Speaking - The True Value Is In The Connection

Speaking is one of your greatest marketing assets and marketing tool.

People have asked me, how do I prepare when I'm speaking?

Do I use slides? How do I prepare that day?

How do I prepare outfits?

So I thought I'd give you a couple of quick tips.

Number one, go solid, especially in front of an audience, especially if you're going to be on videos. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made while speaking on stage was in my choice of clothing. Somebody I had known for years was in the audience. He was in the video industry and he pulled me aside and said, "What are you wearing?"

I said, "I thought this is a great dress." He replied, "It's a really great dress, but it's going to be horrific on video. You're a printer, you know this."

Take a moment, take a picture of yourself in the outfit you're preparing, and see if you like how that looks, if it works for you. An important tip is to feel confident in your look.  Think of the wonder women stance, can you take this stance and know you will own the stage!

Remember anything very, very busy patterned can look distorted on video. Also, make sure you're working with colors that compliment you.

Another tip is to know you content. I know my content. I don't memorize my content, but I truly do know my content.

I practice it until a little blue in the face.

I practice it in front of a mirror.

I practice in front of family and friends.

I also have been known to put pillows around my room or even stuffed animals when my kids were young and practice talking to the various parts of the room. It's important to make sure you're connecting with the audience.

Most importantly, in my last tip for you today, before you speak, quiet your mind, quiet your breath. To do this take a couple of deep breaths in and out. This gives you the ability to connect to your audience.

The true value is in that connection.

Recently, I spoke for a group of several 100 women. I had all my content planned and based on what somebody previously said to me in the room prior to speaking. I brought it in and I was so present. It all came out naturally and with a big impact. If I didn't take that moment to breathe beforehand, that would have been missed.

See you next time.