Not if you want a successful business as a speaker!
We hear it all the time, “brand yourself” and you have to “stand out” from your competition – and it is true. You do. But the question so often is HOW?
How do you cause your potential clients to believe you really ARE different than every other business coach, or motivational speaker out there? Do you offer 100% unique programs – chances are that someone out there offers something similar. Are you a “bionic speaker” Can you really motivate that room better, stronger and faster than everyone else? Maybe that is true for one of us – but for the rest, those who are really good at what we do – how do we stand up and yell – “I’m great – choose me” and still maintain our dignity?
I believe the answer comes from within. It comes from your own core. If you have worked with me on the branding process, you understand that it can sometimes be an equal measure of fun and pain. You have to understand yourself inside and out. You have to know cold what your target clients needs are. You have to be able to speak their language, and yes, it is often completely different than your own. And then you have to design a program or keynote or workshop that speaks to their heart. And even then you really are not done. Because every business should know that information. Every business owner who plans to be successful has done that research and they now what you know. But, like the Wizard said to the Tin man in the Wizard of OZ – “you have one thing they haven’t got”. In the tin man’s case it was a diploma – but in your case – it is YOU.
You have the ability to be your own unique selling proposition! The one thing the competition can never steal or copy is your own mix of experiences, integrity and authenticity. One of the elements of similarity between working with speakers and coaches is the fact that no matter what program or product you are promoting – what you are ultimately “selling” is yourself. There are hundreds of books on Leadership out there, but as you search the shelves and read the jackets, some will resonate with you – and some will not. It is the author’s approach to the subject matter that makes it go into your shopping bag or not. The same holds true for speakers and coaches (and even for Pibworth itself). There are some people that are just drawn to you because your perspective and your perceptions match their own. You have the know like and trust factor in their eyes.
