Public Speaking Super Powers: Unleash Your Inner Speaking Superhero and Communicate Your Message with Confidence

By Carma Spence

IF PUBLIC SPEAKERS WERE SUPERHEROES, WHAT WOULD THEIR SUPERPOWERS BE?
AND, COULD YOU DEVELOP THOSE SUPERPOWERS YOURSELF?

Author Carma Spence asked these questions of dozens and dozens of speakers and discovered the answer was, "Yes!"

Three out of every four people suffer from speech anxiety, and research suggests that people who don’t confront and overcome that fear are less successful in their careers and lives. However, people often look at successful speakers as superheroes with superpowers they, as mere mortals, could never possess.

Drawing from extensive research and interviews with business and professional speakers, Public Speaking Super Powers will show you how to:

* How to overcome the fear of speaking
* Develop the skills needed to be a success on the stage, such as storytelling and humor
* Master techniques like a superhero speaker, such as audience engagement, and using your voice, body language and eye contact effectively

and much more... There is even a bonus chapter on the business of speaking.

Unleash your inner Public Speaking Superhero and communicate your message with confidence starting today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carma Spence
• Release date: Oct 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463770436

Carma Spence

Bestselling author of "Public Speaking Super Powers," Carma Spence is a "geek who speaks."Because she’s been there, she knows that you can be a decent speaker despite being introverted, shy and socially awkward.Carma is fiercely committed to supporting her clients as they unleash their inner speaking superhero and boldly communicate their message with confidence. Her superpower is to help people see what is possible for them and guide them on the journey from where they are to where they want to be, Vanquishing the Mind Goblins of self-doubt and second-guessing that keep them stuck.The speaking bug first bit Carma in High School while on the Speech Team. Her activities earned her several awards, a Letter in Speech, and a Degree of Honor with the National Speech & Debate Association.After college, she joined Toastmasters and earned her Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, the highest level of educational achievement in Toastmasters earned through a variety of speaking and leadership assignments.People often comment on Carma’s strength and courage, but these qualities were hard won. In 2010, she left an emotionally abusive marriage, only to fall into another bad relationship. That one ended the night her boyfriend attacked her.It was that fateful night that woke her up and got her to do the inner work she needed to do. After a year of counseling, training and studying Universal Laws, she met a good man who loves her as she is.But the trials weren't over.Just as they announced their wedding date, Carma was hit by a car while crossing the street, resulting in multiple broken bones.It is the combination of all these experiences—both good and bad—that makes Carma a good mentor to those struggling with owning their gifts.

Book preview

Praise for Public Speaking Super Powers

"Drawing from the experiences of in-the-trenches everyday speakers, Carma Spence has taken a fun concept of superheroes and translated it into public speaking skills. A comprehensive look at excelling in front of an audience, Public Speaking Super Powers is both accessible and useful for speakers who want to develop their speaking super powers. Highly recommended!"

—Felicia J. Slattery, M.A., M.Ad.Ed.,

Best-Selling Author of 21 Ways to Make Money

Speaking, Creator of the Signature Speech™,

and founder of Speaker Cash Collective

It’s not every day that someone puts in the amount of research, time, and care on a topic that is so misunderstood and so poorly taught by perceived influencers in the public speaking space. Carma’s unique approach to unlocking your superpowers and unleashing your speaking skills is a fresh, practical, and accessible manual for anyone who wants to break into the speaking world.

—Davide Di Giorgio

Speaker, Coach & Author of Being Unapologetic

Carma shows us that anyone can become an established speaker. She provides an easy-to-use structured path to get everyone there.

—Maurice DiMino

International Award Winning Speaker

Number #1 Best Selling Author

TEDx Speaker

"Carma Spence shows readers how to unleash your inner Public Speaking Superhero with clear, actionable steps. Packed with useful information for beginners and intermediate level speakers alike, Public Speaking Super Powers is an engaging and valuable read."

—Cynthia Kersey

Bestselling author, Unstoppable

CEO & Founder, Unstoppable Foundation

Speaking is fast becoming an essential skill to master no matter what job or industry you are in. Carma presents easy to understand and utilize tools for anyone looking to break into the speaking industry or even to present more powerfully in the boardroom. This book is a must-read.

—Dana Pharant

Founder of Inner Dominatrix™

"Carma Spence is the real deal. She is truly devoted to helping and empowering people in their lives, and on their speaker’s journey. Public Speaking Super Powers is a comprehensive, yet easy read. Carma’s superpower metaphor gives you the information and tools you need to help unleash your inner superhero speaker!"

—Bridget Brady

Owner, Founder, Biz Amplifier

Also by Carma Spence

Home Sweet Home Page: The 5 Deadly Mistakes Authors, Speakers and Coaches Make with Their Website’s Home Page and How to Fix Them

57 Secrets for Branding Yourself Online

Public Speaking Super Powers

Unleash Your Inner Speaking Superhero and Communicate Your Message with Confidence

Carma Spence

© 2018 by Carma Spence

Published by Author Academy Elite

P.O. Box 43, Powel, OH 43065

www.AuthorAcademyElite.com

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the writer or publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64085-332-4

Hardback ISBN: 978-1-64085-333-1

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-64085-334-8

Also, available in hardcover, softcover, e-book, and audiobook.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018906827

The Internet addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers in this book are accurate at the time of publication. They are provided as a resource. Author Academy Elite does not endorse them or vouch for their content or permanence.

Dedication

For all the future Public Speaking Superheroes, may you stand in your power and proclaim your unique message to the world with clarity and confidence.

For my parents, Vern Spence and Dolores Delgado, who gave me life and encouraged me along my Public Speaking Superhero’s Journey.

Acknowledgements

This book is based on interviews, research and personal experience. I am grateful to a number of friends and colleagues for their patience, support and wisdom.

I’m grateful to all the Featured Speakers for participating in my research for this book by giving of their time and knowledge.

I’m also grateful for friends who have encouraged and supported me along this journey:

Miss Beverly Proud, my fourth-grade teacher, who pulled me aside and told me I should become a writer. Those words encouraged me as I worked to overcome challenges that may have prevented me from following that dream.

Larry Haenel, my speech coach in high school, who invited me to join the Speech Team and started me on my Public Speaking Superhero’s Journey.

My dad, Vern Spence, who helped me do well in my high school speech class and with many of my early Toastmasters speeches. You saw potential in me and nurtured it. I miss you.

My mom, Dolores Delgado, who always encouraged my creative instincts. Without you, Butterfly Girl may never have spread her wings. I’m also so proud and grateful for your contribution to the cover for this book.

Marilyn Jenett, my prosperity mentor and friend for many years, who pushed me to write my books and think ever bigger about my life and career.

Kary Oberbrunner, for creating a fantastic book coaching and publishing program that pushed me over the last legs of this book’s journey to publication.

And last, but definitely not least, my husband Christopher Gildemeister who always has my back. You are my best friend and devoted cheerleader. Without you I may not have invested what I needed to invest in order to get this book out into the world.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface: The Secret Origin of Public Speaking Super Powers

Note to Readers

Introduction: Superman or Batman? Is Public Speaking a Learned Skill or Something You Are Born Being Able to Do?

The League of Public Speaking Superhero

Archetypes

PART ONE

Birth of a Hero

Chapter 1: Your Secret Origin Story: Overcoming the Fear of Speaking

Chapter 2: The Speaker’s Quest: Your Public Speaking Superhero’s Journey

Chapter 3: The Power of Practice

PART TWO

Unleashing Your Inner Super Powers: Public Speaking Skills that Come from Within

Chapter 4: The Power of Passion

Chapter 5: The Power of Authenticity

Chapter 6: The Power of Audience Engagement

Chapter 7: The Power of Confidence

PART THREE

The Public Speaking Superhero’s Utility Belt: Tools of the Trade and How to Master Them

Speech Writing Tips

Chapter 8: The Power of References and Resources

Chapter 9: The Power of Organization

Chapter 10: The Power of Persuasion

Chapter 11: The Power of Storytelling

Chapter 12: The Power of Humor

Delivery Techniques

Chapter 13: The Power of Voice

Chapter 14: The Power of Silence

Chapter 15: The Power of Body Language

Chapter 16: The Power of Eye Contact

Delivery Tools

Chapter 17: The Power of Visual Aids

Chapter 18: The Power of Handouts

Bonus Chapter 19: The Business of Speaking

APPENDICES

The League of Public Speaking Superheroes

Resource Directory

About the Author

Foreword

Everyone has a story. Everyone has a voice that deserves to be heard. But where do we start? How do we get past the fear of speaking? How do we feel like what we have to say is important? How do we make that impact and be part of change in this world?

It is about tapping into your own Superhero’s story!

Let me tell you my story . . .

Ever since I was a fetus swimming in my mother’s belly and sporting jazz hands, I knew that singing, dancing and acting were my destiny . . . but life had other plans.

I was born ready to die. I had a 20 percent chance of living due to heart failure, and structural damage on the left side of my body. Following my three heart surgeries, I was left with a lifetime of chronic pain and illness.

But I didn’t let that stop me from going for my dreams. I trained as a professional dancer, opera singer and actress. I have worked with Broadway directors, Emmy winners and countless others gracing thousands of stages and now I am the award-winning TV host of Cindy Uncorked!

Along that journey, I fell into speaking.

When I released my first album, I started getting TV and radio interviews, but no one asked me about my music. They wanted to know about my story of overcoming obstacles and breaking through barriers to achieve my dream.

Next thing I knew, I was invited to speak for organizations and groups about how to break through challenges in life.

I just wanted to sing.

I had no idea how extraordinary my story was until people started paying me to speak.

You may have a similar story where you overcame something extraordinary or accomplished something remarkable. Maybe you feel you have a message others want or need to hear. However, perhaps you are terrified of getting up on a platform and speaking before groups.

That’s why I’m thrilled that Carma wrote this book. It is perfect for people who are beginner or intermediate speakers who want to get their message out, but are unsure how to get started on their Public Speaking Superhero’s Journey.

I’ve had the honor of knowing the author for over a decade and had the pleasure of seeing her own her own story and grow as a speaker. She has done a valiant job of creating a comprehensive book that gives you all the pieces of the speaking puzzle, from the more obvious basics such as having a passion for your topic and engaging your audience, to the less talked about skills such as using references and resources or developing effective handouts. It truly is an excellent book to dive in and learn about all the aspects of being a public speaker.

As the founder and CEO of the Speaker Stardom Booking Agency, I know there are many emergent speakers who need good basic skills training like what you’ll find in this book. The content will help you get past the first hurdle to becoming a strong communicator and speaker.

Are you ready to find your Superhero’s story? Let’s do this!

Cindy Ashton,

Award-winning TV Host of Cindy Uncorked on e360tv

CEO of Speaker Stardom Booking Agency

Keynote Speaker and Elite Level Presentation at Your Persuasive Voice

www.CindyAshton.com / www.SpeakerStardom.com

Preface

The Secret Origin of Public Speaking Super Powers

On August 17, 2010, I published a post to my speaking blog titled, "5 Powerful Public Speaking Techniques.¹" The idea behind it was this: Imagine if public speakers were superheroes. What would their powers be?

Back in those days, article marketing via posting articles to numerous article aggregation sites and directories was a viable promotional technique. So, I posted the article to half a dozen or so, and something interesting happened. No matter where I posted it, that article became the most read article I had available on that site.

After witnessing this phenomenon, one thing was clear: People want to know more about public speaking and the superhero/superpower metaphor resonated. The result is the book you hold in your hands.

That’s the short and simple story behind the genesis of Public Speaking Super Powers. But to understand why I had a public speaking blog in the first place, you have to go back a few years.

How I Was Bitten by the Public Speaking Bug

Like Spider-Man, when I was in high school, I was bitten by a bug. In my case, it wasn’t radioactive and it didn’t give me spider powers. No, my bug was public speaking.

My junior year, I was required to take a one-semester speech class. As with most people, the idea of standing up in front of my classmates felt daunting, to say the least. But I got through it, often with the guidance of my father.

At the end of the semester, the teacher approached me and invited me to join the speech team in my senior year. I was surprised. However, I went home and discussed it with my father, who encouraged me to accept the invitation.

It was one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life.

I competed on the team my entire senior year, winning awards for my speeches numerous times. I earned a letter in speech, placing in the top five in several competitions. In addition, my speech team activities earned me a Degree of Honor with the National Forensic League (now the National Speech & Debate Association).

The Public Speaking Bug had bitten me and I was now forever in its thrall.

After earning my Bachelor’s degree, I got a job at a software company. Not long after, the company decided to start a Toastmasters club and I became a charter member. I’ve been a member of various Toastmasters clubs off and on ever since, participating in a variety of clubs across the country.

The Evolution of an Idea

For this book, I interviewed more than 85 speakers—people in the real world using speaking either as a part of their business or as their profession—to find out what they thought the key superpowers of public speaking were.

There were three questions that collected the important data:

Do you believe public speaking is a learned skill, or something you are born being able to do? Why?

If you were a Public Speaking Superhero, what do you believe would be your main super powers?

What advice would you give someone if they wanted to develop that particular super power, too?

As I interviewed each speaker, I noticed patterns begin to emerge. I knew what the super powers were and how to talk about them in a way anyone could understand.

Why Super Powers?

I’ve always been a fan of superheroes—on TV and in film. When I first got the idea to compare speaking skills to super powers, it was just a fun way to share information.

However, as this book progressed, the metaphor evolved and deepened.

What strikes me the most is how like superheroes we all are.

Most origin tales of superheroes start off with ordinary people. Spider-Man² was a bookish, isolated and unpopular teenager. Superman³ was a young man who had no idea where he originally came from. Wonder Woman⁴ was an Amazon princess, sometimes goddess, enjoying a life of peace on an exotic island.

OK. Maybe they weren’t that ordinary. But they weren’t super, either. In fact, in their own minds, they were ordinary.

A triggering event had to happen for them to come into their powers. Spider-Man was bitten by a radioactive spider. Superman learned he was from the planet Krypton. Wonder Woman was exposed to the outside world.

Look at almost any superhero origin story, and you’ll find a character who is ordinary in his or her own mind—until that fateful day when something extraordinary happens, pushing them from their comfort zone and calling them to something greater.

We are all like that. Within our own minds, we are ordinary. We take our skills—our super powers—for granted. However, if you’re reading this book, more than likely you’ve had some sort of trigger event—be it large or small—that caused you to explore your public speaking super powers.

By reading this book, I hope you’ll discover how extraordinary you truly are.

---

¹ . You can find the original story here: publicspeakingsuperpowers.com/5-

powerful-public-speaking-techniques

² . Spider-Man, first created in 1962, is trademarked to Marvel Comics.

³ . Superman, first created by two high school students in 1933 and sold to Detective Comics (DC) in 1938, is trademarked to DC Comics. His debut comic book was Action Comics #1 dated June 1938.

⁴ . Wonder Woman, who first appeared in All Star Comics #8 in October 1941, is a trademark of DC Comics.

Note to Readers

I quote the Featured Speakers I interviewed for this project throughout the book. To make it easier to read, rather than use the words Featured Speaker before each first mention of their name, I’ve marked the first mention of a Featured Speaker in a chapter with this symbol, «.

All Featured Speakers, including those who did not get quoted in this book, are listed in the back with links to their bio page on the Public Speaking Super Powers website.

Introduction

Superman or Batman? Is Public Speaking a Learned Skill or Something You Are Born Being Able to Do?

In the world of comics, there are three ways superheroes gain their powers: By birth (think Superman), by training (think Batman) or by some freak accident (think Spider-Man). In the real world, however, you can’t gain great skill through some freak accident. That leaves us with birth or training. And so, it is with the skill of speaking in public.

But is that true? Are there people who are simply born with a natural talent for speaking? Can the rest of us hope to achieve great skill in this area without hard work?

Research suggests that training and hard work trumps talent, if talent is something that exists at all.

Before we explore the evidence, let’s make sure we are all on the same page with what talent and skill are.

Talent, in general, is thought to be a raw ability that a person is born with. It "is said to be a special ability to do something without prior