Confessions of a Public Speaker (Scott Berkun)

In Confessions of a Public Speaker, Scott Berkun uses an unconventional approach.  Rather than provide a systematic "how to" outline, like most books of this nature, Berkun tells a series of stories in a conversational manner, each illustrating an important concept in public speaking.  The result is less organized but no less informative, and more entertaining to boot.  Below are the thoughts I found particularly valuable.

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Many people fear public speaking, but a key thing to remember: the audience really doesn't care that much (or even notice the things you may obsess about).  They've been in your shoes, and they're rooting for you to succeed.  And "succeed" doesn't equal "perfection"- "If you'd like to be good at something, the first thing to go out the window is the notion of perfection."  You will make mistakes, and that's okay; "obsessing about perfection stops you from growing."  Folks will overlook mistakes when they're hearing a good and useful talk- they want to learn and be entertained.  And remember- everyone gets nervous.  Mark Twain said "there are two types of speakers: those who are nervous and those that are liars."  But "we can minimize most of [our] fears by realizing that we speak in public all the time."

Good public speaking starts well before any preparation.  "All good public speaking is based on good private thinking."  We need "the ability to think and refine rough ideas into clear ones" well before we ever get on stage.  Cogent points and memorable sound bites are often the product of months of thinking.  What takes five seconds to deliver may have been long in development.

The golden rule is keep it simple.  "Good lectures are never comprehensive because it's the wrong format to do so."  Formats like TED or Ignite! talks are deliberately time-limited because it "forces speakers to distill their message down to its most concise, passionate, potent form."  They've proven tremendously effective.  So keep it short, and your talk should have a simple outline.  Make sure "there is always a clear, simple structure for what you're doing and why."  Open your talk with that plan.  Tell them what you'll tell them (and how long it will take), so they have a mental map.  Keep it simple and rehearse often.  That may mean great ideas  get tossed because they don't fit in that particular framework.  And that's okay!

Venue matters.  "Many challenges are created by the room itself . . . "  But own your turf- make small crowds in big rooms sit up front, densely, and make the most of any situation by realizing it's up to you to make it work. 

Remember it's about the audience.  Audiences want to be educated, inspired, entertained.  They may have a need they look to you to satisfy, want to meet others interested in the topic, or are forced to be there.  As a speaker, embody what you want the audience to be.  Want them to be enthusiastic?  Show enthusiasm . . . "but it has to be done in a way they can connect with, which is hard to do."  In preparing your talk, don't start with slides- start with the audience, then develop an outline, then worry about slides.  And remember: "The easiest way to be interesting is to be honest."

Speakers must teach.  Part of that is finding and simplifying insights- "remember how it felt to be a complete novice."  Don't hoard knowledge; give it away.  It will benefit them at you- you'll find that "it's impossible to teach something without learning something along the way."
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This is a good book.  The different approach is refreshing, if nothing else.  The author is funny and snarky at times, with colorful language and raw honesty showing he's "one of the guys," not some self-important academic looking down on us all.  The honesty is refreshing and engaging, while I didn't always care for some of the cursing, he did present his true self.  Though I prefer systematic outlines and traditional delivery, I did learn and was entertained.

Rating: A-