HACKING PUBLIC SPEAKING

Very Helpful! Very Practical! Got a lot out of this book and felt the author was sincere in his desire to help others succeed. Got a lot out of his personal stories. His writing was simple and to the point and he impressed me with his humbleness. Don’t usually get much out of these types of books but I read this one cover to cover…. pretty much a first. Thanks David

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. First, it’s well-edited and logically presented. As a technical writer and editor by trade and by nature, that really DOES matter to me. Nothing makes me question the validity of an advice book more than poor editing and awkward organization. I can’t relax and enjoy poorly presented writing of any kind.

Yes, the book really IS funny. But more than that, the author gives clear, actionable steps for crafting humorous presentations–extremely valuable for those of us who speak in public. I also appreciate that the author shared his own fears of public speaking. He isn’t one of those people who lives to stand in front of an audience. He started his public speaking journey just like the rest of us do–it came with a job. In his case, the job was a task he’d set for himself–helping a friend in need. I found it so easy to relate to his journey because all of the public speaking I’ve had to do has been job related.

The other thing I appreciated about this book is how well the author shows that humorous public speaking requires actual WORK. No one will become funnier simply because of reading this book. However, anyone who follows the advice and exercises in the book will be able to better engage their audiences through artful use of humor.

This book takes the info on David’s blog (and his information out there in inter-verse) to a whole new level. I’ve read it once and plan on reading it again very soon. I was so engrossed that I would make up fictitious spills on my tablet screen so my co-workers didn’t know I was taking it into the lavatory to read during my water-closeting breaks. The tone is conversational, like a public-speaking mentor you go out for pints with (which might count for the bit of wordiness here and there). The examples and suggestions are realistic and easy to comprehend. This is not an academic treatise or a “philosophy of funny” thesis – it’s a good, basic, nuts and bolts guide to developing the skills necessary to grow as a humourous speaker. Maybe it is a bit basic for those of you who are naturally gifted and who pull gufffaws out of people like bonobos pick chits out of fur, but for those of us who stumble in that area (being funny, not chit-picking), – the book is a real value. I wish I’d read this book before I gave my Humourous Speech Contest bomb on the Cain and Abel story. I’ll be recommending it to a newbie Toastmaster I eventually get selected to mentor.

This book is hilarious, full of stories, and packed with useful information. I’d recommend this to anyone trying to get better at public speaking or just being funny in general.

The book is filled with stories that illustrate his points. Then when you get to the end, he gives you a link to a page full of video clips to help you see what he’s talking about in action. He also sums the book up for you in the end with his short 80 tips. (And here I was highlighting like a mad man.) Best of all, he invites all who buy this book into a private Facebook group where members can upload and help critique each other’s presentations. With all these added bonuses, this book is more than just a book, it’s an entire class! He could have charged $50-$100 or more and it still would have been a killer deal.

I feel a little dumb for putting 5 stars when EVERY damn body does. Maybe they all know David or they’re family or something. I’m not. I’ve seen him speak at his FunnyBiz event and that’s what got me hooked. I’m a very minor public figure and I’ve attained this status through blood, guts, paid advertising and bald faced lies. I also used some of the ideas in this book to balance out my business hilarity. Read this. Follow David. Think funnier. It doesn’t matter if you’re a cubicle dummy or an internet dummy or a sales dummy, this book will help you in your career.

I wanna end with a joke but whatever… I’m just gonna leave this all limp and hangy. Still you should buy it…. you shoulda seen me before this.

This book was excellent! Big thanks to David for sharing his journey and wisdom with us. Thanks to him and his book, I gained new insights and direction for my own goals and standards when preparing for any public speaking opportunity. So much so, that I’m recommending the book to my friends in the public speaking realm and will also make my impromptu speaking student competitors read it when they return to school in August. His efforts and words have had a positive impact on me.