Reddit mentions of The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

Yessir, that's a good way of putting it.

>May I ask how you worked on your social skills and networking?

Absolutely! First I read a bunch of books and articles, which I'll list for you below. Second I got a job that requires a lot of social interaction. And third I made a very dedicated effort to do more social things.

(Wow, I didn't realize how large this list was going to be. So I'm going to very highly recommend the first three books and just say that everything else is going to be beneficial, but not really necessary. You don't have to go nearly as deep as I did to get good results.)

How to Win Friends and Influence People
How to Talk to Anyone
What EveryBODY is Saying

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Never Eat Alone
The Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense
Argumentation and Debate
What to Say When You're Dying on the Platform
The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking
The Art of Framing
This article
This documentary on body language
This video on body language
This ebook
/r/socialskills
This website
This video
This video
This video
A lot of Craig Ferguson interviews (especially the lady ones)
Etiquette

For the sake of being lazy, and for the opportunity to promote my blog, I've actually written about most of the items in my bag already on my site.

Laptop (Yoga 900): Best Travel Laptops for Digital Nomads

Camera (GoPro): GoPros & Cheaper GoPro Alternatives

T-Shirts: Official Travel is Life T-Shirts

Shoes: Best Shoes For Traveling With Just One Pair

Books: Crazy Dog Owner and Crazy Cat Owner by Funterventions - the business I mentioned in my OP

Everything Else: 9 Random Items To Pack In Your Travel Bag

Other two books: (1) Wheel of Life and Death by Philip Kapleau - a really good first look at Zen Buddhism from the perspective of a man who grew up in the Western world and then began the study and practice of Zen Buddhism later into his life. The book discusses a lot about the principles of Kharma and Reincarnation. I really enjoyed it. (2) Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie - Although I have a much older version than the revised edition I linked to. I found it in a used book store. This one is less widely known than his How to Win Friends and Influence People but predated that book. It's a good read.

My shorts and pants - actually I have no idea. The jeans are from the GAP and the other pairs I don't know what brand they are. Random finds at TJ Maxx or Ross's knowing me. And lastly I'm assuming you probably don't care which brand of contact lens solution or sunscreen I use, so that should about wrap it up. :)

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Easy-Way-Effective-Speaking/dp/0671724002/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406757871&sr=1-2&keywords=the+art+of+public+speaking+dale+carnegie

I'm learning this too. I've found Dale Carnegie to be an extremely helpful guide to communication.

Right now I'm reading The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking. And I'd recommend How to Win Friends and Influence People too, for the general communication and people skills he teaches.

(rest assured, the content is much higher quality than the titles =D)

You could try The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking by Dale Carnegie