Book cover wanted for The Exceptional Speaker, by Alan Stevens and Paul du Toit

Alan Stevens and Paul du Toit

Professional speaking, and providing speaker and presentation coaching to high-profile individuals

A design for a cover jacket for a hardback book of around 300 pages. The book is called The Exceptional Speaker, and the brief below includes background information plus detail for the design elements. The dimensions of the book are still to be determined precisely, but will be close to 17cm by 23.5cm (6.8in by 9.25in)

Cover sleeve design for 5 sections:

Front cover, back cover, inner front flap, inner back flap & spine.

Background information for designer (Draft marketing copy) :

Are you in a role that requires you to deliver speeches regularly? Do you wish that you knew the secrets of great presenters? Would you like to be able to get advice from world-class speakers whenever you need it? Then you need a copy of The Exceptional Speaker.

Compiled by two of the world’s most experienced and honoured professional speakers, Paul du Toit CSP and Alan Stevens FPSA, it reveals the secrets that top speakers use to wow their audiences every time.

The Exceptional Speaker will take you from preparation to ovation.

Topics covered in The Exceptional Speaker include; how to create engaging content, stagecraft, how to work without notes, overcoming nerves and when and how to use props and slides. Every speaking skill is covered, with simple advice, exercises, and professional tips.

The Exceptional Speaker is a must-read for anyone who wants to deliver a message to an audience. Available in hard copy and a variety of electronic formats, it is the definitive book on speaking.

Design Elements:

Front cover - title, subtitle, authors, quote and graphic:

Title: The Exceptional Speaker
Subtitle: how to deliver sensational speeches

Picture/graphic - We want to avoid the cliché of a figure standing at a lectern or a large microphone. The image or graphic should convey "exceptional" and give a high-class impression, since the target market is corporate executives and professional speakers, not beginners.

Authors: Alan Stevens and Paul du Toit

Quote: "Delivering speeches was something that I dreaded but this has transformed my view. I now get excited about making big speeches and actually enjoy delivering them!"
Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe, Google

Back cover: Header, Three testimonials, ISBN, publisher name and logo, Price information

Header:

Do you want to be an exceptional speaker? Do you want to "wow" every audience? Do you want to be remembered and recommended? This is the book for you.

Testimonials:

"Delivering a speech can be scary, even for an experienced performer. I've learned over the years that it's all about technique, and there is no finer manual of speaking technique than the one you are now holding"
Midge Ure, Musician and global campaigner

“Even though I have been engaged in public speaking for over ten years, I still find that I can learn from Alan and Paul’s expertise. This book is ideal for novice speakers and experienced speakers who may need refreshing or a few timely tweaks to further engage their audiences”
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Campaigner and Paralympian Athlete

“Alan Stevens and Paul du Toit are master presenters and in this book they share the gold that they have learned from the presenting around the world.  This book is both practical and inspirational and is a must read for anyone who wishes to grace a conference stage and present confidently”
Lindsay Adams CSP International Business Speaker and Past President, Global Speakers Federation

ISBN: 978-0-620-55817-4 (bar code to follow)

Publisher: Congruence Publishing (logo to follow)

Price information; Use placeholder. Information to follow.

Inner Front Flap: Alan Stevens photo & abbreviated bio

Bio:

Alan Stevens is a international speaker, author and reputation specialist based in London, UK. He is an advisor to large organisations, high-profile individuals and global brands on their communication strategies. He is also a past president of the Global Speakers Federation and holds the UK’s highest speaking designations, including the Professional Speaking Award of Excellence. He can be found at http://www.alanstevens.net.

(Photo to follow)

Inner Back Flap: Paul du Toit photo & abbreviated bio

Bio:

Paul du Toit is a Certified Speaking Professional, presentation skills coach and author of "You Can Present with Confidence". He is the Managing Director of Congruence Training based in Sandton, South Africa. He has served as President of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa and in various roles on the executive committee of the Global Speakers Federation. He lectures at Pretoria University’s Gordon Institute for Business Science on presenting with confidence. His articles on speaking and presenting have been widely published, and his insights appear regularly on his regular blog at http://www.pauldutoit.net.

(Photo to follow)

Spine:

The Exceptional Speaker [top of spine]
Stevens & du Toit [mid to bottom]
Publisher logo [bottom]

Note that spine detail will appear on cover jacket and also on spine of hardback book

<end of design brief>

We are happy to discuss any aspect of the design via email (alan@mediacoach.co.uk), phone (+44 20 8220 6919) or Skype (mediacoach)