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How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less
Learn how to get your listener’s attention, keep her interest, and make your point—all in thirty seconds!
Milo Frank, America’s foremost business communications consultant, shows you how to focus your objectives, utilize the “hook” technique, use the secrets of TV and advertising writers, tell terrific anecdotes that make your point, shine in meetings and question-and-answer sessions, and more!
These proven techniques give you the edge that successful people share—the art of communicating quickly, precisely, and powerfully!
Milo Frank, America’s foremost business communications consultant, shows you how to focus your objectives, utilize the “hook” technique, use the secrets of TV and advertising writers, tell terrific anecdotes that make your point, shine in meetings and question-and-answer sessions, and more!
These proven techniques give you the edge that successful people share—the art of communicating quickly, precisely, and powerfully!
120 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 1985
60 people are currently reading
1104 people want to read
About the author
Milo O. Frank
3 books1 followerMilo O. Frank (1922-2004) was a film and television writer, producer, and magager.
During WWII, he served in the US Marines. After the war, he attended language school in Boulder, Colorado. He worked as a talent agent for the William Morris Agency, then became head of Talent And Casting for CBS Television, and later for Cinerama. In the 1960s, he became a producer of independent movies.
In his later life, he became an author, and wrote "How To Make Your Point In Thirty Seconds." He also worked as a business management consultant.
During WWII, he served in the US Marines. After the war, he attended language school in Boulder, Colorado. He worked as a talent agent for the William Morris Agency, then became head of Talent And Casting for CBS Television, and later for Cinerama. In the 1960s, he became a producer of independent movies.
In his later life, he became an author, and wrote "How To Make Your Point In Thirty Seconds." He also worked as a business management consultant.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
May 1, 2008
It was OK. Did I make my point in under 30 seconds?
March 31, 2020
this is one of the best advice books you will ever read - and he gets his point across in the first few pages.
August 7, 2014
A short but useful book with some nice gap-filling tips on expressing yourself meaningfully in a brief, concentrated message. I suspect this will do the most good for people beginning a career without having ever been required to communicate professionally. I seem to have picked up a lot of this unconsciously along the way, but I'm sure there are a few parts that I could work on.
However, Milo's Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous anecdotes went a little overboard on occasion. (The one about having ordered the wrong towel warmer for his all-marble bathroom comes to mind.) And any how-to book that seriously recommends "be yourself" as actual advice probably has a flaw or two.
However, Milo's Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous anecdotes went a little overboard on occasion. (The one about having ordered the wrong towel warmer for his all-marble bathroom comes to mind.) And any how-to book that seriously recommends "be yourself" as actual advice probably has a flaw or two.
August 15, 2018
I often ramble and finish what I’m saying wondering why it took me so long to say it. So, when Scribd suggested this book for me, I took it as a sign and gave it a listen 🙃
This book is quick and easy to listen to (or read) and helps me reframe my thinking about what I’ll say. It’s harder for me to imagine applying its principles in everyday conversation, but for those quick phone calls I dread and especially for writing, I think it’ll be helpful!
This book is quick and easy to listen to (or read) and helps me reframe my thinking about what I’ll say. It’s harder for me to imagine applying its principles in everyday conversation, but for those quick phone calls I dread and especially for writing, I think it’ll be helpful!
July 19, 2012
Great concept. Poor delivery.
I bought the audiobook version of this work and was not impressed. There were some discussions where several people were talking in the same time and I felt like I was going through the tunnel of the chocolate river boat ride on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Another thing is they incorporated many typewriter sounds in discussions to make it sound like an office. It was distracting.
Some of the advice is helpful, so it wasn't a total waste. I would suggest to look for another resource though.
I bought the audiobook version of this work and was not impressed. There were some discussions where several people were talking in the same time and I felt like I was going through the tunnel of the chocolate river boat ride on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Another thing is they incorporated many typewriter sounds in discussions to make it sound like an office. It was distracting.
Some of the advice is helpful, so it wasn't a total waste. I would suggest to look for another resource though.
April 4, 2020
I heard the audiobook version of the book, and it hardly took me long to finish it, given that it's so short. However, I feel that this topic is something which could be covered in a small article of barely 5 to 10 minutes. The concepts outlined by Mr Frank are good and can be helpful in actually getting the point across, but the overall structure, as well as the extra time(IMO) he took meant that a lot of this book was redundant. A short bulletin points article would have been much more effective.
November 11, 2009
A helpful book whether you want to apply for a job or leave a clear and concise message on an answering machine! The author had a career with the television world and could understand well the value of time and how to make your point brief and powerful. This was an old book on my husband's shelf so I'll say it appeared there were a few expletives (now that's an irony of not choosing your words best with 30 seconds), so beware of that.
February 11, 2023
Know your objective, know your audience (listener), and know your approach. Start with an engaging hook, diligently prepare your subject—the who, what, where, why, when, and how—then finish with a powerful close.
As the book claims, the 30 Second Message can be used in all forms of communication, from business to personal exchanges.
I’m super excited to apply these principles to public speaking as a way to refine my communication habits.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short read.
As the book claims, the 30 Second Message can be used in all forms of communication, from business to personal exchanges.
I’m super excited to apply these principles to public speaking as a way to refine my communication habits.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short read.
July 2, 2018
While this book contains some helpful information and vaguely interesting examples, it reads like a cheesy training video you'd be taught on day one of your new basic customer service job or in a job workshop for teens. Since it's so short, it's worth a read, and I'm glad I read it but it's overall just okay.
December 10, 2018
One of my college professors had “no word minimum” on his syllabus. He explained, “write your essays with the least amount of words to effectively explain your answer.”
He must have read this book. Get to the point.
He must have read this book. Get to the point.
November 19, 2018
I skimmed this book as I didn’t like how cheesy the examples were. If the examples were real it didn’t come across as it to me. I would recommend this book just summarize the quick tips at the end of each chapter. Would not recommend purchasing but would recommend going to the library to skim.
Read
March 5, 2024Decent advice. A little dated and clearly from the perspective of an old white man.
The biggest takeaway: Humans have an attention span of 30 seconds. You need to get your point across clearly and quickly.
The biggest takeaway: Humans have an attention span of 30 seconds. You need to get your point across clearly and quickly.
September 28, 2009
الكتاب جيد خصوصا للمبتدئين فى عالم الاعمال و الميديا و كل نشاط بشرى يحتاج الى التواصل السريع و بشكل فعال ..اعتقد انى سأقوم بتلخيصه فى عرض تقديمى عن قريب ...
March 14, 2011
This book sits always on my desk.
March 29, 2013
A must-read book on improving your business communication skills.
February 3, 2017
Practical and timeless tips to help the reader craft a compelling 30-second message.
November 9, 2019
This book found ME, actually. I’d been personally struggling with this topic and been working to develop my skills in this area; as I was walking back from my development meeting at work, I saw it on a coworker's desk, staring me in my face, kinda glowing from its faded yellow cover. It was practically BEGGING me to pick it up.
Without further ado, here are the pieces I found most effective in helping me with this effort.
- Think sound bites. The news ditches any interview it can’t explain in a snippet; similarly, others will disregard the substance of your conversation if it can’t be explained in 30 seconds or less.
- Don’t waste words. It’s surprising how often opportunity is wasted because there isn’t a clear objective being communicated.
- What are you trying to accomplish?
- Know the objective of the right person to generate the right result.
- Find your hook. It can be in question form, or a visual hook, which can be a 30-second anecdote. It can be dramatic or humorous, but know your audience!
- Keep a hook book to jot down ideas when you think of them, in case it inspires ideas when needed.
- Ask for what you want! At the end of a meeting where you are trying to decide how to proceed on a project, don’t EVER say, "let's think about it" as a response to an idea, without a clear action plan for results.
- Decide what kind of 'close' is warranted for your objective. 'Action close' with a specific deadline, or the 'reaction close', which is a more subtle, indirect ask strategy.
- Paint a picture with words - e.g. "Deficits will spread a subtle, devastating poison through the economic bloodstream” is clearly more effective than simply saying, "deficits will badly affect the economy."
- Use simplified language and analogies when appropriate.
- Videotape your workshop or session. In our case, we can also listen to a recording of a call to determine what we need to improve articulation-wise.
- Outline / don’t memorize content.
On paper, the same rules apply. Present no more on paper than can be read aloud in 30 secs.
- Most importantly, know when to stop. 😉
(How did I do?)
Without further ado, here are the pieces I found most effective in helping me with this effort.
- Think sound bites. The news ditches any interview it can’t explain in a snippet; similarly, others will disregard the substance of your conversation if it can’t be explained in 30 seconds or less.
- Don’t waste words. It’s surprising how often opportunity is wasted because there isn’t a clear objective being communicated.
- What are you trying to accomplish?
- Know the objective of the right person to generate the right result.
- Find your hook. It can be in question form, or a visual hook, which can be a 30-second anecdote. It can be dramatic or humorous, but know your audience!
- Keep a hook book to jot down ideas when you think of them, in case it inspires ideas when needed.
- Ask for what you want! At the end of a meeting where you are trying to decide how to proceed on a project, don’t EVER say, "let's think about it" as a response to an idea, without a clear action plan for results.
- Decide what kind of 'close' is warranted for your objective. 'Action close' with a specific deadline, or the 'reaction close', which is a more subtle, indirect ask strategy.
- Paint a picture with words - e.g. "Deficits will spread a subtle, devastating poison through the economic bloodstream” is clearly more effective than simply saying, "deficits will badly affect the economy."
- Use simplified language and analogies when appropriate.
- Videotape your workshop or session. In our case, we can also listen to a recording of a call to determine what we need to improve articulation-wise.
- Outline / don’t memorize content.
On paper, the same rules apply. Present no more on paper than can be read aloud in 30 secs.
- Most importantly, know when to stop. 😉
(How did I do?)
July 29, 2021
A classic!
One of the older books that I read this year has some outstanding ideas and formulas to get your point across in 30 seconds or less.
If you want to find the secret sauce to succinct,interesting and influencial communication, it is within the pages of this short book.
One of my favorite passages was about focusing on the listener
1) First determine the objective
2) Then determine the right person or group of people who can give you what you want.
3) Know what that person or group is going to want from you
4) What one thing can you do or say to get a favorable response
Ok, some of the examples are older but the gems in this book are rare and are well worth skimming over the 80's examples.
Great book if you want to sharpen your spoken communication skills!
One of the older books that I read this year has some outstanding ideas and formulas to get your point across in 30 seconds or less.
If you want to find the secret sauce to succinct,interesting and influencial communication, it is within the pages of this short book.
One of my favorite passages was about focusing on the listener
1) First determine the objective
2) Then determine the right person or group of people who can give you what you want.
3) Know what that person or group is going to want from you
4) What one thing can you do or say to get a favorable response
Ok, some of the examples are older but the gems in this book are rare and are well worth skimming over the 80's examples.
Great book if you want to sharpen your spoken communication skills!
July 28, 2025
In a world of shrinking attention spans and overflowing inboxes, Milo Frank’s classic guide remains strikingly relevant. First published in 1985, this slim volume distills the art of impactful communication into a single, powerful premise: you have 30 seconds to make your point—or lose your audience
It’s not about nuance or layered storytelling—it’s about precision and punch. But there’s a kind of narrative architecture here too: how to build tension, deliver impact, and leave a lasting impression in mere seconds. If you ever explore writing for platforms where brevity is key—think pitches, blurbs, or even flash fiction—Frank’s insights could be surprisingly adaptable.
Want to explore how this technique might apply to book reviews or literary analysis? I’d love to help you experiment.
It’s not about nuance or layered storytelling—it’s about precision and punch. But there’s a kind of narrative architecture here too: how to build tension, deliver impact, and leave a lasting impression in mere seconds. If you ever explore writing for platforms where brevity is key—think pitches, blurbs, or even flash fiction—Frank’s insights could be surprisingly adaptable.
Want to explore how this technique might apply to book reviews or literary analysis? I’d love to help you experiment.
September 11, 2024
Non-fiction.
Surprised I read non-fiction? Hey, everybody needs to learn once in a while.
This was recommended as a good book to read to learn how to write promotional material, and even create short book trailers, to get the gist of the story across quickly, before readers or viewers lose interest.
Good analysis of the steps to take in putting together a short speech or presentation, how to do them, why all the steps are important, what works, why different elements work or don't work. Something that I can anticipate needing to read at least once a year as a refresher course.
Now to see if I can apply what I've learned!
Surprised I read non-fiction? Hey, everybody needs to learn once in a while.
This was recommended as a good book to read to learn how to write promotional material, and even create short book trailers, to get the gist of the story across quickly, before readers or viewers lose interest.
Good analysis of the steps to take in putting together a short speech or presentation, how to do them, why all the steps are important, what works, why different elements work or don't work. Something that I can anticipate needing to read at least once a year as a refresher course.
Now to see if I can apply what I've learned!
March 6, 2019
If you want to make a lasting impression on anyone, you gotta make it in 30sec. And you learn to do it by practice.
In order to make a fruitful first impression and to captivate the audience you need to know
1. Your objective
2. your audience
3. your approach
4. close, aligned with your objective.
In order to make a fruitful first impression and to captivate the audience you need to know
1. Your objective
2. your audience
3. your approach
4. close, aligned with your objective.
May 21, 2020
Lack of clear objective could mean life or death. The objective in conversation and using it as focal point in order to achieve your goal during a communication. Hidden objective can work as long as you know them and make sure who can send help that you need.
The book is concise and packed with knowledge on clarity of interaction.
The book is concise and packed with knowledge on clarity of interaction.
March 21, 2018
Listened to this audiobook. Really bad recording. Bet print version or ebook would be more handy way to feel you can actually use the easy steps of this book. Good for people early in their careers.
July 15, 2018
It was better than I thought it was going to be. It's a little dated, which may be why it used the KKK acronym in one part (Two of those words began with a C, maybe it should have been CCC). Didn't seem intentional though.
December 26, 2017
A simple book, with lots of examples and easy to apply points.
January 31, 2018
Good advice: Know what you want, who to go to, and when/how to present your point/request. Also how to improve your speeches and overall presentation skills.
April 17, 2018
Very basic information that could be helpful to some. Dated material.
June 4, 2018
Some great guidelines to build upon.
January 2, 2019
It was interesting.. this is more for a pre-planned conversation than a spontaneous one
February 7, 2019
Straight to the point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews