Editor's Corner Excerpted from the April 2010 Newsletter FOCUS ON SPEAKING SKILLS 4/08/10 Speaking Tips for Anyone Who Talks NEW. 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 5, 6, and 7 (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: In the beginning First person How to know what you said after you sit down 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 Websites to check out for quotations: www.worldofquotes.com http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html http://www.brainyquote.com http://www.mightyminds.com/quotes IN THE BEGINNING One of the biggest mistakes people make in speaking is starting to talk before they're focused and ready. They let anxiety or the pressure of feeling the need to get started push them into saying something that wasn't at all what they had in mind. I like you to think of: pause, breathe, focus. But you can just as easily think: ready, steady, go. It may take just a moment to bring you to full awareness. But even if it takes longer than you think it should, you're going to start out with conviction and presence. And you won't feel out of control the way it's easy to do if you start before you're ready. So, in a practice session you might just practice your opening for awhile by standing in front of your sofa imagining an audience or even in front of your dog. Practice standing quietly while you focus on your opening words and adjusting to seeing the audience before delivering that first line. And then pause. The next idea will be right there waiting for you (if you got quiet before saying your opening words), and you will have made those opening words meaningful to your audience. Please. Don't start until your focused and ready. You'll give a much better presentation. FIRST PERSON Kalvin Chen, Product Marketing, Solarmer Energy, Inc.: "I've read books, searched online, and observed speakers to improve my public speaking skills. I thought I had a good grasp on this skill. However, something was still missing, so I sought out a course in public speaking and found Barbara. Barbara has a unique, proven style that can help speakers become more aware of the audience, environment, and most of all, yourself. She helps dissect those three areas and helps you focus each one with her creative approach. I gained a new level of awareness and insight to public speaking. Since then, I continue to build on what I've learned whenever I have presentations. Thank you for your tips and guidance to effective public speaking! KNOWING WHAT YOU SAID AFTER YOU SIT DOWN "After I sit down, I never know what I said, or I realize I left something out and it makes me feel out of control. What can I do?" A big part of this solution (and the most important part) is in the editorial this month. Don't start until you're ready. If you're in your right mind when you start, you'll probably stay there. Take your time to be sure you know where you are, where the audience is, and how you're going to start. In addition, you'll be better able to keep track of yourself if you're clear on your story line. Think of your presentation as a story that is unfolding for you and the audience, whether it's numbers, facts, or an update. Taken together, you should find yourself in better control of yourself and the presentation. Quotes to Make You a Better Speaker “Take the tools in hand and carve your own best life.” —Douglas Lurton “Unkindness almost always stands for the displeasure that one has in oneself .” —Adrienne Monnier “There is nothing so annoying as to have two people talking when you're busy interrupting.” —Mark Twain “To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else.” —Dalai Lama 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 5, 6, and 7, 2010 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 our seminars section 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). 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 October 25, 26, 27, 2010. 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