5 public speaking resources

2016 – The start of a new year & that time when we resolve to make positive changes. What goals have you set yourself to achieve?

Perhaps you have a list similar to this:

1. I will replace “ums” and “ahhs” with pauses.
2. I will complete the current manual I'm working on and start another.
3. I will remember to breathe properly.

And maybe you want to broaden your knowledge through reading and research. Here's five excellent jumping off points to browse. I hope you enjoy them. Here's to an eloquent 2016 for all of us.

*If you've got favourite resources please share them via the comments box below.

1 Six Minutes

Andrew Dlugan – six minutes – Andrew is a Canadian Toastmaster and compiler of a vast number of interesting, informed public speaking resources. You'll find analysis of speeches, guides for better writing, delivery, powerpoint presentations and more. In short enough to keep you occupied for hours and hours and then some.

2 Speaking About Presenting

Olivia Mitchell – speakingaboutpresenting.com . Olivia is a New Zealander, who with her Toastmaster husband, Tony Burns runs effectivespeaking – a company delivering presentation training. They offer superb “how tos” and tips covering multiple topics including gems like this:

7 tips to ensure you're understood when speaking to a foreign audience.

3 Ginger Public Speaking

Ginger Public Speaking – UK based Sarah Lloyd-Hughes runs Ginger, her company dedicated to bringing public speaking empowerment to all and sundry. As she says on her site: we turn communicators from nervous wrecks into public speaking leaders. You'll find links to videos, TED Talk material and a host of other useful material delivered with tongue-in-cheek humour like this one on the wisdom of picturing your audience naked.

4 The Eloquent Woman

The Eloquent Woman – Washington based Denise Graveline's blog. It's great for the frequent posts examining famous speeches and because she addresses the specific needs of women speakers. Try this as an introduction: Top 10 posts & guest posts on the Eloquent Woman 2015.

5 Patricia Fripp's website

Patricia Fripp is an American multi-award winning speaker/trainer specialising in keynotes, sales … Her freebie resources page offers videos, webinars, articles, and podcasts with ongoing links to more. Patricia was the keynote speaker at the Toastmasters International Conference in 2015. Click keynote speaker to find out more about her and her presentation.