This help takes the form of “how-to” advice on practical things (what kind of shirt works best with clip on microphones) but more importantly, Confessions will help you understand how to make your public speaking work. Berkun really understands what is going on between presenter and audience, but he also examines the presenter’s state of mind on stage. His sense of humor really makes it all work.

The commonsense of this advice may strike some readers as less than extraordinary. Of course it makes sense to practice your presentation, have a accessible backup of your material etc, but Berkun puts it all into context. Most really good advice is rather ordinary sounding, isn’t it?

Some of the important points he covers:

• why it is so painful and frightening to speak in front of a crowd
• how to prepare for a presentation
• how to not bore people to death

For me, getting a better understanding of how standing in front of a group of people triggers a fear response was well worth the time spent reading the book. Standing alone in a open space, with numerous strangers staring at you – makes you feel a bit like the Zebra that got separated from the pack, doesn’t it?

If you speak in front of groups regularly, I would be interested in hearing what you have to say about Confessions. I know I will be consulting before I stand up in front of a crowd again.

Here’s the link to the book’s page on O’Reilly’s site.

Confessions of a Public Speaker is the second electronic book I have received from O’Reilly, as part of their blogger review program. I have been reading ebooks on computers or my iPhone for years, but this was the first book I have read cover image to cover image on an ereader. A few weeks ago a friend gave me a Barnes & Noble Nook, and I quite like it.