Public Speaking/Improving your voice

[14thfloor]

Can anyone recommend any good books or other materials for improving your public speaking?

I often have to repeat myself while speaking to people and I really want to improve. I have done a fair amount of public speaking but this year I am going to be doing a lot more and I know I could get better.

thanks

[Optimistic1212]

Hi,

There is The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie. I think its a free ebook on manybooks.net but, personally, the ones I read (including this one) didn't really help without actually doing public speaking.

What I would recommend is looking for a Toastmasters club near where you live. I've been a member of a London club for a year, and the one I go to is social, fun and you practise speaking in front of people. They are roles and speeches so it gives a mix of impromptu and prepared public speaking.

I really would recommend it but obviously it will depend on your luck with the club. I know it can sound a little lame but the confidence I gained was great at the time and I probably wouldn't have the confidence to enter the PUA community without doing it. I can't recommend it enough.

[manbehindthecurtain]

There's a book for vocalists I used when I was first learning to sing called 'Singing for the Stars'. It's available in any music store or probably Amazon. Even if you're not interested in increasing your singing range the exercises will help give your voice a richer timbre and looser, more confident quality. Give it a shot.

[14thfloor]

thanks, both ideas sound great

[Storm_11]

+1 to toastmasters idea.

I go to one, and its helped me heaps.