Editor's Corner Excerpted from the February 2004 Newsletter Subtle bonding Sometimes connecting with your audience is simply a matter of using them as your main example. That is, use the word "you" rather than "the." Or rephrase your point into a "what's in it for them?" sentence. A bus stop poster in my neighborhood shows a picture of a dripping water faucet with the caption: "Don't watch your dollars drip away." A good "what's in it for them?" as opposed to "don't waste water." Or, "turn off the tap." Because we're so often treated generically by speakers, broadcast e-mails, and people who are supposed to be serving us as customers, we respond to anyone who treats as individuals, includes us, and pays attention to us. Look for ways to phrase your message conversationally with your audience and make them the specific target of your message. Connecting with them in this way will give you a big advantage over the majority of speakers your audiences must listen to. Dear Teach Cheri Noble, Human Resources, The Sacramento Bee: "Thank you for my 'new' presentation skills. I attended a meeting this morning and saw others struggle with the same issues I have (make that HAD!) before taking your workshop. I really enjoyed your class; you made it informative, fun and most important of all, non-threatening." First Person Irene Smith, Financial Consultant, AXA Advisors: "I read your book, "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking" and it is very helpful. Focusing on helping the audience is a great tip which enables me not to be nervous during my presentations." Acceptable Use of Notes "If you have 20 or 30 minutes for a presentation, what's acceptable for notes?" Notes aren't a problem in any length presentation once you've weaned yourself from them. That is, when you no longer feel dependent on them, using them can be fluid and seamless. When you get to that point, just place your notes on a nearby flat surface and, when you need to, go look at them in silence. Look back up at your audience and resume speaking. More importantly, how do you get to that point? In preparing your presentation, practice without notes and practice thinking of the major points you want to cover, not the details. The details mostly take care of themselves when you're clear on your story, on your main points and subpoints. And for those few details that may escape you, you might need to look at your notes. Instead of cramming at the last minute and stressing over remembering all that material, get away from your notes, breathe and recall: your objective in speaking to this audience; your opening, bridge, your thesis; the one or two words for each of your support points and; your close. If you feel comfortable with the flow and the big picture, you'll go a long way toward not needing the notes. And if you do have notes you'll feel more comfortable using them. Quotes to Make You a Better Speaker You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. -- Maya Angelou It takes self-confidence to say "I'm sorry."--Alexandra Stoddard The world you desire can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.-- Ayn Rand Any life, truly lived, is a risky business, and if one puts up too many fences against the risks, one ends in shutting out life itself. -- E. Stanley Jones Leadership is not a designated position . . . it's a phenomena. It's people following people because they want to, not because they have to. -- Larry Wilson Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions. --Oliver Wendell Holmes If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking. -- George S. Patton, Jr. A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. -- David Brinkley Teleseminars Anyone? (A wee bit of market research) We're currently developing content and structure for a Presentation Skills Teleseminar series to launch in late Spring '04. Sound interesting? If it's something you think you'd like to get in on, we'd love to hear from you. Please let us know soon at Barbara@GettingOverYourself.com. We promise to keep you in the loop.

Our search for surprise successes I'm looking for stories about people who have used the principles from our book and seminars to conquer a limitation in some other area than speaking. If you, or someone you know fits this description, please send an e-mail that briefly describes the person and the accomplishment to Barbara@BarbaraRocha.com. Orders Think gifts. Someone you know is going to be giving more presentations soon. Give them a practical gift that will make those presentations easier and more effective. Learn more or Order Online. Book "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking...and More" by Barbara Rocha 208 pages, illustrated, cartoons $19.95 Audiotape or CD ROM The "Getting Over Yourself" book on audiotape read by the author ($17.95) or CD ROM ($19.95). Booklets by Barbara Rocha: $9.95 each (+$1.50 Shipping and Handling) "Pocket Guide for Presenters" 103 pages "60 Ways to Spark Your Speaking: Just in time answers to frequently asked questions" 154 pages "Love to Talk/Hate to Speak: Selected articles by Barbara Rocha" 121 pages Speeches on Tape: "From Bored Room to Board Room" $10.95 "Stand Up and Stand Out" $10.95 Video "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking" featuring Barbara Rocha in excerpts from her book, seminar classes and interactive coaching. VHS $99.95 Learn more Order Online Call (888) 800-2001 E-mail: BouldinHil@aol.com Write: Bouldin Hill Press at 17-555 Bubbling Wells Rd., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241 Seminars **How to Overcome the Stress of Public Speaking Pasadena: 3-day workshop October 29, 30, and 31, 2008. We have two public seminars each year: May and November (adjusted to October this year for the election). If you have several people who could use this training, contact us regarding an in-house seminar. As a refresher, workshop graduates (from any of our 3-day workshops) may attend for half price at any time. People tell us they get as much or more out of the workshop the second time around. Visit our seminars section for details or call (888)800-2001 For more information, contact: Barbara Rocha and Associates PO Box 60521, Pasadena, California 91116 (626) 792-8075 or toll free at (888) 800-2001