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Get to the Point!: Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words Matter
Champion Your Best Ideas!
Every time you communicate, you're trying to do something, change something, or move someone to action. You're trying to make a point. But the only way to make a point is to have a point. And the surprising truth is, very few communicators know their points or even understand what a point is, rendering them pointless.
Communications expert Joel Schwartzberg says a point is not just a topic, an idea, or a theme. A real point is a proposition of value. It's a contention you can propose, argue, illustrate, and prove. In this concise and practical book, you'll learn to identify your point, strengthen it, stick to it, and sell it. Whether you want to improve your impact in speeches, staff meetings, pitches, emails, PowerPoint presentations, or any other communication setting, Schwartzberg's novel approach teaches you how to go from simply sharing a thought to making a difference. Which would you rather do?
Every time you communicate, you're trying to do something, change something, or move someone to action. You're trying to make a point. But the only way to make a point is to have a point. And the surprising truth is, very few communicators know their points or even understand what a point is, rendering them pointless.
Communications expert Joel Schwartzberg says a point is not just a topic, an idea, or a theme. A real point is a proposition of value. It's a contention you can propose, argue, illustrate, and prove. In this concise and practical book, you'll learn to identify your point, strengthen it, stick to it, and sell it. Whether you want to improve your impact in speeches, staff meetings, pitches, emails, PowerPoint presentations, or any other communication setting, Schwartzberg's novel approach teaches you how to go from simply sharing a thought to making a difference. Which would you rather do?
128 pages, Paperback
Published October 16, 2017
About the author
Joel Schwartzberg
8 books41 followersThe author of "The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team" and "Get to the Point! Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words Matter," Joel Schwartzberg has been teaching effective presentation techniques to audiences since 2006. His clients include American Express, Blue Cross Blue Shield, State Farm Insurance, Blue Apron, the ASPCA, Comedy Central, the American Jewish Committee, the Brennan Center for Justice, and North Point Ministries.
Joel’s articles on effective point-making have appeared in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Toastmaster Magazine, and The Huffington Post, and his personal essays have been published in The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, New Jersey Monthly, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. He has also blogged for The Huffington Post and The Good Men Project.
Joel's books have been awarded as finalists or winners by the IndieFab "Book of the Year" Awards, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards.
Currently the Senior Director of Strategic and Executive Communications for a major national nonprofit organization, Joel has delivered presentations at conferences including the Ragan Speechwriters Conference, the ALI Leadership & Executive Communication Conference, the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference, and the World Conference of the Professional Speechwriters Association.
As a public speaking competitor, Joel won the 1990 United States Championship in After-Dinner Speaking, the 1990 Massachusetts State Championship in Persuasive Speaking, and that same year was ranked among the ten top public speakers in the country. After coaching public speaking/forensic teams at the University of Pennsylvania, Seton Hall University, St. Joseph’s University, and the City University of New York, Joel was inducted into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
Joel’s articles on effective point-making have appeared in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Toastmaster Magazine, and The Huffington Post, and his personal essays have been published in The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, New Jersey Monthly, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. He has also blogged for The Huffington Post and The Good Men Project.
Joel's books have been awarded as finalists or winners by the IndieFab "Book of the Year" Awards, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards.
Currently the Senior Director of Strategic and Executive Communications for a major national nonprofit organization, Joel has delivered presentations at conferences including the Ragan Speechwriters Conference, the ALI Leadership & Executive Communication Conference, the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference, and the World Conference of the Professional Speechwriters Association.
As a public speaking competitor, Joel won the 1990 United States Championship in After-Dinner Speaking, the 1990 Massachusetts State Championship in Persuasive Speaking, and that same year was ranked among the ten top public speakers in the country. After coaching public speaking/forensic teams at the University of Pennsylvania, Seton Hall University, St. Joseph’s University, and the City University of New York, Joel was inducted into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
January 7, 2018
This is a concise guide to help clarify and define your message. Good suggestions.
November 10, 2022
It was a mistake to pick up this book at 11 in the night because it kept me awake taking notes until I turned the last page at 1:09am.
Practical. Actionable. Sharp as the title suggests. A must-read for communicators - who is basically all of us. ;)
Practical. Actionable. Sharp as the title suggests. A must-read for communicators - who is basically all of us. ;)
July 18, 2020
This is the book that justifies its name completely. Author has mapped out very clear and precise methods about communication transference. This book will help you in conveying your thoughts to your audience with zero loss in effectiveness. Go for this quick and damn useful read.
October 7, 2020
เป็นหนังสือที่โคตร practical และดีกว่าที่คิดไว้มาก
September 2, 2023
Very short and to the author's credit to the point. But it reads like blogposts and only few points stick.
April 18, 2020
Have a point to what you say. Gather knowledge, use discernment to understand, then present. With this backwork much of presenting becomes easy, and stays to the true pursose of communication: to relay points. Have everything you say further communicate your point - no tangents. Sell your point = show why it is important.
Tips: speak loudly - no more mumbling and slows you down.
Take pauses
Tips: speak loudly - no more mumbling and slows you down.
Take pauses
May 29, 2022
The elements of style equivalent for business communication
This book is awesome. Points out so many of my flaws and provide practical tips to communicate one’s ideas more effectively. Read it!
This book is awesome. Points out so many of my flaws and provide practical tips to communicate one’s ideas more effectively. Read it!
June 13, 2020
Practical book, good ideas!
December 18, 2022
The 3 steps + 2 enhancements to creating your point are very helpful. Have already started using that model to help craft points as I start writing new pieces.
Short and to the point.
Short and to the point.
January 31, 2023
Practically on point. I believe this book will help you communicate effectively.
September 10, 2023
The best book I've ever read on communicating ideas effectively. Simple to understand yet very valuable learnings.
January 21, 2020
[SPOILER] he makes a point of getting to the point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2022
The author clearly communicates his point here. haha!
Very good book.
Very good book.
April 20, 2020
It completely transformed my approach towards a conversation.
I used the author's framework to frame my message to potential mentors for some guidance on leadership skills. My message was not just tighter and crisper than before, two of the mentors already responded offering to help.
I used the author's framework to frame my message to potential mentors for some guidance on leadership skills. My message was not just tighter and crisper than before, two of the mentors already responded offering to help.
January 7, 2020
After anyone reads this book, s/he can make and sell his/her point... The book is full of practical and conscise suggestions.
January 4, 2020
Hit the nail on the head! Concise and practical.
December 27, 2020
Great points delivered by the author in a very concise manner. Took me 1hr to read. Helps to write some notes down. I think it will be helpful to use the points from the book in my personal and work life.
December 21, 2018
Honestly LOVED this book. It was my first non-fiction, and I learned so so much from this 100 page book!
The points are well explained, which is a live demonstration of what Schwartzberg teaches us in his book. There are some really interesting points I had never come across before yet made so much sense. Something that bothered me a little - not too much, but a little and probably not relevant as well - was the mention of 'he', or 'she' when giving an example. The use of 'they' would've been more appropriate instead of assigning a gender to a nameless subject in an example used to explain a point.
Apart from this, all the points sounded very logical to me. I used the tips in my next presentation and I had never heard such a loud round of applause plus strong positive feedback for my speeches before! It is a very short book and easy to grasp.
Highly recommended!
The points are well explained, which is a live demonstration of what Schwartzberg teaches us in his book. There are some really interesting points I had never come across before yet made so much sense. Something that bothered me a little - not too much, but a little and probably not relevant as well - was the mention of 'he', or 'she' when giving an example. The use of 'they' would've been more appropriate instead of assigning a gender to a nameless subject in an example used to explain a point.
Apart from this, all the points sounded very logical to me. I used the tips in my next presentation and I had never heard such a loud round of applause plus strong positive feedback for my speeches before! It is a very short book and easy to grasp.
Highly recommended!
December 16, 2019
This engaging (and funny) book shows how to stop rambling and get to the point.
June 28, 2020
Amazing and to the point
I have enjoyed the book with many great practical tips to use daily and easy to put into practice .
I have enjoyed the book with many great practical tips to use daily and easy to put into practice .
July 6, 2020
Point taken. 👍
October 19, 2017
From the first page to the last, Joel Schwartzberg practices what he preaches about getting to the point with clear, concise, conversational language and concrete examples. He shows you how to identify your point, nail it with a three-step test, make your point, strengthen it, and sell it. The book provides priceless practical advice for communicating more effectively across a variety of fields, disciplines, professions, and topics.
January 26, 2018
If you speak, read this book. I mean it: if you speak anywhere, to anyone, ever, read this book. Learn how to stop boring your audiences whether they are your colleagues, students, or your children. If you know what your point is, and how to communicate it you'll at least stand a chance of creating the world you want.
March 29, 2018
Author really follows his own advice in this short but very helpful book. He makes his point and any additional information only serves to better bring his point home rather than distract or bore the reader. Includes some very useful tips and things to think about when communicating.
Currently reading
October 9, 2018Introduction
The author starts off by conveying the importance of having a point for your speech or presentation. The introduction is a single page - setting the tone for the rest of the book. Succinct and err...to the point!
[I will update the review as I keep reading the book.]
The author starts off by conveying the importance of having a point for your speech or presentation. The introduction is a single page - setting the tone for the rest of the book. Succinct and err...to the point!
[I will update the review as I keep reading the book.]
March 12, 2018
This is a short book that packs in a ton of good tips and reminders for both new and experienced writers.
March 22, 2018
Nice short book that says it all in the title.
July 29, 2018
Clear and concise, the author follows his own advise and quickly gets to his point.
Want to read
July 31, 2019"A real point is a proposition of value. It's a contention you can propose, argue, illustrate, and prove."
November 19, 2019
Nice read. Straight to the point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews