Do you break into a cold sweat at the very thought of being asked to make a speech? Then, when the moment nally comes for you to stand up and face your audience, are you so nervous your legs feel weak and your hands tremble? If so, author Laurie Smale understands your plight because he used to experience the same feelings.

Laurie is now a professional speaker. He has spent decades developing effective and successful techniques. In this second edition of his classic bestseller How to Take The Panic Out of Public Speaking, he will show you how to:

• grab the attention of your audience from the beginning - and keep it!

• manage the tech side of things so that your talk proceeds without a hitch

• create a comfortable and friendly environment for your talk

• ensure your presentation is lively, interesting and informative

• prepare a venue so your talk is enjoyable for your audience

• finish with impact - and on a high note

• deal with potential problems before the audience is even aware of them

• step forward with con dence knowing you've earned the right to be there.

These techniques can be applied to all types of speaking situations, such as giving a presentation at work to a group of colleagues, speaking at a wedding or a funeral, addressing members of a club, union, church, parents' association or any similar body, making a presentation to a retiring workmate or just trying to inject life into a boring sales spiel.