Friday, August 14, 2009

Public Speaking for Authors: Giving the Talk













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  1. This sounds like excellent advice but the "Don't stress out" and "relax" part may be easier said than done - at least for me!

  2. Don't forget the nuclear option, Helen. Hiring an actor to impersonate you for the duration of the talk...

    Anyone remember Remington Steele?

  3. Anton, I would probably hire Angelina Jolie. We're practically twins.

  4. Helen, I want you to come give the talk for me. Woulda please, huh?

  5. I guess trying to sell books isn't public speaking, but a lot of your advice will help me tomorrow, especially the don't stress out bit, and eye contact. Thanks.

  6. Ahh, Karen, no one sells an author's books better than the author. You'll do great.

    Sheila, I think you'll do fine tomorrow!

  7. This is a minor point, more to do with future relations than the actual reading, but on the New Jersey Authors' Network website, I recommend mailing a thankyou card to the person/people at the signing venue who booked you.

    A mailed card, with a short note goes a long way.

    Jon Gibbs

  8. Good post! I'll keep these tips in mind for an event coming up in September. Already a tad nervous.

  9. Hi, Helen.

    I can remember when I did my first public speaking engagement at the tender age of 19. I thought that I would never get used to it and that I would probably lose my job because I was so lousy at it.

    To my surprise, I did a great job and everyone loved it (including me). I even got promoted because of it.

    *(Anton--I could have actually gotten away with having my twin sister, Sande, stand in for me (she's great at public speaking) but I wanted to conquer the thing myself. Now I'm really glad that I did!)

    Now it's been several years since I've had an occasion to speak in public, (and I've probably gotten a little rusty) so I very much appreciate all of the tips that you have presented in your articles--they are spot on.

    Thanks for sharing, Helen. This is another example of why I love this blog so much!

    Cynde's Got The Write Stuff

  10. Good advice, Jon.

    Thank you for the tweet, Elizabeth.

    Good luck in September, Jack. And way to go, Cynde. You discovered hidden talent.

  11. This has been a great series, Helen - thanks for taking the time to put it together. I learned to get over my fear of public speaking with drugs. ;) Seriously - my doctor prescribed Inderol for another matter - and I noticed immediately that I no longer had stage fright. It turns out that doctors themselves use this beta blocker and even prescribe it to actors who get the jitters. It literally blocks the adrenaline rush. I no longer use it, and still don't have much nervousness - almost like I retrained my emotional response.


  12. Thanks for these tips, Helen. The whole series has been very helpful to us writers who don't relish the idea of public speaking.

    (I mean, I'm good at talking to my computer when I'm alone in my office, but...)

