I read an interesting article this morning by marketing and writing coach and professional speaker, Catherine Franz. She agreed to let me share excerpts with you.
As you know, I often write about public speaking. I offer pointers for preparing a presentation and preparing for a presentation. Mostly, I share public speaking tips and techniques. You’ll find 3 pages of instruction and help for giving more successful presentations in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. (See link below.)
Yes, I have much to say when it comes to presenting yourself in a public forum, but I have never researched and shared information about the care of your voice. This is the subject of Catherine’s article—“Voice Care for Coaches and Speakers.”
Here are some of the highlights:
• Drink warm or hot beverages before a performance, not cold ones.
• Avoid caffeinated drinks and acidic beverages.
• Avoid anything with mint or menthol.
• Take Black Currant Pastilles (a throat lozenge) 24 hours before speaking—also recommended after flying.
• Use Throat Coat Tea. It contains licorice root and is used to enhance throat and upper respiratory tract health.
• Avoid shouting, excess talking and even extended whispering prior to a performance.
• Avoid stress before a performance.
I suggest that if you do public speaking gigs to promote your book or your business or if you frequently suffer throat problems and/or laryngitis, read this article. It has a lot to offer in either situation.
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/voice_care_for_coaches_and_speakers.html
In the meantime, read my articles on public speaking at http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.html.
In particular read: “How Do You Get All of Those Speaking Gigs?” “Just Say Yes and Sell More Books” and the articles listed under “Public Speaking.” And check out some of my previous blog posts on this topic—May 24, 2009; March 23, 2008; February 27, 2009; January 18, 2008; October 13, 2007, and others.
It looks as if it’s time to post another in-depth article on public speaking for authors. Let me know if this is something you want to see. Having been involved in Toastmasters for a dozen years or so and having been a presenter, panelist and keynote speaker in many dozens of venues throughout the U.S. and in Dubai, and being an astute observer of others when they speak, I have an interesting and, I think, helpful and useful take on public speaking. Let me know if you’re interested. Leave a comment here or contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.
Article-Writing Course Starting Soon
I will be starting my 6-week online article-writing course Friday, July 24. Space is limited and enrollment is already at 20 percent. So sign up today. What will you get out of this course? You’ll learn the ins and outs and the process of writing articles for magazines as a profession or to supplement your income and/or as a lucrative and fun way to promote your book. Learn more about this course and sign up at:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm
Be sure to click on “How does an online course work.”
To order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, go to:
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Questions? Contact Patricia Fry at PLFry620@yahoo.com