Have you been invited to speak about your book? Nervous? Just follow these simple guidelines and you will do well.

First, trite as it might sound, the old adage of "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." holds true . (Your subject matter is an excellent case for passion.) Let that passion shine through. Don't be afraid of being too passionate.

Second, (and I have this one written where I can see it at all times) "Don't let the presentation become more important than the message." You need to feel that what you are saying is the most important thing your listener can hear.

Third, "Know your subject matter." Live it, breathe it, sleep it, dream it--let it consume you. Go to bed the night before you speak with nothing else on your mind.

Fourth, "Write it down." Don't be afraid to use notes, but remember that you are speaking to people, not to the page.

Fifth, "The best teachers in history were story-tellers." You can get your point across better with a good illustration any day than with a recitation of facts. MEMORIZE your illustrations until you can tell them like an old joke. At the same time, write them out word for word as you plan to tell them.

Sixth, "Remember that you will capture or lose your audience in the first 100 words." If you need to, work on your introduction more than the rest of your presentation all together. Write it out word for word, then MEMORIZE it.

Seventh, "Relax, relax, relax". People relate to people, while people really relate to real people. Try to remain comfortable.

Eighth, "You are the expert." You have studied, prepared, rehearsed, and memorized. Be confident because a lack of confidence on your part translates into a lack of concentration on your hearers' part.

Ninth, "Breathe, smile, and look people in the eyes." You'll be amazed at how receptive people can be to a 'nice' speaker.

Tenth, "Prepare, prepare, prepare." A college professor years ago said, "Practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes permanent." You won't give a good presentation because you want it to happen. You will give a good presentation because you prepared. A wise man once told me, "Greatness is not in the performance; greatness is in the preparation."