Introduction: Want to Inform, Influence And Entertain Like A Pro?
by Suzen Fromstein
Want to Inform, Influence and Entertain Like a Pro? by Suzen Fromstein is a short book filled with lots of useful information that will take just over an hour to read. I met Suzen Fromstein about six months ago at an 85 Broads Toronto networking lunch. This is the second book that I am reviewing (Review of Suits and Ladders). Fromstein is qualified to write about public speaking because she has credentials from Toastmasters – Competent Toastmaster (CTM) and Advanced Toastmasters (ATM).
Although the book is about public speaking, she tries to write it in a humorous way. Based on her many years of giving speeches, Want to Inform, Influence and Entertain Like a Pro? was born out of her experiences. Suzen Fromstein has identified the seven deadly sins of public speaking, which she shares. At the end of each chapter, she presents the deadly sin and its salvation – the way to correct the sin or how to avoid it.
There are many case studies sprinkled throughout the book, and she provides the full script of a few speeches that she has given, which the reader can dissect to determine why the speech works. If you are new to giving speeches, or even a veteran, you will be able to pick-up a few tips from the book. I found myself taking many notes while reading. Here are some tips that I picked up.
8 Tips from Want to Inform, Influence and Entertain Like a Pro? by Suzen Fromstein
- Dedicate one hour of prep time for each minute of the speech or presentation.
- Prep time consists of research, theme development, writing speech script, and practicing the speech.
- Keep you speech tight and focused by developing your theme, and making sure that every point you make is tied back to the theme.
- You engage others when you are passionate about the topic. What message are you communicating with your body language?
- People form an impression of you within the first four minutes, so engage them immediately – have a powerful start to your speech. End your speech stronger than you opened, so write your conclusion first.
- The audience will know whether or not you wrote your speech script. A speech or presentation has three structural elements – open, body and close – use them! In the chapter on Failing to Write the Speech Script, Fromstein offers a simple 5-step process for writing an effective speech.
- Use PowerPoint infrequently in you speeches and presentations. And if you have to, you can find guidelines in Want to Inform, Influence and Entertain Like a Pro?
- Never end your presentation with Q&A. After you have answered all the questions, reiterate your three main points.
The chapter, “Sin #4: Lack of Passion,” is twice and sometimes more than four times the length of the other chapters. In that chapter, Fromstein writes about the different learning styles, and why your speeches and presentations should use all the styles to ensure that you engage everyone. Additionally, she also writes about body language. Although the information in the chapter is useful, somehow it didn’t work for me based on the title of the chapter. I understand what is being said, but trying to tie it to being passionate was a stretch for me.
Anyway, by reading Want to Inform, Influence And Entertain Like A Pro?: Simply Recognize The Seven Deadly Sins of Public Speaking And Then Avoid Them
by Suzen Fromstein you will get a few chuckles while picking up some tips on public speaking in the process.
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