Leave Your Audience Speechless - Speak like a Professional
by Brides-Beautiful.com - Sharon Danley

We've come a long way baby. Times have changed and now brides and other women in bridal parties are making speeches and toasts. But how much practice do you get giving speeches - school perhaps may have been the last time?

Here are a few great tips from a voice specialist with over 25 years experience coaching actors, singers and business executives into creating better impressions through the use of vocal presentations.

Fact - Voice tone and vocabulary are 45% of any presentation.

Tip - Leave your audience "speechless". Write your speech out and practice it till it feels comfortable and has the kind of impact you are looking for.

Tip - Professionals practice one hour for every minute of their speech. OK in the non-professional speaking environment its still a good rule of thumb. Practice on video - its the best - or use a tape recorder. Or better yet take in a session with a professional voice coach - they can give you instant tips and exercises for your particular needs. Re-write what isn't working. Keep tweaking till it feels right. This will add volumes to your confidence and you will actually enjoy making your speech.

Tip - Practice projecting your voice - sing in the shower, the car (perfect private sound booth-especially with tinted windows) to your favourite tunes. Deep breath into the diaphragm 10 times, 3 times a day. Practice speaking in a way that you are understood - articulate every vowel, consonant and diphthong (secondary sound in a vowel).

Tip - Every letter in every word should get its full-intended value. That way your voice will be completely understood and you will have a musical quality and soothing tone to your voice that will leave your audience spell bound and you feeling elated.