Aaron McDaniel is a corporate manager, entrepreneur, public speaker and community leader. Aaron has held diverse management roles at AT&T, being one of the youngest to serve as Regional Vice President. Still in his 20’s, Aaron is a serial entrepreneur and founder of multiple ventures including Young Professional’s Edge (YP Edge), a company focused on empowering young professionals to succeed in their careers. A graduate of UC Berkeley’s Undergraduate Haas School of Business, he taught a highly rated student-led course on leadership.

Outside of his professional life, Aaron is an avid international traveler, having visited 33 countries to date. Passionate about giving back, Aaron founded the Jill Wakeman Foundation for Equality and is an active community volunteer in San Francisco where he lives.

Aaron is also the author of The Young Professional’s Guide to the Working World: Savvy Strategies to Get In, Get Ahead, and Rise to the Top, due out in late September of this year. In the book, Aaron provides key insights relevant to young professionals who are looking to build successful careers, including providing the 25 attributes that all successful young professionals need to develop.

Pro-Track Profile

I talked with Aaron recently about his background. To hear what he told me, and the specific advice he has for young professionals who want to be successful in their careers, as well as his impressions of the National Speakers Association Pro-Track class that he is part of, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:26 — 1.7MB)

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I help edit SPEAKER Magazine for the National Speakers Association (NSA). Each month I curate the Relevant Resources column – a list of time-saving tools and technologies.

The June 2012 edition listed AV supplies for professional speakers. Speakers for speakers, so to speak…

Professional speakers have a multitude of AV needs in their home offices as well as on the platform. Whether your goal is to make money in your jammies or reduce noise interruption when presenting to live audiences, you should consider investing in your own audio products. Get started with this assortment of quality microphones, recorders, speakers, software solutions, and accessories.

Pop screen

You know when you say the letter “p” into a microphone and you hear that annoying pop noise in the audio recording? It doesn’t have to be that way. Pop filters are screens that filter the popping sounds that occur when you speak into a microphone (not to be confused with the foam covers that function as windscreens). Using a pop filter can make a significant difference in your sound quality. Check out this filter for only $15 on amazon.com.

How to Record Skype Calls

CallBurner is an application that works with Skype to record your calls and convert them directly to mp3 or wav files for the best quality. Ideal for business meetings and podcasts, CallBurner creates crisp, clean, professional recordings, and is great for keeping a call archive. PC only. Free 30-day free trial, $49.95 after.

A Simple Audio File Editor

Whether you’re new to editing, or you’re a pro who just wants an easy, yet powerful, solution, Audacity® is the package deal. A free, open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sounds, Audacity supports mp3, wav and aiff files; allows users to cut, copy, splice and mix sounds together; and you can also change the speed and pitch of recordings. This is the software I use to edit all my podcasts. Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

A Quality Digital Recorder

A digital voice recorder, like the Olympus VN-8100PC Digital Voice Recorder 142600, allows you to record your own presentations and interview audience members for testimonials. This one features 2 GB memory, USB connection, support for mp3 or WMA formats, a large LCD screen, and a long battery life. $82. Use it with the Olympus ME-15 Microphone. $22.

The Snowball Microphone

If you’re looking for a simple plug n’ play mic that connects to your computer and is ideal for podcasting, check out the Snowball USB Microphone. Snowball is the world’s first professional USB microphone that sounds just as good on your desktop as it does in a recording studio. The retro design is attractive and its three-way switch can handle a variety of recording applications. Connects with PC, Mac, or iPad. $66.

Screencasting

Want to speak, train, and sell more? Camtasia® Studio makes it easy. With this software, you can record presentations, product demos, and sales presentations; create interactive “screencast” training videos; and add a boost to your blog without going over budget. Available for PC and Mac. $300.

An Invisible Mic

Tech-geek speakers who want the ultimate cool onstage presence will love the Countryman E6 Omni Earset Mic. Practically invisible to live audiences, this headset captures sources clearly with excellent rejection of ambient noise, and it is incredibly comfortable to wear. $325.

A Rechargeable Wireless Microphone System

Save cash without compromising quality when you opt for the VHF-3300 2 Channel VHF Rechargeable Wireless Microphone System from VocoPro. While not in use, set microphones in the charging port on top of the receiver. The set features Squelch Circuitry to eliminate background noise, individual volume controls, LED indicators to monitor signal strength, and a range of up to 150 feet. $142.

Great Self-Contained Speaker System

Say goodbye to those backbreaking floor wedges when you discover the 150-Watt Behringer EUROLIVE B205D Speaker System, an ultra-compact PA speaker with amazing sound quality. Featuring revolutionary amplifier technology, a 3-channel mixer, two mic preamps with phantom power, dedicated stereo input and more, Eurolive delivers high power and tremendous functionality at a great price. $150.

Shure Wireless Mics

When onstage, a hands-free lavalier microphone provides freedom of mobility. The Shure SLX124/85/SM58 Dual System features a Shure SLX4 Diversity Receiver, a Shure SLX2/58 Handheld Transmitter with SM58 Microphone, a Shure WL185 Cardioid Lavalier Microphone, and a Shure SLX1 Bodypack Wireless Transmitter. In addition to serving as backup, the second (handheld) wireless mic is a great way to perform Q&A with your audience without the hassle of cables. $889.

Portable Presentation Speakers

Like the Behringer Eurolive, the GoSpeak! Pro Portable Presentation Speakers are extremely portable and pack an impressive list of features, but at a slightly higher price point. These 13 x 9 inch flat panel NXT® technology speakers slide into your laptop bag with ease and provide uniform volume throughout a room with up to 200 people. Plug them into a regular microphone, CD player, laptop, or other sound source. $290.

You can subscribe to SPEAKER magazine on the NSA website.

San Francisco-based artist Ann Rea creates an Experience of Art™ for select patrons that is an innovative blend of new and old world mediums. Patrons choose their favorite landscape and join this nationally acclaimed artist for a tour of that special place, one that holds their heart’s most meaningful memories.

The artist returns to paint several studies in oils on canvas, shaping colors inspired by sunlight. Week by week, patrons witness the evolution of their painting by way of a dedicated online creative diary. They then choose one or more studies for Ann Rea to reinterpret on larger custom canvases.

A beautiful signed storybook chronicles this personal experience.

Ann Rea draws on the tradition of the French Impressionists and the influences of her mentor, contemporary painter Wayne Thiebaud, an American art icon. Rea continues to garner national media attention, including in magazines such as Fortune and Wine Enthusiast. Ann Rea hosts a limited number of in-studio visits as well as Art & Wine Pairings.

She is also a spellbinding guest speaker at conferences and business events where she shares her inspiring personal story and innovative business approach to the art market. Visit her website to see samples of her amazing art.

Pro-Track Profile

I talked with Ann recently and asked her about her background as a San Francisco-based artist and the inspiration for the unique experience of art she shares with clients. To hear what she told me, and her impressions of the National Speakers Association Pro-Track class that she is part of, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:42 — 1.8MB)

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Brian Jenner runs the European Speechwriters Network, an association that brings together international communicators to promote the craft and profession of speechwriting. The Network hosts conferences and organizes training; supporting like-minded individuals, working as freelancers, or within international organizations, to share expertise, exchange ideas and make new contacts. This is a transcript of a talk Brian gave to Toastmasters International on Wednesday 11 April 2012.

My name is Brian Jenner and I’ve brought a photograph to show you today. It’s me, with the tool of my trade.

It cost me £600 and it stands in my study.

It’s a lectern.

When I finish writing a speech, I print it off, go to the lectern and read it out. The lectern doubles up as a desk and I can make amendments in the margin as I go along.

Woody Allen said that 90% of being a success was turning up.

I’d say that you’re 50% on the way to becoming a professional speechwriter if you read out every speech you write.

You’d be surprised how many people don’t.

I spend quite a lot of time searching for the text of speeches on the internet. They publish the ones made by corporate CEO’s in banks, international organizations and insurance companies.

You soon realize that no-one could possibly have tried to read them out before they’re delivered – they’re so verbose and dreary.

I had quite a struggle before I decided it was my vocation to become a speechwriter. We all have natural abilities. Things that come easily to us. Ideally we need a job that uses all our talents to the maximum.

I’ve given it careful thought and I’ve come to the conclusion that I play five different roles as a speechwriter.

The first is that of a JOURNALIST

I trained as a journalist. I worked on The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.

The most important skill of a journalist is to be able to research a story. My clients don’t usually have the time to spend five hours looking deeply into a subject.

A newspaper has the resources to support a journalist.

I have reference books – and the equivalent of a cuttings library – a large collection of jokes and stories, which work well in speeches.

It means experience counts for something.

Most jobs require a little bit of madness, and a speechwriter needs to be a FANTASIST

I’m always puzzled by the number of people who accept reality as it is.

The Italian sociologist Pareto said you could divide the world into two types, people who are routine, steady going, unimaginative and conservative and those who are constantly preoccupied with the possibilities of new combinations.

My local councillors worry about pavements and parking.

When I moved down to Bournemouth in 2004, I thought I’d moved to a backwater for senior citizens. Then I realised the area’s potential.

If it linked up together with Poole and Christchurch, I see how it could become a great city like San Francisco on the South Coast.

It’s the job of the speechwriter, with a brooding and creative temperament, to manipulate the steady going, because we’re in the business of reconstructing the world with ideas.

The third skill you need is HUMORIST

I studied French at university. One of my favorite quotations comes from the French writer Rabelais.

Mieux est de ris que de larmes escrire
Pour ce que rire est le propre de l’homme.

It’s better to write laughs than tears because laughter is what being human is all about.

What’s the point of being boring?

What’s the point of complaining?

If you want to persuade people to do something new, it helps if you can make them laugh.

The fourth skillset is PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Speechwriting is a very intimate process.

You’ve got to get under your client’s skin.

When we speak in public we reveal a lot more about ourselves than we realize.

When a best man wants to go to a wedding and tell obscene jokes. That tells you something about his psychological problems. I help him conceal them.

However, when a father of the bride says he hasn’t got a clue what to say, it’s my job to probe, and encourage him to express feelings that he may have been too shy to admit to, but will give great significance to the day.

Lastly, a speechwriter is a FUNAMBULIST

For many the prospect of giving a speech is like a wire walk.

It fills them with dread.

The speechwriter has to walk their walk for them.

We can’t deviate from the path they set.

One of my heroes is Philippe Petit, the French funambulist.

He was inspired to begin his great project when he saw something in a magazine in the dentists in 1968 – a picture of the Twin Towers which were going to be built in New York.

Then he decided he was going to put a wire across the gap between the towers and do the tightrope walk.

The story of how he did it, which made a great book and film, epitomizes for me how an idea becomes a vision and a vision a reality.

If you want an image to express how the speechwriter supports the speaker, we’re like the balancing pole to the wire walker.

We’re there to add stability and improve co-ordination.

So I’m lucky. I don’t get to do just one job, I do five.

Journalist, fantasist, humorist, psychotherapist and funambulist.

Rachna Srivastava is a passionate speaker. Her goal is to inspire and empower girls, women and other underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and math. Her vision is of a global program that nurtures and encourages technical and mathematical skills in women and other minority groups. Rachna is a software developer with 15 years experience in software analysis, design, development and implementation. Her educational background includes a Masters in Business Administration in Finance (MBA), Masters in Science in Statistics (MS) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. She is currently a Software Engineer at HP working with development teams in a complex, globally-dispersed environment. Before joining HP in 2010 she worked as a Software Engineer at IBM for nearly nine years.

Women in Information Technology

Rachna asks, “Did you know that in the next decade, the national demand for scientists and engineers is expected to increase four times that of all other occupations? But where are women? The population of women in information technology has dropped from 40% of the workforce in 1986 to only 20% now and the number is still dropping.”

The importance of inclusion and diversity

Rachna lists three reasons why we should care about having women leaders in technology:

1. A recent study done at MIT shows that a well-managed diverse group produces more innovative solution to problems than homogeneous groups. Why is so? We know that to create innovation we have to have diversity of thoughts and in order to have diverse thoughts we need to have diverse set of people bringing these ideas.
2. Women tend to be emphatic and empathy creates a more complete picture of issues, which contributes to changing consumer behavior. This understanding is critical to both product development and product marketing.
3. Women are good collaborators, they are more likely to ask for advice and consider other peoples opinion. They encourage employees participation, and when employees participate they feel powerful and important and get them excited about their work. This is good not only for employees but also for the organization.

You can read more on this and other topics on her Geek Woman Speaker blog.

Pro-Track Profile

I met with Rachna and asked her about her background and the initial steps she is taking on her journey to get the word out about her important message. To hear what she told me, and her impressions of the National Speakers Association Pro-Track class that she is part of, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:06 — 1.4MB)

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I help edit SPEAKER Magazine for the National Speakers Association (NSA). Each month I curate the Relevant Resources column – a list of time-saving tools and technologies.

The May 2012 edition suggests resources to stimulate your creative juices. Creativity and fresh ideas are essential to the success of any professional speaker, and even naturally creative people lose their edge occasionally. Whether you’re struggling to write a book, revamp your business model, or just having a dull, uninspired day, turn to one of these resources to reignite your creative spark.

While You Were Sleeping

You already know that sleep is good for you, but did you know that we are at our most creative when we are dreaming? Listening to information while you are drifting into la-la land stimulates creativity and enables the unconscious mind to absorb information more effectively. Plug in the SoftSpeaker Pillow from NPR’s online store for the perfect combination of comfort, quality and reliable sound. The speaker is padded in soft foam and its cover is washable. $19.95. www.Shop.NPR.org

Drink Yourself Smart

A lot of “smart drinks” on the market claim to clear brain fog and stimulate creativity. Whether this one actually works or not, it packs an undeniable punch of herbs, natural compounds and organic agave syrup. The world’s first kosher drink of its kind, Brain Toniq from TrueToniqs is said to increase mental focus and help you conquer your day without all that caffeine. Order online or find it at your local health food store. $2.99/can. For a full list of ingredients, visit www.BrainToniq.com.

Add a Pop of Kuler

Want to add pizazz to your PowerPoint®? Brighten up your branding? Kuler by Adobe is a unique website that generates color themes to compliment your marketing materials and inspire a myriad of new projects. No matter what you’re creating, Kuler lets you experiment quickly with color variations and browse thousands of themes from the Kuler community. You can also upload your own images and select matching or contrasting pallets. The best part? It’s free. www.Kuler.Adobe.com.

Stumble Through It

Discover new and interesting content on the Web via StumbleUpon.com. The site, which boasts over 20 million members, lets you browse random websites with the click of a button and indicate whether you “like” or “dislike” recommendations. As you provide feedback, StumbleUpon learns what best suits your tastes. You can also sign up for email updates that further assist you in uncovering hidden gems from across the Web that are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Join for free. www.StumbleUpon.com.

Sleep on the Job

Napping is highly underrated, and these days innovative companies like Google are encouraging it to help employees get the much-needed rest they need to regenerate ideas and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The EnergyPod from MetroNaps combines stylish design with ergonomic functionality to create the ideal environment for energy enhancement. It features a contoured shape to elevate the feet, semi-private sphere, and a built-in adjustable timer. Visit www.MetroNaps.com for more details.

Start Stacking

Stuck in a rut? Start stacking, that is, compiling a list of online bookmarks that showcase your passions. Delicious.com lets you take a look at what other people find interesting on the Web, create your own “stacks” – videos, pictures, tweets, blog posts – and personalize them with your own commentary to share with the community! Drop the Delicious bookmarklet in your browser to get started. Free. www.Delicious.com.

Tune in to TED

If you haven’t heard of TED by now, do yourself a favor and click on www.TED.com to find free videos on technology, design, business, and global issues. TED Talks are invitation-only events where creative powerhouses like Bono and Bill Clinton come together to swap ideas. For a live experience designed to stimulate dialogue on a local level, you’ll want to check out TEDx events, inspired by TED’s mission – “ideas worth spreading”. Visit www.ted.com/tedx to learn more.

Mind Over Matter

Group collaboration can be challenging. XMind makes it easy with a powerful and intuitive design, simple ways to express ideas and share information to your audience, and user-friendly project tracking and task management features. With this mind-mapping software, you can create and edit topics, drag and drop to reorganize, take “mapshots,” and add attachments. Free or $49/year for XMind Pro. www.XMind.net.

Turn to Toons

Brighten up your inbox with a daily cartoon illustrated by Hugh MacLeod, bestselling author and CEO of Stormhoek USA, which markets South African wine in the States. Drawn on the backs of business cards, these delightful messages are motivational and thought-provoking. When you subscribe on his website, you’ll get access to hundreds of limited edition prints and access to special offers. Sign up for free, and be sure to follow Hugh on Twitter @gapingvoid. www.GapingVoid.com.

You can subscribe to SPEAKER magazine on the NSA website.

Joanne Westley is a senior manager in the supply chain of the UK’s Jansen Display. In her spare time Joanne likes to go mountain biking as well as hiking in the Lake District.

Presentations are stressful, and PowerPoint can make them even more so. Will the computer read your USB stick? Will the version of PowerPoint be different? Are your pictures and video going to show up right?

And, even if all that works out, will you hear a groan from the audience when they see the first slide from yet another cookie cutter slideshow?

Break the cycle and move beyond PowerPoint. There are new and exciting tools available that will let you add some spice to your talk, as well as open new avenues for collaboration.

Prezi

Prezi is the darling child of next-gen presentations. While the user interface can be daunting to a novice user, once mastered Prezi can produce murmurs of approval from your audience. While you can recreate the sterile slideshow feel within Prezi, it also has the ability to zoom in and out, rotate, and create visual experiences that are not possible from PowerPoint. Prezi can also integrate YouTube and other content seamlessly.

SlideRocket

Sliderocket will look much more familiar to PowerPoint users. It’s slide based, but offers a snazzier selection of tools and ingredients out of the box than PowerPoint. You can add charts, tables, video, and audio, and the interface is very intuitive. Be careful though, both SlideRocket and Prezi will have issues if running on a slow computer or an out of date browser.

Google Docs

The Presentations feature of Google Documents is a simple, no-nonsense slide creator. It offers the majority of the same features as PowerPoint, although it lacks the ability to insert audio and has less presentation customization. However, given the growing popularity of the Google Documents suite, this is a safe choice for group presentations since it’s likely they already have a Google account.

Whiteboards

One thing these digital formats lack is the ability to make adjustments to your presentation on the fly. Instead of PowerPoint or another online show, consider using a simple whiteboard for your presentation. This allows you to more closely tie your visual content to your talk by creating it as you go, as well as making your presentation more interactive by having the ability to answer questions on the whiteboard. Just make sure you and your audience will be comfortable with your handwriting and diagramming.

Zoho Show

Another online alternative, Zoho Show is as close to an online clone of PowerPoint as it gets. The menus and options have the same look and feel as the traditional Microsoft product, and so Zoho would be a good choice for a less technically savvy group who still wants to use an online digital platform for their presentation.

No matter which tool you choose, take the time to learn it and your material well, and your presentation will be a success. Based on my research, Prezi has the most potential for creating a Wow! experience, while Google Presentations is number one for ease of use. If you have an artistic streak, though, go for the whiteboard. Good luck!

Kate Peters has taught voice and communication impact for over 30 years, and is the author of the book, Can You Hear Me Now? In addition, she has been the communications trainer for many successful business clients, a featured speaker with many organizations, and a guest on the KNX Business Hour, as well as on the Wayne and Jane show in Canada, and others.

Kate stays active as an a performing artist, with several recordings , and her blog, Kate’s Voice is among the top 100 public speaking blogs in the US.

The Power of Intention: The secrets your voice reveals
by Kate Peters

I am often surprised by the lack of research in the area of voice as a barometer for the psyche, but we all know it is. I got a voice mail from my daughter the other day. All she said was, “Hi, Mom. Call me,” but I knew something was wrong. Fortunately, it was not a big problem, but how did I know there was a problem at all? It wasn’t what she said; it was how she said it. Politicians can deliver eloquent, powerful phrases in response to accusations, and we think we know they are lying, no matter what they actually say.

An Ohio State University study has shown that emotions can be “heard” in the voice. An emotion is what happens when many interconnected processes of interpretation, bodily reaction and expression happen in response to a situation, either external or internal. Emotion is physical. Therefore, since the voice IS also physical, it is no wonder that we can “hear” emotions in the voice. It happens through changes in the muscles, the breath and the brain which in turn affect the pitch, cadence, and inflection of the voice. Coupled with the ability for the voice to show emotion is the ability for the ear to pick up minute differences in the sound the voice produces. The ear can perceive 1400 different pitches and 280 different levels of volume for each pitch it can hear! So if you feel an emotion, you can be assured that no matter how hard you try to disguise it, someone will pick it up!

But what about intention? Can we pick up intentions in a person’s voice or because of their relation to emotions, or is there something else going on? Intention is what one has in mind to do or bring about, and I mean literally “in mind,” as was shown by two studies of intention. In the first, it was revealed by New York researchers that infants as young as six months old can understand our intentions, and respond to them. Another study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show that the mirror neuron system tracks not only the actions, but also the intentions, of others. This mirror neuron system has been identified as being very important in guiding our social interactions, especially in survival and keeping us safe. Therefore, intention is a component of “trustworthiness” in social interaction and it is definitely picked up by others, which is why you need to be clear about your intention as a speaker.

Aligning your intention with others’

Public speaking often feels like a solo act. Conversation can feel that way too! In personal expression, you will almost always communicate the representation of your personal perspective. You seek to persuade others, to inform others, or to entertain others. However, if you truly need or want to communicate something, you need to consider the perspective of others. You can think of intention in public speaking as something akin to good marketing: you need to know who you are, what you do and why anyone should care. In an article called “The Power of the Ask,” Market Like a Chick blogger, Coree Silvera, says “You build your solutions based on their needs and demonstrate how your unique product or service can help them achieve their goals.” Likewise, when speaking with others, you do the same. You are not looking for their intention to be the same as yours, but you must understand how their intention for being there intersects with or conflicts with yours.

Let’s look at some obvious examples.

• A political comedian may be hysterically funny to the Democrats and offensive to the Republicans, or vice versa.
• No matter how persuasive, a pharmaceutical rep may have a hard time convincing a convention of naturopaths that his product is viable.
• The most eloquent teacher in the world will not necessarily persuade a group of restless teenagers to sit and listen to him for hours.
• If you know that you have a solution to sell and they need your solution, that doesn’t mean that their intention is to buy from you.

Speech coach, Lisa Braithwaite has an article on her blog, Speak Schmeak, which addresses intentions in a broader picture. She stresses that your words have to align with your actions, and in her examples, the actions have intentionalitiy behind them. Though not in these words, she asks you to consider this: what is the intention behind your actions?

It is safe to say that there are those who have persuaded others to listen when it was against the odds. One fine example is that of a ten-year-old boy, Dalton Sherman, who has captured the hearts of over 500,000 viewers on YouTube. Dalton is a passionate speaker who makes us believe in him because he obviously believes in himself. Dalton’s voice is strong. His words are strong, and he intends that we move together to make a strong difference in education.

Discovering Intention

How can you be more like Dalton? How can you better align your intention with your voice and your content? The first step is often to get very honest with yourself and to take inventory of what’s going on in your mind and the minds of your listeners. Make it a part of what you do in preparation for a talk or a conversation. And consider that circumstances may interfere with your intention. A sound system fails, a heckler interrupts your talk, an unexpected emotional response affects you deeply, and changes your mind. Still, an awareness of intention in yourself and others is key to more clear communication. Here are some ways to discover yours and use it well.

• Ask yourself why you are there? Are you there to convince the audience to do something? Are you there to entertain? Are you speaking to educate? Are you giving something away in order to get them to buy something else? Are you speaking on behalf of a cause? Are you using this as an opportunity to do something you weren’t actually asked to do? Did you agree to have lunch with someone because you would then be able to corner them with a topic they are not expecting? Are you apologizing? Are you wanting them to hear a grievance? There are many possibilities. Write them down and be aware of them as you craft your speech or conversation.
• It may be more difficult to clarify intention when you are asked to speak on the spur of the moment. In that situation, take a moment to consider the audience and who and why they are there. Your intention is the intersection of why YOU are there, what you have been asked to do, and why the audience should care.
• Create a personal statement of intention for each project or product you need to represent. Let that statement shape your intention in your communication with others.
• Research the purpose of the organizations and businesses for whom you speak. Find ways in which their purpose and your intention intersect and use that as a filter in your communication with them.
• You have a unique perspective and personality to bring to whatever you do. You have a voice that is unlike any other, both a physical one and a “voice” as an authentic presence in the world. Your intention is always to bring that voice to the table so you can be heard. And even though Dalton impresses us because he isn’t like most ten-year-olds, just like Dalton, you can bring your unique self to us and do so with confidence and clarity if you honestly believe in who you are what you have to say.

The first day of the 2012 Ragan Speechwriters Conference at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC concluded with a blue-ribbon panel of former Presidential speechwriters (from both parties) calling for more discipline on the part of contenders for the USA’s highest office.

George H.W. Bush speechwriter Chriss Winston said Republican candidates are focused too much on process and the negative campaigns of their opponents instead of their vision of how to turn the country around. They need to discipline to focus their message. Reagan-era speechwriter Clark Judge agreed that the 24-hour media coverage will unseat those who practice politics as usual:

“Presidential communications begins with the discipline of thinking through what you’re saying, who you’re saying it to, how you’re saying it and whether you’re going directly through cable to the country or if you’ll be mediated by reporters picking out sound bites.”

The partisan speechwriters naturally talked up their own champions strengths and highlighted the weaknesses of the opposing party. However, moderator Lenny Steinhorn, in a clever twist, asked them to state what they’d advise if they were writing for the other side.

Here’s some of the comments that struck me.

President Obama’s strengths and weaknesses

• Gets a lot of flack for using a TelePrompter, but at least this shows he has planned his remarks and does not go off message or ramble. Some attributed this to his relatively short tenure as a senator, and those who have long senate records tend not to succeed as candidates (Kerry, Dole, McCain) who have the muscle memory of years of long-winded Senate speeches to overcome.
• There’s a danger in his expertise with rhetoric and he needs to back up his speeches with actions. Style alone, where he’s the clear leader, won’t win alone. Content matters. Tie deeply held values to policy specifics.
• His approval ratings have a “trading range” of 40-50% – if he’s at the top of that range in November he’ll probably win, if at the bottom, probably lose.
• Obama was elected because his bio and the vision he had for America came together in a compelling manner. However, his speeches while in office have often lacked this. His core message since in office has shifted from Hope/Change to the Problem I Inherited to the Car in the Ditch to Millionaires and Billionaires to Fair Play by the Rules to the War on Women.
• He’s weakest in terms of gas prices and the economy and the eventual Republican opponent needs to focus on this.
• There’s a danger that the more he speaks on the economy the lower his ratings will go. It reminds people of the things they don’t like about him. Addressing contraception was a good move.
• One suggestion from George W. Bush speechwriter Jonathan Horn is that Obama seize on the 1862 Preliminary Declaration on Emancipation as something all Americans can take pride in and refer to it in his September 2012 Convention speech.

Mitt Romney’s strengths and weaknesses

• There was general agreement that Romney was the most likely Republican candidate. Minimal mention was made of Santorum or Gingrich.
• The most frequent demand was that Romney tell his story to the American people. Bush in 1988 is seen as a role model for Romney: a decent guy who can present an alternate view of government. Yet no-one knows his story. Romney needs to tell the story of his family, going back to his Dad who was an incredible speaker, but by no means an immigrant from Mexico! Romney needs to let people know what his core values are. The Convention speech is the ideal time to reframe his story and share what he believes. (I was fascinated not one panelist mentioned that were he to tell his whole story it would have to include what took his ancestors to Mexico in the first place, and the central role the Church of Latter Day Saints plays in his life and how he must have more than a passing fluency in the French language. But, to my knowledge, neither a word of French nor mention of the Angel Moroni has ever passed his lips on the campaign trail.)
• He’s far more than the “successful businessman”. This is too clinical. There are awkward aspects to his wealth for some, but none that Bush did not face in ’88, and overcome with the “jiu-jitsu” comments about living in an ordinary home in Texas, sweeping Andover and Yale under the rug.
• Romney needs to define himself as the man of the moment.
• He must offer a clear, concise vision of where the country should go and focus on the economy to beat Obama.

In Conclusion

Overall, this was an enlivening panel discussion where current political differences in the USA were debated in a civilized manner. However, it might be a measure of how far down the divisive path America has come that some of the European attendees at the Ragan Conference were aghast at the level of partisanship. I guess they need to watch a few CNBC and Fox News shows, followed by a drive-time commute with Talk Radio, to realize how constructive the panel discussion actually was.

You’ve always heard you have a way with voices. You make all your friends and family laugh with the crazy characters you play. Or maybe you’ve been told you have an excellent speaking voice. You don’t need a voice coach. You’re ready to embark on a career as a voice actor now. Or are you?

Just because someone is told they have a beautiful singing voice doesn’t mean they sign a record deal the next day. Reality television shows like American Idol have, ironically, given a lot of people unrealistic ideas of what it takes to break into a competitive business. The same is true of voice acting. Natural talent is a must. But so is hard work. Before you can withstand the rigors of voice acting, you need to learn how to care for your voice, and how to make the most of it. A voice coach can help you do those things. Here’s how to find one.

Classifieds/Yellow Pages

The most obvious choice—the Yellow Pages. Yes, they still exist. But you don’t have to pull out that thick, dusty book you’ve been using to prop up your computer monitor. The Yellow Pages are online now. So are a few competitors. You should be able to find voice coaches in your local area on one or more of these sites. If all else fails, you can go ahead and flip through that book you never thought you’d have to use again.

Online

Other than searching local listing sites, there’s always a regular Internet search. Open a search engine and start looking by entering words and phrases that pertain to what you’re seeking. Mix it up to get the best results. For example, the most common search will be “voice coach” followed by your city, or the nearest large city. You can also try “voice teacher,” “acting coach,” and “singing coach.” A teacher who specializes in acting or singing may still be able to help you with your voice acting, or at least refer you to someone who can.

Word of Mouth

Do you already know some voice actors? If so, they’re going to be a very valuable resource to you. Ask them if they’ve worked with voice coaches, and see if they’re willing or able to refer you. You can also speak with agents who represent voice actors, and request their advice on a voice coach to work with. Also check out voice actors’ Web sites. They may talk about how they started their careers, or even have a page of resources new voice actors can use. If they don’t, try sending them an e-mail and politely ask whether they can point you in the right direction. The worst they can do is either say no, or not respond at all, but it’s worth a shot.

You may have loads of voice talent, and be destined for voice acting stardom. But you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t at least try to improve your skills before you start sending out demos.

Sarah Stockton is an Outreach Coordinator for Voices.com, a site connects businesses with professional voice talents. She enjoys helping potential voice talent find their start in the voice industry.