I’m an author and professional speaker, and I’m also an introvert.
I often get asked how I do what I do, when our natural tendency is to relish being alone and creative, not standing in front of a crowd.
In this book, I share everything I’ve learned about being a speaker and creative over the last 5 years of speaking internationally, in front of large and small audiences.
I also dispel some of the myths around being a speaker. You don’t have to be Tony Robbins, bouncing around on stage with a booming voice and larger than life persona.
You just have to be you, and tell your stories.
In fact, sometimes it’s easier for an introvert to be on the stage, separate and alone, rather than in the crowd, networking.
Available in ebook and print formats
Table of Contents
Part 1: Practicalities of Speaking
Types of speaking and deciding on your niche, as well as your specific topics. Preparation for the event, including you and your energy, as well as slide packs, handouts, download pages and personal presentation. Pre-speaking rituals and actually giving the talk itself, plus how to end well. Managing people, being on panels, feedback and testimonials, as well as performing your work and improving your speaking over time.
Part 2: Mindset
What an introvert is, and the specific ways in which we need to look after ourselves when speaking. Why speak anyway. Tackling anxiety and growing confidence. The importance of authenticity and bringing you to your speaking.
Part 3: Practicalities of Business
How to get speaking work and running your own events. Marketing your business, including your speaker brand, website, professional photos, email and content marketing, social media as well as using video and audio. The financials of your speaker business, including how to determine your rates and value, when to say no, increasing your revenue streams through book publishing and multimedia products.
The book also includes transcripts of interviews with professional speakers:
- Mark McGuinness, poet, non-fiction author, creative coach and speaker on creative business, and an introvert
- Clare Edwards, author, story-teller and professional speaker and facilitator on change, and an extrovert
- Alastair Humphreys, adventurer, author and motivational speaker, and still seeking to understand his place on the introvert/extrovert scale.
Reviews
“I bought your new book on public speaking today and does it ever speak to me! Your description of yourself as an introvert describes me perfectly, and the best part is it makes me feel that finally it’s okay to be an introvert, and I don’t need to apologize for leaving events early or slipping away from a writer’s conference for an hour or two to grab a nap! What a wonderful feeling of self-affirmation!” – Jodie Renner
“If you need the know-how, this book will give it to you. But it’s not just a know-how book. Joanna writes from personal experience in a very friendly and genuine manner–it feels like you’re conversing in her very own lounge room. That’s what I love most about this book. She’s kind, accessible, and authentic. That is comforting for an introvert like me. I really felt like she was on my side, and that I am not the only one facing these fears. In fact, there are more out there like me than I thought. Highly recommend.” – Jessica Bell
“This is the most comprehensive book I’ve read on public speaking. It not only covers the preparation process and mechanics of the act of public speaking but also how to promote yourself and grow your business as a speaker. Joanna makes the important point that you can still have a career as a public speaker without being an extrovert. She gives a disarming and frank account of how she has increased her own skills and confidence as a speaker and how she copes with her nerves. This book will appeal to people of all levels of experience – whether you’re about to give your first author talk or want to make a career of public speaking.” – Robin Storey