It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It: Ready-to-Use Advice for Presentations, Speeches, and Other Speaking Occasions, Large and Small

by Joan Detz

Why do some speakers succeed while many bore their audiences and lose their listeners? Speaking coach Joan Detz has worked with top clients for more than 15 years and has the answers. In this useful and lively book she presents strategies and tips for speeches, sales presentations, brief remarks, job interviews, Q&A sessions, panels, and more -- every situation that requires something to say.

Topics organizing your message * finding terrific research * using storytelling techniques * preparing the room * handling technical glitches * working with other speakers * measuring your effectiveness * making the most of your voice * mastering humor * using body language * conquering nervousness * building audience rapport * tapping the power of persuasion.

Filled with checklists, tip sheets, self-evaluations, and practical advice on every page, this thorough and invaluable guide takes the mystery out of our most dreaded experience. This book will help you say it better-whether you're talking to one or one thousand.

Genres: Business, Self Help, Communication

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[CatReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Joan Detz is a professional speaking coach and published this short book way back in 2000 to give advice to people currently engaging in public speaking in a variety of settings and aspiring to improve. She covers topics I don't often see in books about improving one's speaking skills, such as strategies for choosing what time of the day and in which order you speak as part of a solo or panel engagement (if those factors are within your control). She also talks about where to find anecdotes and what types of anecdotes to tell vs. stay away from (though these examples are obviously quite dated nearly a quarter century later). It would be nice to see this book get an update for the 2020s if Detz is so inclined.

Further reading: improving at public speaking
Speak Like a CEO: Secrets for Commanding Attention and Getting Results by Suzanne Bates
Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers by James Humes

My statistics:
Book 219 for 2024
Book 1822 cumulatively

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I saw it on a bargain shelf and thought, what the heck, for $7... It was well worth it. In fact I ordered 3 more, one for each of my kids. It's so well-presented, easy to follow, organized and practical. Even funny. The author covers virtually every scenario for giving a talk; big or small. I don't give speeches, but she also has a lot of great advice for everyday communicating. I highly recommend this and have your highlighter ready.

[Eja Batbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guidance for anyone before their big moments. The author gives quite interesting and funny stories for her tips which makes this book a favorable book. Highly recommended for my future self to skim over before I give speech and presentations.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the for a class and was not expecting to like it. Joan writes this in an entertaining way where I did not get bored and actually enjoyed reading it. She offers great ideas, suggestions, and resources for those who need to prepare a speech for a presentation or any speaking opportunity.

I will hold onto this book and feel like I can prepare speaking using what is offered in this book.

[Robin Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reference for all aspects of public speaking from writing a presentation to the little details that matter.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent all-round book on public speaking. Much of it isn't particularly relevant to academics (either teaching or giving research talks), but there is a fair amount that is. Peppered with little anecdotes about famous people that either are instructive about some good way of handling a situation, or are just funny and make you feel better because [insert famous name here:] messed up too, but in front of a whole cadre of reporters.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for planning and delivering the right speech at the right time.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Very informative.

[Dravell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book
-written in Title/subtitle form
-Good to have in Library for how to write speech reference

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with useful tools such as checklists and tips woven throughout. Handy book to have in the reference pile.