Speak to Influence How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Your Voice

by Berkley, Susan

• ISBN13: 9780966430257
• ISBN10: 0966430255
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-09-01
• Publisher: Campbell Hall Press

Summary

The foolproof results of a polished and professional verbal delivery illustrate how the voice can be used to achieve greater confidence, credibility, professional success, and sales in this handbook on applying voice-control techniques used by voice-over artists in business communications. From a comprehensive voice evaluation to a step-by-step voice improvement plan, a range of activities provide information on how to improve diction and articulation, speak with greater warmth and enthusiasm, and make a lasting impression. Practical tips include how to leave a voice-mail message that is 40 percent more likely to be returned and how to make outgoing messages sound professional. Insider secrets about the influence of the spoken word will help speakers acquire and practice the skills necessary to sound more credible, tell great stories, and add a more musical quality to speech by mastering voice pitch and inflection.

Author Biography

Susan Berkley is a voice-over artist, best known as one of the voices who say "Thank you for using AT&T." She hosts a weekly radio show and is a former cast member of the Howard Stern Show. She is CEO of the Great Voice Company and has been featured in Business Week, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. She lives in Tappan, New York.

Table of Contents

Read This First...
1 What This Book Can Do For You	1	(8)
Do you inadvertantly turn people off every time you speak?
Learn what it means to be congruent communicator.
What to do if you don't like the sound of your voice.
2 Banish Non Words From Your Speech-Forever	9	(10)
Verbal viruses: diagnosis and cure.
All about breathing and the voice.
How to speak more smoothly.
3 Evaluate Your Voice	19	(14)
What to do if you hate the way you sound.
Self-evaluation scripts.
The single most effective way to improve your voice.
A tip from Ben Franklin about improving your voice.
The four stages of learning.
4 How To Avoid Embarassing Pronunciation and Usage Mistakes	33	(14)
Do you make any of these common bloopers?
Better read this chapter and find out!
Tips for non-native speakers of English and those who love them.
5 Ready. Set. Warm up your voice!	47	(10)
Speak for hours without strain.
Maintain a strong, healthy speaking voice at any age.
Improve the clarity of your speech and diction.
Easy exercises and tongue twisters anyone can do.
6 Sound Like You Mean Business...Even When You Feel Like A Wimp Inside	57	(12)
Tips for becoming an enthusiastic speaker.
Have a more interesting, captivating voice.
Change the way you sound in three easy steps.
7 Use The Power Of Your Mind To Shape Your Voice	69	(10)
How to use your voice to entice, motivate and inspire.
The best way to establish credibility.
Mesmerize any audience: entertainer's secrets revealed!
8 Play Your Voice Like A Finely Tuned Instrument	79	(10)
How to add more music to your speech through vocal pitch, tone and inflection.
Eight ways to sound great, even on a bad day!
9 Tempo! Rhythm! Placement!	89	(10)
Proven ways to build rapport by adjusting your vocal pattern and rate of speech.
How to amplify and project your voice without strain.
Secrets for a richer, more resonant tone.
10 How To Be A Stress-Free Speaker	99	(14)
The root cause of speech fright revealed.
How to feel more comfortable in front of any audience.
11 ways to conquer the physical symptoms of speaking stress.
11 Hold Audience Attention	113	(16)
How to get an audience to love you: secrets of the stand-up comics.
What to do when a joke bombs.
Four ways to tell a better story.
Six keys for becoming a better listener.
12 State Your Case Effectively	129	(14)
Secrets of the world's most popular people.
How to create empathy in three easy steps.
Mastering the art of vocal persuasion: a three stage process.
13 The 26 Biggest Telephone	143	(12)
"Turn-Offs" And How To Avoid Them
How to have a "Million Dollar" phone voice.
Speaker phone do's and dont's.
Make your phone time more efficient.
Vital tips for you and everyone who answers your phones.
14 How To Leave Voicemail Messages That Get Returned (And Get Results)	155	(10)
Increase your callback ratio by 40% or more.
A proven way to get most people to call you back within 24 hours.
How to make your outgoing message sound great.
Get out of voicemail jail!
15 How To Keep From Losing Your Voice (Even When Everyone Around You Is Sneezing And Coughing In Your Face)	165	(6)
Everything you need to know about laryngitis and how not to get it.
Sore throat Rx.
The four essentials of vocal health.
Epilogue	171	(2)
Appendix A Listing by State of Accent Reduction Specialists/Voice Coaches, Presentation Skills Trainers and Consultants	173	(5)
Appendix B Resources for more information about psychological research cited in this book.	178	(1)
Index	179