Brand Yourself a Speaker

Wish you could be one of those speakers who people talk about long after the program is over? While people won’t remember everything that you say in a program, they will remember who you were while you presented. These innovative ideas will help you inject your personality and brand anytime you’re speaking—whether it’s in a meeting at your agency or talking to young people about pursuing a career in insurance—to create an unforgettable experience for your audience.

Tell your signature story. Nothing is better than a good story. Weaving your signature stories into the core of your message turns an ordinary talk into a real crowd pleaser. Do you have a turning point in your life that shaped you into the person you are? Do you have a “rags to riches” story? Make a list of your trademark stories that you could share in presentations.

Show your flaws. It’s okay to show your vulnerability. In fact, sharing your weaknesses can actually build credibility and trust. Do you have a story about a challenge you faced or a hard-learned mistake? People really admire when others are not afraid to show their warts like that. No one is perfect. Everyone starts from somewhere. And when you see that someone has overcome great obstacles like that, it can give you hope.

Create a signature presentation style. Imagine this: you are sitting in a room when all of a sudden, the lights are dimmed, the roaring sound of a helicopter landing fills the room and on a screen in front of you a helicopter lands and a man climbs out. Then out of the corner of the room charges a man dressed in full army garb. That’s the exhilarating ride that audiences experience when speaker Don Peters enters the room. Peters has developed a reputation as a dynamic presenter and is known for his trademark speaking attire. While a uniform or costume may be too extreme for some, there are other ways to create your own signature style. For example, sales expert Jeffrey Gitomer is known for his blue bowling shirt that has his name stitched on it. Or even having a polished-looking suit or wearing a tie in your brand colors can set you apart.

Talk about your hobbies. Watch Monday night football and you know that people get pretty passion-ate about their sports. That’s why weaving your interests, hobbies and pets into your speaking turns regular audience members into raving fans. Think about what fun or unique things you can share about yourself during your programs. Do you love karaoke? Are you a dog fan? Do you love to fish? By tying these personal facts into your program, you add instant interest.

Add in your humor. Humor has the power to transform an ordinary program into a fun experience for the whole audience. For some speakers, their humor bits become their trademark.

Business growth specialist Jeff Blackman’s trademark story goes like this: “The year is 1974. I am a freshman at the University of Illinois. I am wearing a polyester shirt that was highly fashionable and highly flammable. It is set off by a puka shell necklace. You see, in 1974, men only needed one eyebrow. But thankfully through therapy and counseling, I now have two eyebrows instead of one.”

Apparently Blackman still has that shirt. He calls it his “vintage collection.” And today his teenage son and daughter beg to borrow shirts from his vintage collection to wear to school because they’ve become cool again.

It doesn’t mater how Blackman uses the story to make his overall point; the story is funny, and therefore it is memorable. Blackman’s vintage collection photo and story is such a hit in his presentations that his clients often request that he tell the story and show his groovy unibrow photo.

Take a moment to look at your presentation. What unique insights and stories do you have? What mistakes have you made in your life that others can learn from? By sharing your unique brand in your programs, you create an entertaining, one-of-a-kind experience any audience will never forget.

Kristie Rimmele helps attract customers, build income and gain visibility while successfully promoting customers’ businesses online.

Quote Yourself
Often speakers get caught up in sharing the famous words of other speakers. Why not leave the audience with your words as the final thought? Before you know it, people will be quoting you in articles and speeches.

You can create your own quotes to share during presentations, as instant quotes for the media and to add to your handouts. What about a set of cards that feature your quotes in the form of advanced selling tips?

—K.R.