Presentation Tips While Image Consultant
Looking back on my career as an Image Consultant, and most recently, we’ve all had to get up in front of an audience and present on any given topic. It’s been said that public speaking causes the most fear than any other event in our lives. Do you agree it can be traumatic?
I was just at a conference in Atlanta this past weekend about how to target more corporate business as an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist. It was a very intense, 2-day conference, and of course at least once we were asked to get up in front of the group and talk. For me, it was fine, and I always try to go first. Then I don’t sit there and get nervous.
Years ago, when I was first starting out as a young professional and consultant who needed to give a presentation, I made the mistake many people make – I offered too much information. This tactic is also known as “fire hosing” a group. What is means is you give way too much information. What happens is not terribly surprising – your audience zones out and stops listening. It ruins your image and they who you are speaking to are wishing you to be done!
You may ask yourself, why is giving too much information not a good thing? Won’t clients feel as though they are getting much more for their investment? The answer is yes, and no. True, people want to feel as though the expense was worth it in what they received, but you have to consider how much information can the human brain really comprehend at once – believe it or not, it’s not very much.
My Best Image Consultant Tip: Three Points
It’s better to stick to one topic and paint the image with three main points. Illustrate the points with stories and audience engagement. For instance, one of the best consultant presentations I have given recently was about the Power of Color. I gave this talk – 45 minutes – to a women’s political group. At this event, I didn’t even try to explain color analysis. I just talked about colors their impressions, effects and even meanings. For instance, red is the color of seduction—it says confidence, strength and that you want to stand out and be noticed. Blue, on the other hand, is a calm color and is often a color corporations often use in their image and branding. It denotes coolness, blending in and calmness. It is a very approachable color – much more so than black.
Anyways, I also answered questions and gave many examples during this talk. I easily filled up the 45 minutes and was able to break down what an Image Consultant does within my presentation. It was one of my most successful consultant talks. I gave the audience some new information, but also gave them an image for each point, examples and exercises to put the info into practice. Remember – our brains can only hold so much content—especially at the end of a long work day. This was a Thursday night. So it’s best to keep it simple.
I also encourage you to follow the age-old rule—keep your talks to three major points—not less or more. And, keep your points simple and easy to follow. Don’t be afraid to repeat your image and points, too, and give examples, of course. If you need help with your image or styling, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Keep it sassy—and simple, Indy.
Beth Divine
AICI Certified Image Consultant and Personal Stylist
