TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations [Hardcover]

TJ Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

A #1 USA Today best seller

A Wall Street Journal best seller

A BusinessWeek best seller

An 800-CEO-READ best seller

Fear. Public speaking is one of the most common phobias. Whether presenting a sales pitch to a small group of decision makers or addressing a crowd of hundreds at a company forum, all presenters harbor the same fear.

Master speaker TJ Walker has the solution--the secret--to giving foolproof presentations: focus on what the audience really wants. Based on thousands of presentation workshops and personal coaching sessions with CEOs, prime ministers, members of Congress, and average business people, TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations will make every reader a better presenter. The book details his audience-centric approach to preparing, rehearsing, testing, and delivering presentations that will keep listeners talking about the message long after they've left the room.

Walker addresses the most common questions speakers have, such as

• How long should my presentation be?
• How can I best use technology in my presentation?
• When should I take questions?
• What do I do if I make a mistake?
• What should I do with my hands?

In a direct, conversational, and often humorous style, Walker offers novice presenters and savvy speakers specific advice and concrete techniques that will make every presentation memorable and foolproof.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hate making presentations? Lots of people do. Here in the age of PowerPoint wizardry and short-attention spans, just standing up and sharing is almost never enough. The best cure for podium angst I've come across: "TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations." Written by a veteran media trainer, this short book is "The Elements of Style" for the get-up-and-show-it crowd. They'll be riveted and won't let you leave." -- Newsday.com "I usually read two or three books a week. I have a stack of 'to read' books next to my chair, in my bedroom, and in the bathroom. Most of the books I read are just okay. I'll skim them and maybe pick up a good idea or two. But once in awhile a book will come along that I will read every word of every page because it is that good. T J Walker has written one of those books. I don't care who you are or what you do, you will benefit from reading TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof" --Moneywatch.bnet.com

About the Author

TJ Walker has more than twenty-five years of experience as a presentation coach and master speaker. He is the CEO of Media Training Worldwide and the host of daily TV shows seen on The Speaking Channel and in syndication. Walker has appeared on more than two thousand TV and radio news/talk programs including MSNBC, Fox News Channel, NBC Radio, and National Public Radio.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 193 pages
• Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929774885
• ISBN-13: 978-1929774883
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Secret to Making Great Presentations., February 27, 2010

By 

Danek S. Kaus (Silicon Valley, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations (Hardcover)

TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations is not written for public speakers only, although they will benefit immensely from this compact book.

It is written for anyone who has anything important to say in any context, to as few as one person. Think job interview, sales call, marriage proposal, a pitch to investors, and so on, and most definitely, a public speech or presentation.

The title is misleading in another way, as well. It shares not one secret to making great presentations, but dozens. Each of them written is bite-sized, easy-to-undestand, chapters. No theory, no filler. All meat.

Some of the secrets Walker and co-author Jess Todtfeld share are:

How to overcome stage fright or nervousness
What the realistic goals are for your presentation
How long your presentation should be
How many key points to cover
How to use PowerPoint effectively
Whether or not to use whiteboards, flip-charts etc.
How to use humor
How to connect with the audience
How to troubleshoot your presentation
How to develop a lifetime presentation improvement plan

and... The One Big Secret to Foolproof Presentations. The secret that makes all the other secrets work.

Walker knows what he's talking about. He has appeared on over 1,000 TV and radio news/talk shows, including Fox News Channel, NBC Radio and National Pubic Radio. He is the CEO of Media Training Worldwide.

In sum, I highly recommend this book to anyone who ever has the occasion to speak to another human being.

Read it and speak. With confidence and power.

Danek S. Kaus, author of You Can Be Famous! Insider Secrets to Getting Free Publicity You Can Be Famous: Insider Secrets to Getting Free Publicity and co-author of Power Persuasion: Using Hypnotic Influence to Win in Life, Love and Business Power Persuasion: Using Hypnotic Influence to Win In Life, Love And Business

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tips inside, June 29, 2009

By 

R.G. (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations (Hardcover)

TJ Walker gives the best tips you can get to make your presentation more interesting and engaging. His book is an extremely valuable tool for anyone that needs to stand in front of an audience and don't want to be forgotten the minute people walk out the door. I highly recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TJ Walker has tremendous passion, September 26, 2009

By 

Harrison Monarth "New York Times Bestselling ... (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations (Hardcover)

TJ has one of the key attributes a successful speaker needs, and that is passion for his craft and topic. I am not surprised at all that this book is a bestseller. I'd prefer that people buy my book, The Confident Speaker, but you can't go wrong with TJ Walker's advice and his tremendous experience in the art and science of speaking.

Harrison Monarth
New York Times bestselling author of The Confident Speaker (McGraw-Hill 2007)