Editor's Corner FOCUS ON SPEAKING SKILLS 02/03/11 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: May 4, 5, 6, 2011 (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: We're not looking for perfection First person How do you engage a tired audience? Quotes can make it lively Take a look at our expanded resource list Attend another workshop for half price May Workshop in Pasadena/ In-house seminars We're Not Looking for Perfection It's easy to think some people have it made when it comes to speaking because of some physical or personality characteristic. Perhaps how tall or good looking they are. Or a great voice. Or maybe because they love being the center of attention. In a recent blog I used Governor of California Jerry Brown as an example of giving a good speech and without having an exceptional speaking voice. http://gettingoveryourself.wordpress.com The same characteristics that may be positives for a speaker can also be negatives. In a good speech or presentation, we're aiming for invisibility, that is, the audience is focused on what you're saying and not on you. If you focus on your voice or personality you won't be invisible. So, that means if you're in love with your voice or your looks or your wonderful personality, you won't be invisible. Just the same as if you think you're lacking some desirable quality. Because either way you're focused on yourself. If there's something you can do about any of those things and you think you ought to, go ahead. And remember that you're doing it to achieve invisibility and help the audience focus. But never lose sight of the fact that speaking is about helping the audience, not about what you look and sound like or your personality. FIRST PERSON Sarinah Tambu: “You came into my life about 10 years ago when I was lucky enough to have taken your class at the San Francisco Chronicle. “Fast forward 10 years and you are still the little coach on my shoulder every time I have to make a presentation, like last night at the adult school where I had to give a PowerPoint presentation as part of my final exam. “I blew all my classmates out of the water because 1) my slides were visually stimulating but mostly because 2) you taught me to get over myself. “Since you taught me that priceless skill I have added another component to it to help me stop being so afraid of presenting: pretend it's an emergency situation and that your instructions or information will save their lives. This way ME does not come into play at all. “You that you taught me a huge lesson in public speaking. Thank you.” Engaging a Tired Audience If you're the last speaker facing a tired audience, how do you engage them? It's a tough spot to be in. It may be even worse if the previous speakers ran over their time. Since you know they're tired (and probably anticipated that they would be) make sure you end early. Whatever you do, don't ignore the fact they're tired and just plow through your presentation. Change the rhythm of the meeting so you have a fighting chance of engaging them. Have everyone stand and stretch for a moment. Or have them turn to the person next to them and tell them the one thing they most want to know about the subject you're speaking about. Then have them ask you the questions and let that be your presentation. Or think of something else that will make your presentation conversational and interactive. It helps to plan ahead. Before the presentation (knowing you're last), identify the essence of what you need to tell and they want to hear. Figure out a way to embed all necessary information into stories and examples. And, if possible, make it a two-way conversation. And again, end early and let them know you're going to end early. Then be sure you do. Quotes to Make You a Better Speaker “True nobility isn't about being better than someone else. It's about being better than you used to be.” - Wayne Dyer “Do what's right to get along with people, in that order.” - Ezra Taft Benson “Live out your imagination, not your history.” - Arthur Bryan “The deeds you do today may be the only sermon some people will hear today.” - St. Francis of Assisi “Consistently wise decisions can only be made by those whose wisdom is constantly challenged.” - Ted Sorensen 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 May 4, 5, 6, 2011 I have two public seminars each year: May and November. 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 May 4, 5, and 6, 2011. 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