BootsnAll Travel Community

So you've been travelling, gotten back, written a book and now its time to hawk it to the world. What do you do? Probably go to book readings, signings and other writers events.

I am not a good speaker myself but would like to offer some thoughts on what works for me when listening to someone talk about travel.

1. I'm not a friggin expert on you. I don't know what you know or where you've been. If you don't paint a picture in broad brush strokes you're going to lose me.

2. I'm not studying for my masters. I don't want a lecture, I want information that is enjoyable. Keep stories short and make sure they have a point / end.

3. A monotone is good for babies to fall asleep to. It works that way for adults too.

4. Don't give me that 'poetic romantic crap'. Tell it the way you see it. If the shit stinks it stinks and can be intelligent at the same time.

5. Look at me once in a while, it lets both of us know we're still awake.

6. Don't be afraid to get excited about what you're talking about. But don't try to fake it because I'll know.

7. Stay on course (like travelling the world) but don't be afraid of sharing anecdotes (like taking a side trip when travelling the world).

You do this and might buy your book.

Any comments?

Keep it around an hour or less. Those who want to know more will come up and pester you later. Those who don't will be glad you didn't give overkill.

Court

Whoa, this is fantastic! I'm a horrible (SHY) reader/presenter/y'know, but I hope to have to get used to it some day soon

Thanks!

Nick: Just got back from seeing a bad speaker, did you?

Markus,

I went to a writer's confernece in Ubud, Bali. It featured foreign and Indonesian writers / speakers. The ones who hit home were Tony Wheeler from Lonely Planet and Bill Dalton from Moon travel book. They related to their audience, were lively, funny, informative and down to Earth. They made contact.

I saw other speakers who put the audience to sleep by burring their head in a book and reading to the audience, wanking on about Trotsky and other stuff that was so far out there no one cared about it.

I'm not saying I could speak well but at least I would try to connect with the audience on a basic level.