Speak with Confidence: Powerful Presentations That Inform, Inspire and Persuade

A professional speaker for 26 years, I now refer to Speak with Confidence before each presentation for a quick brush up--learn, don't read or memorize material; shorten material by cutting the skeleton, not the flesh; handling Q & A using the SEER format®, and more! A copy should be on every speaker's reference shelf!

Dianna Booher's Speak with Confidence is a complete guide to the basics of public speaking. She offers 497 practical tips that public speaking beginners use to overcoming their biggest fear. The author begins by addressing the most critical factor in a speaker's success-establishing likeability and credibility. The book also includes discussions related to organizing a presentation, practicing the presentation, using visual aids, and handling questions with authority. Tip 400 is a very complete checklist for facilities and audio visual equipment. This tool is an example of the practical nature of this book. I was amused by the responses Booher provides to challenging situations. For example, she suggests that when a cell phone rings during the presentation, the presenter might want to respond humorously with a quip such as, "If that's the President (or CEO), tell him I don't have time to answer his questions or right now." Or when the microphone makes noise, come back with, "That was exactly what I said to my ex last week." Cute, but they'd have to be used at the right time with the right audience. Overall, this is a good basic tool to help guide the skill development of someone who is new to public speaking.

Dianna is one of the best in the business. This book is another great book written by Diana and I would recommend anyone interested in learning how to speak to ad this book to your library.Lenny Laskowski, Author"10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking" (Warner Books)

Well, it's 2003 and here's another book on speaking in front of audiences. There are plenty of books on this topic, since public speaking is consistently rated the experience that frightens us most. Statistically, people would rather die in a plane crash than give a speech. Giving a speech is not terminal, so if we gain some good advice about how to do it, we can overcome the fear and become more effective.So why this book instead of all the other fine books that have been written on the topic? I suggest there are three reasons to choose "Speak with Confidence." When I pick up a non-fiction book, particularly a how-to book, I want to see some author credibility. What gives this person the right to write this book? Dianna Booher is a Certified Speaking Professional with a considerable amount of platform experience. "Successful Meetings" magazine identifies her as one of the Top 21 Speakers for the 21st Century. Here's a classic case of "been there, done that."The second thing I look for in this kind of a book is readability. Is the book designed in such a way that I can grasp the concepts without getting bogged down in a morass of irrelevant and confusing text? I was delighted with the way "Speak with Confidence" is put together. There are 16 chapters to organize the information, but the tips are presented in numbered paragraphs-497 of them! Whew! The table of contents design, combined with the list of tips in the back of the book, makes it easy to get to the knowledge you want. The third criterion for me is content. Is there good solid material? Can the reader really learn something? This book is jam-packed with information that is easily accessible and presented in a way that helps the reader. The author weaves in some of her own experiences to juice up the presentation, but these pages are filled with in-depth advice. Even after ten years in Toastmasters and 23 years speaking professionally, I found myself learning new ideas while refreshing things I knew. Special gift idea: every up-and-coming corporate leader will benefit from reading this book and practicing the principles that are presented. Building the ability to speak before groups will put you miles ahead of your peers. This book will help get you there.

Practical advice on ways to add punch and "pizzazz" to my business presentations. There's something for everyone, from beginners to professional speakers. Design and "tip" format makes it easy to read. Ms. Booher adds just the right amount of humor to make it interesting and reminds us not take ourselves too seriously.