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Truth About Confident Presenting, The

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Truth About Confident Presenting, The

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Features

Simply the Best Thinking...and Nothing But the Truth

  • How to systematically manage your anxiety and keep it from affecting your presentation.
  • How to prepare quickly and efficiently, and give yourself the best chance for success.
  • How to handle any audience confidently, even hostile questioners.
  • What you need to know about listening, non-verbal communication, PowerPoint, microphones, and a whole lot more.
  • Description

    • Copyright 2008
    • Edition: 1st
    • Book
    • ISBN-10: 0-13-235496-9
    • ISBN-13: 978-0-13-235496-7

    Praise for The Truth About Confident Presenting

    "O'Rourke goes beyond the typical list of speaking tips and packs a lot of wisdom into his 51 truths. He explains the critical link between the content of a speech and its ultimate effectiveness, illuminating the powerful connection between preparation and performance. Speakers who follow his winning formula are sure to find a grateful audience."

    R. Jeep Bryant, Executive Vice President, Chief Communications Officer, The Bank of New York Mellon

    "From strategy to tactics, the 51 common-sense 'truths' in this book are useful, practical, and easy to adapt. Even reading just a few chapters will help to make you a better speaker. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to the executive speakers I work with."

    Jan Botz, Executive Director, Chief Communications Officer, Dow Corning Corporation

    “Whether you are speaking to a large audience, your boss, your employees, or your kids, you will feel more confident and prepared, and be far more effective, after reading this book. O’Rourke provides simple, doable tips that really make a difference. From caring to preparing, you’ll learn what it takes to engage your audience and make your message count!"

    Patty Blackburn, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, RSM McGladrey, Inc.

    The Truth About Confident Presenting is an excellent, practical guide for anyone who aspires to deliver effective and engaging presentations. It is a valuable resource for the novice as well as veteran speakers.”

    Catherine V. Babington, Vice President, Public Affairs, Abbott Laboratories

    “Years of successful presentation experience condensed into an easily digestible but invaluable checklist for anyone wishing to channel natural anxiety over public speaking into improving their presentation skills. Filled with real-world examples and anecdotes, O’Rourke focuses on the essentials of great presenting.”

    Tim Andree, Chief Executive Officer, Dentsu America

    All you need to know to make winning presentations--fearlessly and painlessly

    •        The truth about preparing quickly, efficiently, and well

    •        The truth about managing anxiety and handling hostile audiences

    •        The truth about nonverbal signals, PowerPoint, microphones, and more

    This book reveals 51 proven and bite-size, easy-to-use presenting techniques that work.

      

    This book brings together everything you need to know to prepare well, manage anxiety, deliver effectively, connect with your audience, and succeed! Authored by top business consultant James O’Rourke, this book offers real solutions for the obstacles and fears faced by every presenter. You'll discover what makes people listen, and what instantly turns them off. You’ll learn how to prepare effectively, not obsessively; how to scope out your audience and muster evidence that'll convince them; when and how to listen; how to manage anxiety and establish a great first impression; how to make nonverbal cues work for you; how to use PowerPoint well; how to handle hostile questions confidently; and much more.

    This isn't someone's opinion: it's a definitive guide to effective presenting—a set of bedrock principles you can rely on to help you win with any audience.

    Sample Content

    Online Sample Chapter

    Public Speaking Is Not Easy, but It's Certainly Doable

    Sample Pages

    Download the sample pages

    Table of Contents

                         Introduction  v

    Part I            Some Initial Truths

    Truth 1          Public speaking is not easy, but it’s certainly doable  1

    Truth 2          The key to success is preparation  5

    Truth 3          Rehearsal is essential  9

    Truth 4          Emulating good speakers will make you better  13

    Truth 5          Establish goals for your presentation  17

    Truth 6          A presentation is a learning occasion  21

     

    Part II           The Truth About Getting Ready to Speak

    Truth 7          Talk is the work  25

    Truth 8          Know what your audience is looking for  29

    Truth 9          There is a difference between speaking and writing  33

    Truth 10        Preparing a presentation is a relatively simple process  37

    Truth 11        Begin by analyzing your audience  41

    Truth 12        Know about your audience  45

     

    Part III          The Truth About What Makes People Listen

    Truth 13        Understand what makes people listen  49

    Truth 14        Your speaking style makes a difference  53

    Truth 15        Anticipate the questions your audience brings to your presentation  57

    Truth 16        Listening matters  61

    Truth 17        Being an active listener brings real benefits  65

    Truth 18        You can overcome the barriers to successful communication  69

     

    Part IV          The Truth About Developing Support for Your Presentation

    Truth 19        Develop support for your presentation  73

    Truth 20        Understand the power of your content  77

    Truth 21        The kinds and quality of evidence matter to your audience  81

    Truth 22        Structure can help carry an inexperienced speaker  85

    Truth 23        Find support for your presentation  89

    Truth 24        Use the Internet to support your presentation  93

     

    Part V           The Truth About Getting Up to Speak

    Truth 25        Select a delivery approach  97

    Truth 26        Your introduction forms their first impression  101

    Truth 27        Begin with a purpose in mind  105

    Truth 28        Keep your audience interested  109

    Truth 29        Conclusions are as important as introductions  113

    Truth 30        Have confidence in your preparation  117

    Truth 31        Repeat the process as often as possible  121

     

    Part VI          The Truth About Managing Anxiety

    Truth 32        All speakers get nervous  125

    Truth 33        Recognize anxiety before it begins  129

    Truth 34        Deal with nervous behaviors  133

    Truth 35        Keep your nervousness to yourself  137

     

    Part VII         The Truth About Nonverbal Communication

    Truth 36        Most information is transferred nonverbally  141

    Truth 37        The nonverbal process can work for you  145

    Truth 38        Nonverbal communication has specific functions  149

    Truth 39        Nonverbal communication is governed by key principles  153

    Truth 40        Nonverbal communication has an effect on your audience  157

     

    Part VIII        The Truth About Visual Aids

    Truth 41        Visual aids can help your audience understand your message  161

    Truth 42        Understand visual images before you use them  165

    Truth 43        Choose the right visual  169

    Truth 44        Use PowerPoint effectively  173

    Truth 45        Consider speaking without visuals  177

     

    Part IX         The Truth About Handling an Audience

    Truth 46        Assess the mood of your audience  181

    Truth 47        Answer the audience's questions  185

    Truth 48        Handle hostility with confidence  189

     

    Part X          The Truth About What Makes a Presentation Work

    Truth 49        Know as much as possible about the location  193

    Truth 50        Use the microphone to your advantage  197

    Truth 51        Know your limits  201

                         References  205

                         Acknowledgments  207

                         About the Author  209

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