If I could give you a tool that would help you catapult your speaking skills, then I’d give you one of these 24 books.
I couldn’t decide which one was the best, so I thought I’d let you choose for yourself. Reading as many of these books as you can, will help you deliver great presentations, create a healthy stream of income, and speak with confidence every time you are onstage.
This is an old book but the author dives deeply into how to create entertaining presentations! She leaves no stone unturned — it’s fun, it’s detailed, and you will learn a lot.
This has to be the BEST book on storytelling for presentations that I have ever read. I couldn’t put it down and it instantly improved my storytelling. Use the tools in here and you’ll have your audience begging for more!
If you want to make money speaking, or at least be the best speaker at every event you speak at, then turn the pages of this book! It deals with EVERYTHING, speaking-wise. I included it in the storytelling section because Craig’s storytelling system can be found in this book and it is world Class.
I actually co-authored a chapter in this book along with 49 other certified world-class speaking coaches. We take our knowledge and use it to reveal a lot of fresh speaking content. This book was an Amazon bestseller.
This book really captures the power of storytelling in relation to persuasion—explaining why stories work. There is a fantastic chapter on sticky stories, and the book clearly shows how and why stories work in a business context.
If you have something to sell, this is the book for you. The author really takes a deep dive into how to sell with a story and gives you a lovely template to help you get your story right!
This is the best book I have read on finding your story. Now, the author covers other things but the content and exercises on finding your story are flawless. If you struggle with finding your story, pick up this book.
If you are new to storytelling, this might be a little too much for you. This book is full of wisdom for more seasoned storytellers. He has some great tips on memorization and he covers everything from what story is to the relationship between the speaker and the story.
Rob has written a very fast-paced, modern book that anyone can pick up, read, and use. He teaches you how to craft and build stories for any situation, how to find your origin story, and how to use stories in a presentation. He has a very conversational style of writing.
This book will teach you some core tips for turning stories into presentations. The author explains how to start a story and why it’s important to answer to the exact benefits you want your audience to receive when they listen to you.
The wealthy speaker is probably your best go-to guide for creating a speaking empire. Jane talks about specific tips to get booked and to profit online and offline. It’s a long read but every page is full of golden nuggets.
If you’re a speaker who wants to be paid crazy fees for your speeches, then topics like these are super-relevant!
✔️ Sources of incomes for professional speakers
✔️ Creating topics that get you booked
✔️ Moving from free to fee
✔️ Positioning yourself as an expert
This was the first book I was given as a gift! Although Dottie is no longer with us, her book is still relevant for tips like creating messages and approaching meeting planners.
Judy Carter is one of my favorite authors. This book is funny and practical at the same time. If you want to turn your story into a stream of income, read this book.
If you speak, write, or perform, this book will improve that. What is great about this book is the tips from other experts who have made it to the top.
Public speaking as a whole:
17. How to Talk So People Will Listen
Author: Steve brown
Steve brown shares a unique perspective on public speaking, mentioning things like humility and how to argue with an enemy. This is not your usual how-to public speaking book but it is worth a read.
This book is content-rich and focuses on something many speakers struggle with —connection. John is a pro and has so many hacks. If you are serious about transforming people, then this is the book for you.
The book is a golden oldie but it’s helped me a lot. He especially focuses on understanding how the audience receives information (the audience thought process)
Some refer to Dale Carnegie as the father of public speaking, and in this book, you will find out why. The book shares seriously easy-to-use tips for every speaking situation.
This book is another classic. I love the book because it is very specific about what to do when you speak—how to stand when you should tell a story, how to get feedback. As the founder of Toastmasters, it’s great to hear his perspective.
I read this book often. I use it as a reference! It’s a quick read but the author has taken his time to produce a book that you will definitely keep going back to. He shares speaking tips from the world’s best speakers.
In 7 Minutes to Win It, I share the speech writing secrets and delivery tools that crowned me the Toastmasters International UK and Ireland public speaking champion and saw him place in the top 30 of over 25,000 contestants at the World Champion of Public Speaking semi-finals in 2011.
This book will take you behind the scenes of a winning 7-minute speech to discover just what it takes to create a powerful speech that touches the hearts and minds of any audience you speak to
Becoming a better speaker has very little to do with time or talent and everything to do with tools!
And when I say better I don’t mean a little better I mean standing ovation better.
Lots of speakers leave the stage knowing they did an ok job but you aren’t ready to live with being average then you’ll love Public Speaking Hacks.
You will learn the secrets to accelerated speaking growth
So there you have it!
I want you to treat this post as a speaking library!
In fact, depending on your goals you could read two books a month not only will this make you a better speaker but you’ll find that you have enough knowledge to create a stream of income and a bunch of raving fans
