Well-done book, written concisely and full of information. I enjoyed the information against popular myths about the elevator pitch and giving presentations. I would recommend this as a great start for people going into pitch meetings.

this book is a must for anyone trying to improve their communication skills in any business. So much is done "in the room" and the fact remains that talent for the job and talent for getting the job are not the same thing. The author tells us things we may not want to believe but are things we are be better for knowing. It's like having ammunition, or a great coach with you when you go in for that interview or pitch meeting. I've already used some of the techniques and benefited greatly. Will most likely read this one a second time when another big meeting comes up.

We all have problems closing the deal. Whether it's pitching a screenplay to Spielberg, ironing out the final sale price with Trump, or negotiating who picks up the kids with the hubby/wifey.

This book provides an entire canon of strategies that can be used by different personality types in different situations. This isn't the stuff they teach you in school, but is precisely the type of knowledge and skills needed to be successful (or at least to avoid picking up the kids).

I can say first hand that the skills in this book helped me discover an unadvertised job in the industry of my dreams only a few weeks ago. Yesterday, I closed the deal and start next week.

I think that's worth doling out for the hardcover, don't you?

This book was actually a gift for my husband. I remembered him commenting an article he had read about Stephanie Palmer and she impressed him. My husband is like a sponge. Always reading and trying to soak up knowledge. However, rarely does he comment out loud to me, unless the person or subject matter really zings him.

I also remember him indicating that Stephanie Palmer had a book out.
I decided to find the same book he was talking about, without hinting that I was going to buy it for him.

Well, I found it, he read it, he really liked it and got some excellent information from it. Now I am putting it on my list of the next books that I read.

He recommends this book and says it is helpful whether or not your are in a speaking position on any regular basis, a job you have that you may need to present yourself in front of anyone, or as he did to myself, just a housewife, he said would benefit me.

So, we give it an A+

We don't often see everyone giving a book 5 stars - this one deserves it. The other reviewers have touched on some of the important points in the book, don't assume that you can extrapolate and get all the benefits just by reading the reviews - read, re-read, and study this book!

Although the book is focused on business applications specifically sales and moving up the corporate ladder - its tenants can be applied in most any interactions between people - friends, family, organizations, and of course business.

Palmer does not propose flashy or manipulative techniques; it's down in the trenches building solid and genuine foundations. She advocates thoughtful planning, with allowances for mis-steps along the way (and excellent advice on how to handle them).

A few of the gems that stand out for me relate to interacting with others - could be a boss or a (potential) client - organized a bit differently than in the book:

1. Before the meeting starts - do your homework, be prepared, dress appropriately (could be different that how client dresses), don't sit in the wrong chair.
2. Remind the others why you're there - the appointment could have been set days ago and they forgot.
3. Don't start your pitch too soon, develop rapport.
4. DO NOT try to be the smartest person in the room (even if you are) and do not be the center of attention.
5. When the inevitable interruptions happen - determine if it just a pause or a reason to break off the meeting for now. If getting back into the meeting after an interruption, easy back in with a brief summary of what was covered before the interruption.
6. Have a smooth way of informing the attendees on details that perhaps they should know, but perhaps don't remember (or don't know). "As you probably know, the Brothers Grimm are the nineteenth-century German professors..."

I could go on and on, but you need to read the book anyway. Go for it!

A methodical approach to selling your ideas without feeling like a salesperson.
Well worth it.

Palmer was in the movie business and she uses what she learned and applies it for you and me. Her advice is counter to lots of what we read. Drop the elevator speech---too needy, too much the slap on the back, let's do business model. Instead use a teaser(a brief and sometimes cyrptic description) and follow up---if interest is shown---with the trailer, a longer piece. She gives examples on how to develop each. Also forget networking---find people to build relationships with. She also has annotated examples of emails to prospects and contacts showing the wrong way and the right way to ask for information and meetings. And she tells us not to try and show off when meeting a prospect and impressing them with how smart we are or think we are.It is about them, not us. All good stuff. Let the curtain rise, and the show begin.

This book is great for people whose livelihood or professional goals involve pitching, presenting, promoting or selling in one-on-one or small group meetings. I believe the advice should apply to any industry, product, service, idea or project.

"Good in a Room" is an easy, enjoyable read, yet it covers everything from business relationships, networking, honing your pitch, psychology and rituals of a meeting, and follow-up. If you have ever wondered why certain people, who may not be the most knowledgeable, are so persuasive and effective at "selling" in meetings, I would suggest many of the answers are in this book.

I work in corporate finance, am a veteran of over a thousand institutional client meetings, and found this book to be very helpful.

Want to get approval or funding for your project? Are you interviewing for a job? Asking for a raise? Trying to win support for an idea? Land a contract for your book or screenplay?

Yes? Buy this book! The author knows that what we say in the first two minutes of our "pitch" determines whether we get a yes or a no.

She packs this book with specific ways to package your message so it wins buy-in from the decision-makers who have the power to give your idea, product, business or career a green light.

You'll love the many real-life examples that prove her points and showcase the benefits you'll receive by applying these techniques. Read it and reap. - Sam Horn, author of POP! Stand Out in Any Crowd