The essential guide to speaking in public

Maggie Eyre

A good speech can change lives and the way we live. But everyone needs to prepare and work at their speeches. Whether it is a business presentation, talking to the media or a family celebration, the difference between a poor speech and a good one is enormous.

This is an entire course from top communications consultant Maggie Eyre in one concise volume. All of the advice in this practical book is aimed at developing the self-confidence every speaker needs to communicate effectively. There are many building blocks involved in the process, but Maggie Eyre explains how to use them all, with a host of anecdotes and examples to illustrate her points. Business leaders, politicians, lecturers and media presenters have all successfully followed her advice. You can use it all to become an absolute expert or dip into it as required.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maggie Eyre is a communications consultant and media trainer, specialising in public relations, corporate training and presentation skills. She has trained many captains of industry, media personalities and public figures, most notably New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. She has a home in Auckland, but is currently based in London.

---

TIPS ON WRITING YOUR SPEECH

* Who are your audience? Why are they here? What do they want and need to know? What are their expectations? Write with your target audience in mind.

* Establish your purpose. What do you want to achieve with the speech?

* Have a central theme and a destination - where do you intend to take your listeners?

* Do you want to inform, persuade, entertain, or a combination of all three?

* Weave the last paragraph around the central message of your speech.

* Think of your presentation as a conversation or a talk, not a formal speech.

* Write or type your focus sentence at the top of the page, then write your title in the middle of the page and list ideas around it.

* Write with images or pictures in mind. Talk in pictures.

* Avoid technical jargon. A 12-year-old should be able to understand your speech.

* Excite and stimulate your audience’s imagination to gain their attention. What will turn them on? Share your thoughts with the audience.

---

SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 234 x 153 mm
Format: Paperback with flaps
Extent: 220 pages
Weight: 500 gms
First published: May 2007
ISBN: 978-0-908988-58-7