Who Are You? Understanding Personal Branding

“Personal Brand.” A phrase that has become a buzzword in the business and entrepreneurship communities. But what – exactly – is a personal brand? Despite the now common use of the term, getting a handle on what to include –and what to leave out – can be a little tough.

To help clear things up, here’s a quick rundown on the outline of a basic personal brand – with 5 key uses. 

1. Branding Can Inform

It sounds too obvious: personal branding lets potential customers and clients about you and your business.

In truth, the role of informing the world of everything you and your business offer just might be the most important job of personal branding. For example, if you’re a fishing supply store that also books charters, customers will likely only find out through your overall brand. Most importantly, personal branding is way to separate yourself from others within your industry….

2. Branding Can Distinguish

If you’re a dentist, for example, you probably aren’t the only one in town. How can you help people choose your practice over the competition?

Again, branding is critical here. Are you a dentist with a kid-friendly office? Do you specialize in cutting-edge technology? Personal branding lets you tell potential customers how you’re different from everyone else – in other words, why they should come to you.

3. Branding Can Organize

Aside from letting people know about all the great things you offer, personal branding can also be helpful for you, the business owner.

Consider the example of the dental practice again. If you’re a dentist who focuses on pediatric care but who can also work with older patients, your branding could help you set priorities of concentration. If your branding leans toward the kid-centric areas of your practice, you’ll probably want to feature information about alternative services in ads and social media posts.

In short, branding helps balance.

4. Branding Can Give Context

Aside from just telling people what you do – personal branding can also help answer questions in your customers’ minds about who you are. 

Not only does this make for a more intriguing business, it also lends professional credibility for a personal trainer who is also a former professional athlete, personal branding that includes a backstory detailing sporting experience would be essential.

5. Branding Can Reach Out

Finally, personal branding is effective and essential for one ultimate reason: it can become the main connection between your business and customers.

For success, you and your business need to be easily identifiable. Just the mention of your name should conjure images of your backstory, unique products, and overall personality. Talk about an impression!

With a curated personal brand – it’s possible.

Trust The Communication Experts

If you need help establishing your own personal branding, improving communication, or even overhauling your business – you need experts you can rely on.

With years of experience in the corporate communication world,Presenting Perfection founder Kathryn Lancioni has the skills and industry know-how your business deserves. Kathryn and her team can work with you to develop branding plans that get results.

Contact Presenting Perfection today!

 

 

 

Talk: A Guide To Choosing A Speech Topic

Speeches. Perhaps one of life’s most stress-inducing occasions. The thought of sweaty palms under bright lights is enough to make almost anyone nervous.

But, before you make your speech, you must pick a topic. Ultimately, making the right choices here regarding what to talk about can go a long way to alleviating your pre-speech jitters. For a quick guide to for selecting the right speech topic, check out these five pointers from the communication experts at Presenting Perfection.

 

Choosing A Speech Topic Tip #1: Be Relevant

Above nearly everything else, your speech must connect with your audience to be a success. Of course, while there might be more than one way to achieve this connection, focusing on relevant issues is a sure path.

Think of this way: Topics mined from current events, news, or community activities are powerful because they involve things your audience is likely already thinking about. With this approach, your speech will connect and hold interest.

 

Choosing A Speech Topic Tip #2: Be Invested

The most obvious topic selection tip? Select an issue you care about!

Most of us have endured a presentation, lecture, or other speech-related event given by someone who couldn’t care less. Monotone delivery and lack of enthusiasm can combine to put everyone in the room to sleep!

There is a better way, however. When you select a topic or subject you care about or, better yet, have extensive experience with, you can carry natural enthusiasm and excitement into your speech. Consider topics that you find personally motivating or attention-grabbing and share them with your audience!

 

Choosing A Speech Topic Tip #3: Be Aware

While taking stock of current events and your personal interests are both critically important, there is, of course, another aspect of any speech: the audience.

When choosing a topic, keeping your audience in mind is key. While sourcing topics from your passions and recent news happenings, the interests of your audience can help you tailor your speech. In most cases, you’ll want to avoid controversy or conflict between your speech and your audience.

 

Choosing A Speech Topic Tip #4: Be Cohesive

Even after you’ve chosen your general topic, the selection process isn’t over. You’ll want to be sure that your speech’s subject reflects a complete and organized view.

For example, if you choose to deliver a speech about dinosaurs, you would want to include at least some discussion of their extinction. By selecting a topic with a logical flow of information already in mind, you can give your audience a speech that is not only enjoyable – but also makes sense.

 

Choosing A Speech Topic Tip #5: Be Knowledgeable

Finally, maybe the simplest yet most frequently overlooked part of selecting a good topic: research.

No matter how excited you are about campaign finance laws, for example, selecting them as a topic for a speech is a complete waste if you fail to include accurate information. For politically or current event-minded topics, this is extremely important.

When selecting a speech focus, you will need to be sure to select issues or subjects that you can foreseeably provide quality, researched, and nuanced information for. Your audience will thank you.

 

Choosing A Speech Topic Tip #6: Get Help From An Expert

Whether you are faced with an upcoming speaking engagement or just want to improve your presentation skills, a consultation with a communications expert can be vital.

Presenting Perfection founder Kathryn Lancioni is eager to share her communication and presentation prowess with all. To set up a consultation, contact Presenting Perfection today!

The Eyes Have It: The Importance Of Eye Contact For Everyday Communication

The interview you practiced for. A meeting to discuss your perfected proposal. The business presentation you’ve been worrying about. A friendly conversation.

What do all these very different situations have in common? It’s simple: they demand eye contact. Without eye contact, communication is more difficult, potentially awkward, and even uncomfortable for all parties involved.

While it might sound simple, consistent and appropriate eye contact go a long way toward making communication both more natural and successful. Need proof? Check out this informative eye contact guide from the communication experts at Presenting Perfection.

 As A Communication Tool

One big reason why eye contact is so important? It helps others understand you.

According to researchers at Michigan State University, eye contact can serve as a secondary conversation, carrying subtle messages and conveying a level of understanding between you and another person.

No matter the conversation, avoiding eye contact can send the wrong message. Others may see you as disinterested, noncommittal, or even untrustworthy.

Simply put, continued, comfortable eye contact is a natural way people show empathy, concern, and mutual understanding while engaged in conversation. Without it, any conversation (even one with a close friend or acquaintance) is missing a degree of connectivity.

But How Much Is Enough?

The key word to remember when making eye contact? Comfort.

While eye contact is indeed a powerful communication tool, there are steps to take to ensure you are making the right eye contact. Researchers have found that eye contact in the form of blank and expressionless staring can have a highly negative impact on conversational comfort. Making this kind of eye contact runs the risk of making others uneasy or even uncomfortable.

The solution? Make sure your eye contact says something. Rather than just locking eyes, respond with non-verbal gestures like nodding to show your understanding. The quality of your eye contact is critical.

 And Good For You Too!

The best hidden benefit of increased eye contact? It can help you learn about yourself!

According to the career experts at Business Insider, trying to increase your conversational eye contact can result in realizations about your own communication habits.

For example, you may learn which conversations or situations are triggers for eye contact avoidance. With whom do you find eye contact most difficult? Is eye contact easier or harder for you in a professional environment?

Understanding these individual patterns can often be the first step in improving both eye contact and your communication skills at large. By understanding your eye contact tendencies, you can anticipate potentially disastrous conversations, conquering them with confident eye contact.

 Get Help From The Experts

Think your eye contact skills need help? Want to feel more confident in your speaking, presenting, or leadership abilities? Consider reaching out to a friendly communication guru.

With an array of professional preparedness experience, Presenting Perfection founder Kathryn Lancioni has all the tools and techniques to help you improve your communication prowess. From conversational skills to professional interview techniques, Presenting Perfection can help you succeed.

To get started, contact Presenting Perfection today!

Watch Yourself! Body Language Tips For Your Next Interview

The job interview. One of life’s most stressful situations.

These days, whether you are applying for a part-time summer job or a full-time, career oriented position, you will likely have to survive an interview process. While a proper resume and appropriate clothing can help you land the job of your dreams, it is important to remember that an interview is in person and face to face.

 With this is mind, body language becomes key. Check out these simple tips for better body language at your next interview.

 

Before You Sit Down

 An often-overlooked part of the interview: it starts before you sit down. Frequently, the beginning of an interview occurs when you are retrieved from a lobby, waiting area, or reception room. Why not make this time count?

As seen in a recent article from The Undercover Recruiter, “your walk says a lot about your demeanor.” Subsequently, it is advised that you try to walk upright, with your back aligned, and your shoulders in a normal, straight position. Overall, this proactive posture suggests confidence, and, most importantly, a good attitude.

 

The Right Look

 Eye Contact. One of the most common interview body language tips. But is all eye contact really created equal?

According to Mashable, the answer is no. As seen in this terrific list of tips, too much direct eye contact can seem off-putting or even creepy. Instead, focus on paying visual attention to your interviewer face while remaining engaged.

 

Be Open

 Of course, your interview will likely involve you sitting directly across from an interviewer. With this close positioning, your bodily posture and arrangement while sitting can have a big impact.

According to a guide from the job site Monster, it is crucial to use your body to suggest feelings of openness, flexibility, and composure. This means refraining from placing large bags or briefcases in your lap and refraining from wild hand gestures. In addition, sitting upright is a far better alternative than leaning forward, no matter how eager you are! 

 

A Happy Medium

 Overall, the most important body language interview tip is to try to project an image of calm collectedness. While this may sound like a tall order in an inherently stressful situation, proper preparation and planning can go a long way.

A recent report from The Guardian offers some support for the importance of body language. According to recent studies, researchers have found that in many professional conversations (like an interview), people pay more attention to the other person than they do to what that person is saying.

In the context of an interview, this means that success comes with moderation. Nervous chattering can make you seem manic, while a shy slouch can convey hesitation. Being aware of your surroundings and viewing the interview as a conversation can help tremendously.

 

Get Help From An Expert

 One of the best ways to prepare for all aspects of a job interview is to get professional help. The friendly and easy-to-follow instruction from Presenting Perfection is up to the task. With convenient lessons and workshops, along with the expertise from founder Kathryn Lancioni, Presenting Perfection can help you reach your goals. Contact Presenting Perfection today!