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Speak
SPEAK (so your audience will listen) is a book for anyone who has to deliver a message, tell a story - or speak to another human being.
Most of us are quite relaxed and confident when we're with our friends and family. We can tell a story or even tell a joke. But put us on a platform and we can feel very different.
When we speak to an audience, we often put on a public mask … and use a different voice. Why can’t we seem to be ourselves when we give a talk?
In this book we will look at all aspects of spoken communication, from structure right through to delivery.
We will learn how to have a conversation with our audience - to be ourselves - so that we connect with them every time we speak.
In 7 simple steps you can learn to be a confident and successful public speaker. There are specific exercises at the end of every section for you to practice.
Whether you’re a CEO presenting to shareholders, a manager motivating your team, an entrepreneur selling a business, a creative pitching an idea, a charity worker asking for donations or a parent speaking at your daughter’s wedding, this book will help you become a confident and successful public speaker, so that when you speak, your audience will listen.
And, hopefully, you'll enjoy the experience too.
Most of us are quite relaxed and confident when we're with our friends and family. We can tell a story or even tell a joke. But put us on a platform and we can feel very different.
When we speak to an audience, we often put on a public mask … and use a different voice. Why can’t we seem to be ourselves when we give a talk?
In this book we will look at all aspects of spoken communication, from structure right through to delivery.
We will learn how to have a conversation with our audience - to be ourselves - so that we connect with them every time we speak.
In 7 simple steps you can learn to be a confident and successful public speaker. There are specific exercises at the end of every section for you to practice.
Whether you’re a CEO presenting to shareholders, a manager motivating your team, an entrepreneur selling a business, a creative pitching an idea, a charity worker asking for donations or a parent speaking at your daughter’s wedding, this book will help you become a confident and successful public speaker, so that when you speak, your audience will listen.
And, hopefully, you'll enjoy the experience too.
226 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 2, 2019
Amazing, and exactly what I was looking for on this topic.
This book is about speaking, but not just public speaking. Speaking in general. It features things like:
Public Speaking Tips
Presentation Tips
How to carry yourself
How to appear confident, without being cocky
How to speak to others on level field, don't talk above them, but not below them either
How to craft your message
Even things like exercises to keep your throat and oral cavity open, and speaking from the gut.
It improves how you present yourself, what you say and how you say it.
It's one of the few books I decided to get in paperback, kindle and audio book because I'm going to go through it again periodically.
This book is about speaking, but not just public speaking. Speaking in general. It features things like:
Public Speaking Tips
Presentation Tips
How to carry yourself
How to appear confident, without being cocky
How to speak to others on level field, don't talk above them, but not below them either
How to craft your message
Even things like exercises to keep your throat and oral cavity open, and speaking from the gut.
It improves how you present yourself, what you say and how you say it.
It's one of the few books I decided to get in paperback, kindle and audio book because I'm going to go through it again periodically.
October 20, 2023
The book "Speak So Your Audience Will Listen" by Robin Kermode is designed to help individuals become confident and authentic public speakers. Here is a summary of the book along with key points and actionable steps based on the available information:
### Summary:
The book is tailored for anyone who needs to communicate a message, whether it's telling a story or interacting with others. It delves into various aspects of verbal communication, from structuring your message to delivering it effectively. The author lays down a 7-step path to becoming a more natural and confident speaker, aiming to help readers engage their audience in a conversational manner, ensuring a connection every time they speak.
### Key Points:
1. **7-Step Path to Confident Speaking**: The author outlines a 7-step process to transform the reader from a nervous speaker to a confident and authentic communicator.
2. **Engaging the Audience**: Learning how to engage the audience in a conversation is a focal point, emphasizing the importance of being oneself to establish a genuine connection with the audience.
3. **Structure and Delivery**: The book covers the essentials of structuring a message and delivering it in a way that captures the audience's attention.
### Actionable Steps:
1. **Understand Your Audience**: Know who you are speaking to and tailor your message to resonate with them.
2. **Practice Authenticity**: Be genuine in your communication, which will help in establishing a connection with the audience.
3. **Master the Structure**: Learn how to structure your message effectively to ensure clarity and engagement.
4. **Work on Delivery**: Practice your delivery to ensure it's clear, engaging, and evokes the desired response from the audience.
5. **Continuous Learning**: Keep learning and practicing to hone your public speaking skills further.
### What Readers Can Learn and Implement:
1. **Confidence in Public Speaking**: By following the 7-step path outlined, readers can overcome the fear of public speaking and grow their confidence.
2. **Effective Communication**: Readers can learn how to communicate their ideas effectively, ensuring that their message is not only heard but also resonates with the audience.
3. **Audience Engagement**: The book provides insights into engaging the audience in a meaningful conversation, which is a critical skill in both personal and professional settings.
4. **Authenticity in Interaction**: Emphasizing authenticity in communication helps in building trust and establishing a real connection with the audience, which can be a life-changing skill to develop and implement.
The book provides a roadmap for individuals to improve their public speaking skills, which in turn can significantly impact their personal and professional life. By implementing the steps and principles outlined in the book, readers can expect to see a notable improvement in their communication skills.
### Summary:
The book is tailored for anyone who needs to communicate a message, whether it's telling a story or interacting with others. It delves into various aspects of verbal communication, from structuring your message to delivering it effectively. The author lays down a 7-step path to becoming a more natural and confident speaker, aiming to help readers engage their audience in a conversational manner, ensuring a connection every time they speak.
### Key Points:
1. **7-Step Path to Confident Speaking**: The author outlines a 7-step process to transform the reader from a nervous speaker to a confident and authentic communicator.
2. **Engaging the Audience**: Learning how to engage the audience in a conversation is a focal point, emphasizing the importance of being oneself to establish a genuine connection with the audience.
3. **Structure and Delivery**: The book covers the essentials of structuring a message and delivering it in a way that captures the audience's attention.
### Actionable Steps:
1. **Understand Your Audience**: Know who you are speaking to and tailor your message to resonate with them.
2. **Practice Authenticity**: Be genuine in your communication, which will help in establishing a connection with the audience.
3. **Master the Structure**: Learn how to structure your message effectively to ensure clarity and engagement.
4. **Work on Delivery**: Practice your delivery to ensure it's clear, engaging, and evokes the desired response from the audience.
5. **Continuous Learning**: Keep learning and practicing to hone your public speaking skills further.
### What Readers Can Learn and Implement:
1. **Confidence in Public Speaking**: By following the 7-step path outlined, readers can overcome the fear of public speaking and grow their confidence.
2. **Effective Communication**: Readers can learn how to communicate their ideas effectively, ensuring that their message is not only heard but also resonates with the audience.
3. **Audience Engagement**: The book provides insights into engaging the audience in a meaningful conversation, which is a critical skill in both personal and professional settings.
4. **Authenticity in Interaction**: Emphasizing authenticity in communication helps in building trust and establishing a real connection with the audience, which can be a life-changing skill to develop and implement.
The book provides a roadmap for individuals to improve their public speaking skills, which in turn can significantly impact their personal and professional life. By implementing the steps and principles outlined in the book, readers can expect to see a notable improvement in their communication skills.
February 28, 2018
Covers All Aspects of Giving a Talk, from pre-stage nerves to planning a talk. It is clear that the author has extensive experience of public speaking. A good portion of the book is dedicated to the physical and physiological aspects of delivering a speech. What would one do when one’s body starts nervously shaking? Where would one put their hands when up there on stage actually delivering the speech? What to do when/if one’s voice goes weak?
October 13, 2018
Great book for anyone afraid presenting
Found the techniques in this book very useful to get over pre presentation nerves. The key is practice practice and more practice. Great book and highly recommend to anyone who struggles with nerves during public speaking
Found the techniques in this book very useful to get over pre presentation nerves. The key is practice practice and more practice. Great book and highly recommend to anyone who struggles with nerves during public speaking
July 12, 2019
Strict to the point. Full of useful tips. Great norator.
August 19, 2019
What a enjoyable practical guide to speaking and communicating. Could take a lot that can immediately used and an enjoyable read.
November 2, 2019
The best!
The best book I have ever read on public speaking! I dislike public speaking but this book has really helped me.
The best book I have ever read on public speaking! I dislike public speaking but this book has really helped me.
July 17, 2020
A well written book about giving speeches. I'll certainly reread this before my next speech.
January 11, 2023
Listened to this on audible and thought there were some great advice from Robin.
January 2, 2025
There’s a bunch of self-help books that seem to be written by someone who was terrible at what they’re now teaching (e.g., public speaking), then conquered their fear and now wants you to follow their simple recipe to greatness. This one, thankfully, is written by a professional. I love public speaking, but I’m not always sure my audience loves hearing me going on and on. Every time I finish a talk, I think, ‘What should I have left out? Probably half of it.’ This book’s clear, actionable advice was exactly what I was looking for.
July 18, 2016
This book is a huge resource to any who speak in various situations. The author has years of experience and writes simply with very practical lessons. I recommend it
October 27, 2019
Picked this somewhat randomly, but it was delightful and even deep.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews