Speaking for Profit and Pleasure: Making the Platform Work for You (Part of the Essence of Public Speaking Series) [Paperback]

William D. Thompson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205270263 | ISBN-13: 978-0205270262 | Publication Date: September 19, 1997 | Edition: 1

With endorsements from two of the largest and most influential public speaking groups -- the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International-- this book is written by an expert speaker and consultant who has received prestigious awards from these two organizations. Public speaking is vital to anyone interested in advancing in their careers or improving the ways in which they present themselves. This book offers a realistic look at the world of public speaking, from corporate trainers and motivational stars to beginning luncheon speakers. Through it all, the author guides readers step-by-step, helping them turn their dreams into reality. Readers will find the personal stories of successful speakers, along with answers to some intriguing questions: How do you break into public speaking? What skills do you need and where can you learn them? Can you keep your regular job and still make money from speaking engagements? What does it take to make a living at public speaking? This power-packed guide is brim-full of practical information. Readers will learn which skills and personal characteristics are essential, easy ways to get started, how to practice, the requirements for becoming a certified speaker, how to make contacts, what today's audiences expect, and much more. Anyone interested in speaking for "profit or pleasure." Part of the Essence of Public Speaking Series.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

T7026-2, 0-205-27026-3, Speaking for Profit and Pleasure: Making the Platform Work for You, Thompson, William D. (Thompson Communications), 51/2 x 81/2, paper, 160pp., $12.00, T, HA00, 3 stars) With endorsements from two of the largest and most influential public speaking groups -- the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International-- this book is written by an expert speaker and consultant who has received prestigious awards from these two organizations. Public speaking is vital to anyone interested in advancing in their careers or improving the ways in which they present themselves. This book offers a realistic look at the world of public speaking, from corporate trainers and motivational stars to beginning luncheon speakers. Through it all, the author guides readers step-by-step, helping them turn their dreams into reality. Readers will find the personal stories of successful speakers, along with answers to some intriguing questions: How do you break into public speaking? What skills do you need and where can you learn them? Can you keep your regular job and still make money from speaking engagements? What does it take to make a living at public speaking? This power-packed guide is brim-full of practical information. Readers will learn which skills and personal characteristics are essential, easy ways to get started, how to practice, the requirements for becoming a certified speaker, how to make contacts, what today's audiences expect, and much more. Anyone interested in speaking for "profit or pleasure." Part of the Essence of Public Speaking Series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 1 edition (September 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205270263
• ISBN-13: 978-0205270262
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #273,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best First Book on Speaking for Profit, December 3, 2000

By 

"ronlv" (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Speaking for Profit and Pleasure: Making the Platform Work for You (Part of the Essence of Public Speaking Series) (Paperback)

Well written and well organized. The cover and the Editorial Review are honest reviews-refreshing. Book is neatly broken down into three parts. 1. Why People Speak 2. Growing as a Speaker and 3. The Business of Speaking. Chapter 7 (Avocational Speakers) is a wonderful review on how to take the first steps toward getting known as an excellent speaker and being in demand as a speaker locally. It evaluates the process in excellent detail and lists in Appendix F Some Associations That Engage Unpaid Speakers. A particularly targeted audience of this book is how to use Toastmasters International as the jumping off point and were to find other coaching and training. Then, how to step out of that organization to further develop along the path toward considering making money from public speaking. Different than other "Get Rich Quick by Speaking" books, he does not glamorize the process to sell a book. There is no wasted time on the subject of how the rich and famous can make money speaking. The book is devoted to finding a way to profit if you simply get good at speaking. He covers why you need to be an expert on something of interest to get chances to speak. The book helps you sort through the process of finding the topics, audience and eventually get paid. One book lists the currently popular topics for paid speakers and says do one of these topics. This book encourages you to find your own topic and work toward finding the audience that will pay for it. This task is covered in considerable detail. In a prior reviews of authors sponsored by Toastmasters International the books can be a disappointment. This one is not.

0 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book, May 13, 2003

By 

Keith D Allen (Milpitas, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Speaking for Profit and Pleasure: Making the Platform Work for You (Part of the Essence of Public Speaking Series) (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book!