Speak Up with Confidence: A Step-by-Step Guide for Speakers and Leaders

by Carol J. Kent

Whether speaking to a crowd or small group, you want your audience to really understand your message. Speak Up with Confidence is a step-by-step guide that will walk you through preparing and delivering any kind of presentation, whether you are sharing your testimony, preparing a devotional, or leading a meeting or workshop. A sought-after speaker, Carol Kent is a reassuring guide through the often intimidating world of public presentation—from deciding on your topic and speaking points to engaging with your audience and delivering your talk well.Rich in stories and packed with helpful tips and insights, this book will transform the way you communicate, opening up a new world of ministry for you. If you want to be a leader in your church or simply want to be more comfortable talking in front of others, this book will give you the organizational skills and tips you need to make your presentation a success.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Self Help

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 1993

About the author

Carol Kent is hilariously funny, biblically sound, and heartbreakingly transparent in person and in print. Founder and president of Speak Up for Hope (a prison ministry) and Speak Up Speaker Services (a speakers' bureau), Carol is the best-selling author of many books, including When I Lay My Isaac Down, A New Kind of Normal, Becoming a Woman of Influence, Speak Up with Confidence, Secret Longings of the Heart, and Tame Your Fears. She is an expert on public speaking, writing, and evangelism. Carol travels the world, speaking to tens of thousands each year at events such as Extraordinary Women, Vision New England, Women of Faith, THRIVE, and Women of Grace. Carol and her husband, Gene, make their home in Florida.

Reviews

[Michelle Padrelanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I received this book for review from NavPress, I was pleasantly surprised and excited. The surprise was because I did not request this book but received it and the excitement because I dream of becoming a speaker one day. Carol Kent is an international public speaker and a world-reknowned author. So Speak Up with Confidence, A Step-by-Step Guide for Speakers and Leaders is such a blessing to me.

I find that this book does not disappoint when it comes to teaching us how to prepare for a talk step-by-step. The book begins with an encouragement to believe in yourself first before anything else. Believe that you have it in you to speak in front of people. Then she follows it up with the how-to’s of preparing your talk. First, it’s how to choose your topic, then set a goal, then how to collect materials, how to write your material and so on. The book is full of details and ideas on preparing for a talk, and even how to be presentable in front of a group of people. It is peppered with humorous anecdotes of her life stories which keeps the reading interesting.

What I like most about Speak Up with Confidence is the section about preparing your personal testimony. This one spoke to me personally because I feel that I have a lot to share about how the Lord works in my life, but I don’t know how and where to start. She also has a chapter on leading a Bible Study group. Having lead Bible study groups in the past, I thought that I would not need this section anymore, but surprisingly, I still learned a lot from her.

Speak Up with Confidence – A Step-by-Step Guide for Speakers and Leaders is an excellent reference book for those who want to become speakers. It is also a great guide for more material for those who are already more experienced in speaking.

[Karen Wingate · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have any interest in becoming a better speaker or even a better group leader, "Speak Up With Confidence" is an excellent guide for developing a public speaking ministry. Carol covers development, delivery, file organization, and spiritual preparation. Laced with a lot of personal illustrations, the book is straight forward and easy to read. I haven't taken a highlighter to a book for a long time but I did this time and I truly hope i will go back and review certain sections again.

[Maria Moriconi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical steps to getting your message heard. Things I learned....
What do I have to say that is of value to others? What do I know about the subject?
Who is the audience that will appreciatie what I want to say?
How am I going to communicate it effectively?

[Andy Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very specific suggestions for organization and preparation. My favorite idea: keep a file of ideas that you *know* you'll use in the future. I couldn't relate to chapter 13 and some others. Her style is way more structured than mine.

[Rosann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful in preparing for public speaking.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In preparations for Carol Kent's Speak Up Conference, I decided to go ahead and start reading SPEAK UP WITH CONFIDENCE. In spite of the fact that this is book that every speaker and/or speaker-wanna-be should definitely read SPEAK UP WITH CONFIDENCE, I wish I had waited until after the conference to read it. By the time I got to my 3-minute speech, I was freaking out because I hadn't outlined or organized my speech as Carol describes. I was in a state of emotional panic! But, Praise the Lord, I took a deep breath and dove in. I managed to enjoy the experience and I received very good positive feedback as well as fantastic constructive criticism from those on my team.

It was good that I had read most of SPEAK UP WITH CONFIDENCE prior to the conference because when terms and details were mentioned, I knew what they were talking about. If I hadn't read it, I would have been lost and constantly asking what certain things meant.

I appreciate Carol and her Speak Up team so very much! As God moves me into speaking, I can only pray that the lessons learned under their tutelage make even a tiny bit of the impact they have made. SPEAK UP WITH CONFIDENCE is a must-read for anyone in or considering getting into public speaking.

[Melinda Bush]

Great quick read on public speaking. It will get you from A-Z on how to dress, pick topics, opening, closing, relating to audience, and actually writing your speech.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has practical tips and helps for speaking in public.

[jessica]

[free nook book]