How to wear your brand on your sleeve with enthusiasm
How often are you asked to do a speech or presentation?
If it is like me, I am always asked to do speeches, but as I have gotten older and more experienced, I am a lot better at picking and choosing where I should spend my time doing presentations.
Steve Jobs used to say that he spent 100 hours preparing for a presentation. Well, I don't have 100 hours! I am a small business owner.
If it is like me, I am always asked to do speeches, but as I have gotten older and more experienced, I am a lot better at picking and choosing where I should spend my time doing presentations.
Steve Jobs used to say that he spent 100 hours preparing for a presentation. Well, I don't have 100 hours! I am a small business owner.
So, being selective is a must.
There are some sure ways in which to ensure that each and every presentation goes off with a bang.
For instance, this morning, I did a presentation to a bunch of global logistics and supply chain solutions providers. They were all in management and sales, and the presentation went for 1 hour. Now, if you know anything about presenting, 1 hour is a very long time. When I found out how long it was, I was completely gobsmacked.
But so be it. It's an audience that we want our brand to be known in, so from that perspective it is an absolute no-brainer.
Wear your brand on your sleeve
So, I got dressed this morning in my bright blue dress that is the same as our brand colour to reinforce our brand and where we are from. This is an old trick of mine that I learnt 15 years ago from a branding expert who said that you should always wear your brand colour when you are in "selling mode".No-one missed me in the room I can assure you!
"Be interesting, or be invisible." Andy Sernovitz
The second area is preparation. It takes days to prepare for a presentation unless it has elements in it that you are repeatedly presenting to similar audiences. It's important to know your topic and to have confidence in what you are saying. If you are unsure of your topic or what you are saying, chances are that your speech will reflect it.Another little trick of the trade is that I always pretend I am on a big stage, regardless of the size of the room. I look like I am looking at individuals when I speak, but in reality, I am looking over them and remembering my lines. A white wall always works a treat for me, but may differ on a case by case basis.
Being on a stage is not necessarily being "you". It's being a version of you. An alter ego that is confident, charismatic, clear, and talks to the audience in a dialogue that they understand and resonate with.
At the end of the presentation, I laughed and said to the audience that "I talk too much". A lovely gentleman in the front row replied: "I disagree, you are enthusiastic and it makes us more enthusiastic about what we are doing. Thank you."
What a compliment!
How can you better prepare for your next presentation? How do you ensure that the room you are speaking to is as enthusiastic about your product or service as you? These are the things that all small business owners need to consider on a daily basis.
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comments ( 4 )
SiteClick Search Engine SEO
04 Jun 2012This is the only time I've been to your site. Thank you for providing more details.
ReplyRaihan
29 Mar 2012Such a helpful tip! By wearing the colour, brand/logo yourself, it shows how much effort you do put into showcasing your company.
ReplyBack in school and university I used to wonder why do lecturers emphasise so much on group or individual presentations especially when it was not related to a project or proposal. Sometimes I thought some of them were too lazy to cover the studying materials and asked us students instead to explain it to our friends. But now I do get how they are preparing us for the real world -to be out there and stand in the crowd demanding for attention to listen and understand.
It's true that to be calm and confident, preparation is key! I've done some presentations in the past where i wasn't 100% sure of my facts and always wished no one would ask questions in the end related to the topic. On the other hand, when you're passionate about it, it truly reflects from the way you carry yourself and the flow of the presentation.
Ren
28 Mar 2012facsinating:
ReplySelling your brand through hidden codes/messages. Wearing your brand colour to implicityly deliver a positive and meaningful association about your brand. What a clever tactic! Not only are you dressed in business atire to appear more credible, but you are also dressed to represent your inner brand.
I agree picking your timing and content in speeches is very important when you are looking to convince others. Too long of a seminar can be draining on the listener, but just the right amount of time, with a pinch of enthusiasm, passion and dedication says "listen to me, I have lots to offer you".
When you combine the two, you get an engaged audience.
Well put!
kirsty
28 Mar 2012Over the years a few key lessons have stuck with me in terms of being a skillful presenter, firstly to know your material inside out and also, even though being one of the most daunting experiences for most, stand up there and deliver your presentation thinking that everyone is going to be intrigued with your material. I liked your idea of wearing the brand colours, this was a nice touch and they do say appearance equals a tone of performance.
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