Editor's Corner Excerpted from the June 2010 Newsletter FOCUS ON SPEAKING SKILLS 6/03/10 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: October 25, 26, 27, 2010 (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: PowerPoint the inevitable? First person When you don't know the answer Quotes can make it lively Take a look at our expanded resource list Attend another workshop for half price October 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 POWERPOINT THE INEVITABLE? More and more often, I'm asked to come teach a class in PowerPoint. It's hard to isolate a session on PowerPoint from speaking because so many of the mistakes that are made with PowerPoint are the result of problems with speaking. Survey any group of business people for pet peeves regarding presentations they've attended and the number one complaint is usually, "too much information on the slides." Yes, this is a problem with slide design and may be due to a lack of guidelines on the subject. Yet I've found that too much text on a slide is just as often the result of the speaker's fear of speaking, fear of forgetting, and fear of looking bad. Sometimes people even admit they're hiding behind the slides hoping no one will notice them. Both issues need to be addressed: Becoming comfortable and also, slide design. Getting comfortable with speaking is doable for any of you. With that taken care of, you can then objectively process all that information about what makes an appropriate slide. Remember that the reason for the slide is to help people understand and retain your point; it's not for delivering information. You're supposed to be doing that. It's a visual AID. Designed to aid the audience. PowerPoint may be inevitable, but it doesn't have to be bad. FIRST PERSON I just got a note from a man who took the class from me 4 or 5 years ago telling of a non-work talk he aced. “On April 18th, I gave a brief introductory talk to over 1,000 parents at a Junior All-American clinic. My wife was surprised that I did exceptionally well and that I didn't use note cards. I knew exactly what I wanted to say, so it never even crossed my mind to use note cards.” And I'd say that before he took the class, he'd have been surprised not to use notes as well. WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER "In a Q and A session, what happens if you don't know the answer?" Well, most of you are clear on the pitfalls of making up an answer. It's dangerous and unacceptable. And, many of you know that saying, "I don't know," is fine as long as you don't act like that makes you a failure. As a responsible person, you've prepared for the talk and for answering questions. So, if someone asks you a question and you don't know the answer, it's not because you're stupid or uncaring. Be clear that no one knows everything, including you. The audience doesn't expect you to know everything. Apparently at least this person would like to have the answer, so how can you help them find it? Does someone else in the room know it? Do you have access to resources in your office? Stay in the frame of mind that you're there to help and try to figure out how to help them rather than worry about not knowing. Your brain will continue to function usefully and you will conduct yourself credibly. Quotes to Make You a Better Speaker “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes “Confidence is courage at ease.” —Daniel Maher “The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson “Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat.” —Napoleon Hill 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 October 25, 26, 27, 2010 I have two public seminars each year: May and October/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 or toll free at (888) 800-2001