Some interesting info in here. But even this 'updated' version from 1997 is now so dated that it's not particularly useful - it's a book offering tips on paper-based 'presentation kits', cassette tapes and fax lines.
From the beginning of this book, I realized I must move from being an amateur speaker to an expert in my field. There's one quote: "Meeting planners want content as well as eloquence." This means I will follow the steps to become an expert, and from that list "Be so familiar with your subject that no one can stump you with a question." Then I get need this book on my shelf as a reference to what to do from there to market myself and not only speak but get references, build a promotional package, work with meeting planners, bureaus and agents to get my speaking career up and going. I now reflect on what in my life is my greatest expertise that can be set for a general audience. then I will follow the other steps of attractive topics/titles, advertising, getting bookings that pay, leaving my audience cheering, setting up headquarters, moving to speak at high-profit seminars, and then selling my program and speaker products. I read the 1989 edition, and I'd like to get my hands on a more recent one.
This is what they call the "bible" of professional speaking. It is a very motivational book...not realistic at times when you are attempting to be a professional speaker AND a mommy. If you have goals along the lines of speaking as a profession, this is a book you MUST read. A little outdated now with the internet being what it is, but still good info.
This is one of the bibles of the speaking profession. It contains all of the basic information you'd need to build a business as a speaker. It's not the best written of books, with grammatical errors and such. Nonetheless it's a must-have if you want to be a public speaker and maybe even earn money at it.