Want to become the best public speaker you’ll ever be? No matter what industry you’re a part of, speaking is an essential part of the job. Even if it is not on a daily basis, improving your public speaking skill can only set you up for success. It is normal to feel anxious before giving a big speech. However, improving your skills and staying prepared will help boost confidence and overall results.
To help you stay prepared and even enhance your knowledge of public speaking, here are the top 5 public speaking books to help you perfect your pitch.
Lend Me Your Ears: All You Need to Know About Making Speeches and Presentations by Max Atkinson
Written by speech coach and communications researcher, Max Atkinson gives you the ins and outs of presentations and how you can get your audience hooked. He provides useful insight into the essence of body language as well as non-verbal communication.
Resonate: Present Visual Stories That Transform Audiences by Nancy Duarte
Nancy Duarte has made it her mission to give you the best advice on successful presentations. She believes that the easiest way to judge a presentation is to determine its effectiveness with the audience. According to Duarte, presentations must be geared towards a certain passion for persuasion and a meaningful purpose.
Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun
In this book, Scott Berkun gives up a useful, yet humorous insight about what makes a great communicator and public presenter. Here you will personal experiences that include battles and disasters to help articulate your ideas into accurate results. This book is part instructional and confessional as it brings you all the detailed tips you need to make a great speech.
The Presentation Coach: Bare Knuckle Brilliance for Every Presenter by Graham Davies
Graham Davis understands how challenging speeches can be for many people. He also understands how the audience feels in many situations. That is why he has taken his decades of experience and transformed it into a humorous guide that will address nearly every scenario a presenter might have. This book will allow you to learn more than you expected while being entertained.
The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking by Dale Carnegie
Many of us already know Dale Carnegie as a man of power and for his way of words. This book offers insight in the root of the matter in allowing readers to understand the beauty of public speaking. Here you will learn more about how to translate speech into daily conversations in both work and personal lives.
Conclusion
Before you get started on your next speech, be sure to grab one of these books and enhance your skills. Not only will these reads give you great tips and advice, but also help you to feel more confidence and prepared. I was a high level manager at an IT support company, but after reading these books I had the courage to hold speeches in front of my peers, something which I could only dream of before.
Got any books on public speaking that you would like to recommend? Comment below and share your favorites with us!