As an author, whose average novel is around 90 000 words, I rarely struggle to tell stories. What I struggle with is cutting a story back to create a big impact in as short a time as possible, so this book was exactly what I needed.
When I look at how few authors complete their Amazon bio or feel paralysed at the thoughts of speaking about their books in public, I realise that most people are just not comfortable or equipped in the public speaking space.
This book covers both honouring another person in your speeches, whether it is at a wedding or introducing them to an audience and doing an acceptance speech or talking about yourself in any presentation, including a book launch.
I have had to interview several authors and sometimes after the speech I realise, “Oh heck, I forgot to say xyz.” Author Eddie Rice, helps you to work through your speech or introduction beforehand to give honour to the person and the event is a short and impactful way.
As a storyteller myself, I found the section of storytelling enchanting and prompted some ideas on how to handle my own speeches. In addition, it helps speakers to ensure that the audience gains some lessons from the speech other than just sitting through it.
I found the recommended word count that matches the time allocated to the speech incredibly helpful, as no one likes it when a speech goes over the allocated time.
There is a handy list of potential pitfalls that speakers often struggle with, including some that can lose your audience at the end of your speech. The formatting also makes it easy for readers to flip through sections and find the ones that they need quickly. I found this very helpful, as I could easily find where I left off when I was last reading.
Although it is first prize to have someone to practise your speech in front of, for some people that is not possible and so I found the series of self-evaluation questions that the author presents to the reader incredibly useful.
The book is impactful, helpful and something you can revisit again and again. If you are a parent, teacher or an employer, it is a handy book to help guide others into making better quality short, impactful speeches.
This is what the publisher says about this book:
Discover the secret to toasting with confidence and write the perfect speech with this complete, no-nonsense guide to toasting!
With a short, snappy, and straightforward speechwriting system, this practical handbook is your all-in-one guide for nailing the perfect toast, arming you with a comprehensive overview of the full speechwriting process. Built on a simple 7-day brainstorming system, you’ll uncover how you can brainstorm clever speech ideas, structure your speech with humor and storytelling, and overcome your fear of public speaking with a tried-and-tested plan.
Whether you need to give a wedding toast as a best man or maid of honor, a retirement speech, an award or promotion speech, or any other kind of toast, this handbook offers you a done-for-you blueprint to help you organize your thoughts and turn giving a toast into a painless, stress-free process. As a clear, concise, and no-fluff book that you can read in just a weekend or less, Toast: Short Speeches, Big Impact is an invaluable tool for anybody scared of public speaking – or short on ideas.
Plus, inside you’ll also discover a collection of over 10 solid example speeches to spark your inspiration, as well as specific exercises and rehearsal techniques so that you can free yourself from fear and feel confident in your toasting skills.
Here’s just a little of what you’ll discover inside:
- A Step-By-Step Approach For Brainstorming and Designing The Perfect Speech
- Creative Ways To Nail Your Toast’s Structure To Incorporate Humor and Storytelling
- Practical Exercises and Rehearsal Techniques To Confront Your Fear of Public Speaking and Help You Find Your Inner Confidence
- The Complete 7 Days To a Toast System To Make Toast Writing a Stress-Free Experience
- And over 10 Real-Life Examples of Speeches For Weddings, Promotions, Retirement, Awards, Birthdays, Commemorations and More!
Written from the perspective of a professional speechwriter, this handy guidebook will answer all of your most pressing questions, giving you peace of mind and taking the stress out of speechwriting. If you feel stumped for ideas, or if giving a toast feels daunting or anxiety-inducing, Toast: Short Speeches, Big Impact is your complete companion book for toasting with success!
Are you ready to start giving toasts with confidence? Then scroll up and grab your copy now!
Want to learn more about presenting your book in public? Have a look at our interview with Jacques De Villiers.
Kim Vermaak is an entrepreneur, published author, marketer and coach based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kim helps self-published authors to move from being hobbyists to full-time businesses.
She served a term of office as the Vice Chair of the Johannesburg Business Women’s Association and is a former winner of the Regional Start of Business of the Year. Kim is also a former Cosmopolitan Mover of the Months and a recipient of the Women of Wonder “I Conquer Awards.”
After working in branding for almost all of her adult life and helping hundreds of brand managers and event coordinators build customer relationships, she craved creative something that would create a legacy for her family. When South Africa had its first series of power cuts, Kim used the power of stories to create stories for her frightened daughter. This was the start of her storytelling skill set, but she only wrote and published her first stories when a friend introduced her to the world of self publishing.
Kim is the publisher of a medieval fantasy range of books and an author of self-help publishing books.
Kim offers some free training for authors on her YouTube Channel.
I am a writer merchandice
This site is supported by Affiliate Commissions
