How to Wow: Proven Strategies for Selling Your [Brilliant] Self in Any Situation

I've read a dozen or so books of this type, usually when I'm looking for a mental primer or reminder of sorts of what I should do, just before I have to present in front of a crowd or be particularly persuasive in a written presentation. While most books of this genre are useful, I find many are either difficult to read and absorb in an afternoon or two and so I lose most of the message without intense study, or, alternately, they are so light and easy that they provide little new useful information beyond the obvious. How to Wow, is neither of these extremes, but strikes just the right balance, and represents the best in a crash course in presenting ideas and being persuasive - in making presentations, in "one on one" encounters, in meetings, in interviews, etc. It's full of useful, usable ideas but written in a concise format, using persuasive language (the author puts in practice what she talks about in the "Put It in Writing" chapter). From the "don't-leave-home-without-them" general principles at the beginning of the book, to the "question and answer" information at the end, there is a lot of good useful advice and information in just 200 or so pages, presented clearly, and including a concise summary at the end of each chapter. It's hard not to take a away a lot of good new information, whether you're a seasoned veteran at presenting yourself or brand new in the business world. If you have a limited amount of time and want to brush up on how to write and present a speech (or powerpoint), make a "one on one" pitch, conduct a meeting or interview, or just be at your best in a social situation, this book is well worth reading. John Possumato Possumato.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpossumato

How To Wow is spot on about how to burnish you presence in the world. Spoken with a humorous and a non condescending tone, Frances Jones easily presents and diffuses some of the most basic yet vexing conundrums of the business of life. Whether you are titan of industry or intern with your first toe in the door "How to Wow", like any good encyclopedia, reminds you of what your mother, teacher or mentor taught you and more importantly explains what they didn't. Excellent read, open to any page and walk a way a little sharper for it.

I really appreciated how the author cut to the chase with much of her advice. It's all very practical and, though I'm just getting started implementing the advice, it gives me confidence just knowing that I have her tips to get me started when I think about presenting or business-socializing in an unfamiliar environment.

Loved the book! Its SMART. Its witty, its sharp, a direct how-to handle/manage/approach business that is fun and interesting to read. Frances is brilliant at teaching the obvious and not so obvious, while being humble at the same time. I am a better person having read her book. Thank you!

Having tried a large number of such books (my livelihood depends on making a good personal impression), I can say without reservation that How to Wow is the best book of its type available: the advice it contains is hard-hitting, fresh and straightforward. Unlike other volumes I have tried about self-presentation, the advice offered is unique, and the author's examples are drawn from a variety of occupations. At the same time, her methods and advice seem to be applicable to almost anyone: no matter how good you are already, the day after you read this book, you will be making better impressions. Most refreshing is the fact that How to Wow avoids the trap of so many of its peers, which can be summarized as "Things your mother told you about how to make a good impression that you've forgotten or let slip". In my view, How to Wow will become a modern classic, and is indispensible to anyone in a trade that requires either presentations or public appearances (or their handlers). I only wish that I had had this advice fifteen years ago!