Speaker - November 2009

look. In her makeover workshop
session, she quickly learned that
it made her look washed out and
reduced her impact level to zero. She
agreed that her jacket didn’t make her
look powerful or convincing, even
though she has a law degree. After
experimenting with bolder colors,
she found a new look that reflects her
position of authority.

Maintain a Professional Look

If you dress for comfort instead of a professional appearance, others will take note. Even if your client has a business casual policy, you should not diminish your brand by wearing casual attire. Maintain your professional image even when the audience is dressed down for a weekend retreat or similar event. You are hired because you are an expert from outside the company or industry. You will own the room if your image announces “serious professional and recognized expert.”

Which speaker (below) would impress you as having more knowledge and experience? Casual attire suggests a casual attitude, even if you have glowing credentials. Your audience could dismiss you before you open your mouth.

Dress to Impress

When you dress “up” for your audience or prospective clients, they will take notice. It reflects your respect for them. In these difficult financial times, your clients want to know that you will go the extra mile. If it isn’t obvious to them at a single glance, they may put you in the “no” category.

Phil, shown at right, didn’t own a tie, because he always presented workshops to IT people who wore khakis and sport shirts. After working with an image consultant, he dressed more professionally and noticed a big difference. “People listen to what I have to say, and I’m now I’m treated with profound respect,” he reported. “Best of all, business is up!”

Don’t Send Mixed Signals

Your message and your appearance must be consistent. Successful companies have consistent colors, slogans and logos, and they must maintain consistent quality with their products, services and staff.

Recently, a client told me that he hired a speaker who had a great Web site. He wore a suit in all of his photos and literature, but showed up for the weekend retreat in khakis and a polo shirt emblazoned with his company logo. “We felt very let down,” my client admitted.

Protect Your Brand

When speakers attend conferences and conventions, they sometimes forget that there are other guests and conferences at the venue. Speakers must protect their brands with as much dedication as corporations do. You never know who you will meet.

Get serious about enhancing your image and investing in branding yourself as a true professional. Or take a gamble and assume that “good” is good enough and hope for the best. The choice is yours.

Before

Phil (after)

Sandy Dumont is an image consultant and speaker with 30 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies. Her background in fashion, art and color psychology and speaking gives her the unique ability to assist speakers to create a powerful, unique brand. For more information, visit http://theimagearchitect.com.