A client asked me yesterday how to polish her presentation skills as she wants to showcase a new direction she is taking her medical practice in. This got me thinking about resources, and ready to spill the beans on my blog.

Public speaking to the right audience is an excellent way to position yourself as an expert and recognized thought leader. But there is a well-circulated "statistic", which might actually be true, that the number one fear of American adults is having to make a speech in public.

Before I discovered the magic and power of the Internet, my most successful tactic for getting new business was getting myself invited to speak at various gatherings. I always came away with at least one new client.

In order to gear myself up for this new challenge early in my business (I had gotten over my fear, but not my incompetence as a speaker, in my role as a hospital CEO), I had to learn how to present effectively. So my first feedback came ever so gently from my Toastmasters' group.

I worked hard over the years, reading, practicing and studying with a couple of speaking coaches. I have reached the point of actually coaching wannabe presenters myself, and it is time to share some of the best resources I have on my office shelves:

• For the truly serious speaker who is determined to learn all the skills and a few tricks, there is the somewhat expensive and extremely comprehensive ProfessionalSpeaker System created by Tom Antion (my speaking "guru" whose content I purchased tons of) Bill Brooks and Jill Cathcart.
  This package includes Tom's somewhat less expensive "Wake 'Em Up" Speaking System ( a book plus 6 DVDs).
  (A quick addendum here -- although I spent quite a bit of money on the Wake 'Em Up System, I easily made it back in new business and speaker fees).
  
  

• Knockout Presentations by Diane DiResta

• Speak with Confidence by Dianna Booher

• The New Talk Power by Natalie H. Rogers

• Never Be Boring Again by Doug Stevenson

• Working the Room by Nick Morgan

My fond wish is that your fear of speaking in public drop to #10 on your Top Ten Fears list!