over Performer consisting of 10 Modules with Step-by
Step Content and Webinar Delivered right to your Inbox to fit your schedule.
Click here http://bit.ly/yIVSAA to sign up with our team of professional radio
broadcasters and drama trainers to give you the training and substance for the
career you want.
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Brenda C. Smith: Posted on Sunday, April 01, 2012 9:46 AM
 The only way you will ever get past the
fear of public speaking is to speak in public. Yikes! …you may shout in your
subconscious mind. But wait, it’s not that horrible. Public speaking is used
all the time in business by branding your products, company name, and
networking to increase your income. There are ways to ease your body, mind, and
mouth into speaking in front of people through an almost subliminal process. The key steps of this process involve
preparation, practise, and presence. Step
#1 Preparation:
- Start with a
simple topic about something you already know, such as, how to brush your
teeth; wash your car; train your dog; bar-be-que a steak; or anything else. Then organize
what you think are the three main things a person must know or do about the
topic you’ve chosen.
- Stand up and
imagine that you are showing and explaining to your child, your spouse, or a
friend your steps; then begin to speak aloud on how to do it.
- Repeat this again
a few times, being sure that you have included the three main points, and also,
add in any extra detail or special technique that you know from experience.
Remember, this is just doing it out loud with no one listening.
Step
#2 Practice:
- Go find your
friend, spouse, or child; or if they’re not available, your dog, to practise
your speech in front of a listener. Repeat it again, but this time put some
enthusiasm into it.
- Next, when you
get to work or visit friends or relatives, be sure to immediately tell them
that you’ve discovered an excellent way to do “your thing,” then go right into
your speech. At this stage, it’s important that you speak to a few people and
not just one person; but it doesn’t matter if someone leaves or ignores
you. Just remember that you are giving
the listeners the best secret of their lives from you, the expert.
- You can even
answer questions at the end, if you want to give them more tips.
Step
#3 is Presence:
- Finally, invite a
group to join you in larger room at home or at work, to demonstrate and speak
about your topic of interest.
- Bring any props
if you need to use them in your demonstration, such as, a tennis racket, or
bar-be-que flipper, or a cleaning rag, dependent on what your topic is.
- Do a quick vocal
warm-up such as repeating a tongue twister to loosen your lips, teeth, and
tongue. Take three deep diaphragmatic breaths to relax you completely.
- You can create
presence by speaking to the group with energy and passion about the very thing
that you are clearly interested in. Look
at each person in your audience during your speech, to keep them involved
personally. Use your vocal inflection and pause to give variety and emphasis while
speaking.
- Put a smile into
your talk and be sure to thank them at the end, as you leave them with your
most valuable tips.
The real benefit of the above process is
that you can duplicate this process on any advance topic which is thrown at you
at work to present information on a product launch, or a new process, or to
visiting delegates on what your company does. Simply research your information
that you don’t know, and find the three key points that the listener can take
away with them when you’re finished. Practise several times the speech that you
have organized; then deliver your speech with enthusiasm and a positive
attitude.
Remember to take all opportunities to speak
while networking or just chilling out.
Your fear of speaking is solved by being prepared, and by practising.
Hence, you will find yourself not only overcoming the fear of public speaking;
but also, looking forward to the next one to present.
Did you find
this blog helpful? Please leave your comments below. Brenda C. Smith is a
personal Speech and Drama coach who helps entrepreneurs, professionals, coaches
with oral presentations and communication training. Brenda is the author of
"Ten Steps to Unlocking Your Voice: a Supercharge Method to Power and
Profit" , and she will help you with her easy-to-follow systems to get
confidence and presence to make you a successful speaker. |
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Brenda C. Smith: Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2012 2:50 PM
 Why do actors spend so much
time devoted to voice and speech training; yet, so many public speakers and
business entrepreneurs think it is not needed? The answer is quite simple:
actors recognize that they are in the business using their voice and speech
skills to generate income and art. Most public speakers have not considered how
valuable this training is; however, now is your time of enlightenment! You are
about to discover how a well-trained voice will massively benefit your
business.
The bottom line of your business is how effectively you use your voice.
If you take the time to receive accurate training and coaching to improve your
vocal quality, you will master the three key fundamentals: breath control,
quality tones, and crystal enunciation. Your audience will be so attracted to
your voice that they will clamber to hire you and your products.
The first actor's training fundamental is breath movement with your
ribs. What a treat it is when you develop your diaphragmatic breathing method
so that you have firm control of how to manipulate your breath and create
sensitivity in your message. You will have the power of movement of every
muscle working for your expression, and projection without ever having any
shortness of breath or strain of delivery.
Secondly, your body is your instrument that needs care and tuning in
order to emit the sounds that are the extension of what you want to achieve.
Training shows you what to tune and how to tune it. A squeaky instrument turns
a listener away, while a fully tuned one invites the audience to you while
keeping them enraptured. An actor learns how to manipulate his resonator
cavities of the chest, pharynx, mouth, and nose to be flexible and produce
well-rounded tones. Knowing these skills will give you the confidence to avoid
muffled, throaty, or too nasal a sound. The individual configuration of size
and shape of your resonators will affect your pitch, and musicality of tone.
You will go from boring to dynamic with this training.
The third fundamental actor's voice training includes perfecting
enunciation of consonants and vowels so every word has clarity of sound and
meaning. Combine this with the correct pace and knowledge of where, when, and why
to pause brings a hypnotic empathy to capture the audience's mind, heart,
and spirit. The actor's training of voice for the public and business speaker
is a combination of techniques that emote a compelling speech to create a
connection and movement between you and your listener as you experience the
energy together.
Don't become routine and lifeless; hone your voice and speech skills
just as the actor does by taking the time to understand how your voice nuances
work individually. Then practise until it becomes second nature. This is not a
quick-fix investment; but definitely well worth the effort and time, because
you will encompass this knowledge and training skills for the rest of your
life. If you are willing to invest in your business, then you need to invest
in yourself; after all, your voice is your business.
Did you find this blog post helpful? Our book "Ten Steps to Unlocking
Your Voice: A Supercharge Method to Power and Profit" gives you all the
foundation steps to attain clear speech skills, and advanced steps to achieve
voice power and performance presence using specific drama skills. Brenda C.
Smith is a personal Speech and Drama coach and director who helps emerging and
expert professionals improve the sound of their voice. Visit our website at http://www.voicepowertraining.com today, and
discover more tips on our Blog page. Your voice is your business; so let us
show you how to leverage it today.
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