How to Speak Like a Pro

Book excerpt: More than snakes, more than deep water, even more than death, people cite public speaking as their greatest fear. But with more than seventy percent of our jobs requiring the effective presentation of ideas to a group, you need to know “how to speak like a pro.” • Seven tips to control stage fright • How to select your subject, gather ideas, and present information • How to start, organize, and end your speech • The importance of practicing—and the dangers of over-practicing • How to seem spontaneous, yet be prepared • How to deal with distractions—from hecklers to crying babies • Eight easy-to-follow steps to preparing and presenting a speech and more With handy checklists after each chapter!