How To Be You-nique!

As seen in the trade publication of the National Speakers Association

"We are all born unique, we just die as copies". I don't know who first uttered those words but I do know they are my credo. That is probably why I have been asked to write on this topic for the umpteenth time and willingly obliged. Why? Because I am passionate about making speakers understand the secret of success; the secret to standing out in a sea of speakers, in an industry that runs rampant with those who don't understand the most obvious answer to that question. I'll tell you at the very end, stay tuned.

You do not have to be outrageous and flamboyant to be remembered but you do have to discover or create your USP, unique selling proposition. There are several areas to look at when trying to determine or develop your uniqueness. It can be produced in many forms, join me on this journey of enlightenment.

Marketing

Purple! He exclaimed, as he looked at my media kit. I sat across from him with all my pre-pubescent speaker naivete, idolizing his "big name" status and hoping desperately for some sign of delight, while he gazed at my first attempt at a professional speakers marketing tool. Alas! Alack! He continued by adding insult to injury. "Professional speakers aren't purple, he said, corporate America is not purple...gray, burgundy, navy blue! If you're going to make it in this business, you must conform."

Don't let anyone tell you "it can't be done". Find your style, or as Larry Winget says, "exploit your uniqueness!" Look, listen, learn, adapt never adopt and commit to being who you are and what works for you. I can't tell you how many times a meeting planner has commented about how he could see my media kit across the room in the pile of all those on his desk. The addition of customized purple paper clips with my logo, plus my caricature all add to the uniqueness. Many years later, my media kit is still purple.

As Nido Qubein said, "find your differential advantage". That can be color. I have used red and purple as a color theme throughout all my businesses. It's in every aspect of my marketing, my gifts, my dress and wherever I can creatively use it. If I asked most people what business is associated with the color pink, most would answer Mary Kay.

Warren Greshes' promotional material has a computer chip with his voice on it. Some speakers send popcorn with their videos. Jim Mapes has a THREE-D image to his brochure. How does your marketing material stand out and yet remain true to the image you want to project?.

Many of you have experienced my chapter program where I give out rulers that say, "Break the Rules". At the end of the program, two people hold the ruler and I ask, "When people tell you it can't be done, what are you going to tell them?" As we have used the expression, "break the rules" as an anchor throughout the presentation, they are ready to play. As they yell it out to close the session, the precut rulers snap and yes, they are in red and purple and have my logo and information on both sides so that each participant can take it home. Remember the goal is to be memorable in as many ways as you can.

Style

What's yours? Do you even have one? Can you tell the difference in those who do? Do you have an anchor, a unique symbol that reminds the audience of you long after you've left? Larry Winget has them respond with a "You bet", (Okie lingo) as opposed to "moi", a New Yawker who has them respond with a "YO!" How about Tony Robbins chest thumping? Layne Longfellow's pauses, Covert Bailey's facial contortions, Naomi Rhode's whispers, Mary Beth Roach's Mae West, or Zig's kneeling. Your style is determined by your personality and your exploitation or manifestation of your larger than life interests, talents, idiosyncrasies, and habits. This is your chance to come of the "speakers closet" and do and be or as Frank Sinatra said, do be do be do. OK, OK, I couldn't resist:but isn't that's what it's all about, taking a risk and trying something new and different?

Attire

No, I did not write "Dress for Success", I wrote Dress for Excess" so that gives me the other right to tell you that this too can make you stand out in the crowd. It could be the ties you wear, the pin on your lapel, the button with your signature quote, the consistent color you wear, the style of your hair or take a hint (not a copy) from these highly distinguishable pro's. Rosita's flowers, Fripp's hat's, Larry Winget's glasses, Sheila Murray Bethel's white suits, yours truly's jewelry and clothes which Nido has consistently tried to borrow, but I politely refuse.

Material

We have all watched hundreds of speaker presentations and yes, we know why we like some better than others:techniques, humaness, they made us laugh, cry, emote, reflect, think, ya da, ya da, ya da: What about those who stand out because of an even larger extension of their talents and creativity?. Steve Rizzo and Jeff Slutsky developed their song parodies, Joel Weldon gives out his I Can's, Dale Irvin and his shtick, (OY, I'm gonna' pay for that) convention updates, theme song, Bad to the Bone, (I use "Oh Mickey, you're so fine, for all my entrances), Wayne Pickering, the Mango Man giving out fruit to us fortunate attendees. Be unique in the follow up gifts you send:Ray Pelletier sends director chairs with the client's name on it.

My friend and colleague, Marylyn Schwartz, CSP was enthralled by the presentation that speaker and association director, Dan Maddux gave at the national convention. His introducer suggested that he didn't want everyone to send him their unsolicited videos and brochures because of the nature of his position in hiring speakers. Marylyn sent Dan a poem, customized to what she had heard, observed and felt during his presentation and expressed the desire to work with him. He not only responded but he hired her. It pays to take a risk, try something different, standout from the crowd.

I use a lot of unique props in my presentations so I was asked to speak on that subject. When I told the committee chair my title, there was a long silence on the other end of the phone as I said, "The Power of Props, Poems and Other Poufferies". He hesitated for a second, then politely said, " you know, most speakers tend to use titles that have "how to's" in them, like How to Make 6 figures your first year", How to Get Standing Ovations every time, etc, etc. As a new speaker, I told him I'd think about it. It didn't take me long to realize, that the hint was, "most speaker" and also "to thine own self, be true". I don't look like a "How to:", I look like a "Poufferie:' I don't know what it is, I just know, I look like it.

I said I would tell you the secret, well, here it is. I was going to submit this article and just send, BE YOU! For the whole article because that is the essence but I wanted to elaborate as I did. By being you and doing what comes naturally, your uniqueness will come through as so eloquently illustrated by this poem of unknown origin that I often share with my audiences.

Mikki Williams, CSP is an international speaker, trainer, author, consultant, entrepreneur extraordinaire and mensch. An inspirational humorist and business motivator, known for her outrageous style and flamboyant personality, she offers keynotes and workshops in personal productivity and business dynamics and consults and coaches speakers and entrepreneurs at all levels of their careers. Reach her in Wilton, CT. at ph.203-762-2526, fax 203-762-2494, e-mail: MikkiWill@aol.com or www.mikkiwilliams.com.