Joanna Penn - Public Speaking For Authors, Creatives And Other Introverts

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Speaking is not an act of extroversion.

Malcolm Gladwell

A few years ago, I spoke to a large group of authors at the London Book Fair about book marketing. During the talk, I mentioned I was an introvert and that one sentence entirely changed the dynamic of the room. I received so much feedback from sharing my story of introversion that I wanted to write this book, to demonstrate that introverts can be professional speakers if they wish, and to teach authors and creatives how to utilize public speaking as part of their business, either as a form of book marketing or to create a separate income stream.

Since then, introversion has become more visible and accepted, in large part due to the success of Susan Cains fantastic book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Cant Stop Talking.

Wherever you are on the continuum of personality types, theres never been a better time to embrace who you really are.

The title of this book comes from my own experience. Im an author and an introvert, someone who recharges energy by being alone. Im a creative entrepreneur, making a full-time living from my writing. Im also a professional speaker, and public speaking is an income stream for me, as well as a distribution method for my books and a marketing tool. I also love doing it, and that passion is why I want to help you on your own speaking journey.

As creatives in a crowded world, we can no longer sit in our rooms, creating alone, if we want a viable income.

Increasingly, we have to be out there in the world, sharing our knowledge and being visible in order to have a successful career. Its also a good idea to plan for success, and authors/creatives often have to speak when they become well-known, so its best to start practicing earlier before you really need those skills.

This book is an easy reference guide with the information that you need the most to speak confidently and professionally in public. And, although some chapters have specific tips for introverts, much of this information will be useful for anyone who is interested in public speaking, regardless of personality type.

My career path has been a winding one, which I think is common for many creative entrepreneurs these days!

After doing a Masters degree in Theology at the University of Oxford, I joined Accenture, a global management consulting company. I spent 13 years implementing computer software into large corporates and companies across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Although I had some fantastic experiences and made great friends, I was never happy in that job, and I felt as if my creativity died a little every day. I tried a number of times to get out, starting a scuba dive charter business, a foray into property investing and other business ventures that ultimately failed.

In 2007, determined to find a path that made me happy as well as solvent, I wrote my first book, How to Enjoy your Job or Find a New One, later rewritten and re-released as Career Change. That book changed my life as, in the process of writing it, I learned more about myself and what I wanted to do. I also learned about publishing and ultimately about marketing and online business.

At that point, I also decided that I wanted to speak professionally in order to share my story and help others trapped in corporate life.

I joined the National Speakers Association in Brisbane, Australia, where I was living at the time, in order to learn from professionals. I began speaking for free at local writers groups and networking meetings and then speaking at professional events, charging for appearances. In 2010, I spoke at a four-day retreat in Bali, and since then Ive spoken in London, Zurich and Berlin as well as other cities in Australia, England, and all over the USA. Although I consider myself primarily a writer, with thrillers under the name J.F.Penn and non-fiction books under Joanna Penn, Im also an international professional speaker, and speaking is now part of my creative business.

When I first started my journey of public speaking, I thought that I had to develop another, separate, persona for the stage. I had spent years in the corporate environment developing an extroverted shell because I thought that the real me wasnt acceptable. I thought I needed to do the same thing as a speaker since the most well-known models were people like Tony Robbins.

But that wasnt the authentic me, and I struggled to find my true voice as a speaker. When I finally embraced my introversion, I was able to develop a sustainable speaking style that both nurtured me and served the audience. I want to help you do the same.

Appearance is not reality. Some people act like extroverts, but the effort costs them in energy, authenticity and even physical health.

Susan Cain, Quiet.

In this book, Ill share everything that I know as a professional speaker and introvert. It contains lots of tips about public speaking in general, based on my own experience over the last ten years.

In addition, I cover some specific points that creative introverts need to consider as speakers. You can read this book from start to finish, but you can also dip in and out, as each chapter contains tips that youll need at different times on your journey.

Part 1 goes into the practicalities of speaking: types of speaking, preparation, your actual talk, and what happens afterward.

Part 2 is about some of the psychological aspects of speaking: your mindset, authenticity, confidence, and tackling the inevitable anxiety, which we all feel.

Part 3 discusses the business side of speaking: financials, marketing, and how to create multiple streams of income.

The Appendices contain resources that may be useful in your speaking journey. You can also find audio interviews with speakers from the book, as well as accompanying downloads at:

www.TheCreativePenn.com/speakingdownload

Lets get started!