speaking

The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking
$7.99
A classic by one of America's best speakers! This book will aid the newbie in becoming a much better speaker - and perhaps take some of the butterflies out of the stomach if that is a problem for the reader. Of course we can expect as much from Carnegie. So forget the age of the book - speaking in the ways of the past is better because in those days, speaking was the TV, Internet, etc, a speaker had to be good or he did not speak - you will find many very good strategies to help make your speech very impactful and persuasive.
Two other books that can make your speaking like dynamite are:
How To Preach Like A Preacher!: A Complete Training How-To Book For Preaching Like A Pro!
Mastering Persuasive Public Speaking: The Influence Approach
See you on stage!

On Speaking Well
$13.00
The title of this book is a misnomer. The author is a professional political writer and she uses political anecdotes throughout the book to drive the points home. This book should be called "On Speaking and Writing Political Speeches Well". Also, the book has no table of contents and only has a modicum of sections. This makes it difficult to read. And I find that the index is not very useful. However, this is not to say that the tips and lessons cannot be extrapolated to cover all conceivable situations. In fact they can, if you have the patience. I therefore agree with the blurb that for "anyone who fears the thought of writing and giving a speech - be it to business associates, or at a wedding - help is at hand". This book consists of hundreds of blinding insights. 10 of them are: (1). The reality you are imagining is worse than the reality that will be; (2). Reagan used to say that noone wants to sit in an audience in respectful silence for more than 20 minutes; (3). I have made more than 100 speeches and I still cannot do it from cards, every word has to be written down in a text; (4). Reagan always needed a joke at the top of a speech because he needed the quick victory of laughter; (5). Tell'em what you you've gonna tell'em - tell them - then tell them what you told'em; (6). True things are usually said straight, and plain and direct; (7). The most moving thing is a speech is always the logic, not its poetic or flowery; (8). Speeches actually have to say things. And great speeches are great because they say great things; (9). Style is not a replacement for substance, and cannot camouflage a lack of substance; and (10). The future does not belong to the fainthearted, it belongs to the brave. Because this book contains hundreds of blinding insights, I am prepared to give it 5 stars. Digest this book and your public speaking skills will improve dramatically.

Conversationally Speaking : Tested New Ways to Increase Your Personal and Social Effectiveness
$16.95
You know, when I first found out about this book it was at a Barnes & Nobles. I just randomly pickup this book and start reading because I feel like connection with other people via conversation area of life can always be improved for everyone.

For some reason, once I started reading this book, I was hooked. Most book I flip through once but this book made me keep going back and finish reading it.

After I finished it I shall move on to another book, right? NO, this book actually has some much content and actual examples of conversations and I MUST BUY IT. It is one of the MUST BUY book on your bookshelf if you want to learn about the art and science of having conversations with others.

There is another book I DO NOT recommend is How To Start A Conversation And Make Friends by Don Gabor because it only tells you WHAT TO DO and never mention the HOW TO DO IT part.

Conversationally Speaking give you a little WHAT TO DO part and massive amount of HOW TO DO IT part to back it up.

Want to get all your money worth and more, GET THIS BOOK ~ ~ ~

P.S. By the way, this book is my initiation into the self help/self improvement journey. Thanks to the book and thanks to its author.

In The SpotLight, Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing
$18.95
I have a journalist background, and though I am quite comfortable writing words, standing up and speaking them in a crowd was a completely different story until I discovered Janet's book a few months ago. I was preparing for a professional speaking engagement and was terrified! As I read Janet's book, I began to calm down and see that I could pull this off by applying her techniques. I love how practical, compassionate, and de-mystifying (everybody has this fear!!) this book is as she gently coaches you along to be comfortable and confident speaking in public. I had a good time at my debut speaking engagement and am not intimidated to keep putting myself out there in the spotlight.

Because I was impressed with the results I got from reading the book, I contacted Janet and recently interviewed her for a website I write for. Before buying the book, you might find it interesting to read more about her public speaking advice.

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