Editor's Corner Excerpted from the August 2010 Newsletter FOCUS ON SPEAKING SKILLS 8/04/10 Speaking Tips for Anyone Who Talks LOOK FOR BARB'S BLOG -- A STEADY FLOW OF SOUND ADVICE AND IDEAS at http://gettingoveryourself.wordpress.com Take the next step in your speaking life by registering for our next “How to Overcome Stress in Public Speaking” 3- day workshop. Don't put it off. WHEN: October 25, 26, 27 (See details below.) Have you missed issues of the newsletter? They're archived on our website, along with articles and tips to make you a better speaker. Go to www.GettingOverYourself.com. In this issue: What's hard about speaking? First person Keeping attention in a phone meeting Quotes can make it lively Take a look at our expanded resource list Attend another workshop for half price October Workshop in Pasadena/ In-house seminars WHAT'S HARD ABOUT SPEAKING? Maybe the hardest thing about speaking is that it seems as though it should be easy because we talk all the time. On the other hand, we can't quite get the hang of talking to groups, and that's unsettling. In my workshops, it's not unusual (and quite understandable) for people to want answers for specific situations. Of course, there are specific answers, but for the most part those answers don't solve the problem without the foundation of understanding what's really going on when you're in front of group. It's like helping your kid with math homework. When they're stuck on a problem, they just want the answer. They don't want to understand the principle. You, as the parent, however, realize that without the principle, the right answer doesn't matter. It's the same with speaking. So, to make speaking easier, take a bird's eye view of the situation; remove your ego, consider the purpose of sharing this information, recognize that you're just a piece of the process of accomplishing some larger purpose, and let your natural ability to solve problems sort out how to best approach this subject with this audience. You'll usually come up with those specific answers when you focus on the principles involved. Speaking doesn't have to be hard when you remove the ego filter. FIRST PERSON Ken Hurd, VP Ventures Marketing at Affinity Group, Inc.: “I still use the practical advice and techniques you gave us in your speaking seminar, and it's been several years since I attended. For example I will never forget your concept of "it's not about you" when I am making presentations. I believe that just that simple reminder has greatly improved my style of verbal communication.” KEEPING ATTENTION ON THE PHONE “Most of my meetings are teleconferences, sometimes with a huge number of people. How do I stay in charge of the meeting and get positive results?” Obviously, without the visual element it's a bigger challenge. Not so obvious, perhaps, is the bigger effort it takes for the person running the meeting to stay focused. Being unseen raises the temptation to kick back and not put yourself in leader mode. Without the visual part, you have to double your focus; it's an internal effort with very little outside help. Sit up. Put on mental blinders to avoid being distracted. Listen with your whole being. Don't play solitaire on your computer, arrange your desk, or move ahead in your notes. If you are fully focused, paying close attention whether you or someone else is speaking, it will be clear on the other end of the phone as evidenced in your voice, your pauses, the questions you ask and the way you respond -- important elements of keeping their attention. Quotes to Make You a Better Speaker “How long should a speech be? As long as it's good. As soon as it stops being good, it should end..” —Soundings “Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake somebody up.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “You can't plant a seed and pick the fruit the next morning.” —Jesse Jackson “The moment a person forms a theory, his imagination sees, in every object, only the traits which prove that theory.” —Thomas Jefferson “Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens, we have to keep going back and begin again.” —André Gide FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO A FRIEND Thousands of people have to give presentations every day, and that includes people you know. Take a moment to forward this newsletter to them. And encourage them to sign up for their own subscription. RE-ATTEND FOR HALF PRICE As a refresher, workshop graduates (from any of my 3-day workshops) may attend for half price at any time. People have said they get as much or more out of the workshop the second time around. WORKSHOP "How to Overcome the Stress of Public Speaking" Pasadena Sheraton: 3-day workshop October 25, 26, 27, 2010 I have two public seminars each year: Spring and Fall. Registration for the 3-day workshop: $1095. Discount for three or more attendees from the same company. If you have a number of people who could use this training, please call or e-mail regarding an in-house seminar. Visit www.gettingoveryourself.com for details or call (888) 800-2001 or (626) 792-8075. Mailing address: P.O. Box 60521, Pasadena, CA 91116 Book "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking and More" by Barbara Rocha, 210 pages, 2nd Edition, 2004, illustrated, cartoons $19.95. The basic text you'll definitely want to walk you through the pitfalls of public speaking. If you're not comfortable speaking, you must have this book. Audiotape or CD ROM The "Getting Over Yourself" book read by the author. Audiotapes (set of three): ($17.95); CD ROMs (set of two): ($19.95)./p> Pocket-size books $9.95 each "Pocket Guide for Presenters," 103 pages The Cliff Notes version of "Getting Over Yourself." No cartoons, and less explanation of the whys and hows. Just the right size to take with you for a quick reminder of all those points you learned in the full size edition or in our seminar. "60 Ways to Spark Your Speaking: Just in Time Answers to Frequently Asked Questions," 154 pages Answers specific questions you may have with "what to do when . . ." questions, such as how to deal with a boss who takes over during your presentation, or how to handle your visual aids in a crisis, or how to proceed if everyone is focused on your broken nose. "Love to Talk, Hate to Speak? How to Gain Confidence in Front of Any Audience," 121 pages A collection of short vignettes on various parts of speaking you'd like to know more about, such as more information on holding the audience's attention at the end of your presentation, being confident in those first moments before you start to speak, or using the elements of a good conversation to make it easier and more natural speaking to a group. Tips booklets $5. each. Can be ordered in quantity for a discount. "111 Tips for Getting Results When You Speak" "108 Tips for Engaging Your Audience and Solving Those Pesky Speaking Dilemmas" "17 Myths of Speaking" Speeches on tape: "From Bored Room to Board Room," $10.95 "Stand Up and Stand Out," $10.95 Video/DVD "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking" featuring Barbara Rocha in excerpts from her book, seminar classes and interactive coaching. 48 minutes. VHS or DVD $99.95 To Order: Call (888) 800-2001 Order online at www.gettingoveryourself.com E-mail: BouldinHil@aol.com Write: Bouldin Hill Press at 17-555 Bubbling Wells Rd. Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241 Send a check for the amount of the order plus $3 for each item. For 3 or more items, add $2 per item. Or include your credit card information (name as shown on card, card billing address, expiration date and phone number), as well as shipping address.

Orders Think gifts. Someone you know is going to be giving more presentations soon. Give them a practical gift that will make those presentations easier and more effective. Learn more or Order Online. Book "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking...and More" by Barbara Rocha 208 pages, illustrated, cartoons $19.95 Audiotape or CD ROM The "Getting Over Yourself" book on audiotape read by the author ($17.95) or CD ROM ($19.95). Booklets by Barbara Rocha: $9.95 each (+$1.50 Shipping and Handling) "Pocket Guide for Presenters" 103 pages "60 Ways to Spark Your Speaking: Just in time answers to frequently asked questions" 154 pages "Love to Talk/Hate to Speak: Selected articles by Barbara Rocha" 121 pages Speeches on Tape: "From Bored Room to Board Room" $10.95 "Stand Up and Stand Out" $10.95 Video "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking" featuring Barbara Rocha in excerpts from her book, seminar classes and interactive coaching. VHS $99.95 Learn more Order Online Call (888) 800-2001 E-mail: BouldinHil@aol.com Write: Bouldin Hill Press at 17-555 Bubbling Wells Rd., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241 Seminars **How to Overcome the Stress of Public Speaking Pasadena: 3-day workshop October 25, 26, 27, 2010. We have two public seminars each year: May and October/November. If you have several people who could use this training, contact us regarding an in-house seminar. As a refresher, workshop graduates (from any of our 3-day workshops) may attend for half price at any time. People tell us they get as much or more out of the workshop the second time around. Visit our seminars section for details or call (888) 800-2001 For more information, contact: Barbara Rocha and Associates PO Box 60521, Pasadena, California 91116 (626) 792-8075 or toll free at (888) 800-2001