Have you taught a college course in public speaking?

Which textbook did you use, and would you recommend it?

I’m interested to hear all your recommendations, the good and the bad.

In particular, perhaps you can help out a Six Minutes subscriber from Switzerland who teaches public speaking and writes:

Have you ever taught public speaking to college students? If so, do you have a recommended book? I am using a book right now (Hogan et. al, Public Speaking and Civic Engagement) that I am 50% happy with, but find the focus too American. My class is full of international, mixed-culture kids and they can’t relate to all the U.S. references.  I have used Lucas [Ed. The Art of Public Speaking?], you probably know his work, but find it too practical oriented and not academically very challenging. So I am searching for a “global public speaking” book. Any recommendations?

If we get a number of responses, I’ll compile them together in a future article.

Your responses can go here in the comments. Thank you!

Similar Articles You May Like... Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-03-06] Book Review: Made to Stick Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-02-06] Win a Book! Share Your Public Speaking Confessions Book Review: Confessions of a Public Speaker (Scott Berkun) Book Review: Universal Principles of Design

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

Have you ever fainted in mid-sentence?

Have you ever shown up for a 1-hour seminar only to be told you had to give it eight times in a row?

Have you ever had your blouse pop open while speaking?

These were just a few of the confessions shared by Six Minutes readers in our contest to win a copy of Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun.

Thank you to everyone who participated. The responses are collectively funny, surprising, and educational. A few of the most shocking confessions and the most valuable insights are featured below. Click here to read all of them back at the original contest article.

Underwear, Clown Noses, and Hello Kitty Toys

Jeff Fisher:

Attracting, and keeping, the attention of an audience can be difficult when you are speaking in the last time slot of a long conference day. I’ve managed to keep audiences awake in the past by doing my presentation in my underwear, wearing a clown nose, giving out door prizes such as “Hello Kitty” toys, and more. Be unique, be daring, be humorous – and be sure to somehow tie the unusual action into the topic on which you are speaking.

Remuneration or Renumeration?

A.J. Kandy:

Our high school debating club participated in a province-wide debating tournament. Our president had typed up copies of the main debate topic for us, which was “Be it resolved that the renumeration of Members of Parliament must be modified.” We scratched our heads and prepared as best as we could, coming up with elaborate talking points about redistricting of electoral ridings. When we entered the first debate, we were shocked to find out that the topic was actually “…the _remuneration_ of Members of Parliament.” Our club president had to face some pretty tough questions the next day… Lesson learned? Preparation counts, but so does the ability to throw away the script and improvise judiciously.

Could you give that presentation 7 more times?

Lon:

I was speaking for a sales force training day at IBM, [and] was told they needed an hour long session and to be there by 8:30. What I didn’t know was that I was the only presenter of the day, and they wanted me to give the same presentation 8 times that day!

Choosing the Wrong Person for Eye Contact

Bernadette:

A friend was giving a presentation about making a website more accessible for disabled users (i.e., ADA-compliant) at a day-long conference on Diversity. To calm her nerves, she relied on the well-known tip of choosing and presenting to one person in the audience as if you’re having a simple conversation. However, the gentleman she selected in the front row gave her absolutely no encouragement in return. She grew more and more disheartened as the man didn’t even acknowledge her beyond a looking in her direction.

She realized the flaw in her plan when, after she concluded, the man pulled out his folding white cane and left. She had been trying to made eye contact with someone who is blind – a likely encounter anywhere, but especially at a conference themed for universal accessibility.

Yet again, know your audience!

Out Cold at the Podium

Dan Chihos:

I was in my last year of AFROTC at NDSU; one assignment was to prepare and give a speech to the Commander and his staff. I was so nervous that and unprepared that shortly after standing up to give my speech, I was out cold at the podium, I had fainted and was unable to complete the assignment. Somehow I was able to pass the class and earn my commission. I am now an active member of a local Toastmasters group.

The Curse of Knowledge

Barbara Brown:

My worst fault, to me, is that I tend to give analogies that are completely lost on my audience. I see a clear connection, but they don’t.
Then, I make it worse by over-explaining.

The Three-Word Speech

Peggy Bassett:

My most embarrassing moment occurred when I attempted to give a speech without my notes. I’d rehearsed and was please with my practice. But, when I gave the speech, I went totally blank. I couldn’t even remember the topic! After standing there a few moments, I said, “To be continued!” and left the podium. The lesson I learned: No matter how rehearsed you are, always, always carry a copy of your speech with a brief outline to jog your memory in case of an emergency!

Speaking Without Conviction

Sandrina:

On my business college course, we all had assignments to make presentations about a certain company and present their product in best possible way like we are selling it. I chose a tobacco company where my mother works because I knew all about it. Therefore I would not need to invest a lot of time preparing the presentation. It took me just couple of hours to prepare everything. Presentation looked great, there was lot of information and it was very well presented, but when the questions from audience started it turned into a disaster. Why? Because I am a non-smoker and I actually hate that company.

You have to believe what are you talking about.

Really Connecting with 2nd Graders

Jonna E Ritchie:

My public speaking confession: I often look at a general table area common to all the people at the table when I speak. It gives them the impression that I’m making individual eye contact, when I’m not. Most embarrassing experience: I gave a talk to a group of 2nd graders and they seemed to be really getting the topic and appeared very focused, laughed in all the ‘right’ spots, etc. When I asked for questions at the end one of them asked what I had stuck to my front tooth. It was spinach from a salad. They weren’t laughing at WHAT I was saying, but instead AT me. I didn’t interpret their enthusiasm correctly. Embarrassing!

Speech Enemy #1: Almonds

Kevin Wortman:

I was scheduled to speak before a senior leadership team one afternoon and decided to quiet a hungry stomach with a handful of almonds just prior to the talk. Little did I know that in an attempt to quiet my stomach, I sacrificed my voice. After my introduction, an almond skin tickled my throat and I went into a hacking fit. It’s difficult to convey a message when you are turning your esophagus inside out. Needless to say, I’ve learned that a simple drink of water works best before a speech and have practiced that approach ever since.

Value for the Audience & A Popping Blouse Button

Beth Bridges:

Lesson Learned:
As Chief Networking Officer of the Clovis Chamber, I am frequently invited to speak on networking. I was invited to one of the area’s larger, more established Rotary Clubs. As I was looking out over the audience, a wave of panic overcame me. “What could I possibly have to say to this group of experienced business people?!”
I plowed through, sweating it out, but the intimidation factor didn’t make it one of my better presentations. I felt like it was a complete waste of time.
But that afternoon, I got a call from one of the audience members. “I really appreciated the information, I didn’t know a lot of what you presented, and I’d like for you to come speak to my employees and my business neighbors.” That presentation turned into another speech and is still having further effects.
Lesson? Even if just ONE person takes something away, you should never feel like you have nothing to offer.

Now for the embarrassing story:
I was presenting to a small group of about 20 people in a classroom setting when a button located in a strategic place on my blouse, popped off and audibly hit the desk in front of me. Fortunately I was wearing a jacket. I turned around, buttoned up, and no one ever said a thing. But I think my face was as red as the blouse!

More Speaking Confessions and Insights

This was just a sample of entries received. Click here to read all of them.

And the Winners Are…

Three readers who submitted confessions were drawn randomly to receive a copy of Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun.

Congratulations to:

• Colleen Cole
• Jeff Fisher
• Beth Bridges

Winners have been notified by email.

Similar Articles You May Like... Win a Book! Share Your Public Speaking Confessions Contest: Win a Book by Recommending a Book World’s Best Presentation Contest

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

Last week, we reviewed Scott Berkun’s latest book, Confessions of a Public Speaker.

I asked Sara Peyton over at O’Reilly (the book publisher) for a few copies for Six Minutes readers, and she kindly agreed.

Now, you can win one of three copies by sharing your own public speaking confessions!

• What speaking lesson did you learn the hard way?
• What was your most embarrassing speaking experience?
• What secret speaking techniques do you use?

[Another reason to celebrate? This marks the 200th article at Six Minutes. Yippee!]

How Can You Win?

Just submit a comment on this article (click here to do so) with:

1. Your public speaking confession. It can be any speaking experience where you learned a valuable lesson.
2. Your name
3. Your email address (so we can contact you if you win)

That’s it!

To be eligible to win, your comment must be received before 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010.

Update: This contest is now closed.

We’ll randomly select three winners from all entries received. Winners will be announced next week and we’ll feature some of the best confessions. Winners will receive a copy of Confessions of a Public Speaker straight from the publisher.

Submit your entry now!

Similar Articles You May Like... Contest: Win a Book by Recommending a Book Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-03-06] Book Review: Made to Stick Which College Textbook for Public Speaking is Best? Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-02-06] Psst! Readers’ Speaking Confessions and Lessons

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

If you are anything like me, your Christmas wish list includes an item or two to feed your speaking hobby or career.

Last year, Six Minutes provided dozens of Christmas ideas for the speaker in your life (or you!). By popular demand, we’re doing it again.

This year’s list is organized by price, so you can find the best fit for your personal budget. You’ll find a wide range of practical and indulgent gift ideas:

• index cards to cue your memory;
• whiteboard and flip chart supplies;
• a mini-tripod for your rehearsal video camera;
• USB drives and laptop bags for presenting on the go;
• presentation remotes;
• speeches on DVD;
• a selection of books;
• and much, much more.

Please share your gift ideas in the comments!

Free

• $0.00 — A subscription to Six Minutes. Free in 2009; still free in 2010.
  If you enjoy reading Six Minutes, please pass this on to your friends and colleagues.

Under $5

• $1.46 — Index Cards, Plain White, 3” x 5”, Pack Of 500 Cards (Universal)
• $2.49 — USB Flash Drive, 512 MB (Kingston)
• $2.72 — Index Cards, White Ruled, 3″ x 5″, Pack of 100 (Mead)
• $2.75 — Dry Erase Markers, 4-pack, 4 colors (Expo)
• $3.29 — Eraser for Dry Erase Board (Universal)
• $4.65 — Flip Chart Markers, Permanent, Bullet Tip, 8 Color set (Sharpie)
• $4.75 — Mini Tripod (Digipower)

Under $10

• $5.02 — Dry Erase Board, 11 x 14-Inch, Magnetic (Board Dudes)
• $7.99 — Pocket Pointer, Slimline, Pen Size, Extends To 24″, Chrome Finish (Acco)
• $7.99 — Laser Pointer, Red, High Quality
• $7.99 — Book, The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking (Dale Carnegie)
• $8.16 — Dry Erase Markers, 2-in-1 Double-Sided, 8-pack, 16 colors (Board Dudes)
• $9.99 — USB Flash Drive, 2GB (SanDisk)

Under $20

• $10.17 — Book, Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History’s Greatest Speakers (James C. Humes)
• $11.84 — Book, The Story Factor (Annette Simmons)
• $13.04 — Dry Erase Board, 24 x 36-inches, Melamine, Aluminum Frame (69% off: List price is $42.65)
• $13.49 — Wireless Laser Pointer Presentation Device, Silver (LTD)
• $16.98 — Book, The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures (Dan Roam)
• $18.99 — Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer (Targus)

Under $30

• $23.09 — Book, slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations (Nancy Duarte)
• $23.95 — Book, Better Beginnings: How to Capture Your Audience in 30 Seconds (Carmen Taran)
• $26.26 — Laptop Case, Black, 17-inch Slimline, (Case Logic)
• $26.99 — The Greatest Speeches of All-Time, Box Set, DVD
• $29.99 — Flip Chart Stand, Lightweight, Aluminum 66 inches (The Felt Source)

Under $50

• $33.49 — Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer (Kensington)
• $39.98 — Great Speeches of the 20th Century, Audio CD Set
• $48.99 — Digital Voice Recorder (Olympus) (50% off! List price is $99.99)
• $49.99 (or less) — A six-month membership to most Toastmasters clubs

Similar Articles You May Like... Popular Public Speaking Books and Gear Gifts Public Speakers Really Want: Dozens of Christmas Ideas Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-03-06] Book Review: Made to Stick Which College Textbook for Public Speaking is Best? Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-02-06]

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

Looking for public speaking experts on Twitter?

Two years ago, Six Minutes compiled an extensive list of public speaking bloggers.

Now, we’ve enhanced the list to include Twitter accounts for those bloggers.

As of this writing:

• Twitter List — 73 bloggers listed:
  @6minutes/public-speaking-bloggers
• On Six Minutes — 117 blogs listed:
  Public Speaking Blogs

You can follow Six Minutes on Twitter here: @6minutes

Similar Articles You May Like... Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-03-06] Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-02-20] Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-02-06] Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-01-15] Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-01-02] Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2009-12-19]

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

Since then, we’ve added 172 more, all of which are available free in the article archives.

Today, we celebrate the best articles of Six Minutes as determined by you, the reader. We list reader favorites in the major Six Minutes categories, from speechwriting to speech critiques, from visual aids to speaker resources.

It has been a pleasure sharing these articles with you. Thank you for your readership, and thank you for all of your emails with great suggestions and feedback.

Please Share With Your Colleagues

Six Minutes has over 4000 subscribers and thousands more read the articles on the website every day. If you know someone who would benefit from Six Minutes, please email this article to them and encourage them to subscribe.

Best Overall

Readers’ Favorite:

• Toastmasters Speech Series

Honorable Mention:

• Speech Preparation Series
• The 25 Public Speaking Skills Every Speaker Must Have

Speechwriting

Readers’ Favorite:

• Selecting a Speech Topic

Honorable Mention:

• 5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama’s Inaugural Speech
• How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches
• Don’t Skip the Speech Outline

Delivery Techniques

Readers’ Favorite:

• Leading the Perfect Q&A

Honorable Mention:

• Never Read Your Speech… Never?
• How to Deliver the Talk of Your Life

Visual Aids

Readers’ Favorite:

• How to Improve Your Slides with the Rule of Thirds

Honorable Mention:

• Six Simple Techniques for Presenting Data: Hans Rosling (TED, 2006)
• Use PowerPoint Visuals, Not Bullets – What the World Eats
• PowerPoint Design Wish List: 8 Modest Proposals

Speaker Habits

Readers’ Favorite:

• The 7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking

Honorable Mention:

• How to Study and Critique a Speech
• How to Practice Your Presentation
• 6 Key Steps to Dip Your Toe into the Professional Speaking Pool

Resources for Speakers

Readers’ Favorite:

• Gifts Public Speakers Really Want: Dozens of Christmas Ideas

Honorable Mention:

• Toastmasters: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
• Public Speaking Blogs: The Definitive List
• Speaking Survey says: Speaker DO’s and DON’Ts

The Lighter Side

Readers’ Favorite:

• 12 Days of Public Speaking Christmas

Honorable Mention:

• 32 Reasons a PowerPoint Slide Deck is Nothing Like a Bra
• Haiku for Public Speakers

Speech Critiques

Readers’ Favorite:

• Martin Luther King Jr. – I Have a Dream

Honorable Mention:

• Majora Carter – Greening the Ghetto
• Al Gore – 15 ways to avert a climate crisis
• Steve Jobs – Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Similar Articles You May Like... Stocking Stuffers for Speakers The 7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking Popular Public Speaking Books and Gear 21 Questions: Is This The Year You Communicate Effectively? Why Pausch, not Obama, is Best Communicator of 2008 Gifts Public Speakers Really Want: Dozens of Christmas Ideas

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

When I’m looking for books to read, the only thing more convincing than a single recommendation from a colleague or friend is multiple recommendations for the same book from colleagues and friends.

Earlier, we published book testimonials from individual Six Minutes readers.

In this article, we list the most popular public speaking books and gear being read by the Six Minutes community — people just like you with an avid interest in speaking effectively.

Where Do These Lists Come From?

We get a sneak peak into what Six Minutes readers buy when they click on one of our links to the Amazon store. We do not get specific info on who is buying what — only aggregate information about what is being purchased.

This information gives a good indication of what is popular. We value your opinion of what is worth reading. Indeed, several of the book review choices (including the book review posted last week) were strongly influenced by which books you were buying!

You may be interested to know that when you make a purchase at Amazon after clicking on one of these links, we get a small commission. This helps us to keep Six Minutes free and continue to improve it with the articles you want. Thank you for your support in this way.

Popular PowerPoint and Visual Design Books

These are the most popular books which help you design better visuals, whether you use PowerPoint, Keynote, flip charts, or napkins as your visual tool.

1. slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations by Nancy Duarte [read our book review]
2. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery by Garr Reynolds [read our book review]
3. Clear and to the Point: 8 Psychological Principles for Compelling PowerPoint Presentations by Stephen Kosslyn [read our book review]
4. The Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam
5. Beyond Bullet Points by Cliff Atkinson
6. 7-Slide Solution by Paul J. Kelly
7. Multimedia Learning by Richard E. Mayer [read our book review]

Popular Speechwriting and Storytelling Books

These are the most popular public speaking books which focus on audience analysis, determining your message, and selecting the best words, phrases, anecdotes, evidence, and stories.

1. Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History’s Greatest Speakers by James C. Humes [read our book review]
2. The Story Factor by Annette Simmons [read our book review]
3. The Lost Art of the Great Speech: How to Write One–How to Deliver It by Richard Dowis
4. Advanced Presentations by Design: Creating Communication that Drives Action by Andrew Abela [read our book review]
5. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
6. Writing Great Speeches: Professional Techniques You Can Use by Alan Perlman
7. The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling by Stephen Denning

Popular Public Speaking Books

These are the most popular public speaking books which have a broad focus and cover many aspects of effective communication.

1. The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking by Dale Carnegie [read our book review]
2. You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard by Bert Decker [read our book review]
3. On Speaking Well by Peggy Noonan
4. Fire Them Up! by Carmine Gallo [read our book review]
5. 10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking by Lenny Laskowski
6. Presenting to Win by Jerry Weissman
7. The Power Presenter by Jerry Weissman

Popular Public Speaking Gear and Gadgets

This diverse collection of gadgets are the most popular speaking tools being purchased by Six Minutes readers.

1. Kensington 33374 Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer
2. 3M Plain Paper Copier Transparency Film
3. Logitech 2.4 GHz Cordless Presenter
4. Olympus WS-331M Digital Voice Recorder
5. EXPO Vis-à-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Projection Marker Set
6. EXPO Dry Erase Marker Organizer, Chisel Tip, Set
7. Keyspan Presentation Remote Pro

Which Books Are You Reading?

Please drop a note in the article comments to share your favorite book with other Six Minutes readers.

Similar Articles You May Like... Stocking Stuffers for Speakers Gifts Public Speakers Really Want: Dozens of Christmas Ideas Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-03-06] Book Review: Made to Stick Which College Textbook for Public Speaking is Best? Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-02-06]

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

• What is Toastmasters?
• Who joins Toastmasters?
• When did Toastmasters Start?
• Where do Toastmasters Meet?
• Why Should You Join Toastmasters?
• How to Join Toastmasters?

Interested in Toastmasters? Read on…

Are you a member? Please share your story!

What is Toastmasters?

Toastmasters International is:

• a nonprofit organization,
• comprised of over 250,000 members in over 106 countries,
• represented by over 12,500 clubs, and
  
• dedicated to excellence in communication and leadership

Most Toastmasters clubs meet weekly for 1-2 hours, and follow a pretty basic agenda:

• Prepared speeches – Members are given opportunities to prepare, rehearse, and then deliver presentations in front of their fellow members.
• Speech evaluations – Whenever you speak in Toastmasters, you receive helpful and supportive evaluations from your peers.
• Impromptu speaking – Members practice speaking “off the cuff” for one or two minutes by responding to general topics of interest (table topics).

Who Joins Toastmasters?

Anyone over the age of 18 can join Toastmasters, provided they have the desire to improve their communication and leadership skills.

Beyond that, Toastmasters members are a diverse group, spanning countries and cultures, and all socio-economic backgrounds.

The Toastmasters International website tells us that:

• 52% of members are female and 48% are male.
• Average annual household income: $85,000-$99,000.
• 30% earn $100,000+ annually.
• 69% of members are between the ages of 35 and 49.
• 82% have a college degree.
• 36% have an advanced degree.

What industries employ Toastmasters?

• 20% Sales, Consulting, Self Employed
• 18% Management
• 15% Finance & Insurance
• 15% Government
• 12% Education
• 20% Other

When Did Toastmasters Start?

The first Toastmasters club was started by Ralph Smedley in Santa Ana, California in 1924 at a local YMCA to meet the need for speech and leadership training for young men. His initial “Ten Lessons in Public Speaking” still forms the core of the Toastmasters educational program as the 10 projects of the Competent Communicator manual. ( It has, of course, been updated and revised many times.)

The single club turned into a network of affiliated Toastmasters Clubs as the idea spread throughout southern California. When an affiliated club formed in British Columbia, Toastmasters International was born.

Where Do Toastmasters Meet?

Everywhere!

Well, not quite, but the network of clubs is growing:

• 11,000 Toastmasters clubs meet in over 90 countries.
• Clubs meet within corporations, in community centers, on university and college campuses, in churches and temples, in restaurants, in libraries, in prisons, and many other places.
• The majority of clubs are still in North America, but the organization is growing fastest outside of North America, particularly in Asia.
• Most clubs meet weekly for 1-2 hours.

Why Should You Join Toastmasters?

Everyone has their own personal reasons for joining Toastmasters, but here are a few of the most common:

1. Become a Better Public Speaker
   Members work through a series of educational programs (at their own pace) designed to improve their ability to write speeches, design presentations, and deliver them.
2. Overcome Public Speaking Fears
   The most positive and supportive audience in the world is a Toastmasters club audience. Speaking regularly in front of a group helps you calm your nerves and communicate effectively.
3. “Practice” Presentations for Other Audiences
   Everyone has different motivations for wanting to speak better. Maybe you want to hone your presentation skills for your career. Perhaps you want to be able to speak out in your volunteer organization. Maybe you want to complement your portfolio as an author, manager, or other professional with speaking gigs? Whatever the case, Toastmasters is a wonderful laboratory for you to practice your presentations and gain valuable feedback.
4. Gain the Confidence and Courage to Lead
   Leadership and communication skills are intimately bound. Some might argue that leadership is nothing more than the ability to effectively communicate a vision. As your communication skills improve, your ability to lead will improve as well.
5. ???
   Many Six Minutes readers are Toastmasters, so I’ll pass this question to you.
   Why did you join?
   What advice would you pass to someone considering joining?
   Let us know in the comments.

How to Join Toastmasters?

1. Search the Toastmasters club database to find clubs where you live.
2. If you live in an urban area, you may have many options. Narrow the list down based on the time of day (morning, mid-day, evening) or day of the week (most clubs meet Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) that works best for you.
3. Visit several clubs (if the options exist). Don’t settle for the first club you find. Every club has a unique club culture. Find the one that suits you the best.
4. Sign up. Toastmasters dues are inexpensive, particularly compared to other training options.
5. Commit yourself to excellence. Toastmasters is a program where you only get out in proportion to what you put in.

Any Other Questions?

If you are considering joining Toastmasters and have questions, drop a question into the comments, or contact me directly.

Similar Articles You May Like... Toastmasters Speech 6: Vocal Variety Toastmasters Testimonials: 85 Years of Better Speakers Toastmasters: Please Share Your Story Toastmasters Speech 5: Your Body Speaks Interview with LaShunda Rundles: 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking Toastmasters Speech 4: How to Say It

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

Looking for something to add to your own personal wishlist?

Here’s a great list of ideas inspired by emails telling me the gifts that public speakers really want.

Stocking stuffers, moderate, deluxe, and priceless gifts — a comprehensive list with dozens of public speaking gift ideas for you or the public speaker in your life.

Last year, I received a digital voice recorder for Christmas, and I’ve had lots of fun using it to get audible feedback during rehearsal and live presentations. I used my gift cards to load up on a stack of speaking books.

Many of the items on my wishlist this year are contained below. How many do you share?

Books

• Value: Stocking Stuffer to Moderate
• I love gadgets, but few gifts are more satisfying than books for me.
• Previous recommendations:
  • I highly recommend all of the books reviewed on Six Minutes, including two of the most popular presentation books of 2008 — Slide:ology and Presentation Zen.
• Reader recommendations:
  • Last week, 16 public speaking book recommendations from Six Minutes readers were highlighted.
• Andrew’s Picks: These are the speechwriting and visual presentation books I’m hoping to get at Christmas… and are likely the ones I will purchase with any gift certificates I receive.
  • Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures – Dan Roam
  • Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die – Chip Heath and Dan Heath
  • Visual Display of Quantitative Information – Edward Tufte
  • Beautiful Evidence – Edward Tufte
  • Information Dashboard Design: The Effective Visual Communication of Data – Stephen Few
  • Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to be Persuasive – Robert Cialdini and others
  • Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion – Jay Heinrichs
  • Multimedia Learning – Mayer
• Bestsellers in relevant categories:
  • Business & Investing > Skills > Communications
  • Business & Investing > Skills > Running Meetings & Presentations
  • Business & Investing > Skills > Training

Public Speaking Gear

Flip Charts

• Value: Deluxe
• With the advent of ubiquitous PowerPoint and digital projectors, the flip chart is being overlooked. Increasingly, I’m finding that venues have no flip chart available. This is unfortunate, because flip charts offer several advantages over slideware — low tech is sometimes the best option. I’d love to have a portable set that I could easily tote in the trunk of my car to venues.
• Andrew’s Pick: Quartet Aluminum Heavy-Duty Telescoping Display Easel and matching Flipchart Accessory
• Other options:
  • 66″ Lightweight Aluminum Easel
  • Bestselling portable easels

Flip Chart and White Board Accessories

• Value: Stocking Stuffers
• I estimate that 2 of every 3 times that I need to use a whiteboard or flip chart, there are either (a) no markers to be found, (b) several markers, all of which are nearly dry, or (c) multiple markers all in the same color! Add on those occasions where a white board eraser is missing, or there are no flip chart sheets, and you can easily understand why it’s good to bring your own supplies as a backup if you expect that you’ll need them.
• Options:
  • Post-It Self-Stick Easel Pad
  • Generic Easel Pad
  • Dry Erase Board – 2 feet x 3 feet
  • Eraser for Dry Erase Board
  • Expo Dry Erase Markers (6 pack)
  • Expo Dry Erase Markers (20 pack)
  • DuraMark Flipchart Markers (4 pack)

Lectern

• Value: Deluxe
• In an ideal world, you would never need notes of any kind, and you would stand in front of your audience without any barriers. That’s not reality. There are many cases when you do have notes (like being the master of ceremonies). Having somewhere to place them is essential. A tabletop is too low. Keeping them in your hand is too cumbersome. A lectern is the perfect solution, but you never know if your venue has one. A portable one keeps you safe.
• Andrew’s Pick: Adjustable Speaker Stand
• Options:
  • Portable Presentation Lectern
  • Portable Foldup Tabletop Lectern

Attention Getter (e.g. Gavel)

• Value: Moderate
• How do you get the attention of a chatty crowd when it is time to start your presentation? One of the best techniques I witnessed was a master of ceremonies who had a series of chimes that he would strike into the microphone. Every time he used them, the audience got quiet immediately. Chimes have been on my wish list ever since, although some may prefer the traditional gavel for times when your voice or actions aren’t enough to grab attention.
• Andrew’s Pick: Meinl Nino Energy Chimes
• Options:
  • McGill Gavel
  • Gavel, Sound Block, and Engraving

Pointers

• Value: Stocking Stuffer
• In my opinion, pointers are both over overused and underused. Some speakers use them for no apparent reason, and often distract the audience endlessly by fidgeting with them. Having said that, the primary advantage of using a pointer is to be able to refer to visuals while keeping your body out of the sight lines of your audience. It’s good to have one in your inventory for those occasions when you want one.
• Andrew’s Pick: Acco Extendible Pocket Pointer
• Options:
  • Slimline Pen Size Pocket Pointer
  • Learning Resources Hand Pointers, Set of 3 (to add humor to your presentation)

Public Speaking Electronics

Presentation Remotes

• Value: Moderate
• Why?
  When delivering presentations with the aid of a laptop, I’ve become tired of being chained to the keyboard so that I can advance slides manually. Many projectors come with remotes, but, in my experience, you can never rely on it being there when you need it. Just plug in the USB key, and you are free to roam the room.
• Andrew’s Pick: Logitech 2.4 GHz Cordless Presenter
• Other options:
  • Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000
  • Kensington 33374 Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer
  • Targus Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer
  • Bestselling Presentation Remotes…

Digital Voice Recorder

• Value: Deluxe
• Why?
  A digital voice recorder allows you to discreetly record your speech audio. When rehearsing, this is an invaluable way to critique your own delivery. During a live performance to an audience, a digital voice recorder allows you to capture the best moments (where the audience burst into applause or laughter) and worst moments (when you got tongue-tied).
• Andrew’s Pick (I own this and love it): Olympus WS-331M Digital Voice Recorder and WMA Music Player
• Other popular options:
  • Olympus WS-311M Digital Voice Recorder and WMA Music Player
  • Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder

Timers and Stopwatches

• Value: Stocking Stuffer
• A timer is critical for rehearsal and for delivery in front of your audience. When I’m teaching, I have often relied on using the clock in the room. But, now that I’ve been in rooms without a clock or (worse!) a clock that was incorrect, I realize the value of keeping time on my own. The key feature to look for is count down and count up timing, as well as large digits that you can read from a distance.
• Bestselling Kitchen Timers

Laser Pointers

• Value: Stocking Stuffer
• Most presentation remotes come equipped with a laser pointer. If you don’t have one of those, then you will probably want a standalone pointer. I’m not a huge fan of them, but there are situations where it is simply the best way to draw attention.
• Bestselling laser pointers

Thumb Drives (or USB Drives or Memory Sticks)

• Value: Stocking Stuffer
• Many of my presentations and courses involve slides of some sort. It’s best to bring your own laptop, or email your slides ahead to your host, but you never know when you need a trusty backup. (For me, about 20% of the time.) So, I always carry my slides on a pair of thumb drives.
• Andrew’s Pick: SanDisk Cruzer Micro Flash Drive (I love the SanDisk Cruzer models because the USB connector retracts and you don’t need to worry about a cover)
• Bestselling thumb drives

Digital Projectors

• Value: Deluxe
• Having your own personal digital projector represents the ultimate freedom for a professional speaker who presents often with slides. With few exceptions, your host or your venue (for a pricey rental fee) are equipped with digital projectors. However, I’ve been disappointed in the past when I create (in my opinion) beautiful visuals only to discover that the illumination quality of the projector is substandard. Ultimately, that poor quality reflects on you and your presentation.
• Bestselling digital projectors

Great Speeches DVDs or CDs

• Value: Moderate
• I believe that studying great speakers and historical speeches is an essential activity for the dedicated speechwriter. It’s why I perform speech critiques of great contemporary speakers.
• Andrew’s Pick: The Greatest Speeches of All-Time Box Set (DVD)
• Other popular options:
  • Great Speeches of the 20th Century (CD Box Set)
  • The Speeches Collection, Volume 1

The Gift of Toastmasters (or other training programs)

• Value: Priceless (but the cost is only Moderate)
• I strongly believe that a Toastmasters membership is an outstanding first step on the path to becoming a more effective speaker for many people. If you know someone who could benefit from the educational program, why not remove any financial reasons they may have for not becoming a member? Membership dues for six months are a tiny investment with huge potential payoff. What other gift can you give that changes someone’s life?
• Having said that, there are many other options available. Give the gift of learning.

Gifts for Toastmasters

Any of the items in this article are appropriate for Toastmasters members, but some members may also appreciate items that are specific Toastmaster gifts. The Toastmasters online store has a wide variety of items, including some which are categorized as “gifts.”

Give the Gift of Six Minutes

• Value: Priceless (but the cost is and always will be free)
• If you enjoy reading Six Minutes, please share the link with your friends, your colleagues, your students, or your fellow Toastmasters members. It doesn’t cost you a penny, but you would help my Christmas wishes come true.
• The same goes for other public speaking blogs. Don’t keep them a secret. Spread the word!

What’s Missing on the List Above?

What speaking-related gifts are you hoping for this year?

What gifts have you received in the past (or bought for yourself) that you recommend?

Similar Articles You May Like... Stocking Stuffers for Speakers Popular Public Speaking Books and Gear Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-03-06] Book Review: Made to Stick Which College Textbook for Public Speaking is Best? Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-02-06]

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

Last week, we asked readers to recommend their favorite books in public speaking, presentation skills, or related fields.

Thank you! Six Minutes readers answered the call with 16 book recommendations. Some books have been reviewed on Six Minutes. Some are on my wish list. And some were brand new to me.

How about you? Which of these appeal to you? Have a comment to share?

Recommended Communication, Speechwriting, and Public Speaking Books

You’ve Got to be Believed to be Heard: The Complete Book of Speaking… in Business and in Life

• Author: Bert Decker
• Published: 2008 (Revised edition)
• Read the Six Minutes Book Review
• Recommended by: Art Johnson

[S]omeone reminded me that Bert Decker’s classic has just been reissued. Even though the original is on my bookshelf, I’ve put the revised and updated release at the top of my Christmas reading list. Bert has a very practical approach to connecting with the audience, and I strongly recommend his book.

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

• Authors: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
• Published: 2007 (2nd bestselling business book on amazon.com in 2007)
• Recommended by: TJ

Made to Stick is not technically a speaking skills book but it is full of great insights into how we can get and maintain attention, make our messages memorable, and avoid overwhelming the audience with detail and jargon (the Curse of Knowledge).

Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story

• Author: Jerry Weissman
• Published: 2008 (2nd edition)
• Recommended by: TJ

Presenting to Win Is very good at supporting the creation of sales presentations and the like. I particularly like the coverage of different organizational flows.

Also recommended by Art Johnson:

I noticed another favorite of mine recommended that deserves support. I love Jerry Weissman’s “Presenting to Win“. In addition to being a fine book on presenting, the book has an excellent section on cataloging different ways to organize a presentation.

How to Write and Give a Speech: A Practical Guide for Executives, PR People, the Military, Fund-raisers, Politicians, Educators, and Anyone Who Has to Make Every Word Count

• Author: Joan Detz
• Published: 2002 (2nd Edition)

On Speaking Well

• Author: Peggy Noonan
• Published: 1999

Both recommended by Maggie Shriver:

[These] are [both] great speechwriting books.

Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication

• Authors: Andy Stanley and Lane Jones
• Published: 2006
• Recommended by: Malcolm Lanham

This book helps to take the challenge that pastors/ preachers have with communicating their message in today’s society and context. This book gives pastors/ preachers/ and speakers a way to make their talks simplistic in how to get their message across.

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History’s Greatest Speakers

• Author: James C. Humes
• Published: 2002
• Read the Six Minutes Book Review
• Recommended by: Kathy Reiffenstein

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln is a great little book filled with pithy advice on various presentation techniques. Humes draws on his experiences as a presidential speech writer to share amusing and useful anecdotes about the presentation styles of famous political figures from Napoleon to Ronald Reagan. Great book to grab as a quick refresher or to get new ideas.

• Also recommended by: Munish

I liked this book by James Humes, because of details there are in the book: about Power Word, Power Quote, and how Churchill used to read and made it look like it is just a glance.

It also tells about humor and poetry license.

Also how a story can be used effectively in a speech.
Many techniques of Martin Luther King and Lincoln are also explained.

If you want to read only one book about public speaking, this is the one.

The Elements of Speechwriting and Public Speaking

• Author: Jeff Scott Cook
• Published: 1996
• Recommended by: Irv

I still go back to a classic [...] Some parts might be dated, but the range of topics (audience analysis, effective use of notes, etc.) serves both beginners and experienced speakers and speechwriters.

Moving Mountains: Or the Art and Craft of Letting Others See Things Your Way

• Author: Henry M. Boettinger
• Published: 1989
• Recommended by: TJ

[W]as originally published in 1969, but don’t dismiss it because of its age. Many recent books draw heavily of Boettinger’s lessons.

Life’s a Pitch

• Authors: Stephen Bayley and Roger Mavity
• Published: 2007
• Recommended by: Christophe Harrer

The main argument is that every opportunity involves pitching and that you have to present to get what you want.

The book gives a lot of tips and techniques for doing it better and get ahead in life.

The Nuts and Bolts of Public Speaking – Practical Tools for Powerful Presentations

• Author: Craig Valentine
• Recommended by: Sherri Raftery

Craig knows how to create simple formulas and this book is an easy “know how” guide to help you with public speaking skills and success.

Recommended Visual Presentation Skills Books

The Non-Designer’s Design Book

• Author: Robin Williams
• Published: 2007

The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV, and Digital Media

• Author: Bruce Block
• Published: 2007 (2nd edition)

Both recommended by Jackson Muñoz

The first book teaches us basic elements of typographic design and the second one teaches us concepts about the creation of visual stories. Both book are easy to read for beginners.

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

• Author: Dan Roam
• Published: 2008
• Recommended by: Bob Swill

It is simple, and advocates a type of visual communication that even I (a non-artist) can master.

Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery

• Author: Garr Reynolds
• Published: 2008
• Read the Six Minutes Book Review
• Recommended by: Malcolm Lanham

This book is great because to me it shows the way to communicate your message simplistically. And really challenges the way presentations have always been done.

Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Good Presentations

• Author: Nancy Duarte
• Published: 2008
• Read the Six Minutes Book Review
• Recommended by: Malcolm Lanham

I recommend this book because it is the nuts and bolts of how to put Presentation Zen into practice.

And the Winner Is…

Maggie Shriver, a Six Minutes subscriber from New York, was selected randomly from all those who submitted public speaking book recommendations.

Maggie has chosen to receive a brand new copy of Slide:ology by Nancy Duarte. Congratulations, Maggie.

Similar Articles You May Like... Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-03-06] Book Review: Made to Stick Which College Textbook for Public Speaking is Best? Public Speaking Tips: Weekend Review [2010-02-06] Win a Book! Share Your Public Speaking Confessions Book Review: Confessions of a Public Speaker (Scott Berkun)

Have a Question? Contact me anytime, or find me on Twitter: @6minutes

Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.