Humor Can Make a Commercial Presentation Sizzle

As a multi-year member of various professional and business networking groups it has been my privilege and entertainment to study the craft of the personal presentation.  I have seen hundreds of "commercials" that span the spectrum from ultra-professional to bumbling.

In choosing a style, the business owner/ presenter should bear some things in mind.  One is that there are usually a lot of commercials to hear and in time many of them blur together in the mind of the listener.  Two is that it's hard to hide lack of confidence.  Three is that there are usually competitors in the room.  And four is that the typical listener is easily distracted and sometimes isn't even interested in other presentations.

Getting past these considerations means one thing only:  Standing Out.  A presentation that is memorable in some way is more likely to put the speaker ahead of competitors and foremost in listeners' minds.

I've noticed that humor is a common technique in the more successful presentations.  That brings a certain vividness that is easy to remember.  And humor doesn't need to displace indications of competence or expertise.  Think about the strong broadcast commercials that engage funny moments, or a little self-deprecation, or silly characters and yet answer questions about consumer needs and wants and how the advertiser can help.

Bottom Line:  Do you present?  review your own "commercials" and how they can be boosted and achieve added memorability through the use of good humor.  Watch others and take notes, and then step forward for success!

Overcoming the Personal Equation

It's a given: for a small business, the image projected by the entrepreneur is a risk for the business.  Unlike a big enterprise where bad players can be hidden by bureaucracy, gatekeepers or sales people, the small business owner is part and parcel of the image of the business as a whole.  This is a bonus for the congenial, likable entrepreneur.  What if he or she can be unlikable and disagreeable, or potentially even worse, mousy and invisible?

Obviously, one outcome is that the business fails.  Is there an outcome where the business can succeed in spite of the outward flaws of its creator or owner?

Like it or not, this is a job for a strong accountability partner.  The entrepreneur needs to be secure enough to ask someone to weigh in with constructive criticism of his or her "personal" marketing.  Only by recognizing problems can they be truly solved.  Perhaps the A.P. can also serve as a coach, helping boost positives and suppress negatives.

Solutions are many:  personal speech coaching classes, role playing with the accountability partner, designating a partner who can be the P.R. or sales person, and more.

It also helps to watch others and take notes.  Ask yourself how you react to different personalities and strive to adopt good habits shown by others.

Bottom Line: Don't let your own quirks and put-offs affect your business image.  Friends and allies can help to boost your strengths and positives.  Don't hesitate to ask for impressions and constructive advice---they want you to succeed!

Does Personal Presentation Make a Difference?

It is, I think, widely accepted that a confident presentation counts for a great deal towards impressing potential customers and clients.  Of course, we all "know" we should avoid bad habits, eat healthy foods, and be nice to one another.  And we know how well that works!

For those of us who regularly frequent networking groups and meetups, the difference between a strong, confident personal presentation and one that is not is noticeable.  And I know I deduct points for the latter.  I don't think that's entirely unfair.  I want to know that the person I am potentially going to work with has energy, confidence, and belief in what they do.  Presentations by business owners who mumble, ramble, and make no sense don't inspire confidence.  And that is an expensive reality for these people who may represent very good products and services.

There are resources for improvement.  One is to solicit the individual assistance of a professional coach.  I know several who have made a huge difference in their clients.  Another is the Toastmasters program that builds skills through group interaction and evaluation.  I chose that route some years ago and found it invaluable in supercharging my skills.  In fact, I often spot Toastmasters members and alumni before they identify themselves as such.

Bottom Line:  Is your good work overshadowed by personal presentation skills that don't work for you?  Don't let that be a commercial for a competitor!  Take advantage of presentation building resources in your community.  We can all improve!

Personal Presentation Pays Off!

As a regular at professional networking groups I am still amazed at the wide range of "personal appearance codes" that show up.  I confess to being of the old school.  And that means I am regularly shocked at what fellow entrepreneurs look like when making their presentations.

You can pay consultants a great deal of money to learn that one's appearance is a highly integral part of one's brand, and that someone sizes you up in seconds.  Nevertheless, too many people do not get the message.  This week at one group alone I beheld the following specimens, all arguing for me (and others) to connect them with customers:

(1) An older gentleman professing to have a background in banking, now in the food service, wearing soiled shirt (untucked), baggy shorts, and sneakers.
(2) A young lady in the real estate business, dressing like a bad parody of one of the Kardashians in her middle school years.
(3) A youngish man in torn jeans, a questionable tee shirt, and equally questionable piercings who runs a school of some kind.

Sorry, folks.  I was unimpressed,  and even alarmed.  I had much higher respect for those who looked like they had respect for the process, wanted to be seen as professionals, and who were trying for heaven's sake.

Lesson for the day: we can all do better at sizing ourselves up and ensuring that our own appearance is aligned with the image we wish to convey to our prospects.  A little effort can make a difference in projecting the best possible brand.