It needs to be developed and it needs to be taken care of. Different nuances and levels of expression are developed and revealed over time.For the speaker it is much the same. Quite literally the vocal chords are the medium that vibrates the air, that sends the message, that resonates in the listener's ear-drum.

An unappealing, grating or monotonous delivery will create resistance in the listener, regardless of the value of the content.Initially when helping a speaker develop their vocal range we focus on the 3 'p's: pitch, pace and pause.

Pitch covers two areas of expression:

i. raising and lowering the voice as required to create tonal variety

ii. effective and varied use of volume and projection

We need to develop a natural, relatable style of delivery. These days the 'declaiming orator' seems a bit over the top to most of us, nevertheless it is still vital to be aware that every nuance that may seem effective under your own ear needs to be exaggerated for an audience.

Clearly the bigger the room, the bigger the audience, the more this becomes essential.Pace, when combined with pitch adds the 'third dimension'. To be able to naturally moderate the speed, the pitch and volume in different combinations can give infinite colour and variety to the polished, well-rehearsed speaker.

The pause is a valuable tool in its own right. Its use can be varied and dramatic; whether for instance speeding up, increasing volume and pitch to reach a dramatic pause, or gently winding down to a natural silence to allow the audience to digest a significant point or opinion.Articulation and clarity of speech are also important in delivering an effective presentation.

Many great singers are able to combine clear diction with a very natural delivery. A singer like Frank Sinatra is worth listening to for the balance he achieves between ease and clarity.In considering the voice and how it can be used to best effect, it can be very useful for a speaker to listen to the rhythm and nuances of music, particularly classical music, which can greatly help to develop natural rhythm and flow, as well as giving hints on pace, pitch and balance.Please remember that the voice is the speaker's primary tool of communication.

The voice has infinite possibilities in creating light, colour and interest for the audience. Take time out to develop the voice and you'll have a massive impact on the audience and on the those who book speakers.

Vince Stevenson is one of England's greatest speaking enthusiasts, having competed for and won many prestigious competitions. Vince is a founder and lead trainer at the College of Public Speaking. Please visit us at => http://www.collegeofpublicspeaking.co.uk

Have you ever wanted to walk on the wild side?

Have you ever wanted to leave the office environment and never return?

Driving up to Manchester one autumn's evening in 1995, I decided something had to change.

The three hour journey from Leicester had turned into a six hour marathon, again.

It was cold, damp and desolate stuck in the endless lines of slow moving cars.

In my briefcase sat an unsigned and rather overly negotiated contract extension for my job in Leicester. When I finally arrived in Manchester at 11pm, bored, hungry and miserable - I knew that I could not face another winter of living and working out of a suitcase. It was time for serious change.

The week before, I had been stuck on a train for hours heading down to London.

The woman sat opposite me had left her travel magazine on the seat when she alighted at Luton. I had read my newspaper back to front and on the second time of reading, I found nothing new.

I reached over and killed a little time by flicking through the glossy magazine, but each time I thumbed the pages, my eyes returned to page 34 which advertised a five month trip to South and Central America. Setting off from Ushuaia in Argentina (the most southerly City in the world) and finishing in Mexico City. The itinerary read like a Who's Who of top travel destinations.

Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Punta Arenas, Pucon (Mount Villarica - 10,000 feet active volcano), Bariloche, Esquel, the Argentine lake district, Santiago, Valparaiso, La Serena, the Atacama desert, Arica, Nazca, Arequipa, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Manaus, Angel Falls and so on...

Do you get the picture?

Travelling on a converted truck and free camping, the lucky adventurers would experience the full range of South and Central America's charms. Having never been camping before and with my thirty-fifth birthday celebrations still ringing in my ears, I suddenly realised that I was confronted by a serendipitous 'once in a lifetime' opportunity. Would I break the mould of my boring office life or step out bravely into an adventurer's world?

I was single, no obligations and I had the money. What is the point in having a big bank balance while life was passing me by?

The following Monday morning, I handed my notice in. Contract discussions had been delayed and I had only ten working days to endure. It seemed like forever before I was released from that working purgatory.

Once the deed was done, I was walking on air. Skipping down the corridor and whistling 'El condor Pasa' - I never whistle…

It was a euphoric experience - the weight of meetings, ironing work shirts and driving those endless miles up and down he M1 had dissipated into nothingness. Top priority on this project manager's list was buying outdoor gear, expensive sleeping bags, boots and all weather jackets.

And there was one place, one destination that I was focussed on - Machu Picchu in Peru - I had read so much about it and I knew that it would be the highlight of my journey…

If you want to find out exactly how my crazy decision turned out… then click on the link and follow my path on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Vince Stevenson is an author, public speaker and training consultant.

His talks on South America have a popular appeal. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

It does not employ professional lecturers or speakers but draws upon the experience of its membership (who have all suffered the fears and lack of confidence themselves) to help evaluate and encourage newer members.

Within the atmosphere of friendly club gatherings the ASC offers a well proven approach to learning and improving effective speaking - both prepared and impromptu.

We rely on our tried and trusted Speakers' Guide which is available to all ASC members.

We develop our members into better speakers, not just for formal events like dinners, but for any occasion where someone is called upon to say a few words.

Club meetings are organised to guide the speaker through a series of logical set assignments.

The Association of Speakers Club's manual provides guidance on each of ten basic assignments, as well as an advanced section, with helpful advice on chairmanship, impromptu speaking and evaluation.

The first assignment from the ASC guide is 'The Icebreaker'. This is the point at which the novice speaker begins to Achieve Speaking Confidence. The speaker is invited to make a short speech, about themselves, their hobbies or interests.

The next assignment's title is the watchword for everyone who gives a speech: 'Mean What You Say'. Here the speaker is asked to speak with feeling and passion about a subject close to their hearts.

Each speech is evaluated by a more experienced member who gives views on the performance and advice for improvement. This is the keystone to success. Because there are no hidden agendas, positive peer feedback gives the developing speaker the confidence to improve.

The advice is invaluable. It covers how to use body language in a positive manner, how to prepare notes, how to modulate the voice and how to hold an audience by good eye contact.

The Association of Speakers Clubs also organises competitions at Club, Area and District levels, culminating in the National Contests which occur at the end of April each year.

There are eight distinct Districts in the organisation which spans England, Scotland and Wales. Each year the National Conference is hosted by a different District. Not only is the regular conference business of the ASC carried out alongside the prestigious competitions, but it is also a marvelous social occasion where new friends and old mingle to share the enjoyment of first class communication.

Vince Stevenson has been a member of the Association of Speakers Clubs for many years and is one of the organisation's greatest enthusiasts.

Vince is a member of Speakers of Bromley SC and founder of Beckenham Speakers Club. http://www.the-asc.org.uk

It does not employ professional lecturers or speakers but draws upon the experience of its membership (who have all suffered the fears and lack of confidence themselves) to help evaluate and encourage newer members.

Within the atmosphere of friendly club gatherings the ASC offers a well proven approach to learning and improving effective speaking - both prepared and impromptu.

We rely on our tried and trusted Speakers' Guide which is available to all ASC members.

We develop our members into better speakers, not just for formal events like dinners, but for any occasion where someone is called upon to say a few words.

Club meetings are organised to guide the speaker through a series of logical set assignments.

The Association of Speakers Club's manual provides guidance on each of ten basic assignments, as well as an advanced section, with helpful advice on chairmanship, impromptu speaking and evaluation.

The first assignment from the ASC guide is 'The Icebreaker'. This is the point at which the novice speaker begins to Achieve Speaking Confidence. The speaker is invited to make a short speech, about themselves, their hobbies or interests.

The next assignment's title is the watchword for everyone who gives a speech: 'Mean What You Say'. Here the speaker is asked to speak with feeling and passion about a subject close to their hearts.

Each speech is evaluated by a more experienced member who gives views on the performance and advice for improvement. This is the keystone to success. Because there are no hidden agendas, positive peer feedback gives the developing speaker the confidence to improve.

The advice is invaluable. It covers how to use body language in a positive manner, how to prepare notes, how to modulate the voice and how to hold an audience by good eye contact.

The Association of Speakers Clubs also organises competitions at Club, Area and District levels, culminating in the National Contests which occur at the end of April each year.

There are eight distinct Districts in the organisation which spans England, Scotland and Wales. Each year the National Conference is hosted by a different District. Not only is the regular conference business of the ASC carried out alongside the prestigious competitions, but it is also a marvelous social occasion where new friends and old mingle to share the enjoyment of first class communication.

Vince Stevenson has been a member of the Association of Speakers Clubs for many years and is one of the organisation's greatest enthusiasts.

Vince is a member of Speakers of Bromley SC and founder of Beckenham Speakers Club. http://www.the-asc.org.uk

Why is this?

Well, the mistake that most inexperienced users make is that they think that Powerpoint is the presentation itself - whereas the truth is that Powerpoint is simply a tool to visually assist the speaker's key messages.

People spend hours creating scores of slides with large chunks of text in a small font size. They then waste the presentational opportunity by reading the contents of each slide verbatim in a monotonous drone. This is more a case of assisted reading rather than imparting key messages with impact.

Powerpoint is simply a tool to visually assist the speaker key messages.

Tips:

The presenter must take centre stage and take control. Do not be a slave to the PC or the projector.

It's vital to have a structure so that you can map out what is about to happen. This assists the audience enormously when you tell them what you're going to tell them.

Ensure you have only one key point per slide. Ensure that each slide serves its purpose and pulls its weight. Can your audience read the slide?

Consistently use fonts and font sizes. Use non-serif fonts. No more than 2 per page. If your company has a logo or brand, ensure it appears in each page (master slide - usually bottom right hand corner).

Know your audience - who are they and what's in it for them? Are you there to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate? Stick to your theme. We are all guilty of trying too hard to please. Sticking to the theme will help the audience enormously – confusing messages or themes makes the audience feel uncomfortable and you will see them shifting in their seats if they are confused.

Know your PC.

Find out which type of PC you'll be using as the specification for each PC can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Email your presentation to the organisers and take a copy on a memory stick, just in case. Most modern laptops no longer use floppy disks. Find out in advance and always expect the unexpected.

Also, make sure that you address your audience and do not talk directly to the screen. As always your primary concern is your audience. Without an audience, there is no requirement for a speaker. When you deliver a key message or even a key line, make sure that you're looking directly at the audience and not at your notes. That will give that point added weight and greater impact.

Use a remote mouse - it highly distracting for the audience if you are hunched over the PC during the presentation. Being free to move around the stage and address individual segments of the audience will make certain that you'll look calm and professional. That, of course, is exactly what you want. Being invited to speak again is your reward for your hard work, preparation and delivery.

Vince Stevenson is one of England's leading speaking enthusiasts and founder of Beckenham Speakers Club in Kent. Beckenham Speakers Club is affiliated to its parent body the Association of Speakers Clubs which runs clubs the length and breadth of the UK. http://www.beckenhamspeakers.org.uk

That's an easy question to answer. And the answer is this – forget that the audience are there and deliver the presentation to please yourself.

Let's think about this for one moment… Why has the speaker been booked and what is the speaker's number one priority?

Simple – It is to deliver a speech or presentation to the needs of that target audience.

The biggest mistake a speaker can make is not to prepare thoroughly, and a key aspect of that preparation is to understand who will be in the audience.

So, let's assume that you've done your homework. You have a good handle on who'll be in the audience, so far so good, but what else can we do to turn them off?

There are so many opportunities to build a communications barrier between you and them and I'll be discussing some of them in this article.

Imagine a short wave radio. You know the one that whistles and crackles a lot. You can hear a voice delivering a message, but those whistles and crackles are breaking up the words, and although there is a message, there is also interference. The message is incomplete and sometimes unintelligible.

It's the same in public speaking. If we can remove the interference then our message becomes so much stronger. A major problem is that we are not aware of the frequency or the nature of the interference that we introduce.

Lack of eye contact is a popular omission from a presentation. Or the speaker often feigns eye contact by actually looking over the top of people's heads. The secret is to make everybody feel that you are speaking to them individually. Make them feel special. Be generous with your eye contact. Nobody will bite you for looking at them, but they might growl a little if you don't. Just three of four seconds to each person and keep it moving to cover all of the audience segments.

Have you ever noticed a speaker swaying from side to side? Shifting weight from right to left and back again, rather like a pendulum. It is distracting and it also can have a hypnotic impact on the audience. Ten minutes of that and you've usually lost the audience. Equally, rocking backwards and forwards, especially on an old wooden floor can result in an incessant creaking like the mast on a 17th century war ship.

Playing with keys and coins in the pockets is another regular mistake. How can you make natural gestures when your hands are tucked away from view? And that jangling of the coins and the key ring is so annoying and distracting. For gentlemen in particular, it is to say the least… unsightly.

Every day, we all hear lots of unwanted and extraneous verbal material like – OK, right, y'know, um, ahh, init, yeh, wicked, now, so… But that's normally delivered in every day chatter. However, when these words are used within a speech or presentation, they are magnified and distorted out of all proportion. The recommendation is simply – leave them out, the interference will be reduced and the message will carry greater clarity.

If you are delivering a technical presentation to a non-technical audience, please avoid jargon and acronyms. It is best to distribute a list of acronyms and their meanings, otherwise, you will lose the audience and mentally they will drift off. I hope that most people would know acronyms like NATO, MEP, NSPCC, PDSA and KBG, SLA, TLA, but even people who are mostly up to date with their essential reading will not know them all.

In Britain we have an organisation called SAGA, which runs special events for the over-fifties. I used to ask people if they knew what SAGA means as an acronym. One rather energetic lady in her seventies gave me one hilarious answer, but I can only tell you what she told me if you attend one of our workshops.

If you wear glasses, be aware that they can be a major distraction. It's simple, either keep them on, or take them off. At college I used to have a lovely professor, but he was at that age, rather as I am now, where his eyes were beginning to fail him. He couldn't see his students without the glasses and he couldn't follow his notes without them. The answer again is simple - invest in a pair of (sometimes) quite expensive bifocals. They are an investment, not an expense.

In a one hour session, myself and fellow students once counted his glasses on/glasses off movements 78 times. Yes, that's pretty distracting.

Finally, avoid ambiguity, unless you are doing it for comic effect.

Groucho Marx gave us the famous, ‘New York man shoots elephant in his pyjamas.'

The key message is this – once you begin practicing your speech, just concentrate on removing those distractions from your presentations as they are barriers to communication. Ask a collegue to give you some objective feedback focussing on the distraction factor. Think of the short wave radio and keep that frequency of speech clarity clear.

Vince Stevenson is one of England's leading speaking enthusiasts and founder of Beckenham Speakers Club in Kent. Beckenham Speakers Club is affiliated to its parent body the Association of Speakers Clubs, which runs clubs the length and breadth of the UK.

The joy you feel is quickly dampened by the realization that your new role includes presenting on a regular basis to senior management of your company and you are scared stiff!

What do you do?

Perhaps you enroll on a presentation skills course and whilst on that course you feel your nerves ebb away with each presentation that you give and each piece of feedback that you receive. One month later you are to give your first presentation at work and the nerves just flood back as though the training course meant nothing.

There are many simple ways to avoid this dreaded possibility and most of them are very straightforward.

Firstly be prepared, that means fully researching your subject and, as far as possible, your audience. Confidence increases considerably when you know your subject and know that no question from the audience can throw you.

TIP 1: All presenters naturally feel more at ease answering a question (assuming they know the answer) than they do presenting, so, if possible, get a plant in the audience to ask you an agreed question early on in the presentation; any nerves will simply vanish!

Knowing your audience will allow you to structure your presentation in a way which will hold their interest; seeing the audience interested in what you are saying will provide a great boost to your confidence.

Secondly, try your presentation on trusted colleagues first and get them to tell you what works and what doesn't. Having already done the presentation is a guaranteed way to feel more at ease on the day.

Thirdly, do not worry about making a mistake. Joking about it can smooth the incident over, while endearing you to your audience.

TIP 2: Plan to make a harmless mistake early on and have a prepared humorous follow-up. The tension between you and the audience melts away as rapidly as ice in the desert. You could say perhaps "I fully expect sales to exceed £3,000 this month" (when you and the audience are expecting a figure of around £300,000), hesitate briefly, say, "oh well I'd better cancel the family holiday to Australia that I'd planned with my bonus this year!" Then follow up with "of course I meant £300,000".

Fourthly, break the ice by meeting a few people from your audience before you speak; you will find that making eye contact with those people will be a great aid to making you feel at ease while you're speaking.

Finally, deep breathing does actually help to relieve tense muscles, a quaking voice and queasy stomach. It also helps to sit in a chair, contract and relax your arm muscles. You can feel a big difference after you have done this, but if you find yourself becoming tense again, simply repeat or try it with other muscles especially neck muscles. Always have some water handy to prevent your mouth from becoming dry.

Try these tips and you will soon see that your confidence will rapidly increase. Also make sure that you do as many presentations as you can; the more you do the easier it gets. And the very best of luck!

Vince Stevenson is one of England's greatest speaking entusiasts having competed for and won many prestigious speaking events. He is a founder and lead trainer with the College of Public Speaking.