The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking: Modern Techniques for Dynamic Communication is 224 pages of practical, plain, and pure public speaking advice.
Author Dale Carnegie packs an incredible breadth of public speaking advice into a short, easy-to-read format.
Over 7 million people have completed Dale Carnegie training, following the basic wisdom contained in this book.
Proper preparation prevents presentation predicaments!
Speech preparation is the most important element to a successful presentation, and also the best way to reduce nervousness and combat fear.
The Speech Preparation Series is a series of articles examining each of the six steps which are necessary to properly prepare for a speech.
These steps are briefly introduced here, and investigated in more depth in later articles:
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln came to me as a great Christmas gift — a stocking stuffer which will improve my speaking skills considerably.
I was skeptical at first. I guessed that this was another stuffy book filled with speeches and anecdotes from famous speakers who lived so long ago that their speeches are part of history and their anecdotes are no longer relevant. That’s what I thought as I opened the book.
What I discovered is not really a “book full of speeches and anecdotes” (although there are many, many speech excerpts and anecdotes). Rather, I discovered a practical book of speaking techniques that will bolster the repertoire of any speaker who aims to lead.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if simply making a New Year’s resolution guaranteed success? Lose weight. Pay off debt. Quit smoking. Easy, right? No, not really.
Most resolutions fail because they are wishes, not goals. Often, the best way to achieve a long-term goal is to focus on the supporting habits. For example:
| Resolution | Supporting Habits |
|---|---|
| Lose weight | improve nutrition, drink water, exercise regularly, get consistent sleep |
| Pay off debt | use cash instead of credit, supplement your income, “pay yourself first” |
| Quit smoking | use “the patch”, chew gum, reduce stress, find a buddy |
By focusing on the supporting habits (and keeping the end goal in mind, of course), we put ourselves in an excellent position to succeed. The same strategy applies to all other New Year’s resolutions, including another popular one: becoming a better public speaker.
Earlier this month, I was the master of ceremonies for a corporate holiday party. Rather than randomly selecting tables to take their turn at the buffet, I asked for twelve volunteers (maximum one per table). Each of them sang one of the Twelve Days (a version customized for the company), and thus earned their table an early visit to the buffet. It worked out even better than I had hoped.
Inspired by the success of that activity, I offer you the Twelve Days of Public Speaking Christmas.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, the presentation gave to me:
A half-dozen haiku for your reading pleasure:
Ever wonder what the audience really wishes you would do better when you speak?
Chris Brogan conducted a quick and informal survey asking the question:
Quick: Give me YOUR 3 things you wish speakers would do better, or not do at all!
Eric Feng on the Public Speaking Blog recently posted 250 Things You Wish You Know That Will Guarantee Your Speaking Success. I’m skeptical when I read phrases such as “guarantee your speaking success”, and I’m even more skeptical now that I’ve read through all 250 things.
Want to learn how to execute a great Q&A session? Watch Toastmasters International President Chris Ford.
Last weekend, I attended an educational seminar led by Chris Ford. He was masterful in how effectively he encouraged audience participation.
A great Q&A session (#16 on my list of 25 essential skills for a public speaker) does not materialize just because you (or the event organizers) include it on the agenda.
A great Q&A session - one that adds value to your presentation - requires planning and thoughtful contributions from both the audience and the speaker.
Inspired by 25 Skills Every Man Should Know, I pondered a list of the 25 essential skills every public speaker should have. How did I do?
