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Personal Appearance
How to dress to impress for your next presentation.
What a speaker looks like should never over-shadow what he or she has to say. A speaker’s appearance, however, can help make the message more convincing. Keep these points in mind as you prepare for a public appearance.
- Dress conservatively.
- Wear a dark suit with a solid color shirt or blouse (preferably light blue). White tends to reflect light onto the face of the person wearing it.
- Socks for men should be knee length. Hoisery for women should be seamless, with nude toe and heel.
- Do not wear flashy jewelry.
- Keep jacket or dress free of lapel buttons or pins.
- There should be no bulky items in pocket.
- For major appearances use powder, professionally applied. A dusting of powder on your face will help avoid shine often caused by bright lights. It will also mask any tendency men have toward “five o’clock shadow.”
- Do not wear light sensitive glasses or sunglasses.
- When seated, keep jacket buttoned but pulled straight to avoid wrinkles.
- Make sure collar and tie are straight, shirt tucked in, blouse neat.
Where in the World is Anthony?
Speaking in Jacksonville today and tomorrow. Presentation tip 27: Standing still is boring. Move around to keep it interesting. And stop standing behind stuff! (tables, lecterns, chairs, etc.) It disconnects you from the audience.
Worked all day today north of Janesville with a Wisconsin-based contractor. Communication tip 43: Having an unpleasant conversation? Standing at a 45-degree angle can help defuse hostility.
Worked all day today in Philadelphia with a very large national contractor. Virtual Presenting Tip 14: Stop using your laptop. Get an actual webcam and a tripod and put your camera at eye level. A minimal amount of effort and less than $50 makes a huge difference.
Speaking this week in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Illinois. Presenting tip 6: Remove physical barriers that disconnect you from the audience. For live presentations - lecterns, tables, distance, soft voice, etc. Virtual presentations - bad lighting, weird camera angle, etc.
Spent yesterday near Syracuse, NY speaking at a contractor's executive leadership meeting. News interview tip no. 1: Address question 1st, THEN quickly move to your message. Don't be like the politicians who totally ignore the question!