The Empowered Speaker Blog: 2010

Sunday, December 26, 2010

From Certified Instructor to Author!

Sue Gaulke, the creator of the SpeakersTrainingCamp posted an article on her latest blog about my new book, "Faith to Conquer Fear: Inspiration to Achieve your Dreams" and the writing process. Take a look.

http://www.successworksusa.com/2010/12/05/from-certified-trainer-to-author/

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Christy

"Things That Turn Listeners Off"

The key to public speaking is to remember that it is not about you. It is about your audience. Your job as a presenter is to ensure your audience benefits from their time spent with you. This means ensuring you avoid any distractions that will detract from your message.

Wanda Vasallo, author of Speaking with Confidence, shares her list of things that turn listeners off. Here are a few of them.

- A know-it-all attitude: While you should be the expert on your topic, your attitude should not portray this.

- Using words and terminology the audience does not understand or know the meaning: Your vocabulary should be tailored to the audience. You would not necessarily use the same vocabulary with 4th graders as with adults.

- Repititious movements such as rocking or pacing: Practice purposeful movement. Instead of wandering around the stage, take 2 deliberate steps in a direction and plant yourself. When you move again, take 2 deliberate steps to the next location and plant.

I will share a few more of Wanda's "things that turn listeners off" over the next few weeks.

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Are You Lying To Me? Part II

I found a great article in the July 2010 issue of Entrepreneur magazine on the tell tale signs of lying. Pamela Meyer, a certified fraud examiner offers some of the most common cues that indicate someone may be lying. Here are a few more of the list we started a couple of weeks ago.

- Repeating questions or phrases to stall for time

- Speaking more slowly or deliberately than usual

- Fidgeting or quick touches to the mouth or eyes

- A lopsided smile or frown, or shrugging with just one shoulder

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Are you Lying To Me?

- Extended eye contact: Honest people look you in the eye only 60% of the time.

- Sitting completely still, or moving just one body part (bouncing leg or waving arm)

- Lame denials and vague statements ("I don't know what you mean..." or my kid's favorite "...huh?"

- Over-talkativeness: My older relatives used to say, "the more you talk, the more apt you are to lie."

Next week, I will share a few more of Pamela Meyer's cues.

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Faith to Conquer Fear: Inspiration to Achieve your Dreams In Stores NOW!

Faith to Conquer Fear: Inspiration to Achieve your Dreams In Stores NOW!

"Life crises make us reassess our paths and purposes. This compilation of quotes and religious references will help you navigate the storm and take hold of your dreams."

Christy Demetrakis will publish this inspirational book in October 2010. Faith to Conquer Fear will be available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, iUniverse.com and in select book stores.

Adapt to Your Audience

One of the most important abilities you can have as a presenter is the ability to adapt to your audience. I attended a two hour Nielsen training recently. The training was divided into one hour of overview and 1 hour of hands on training. Before the training even began, there were a few red flags that should have immediately caused the instructor to adjust his training plan to better adapt to the audience.

1 - The training was on a Friday afternoon from 1pm - 3pm.

2 - The class was made up of high performance individuals who were already familiar with Nielsen.

3 - Participants were actively working on other projects on their laptops before the class.

First of all, training on a Friday afternoon is never a good idea. People are thinking about their weekend plans and trying to complete any work before the end of the day. Secondly, if participants are already actively working before the class begins, you can assume this behavior will continue during the training.

Here are the changes I would recommend to the instructor for future training sessions.

1 - If Friday is the only day available for training, move the training to the morning. Minds are fresher in the morning and people will still feel as if they have the rest of the day to finish other work.

2 - Acknowledge the participants are already familiar with Nielsen and therefore condense the overview to 15 minutes. The remaining overview content can be weaved into the hands on portion of the training. The detail of the overview will make more sense in context of hands on learning.

3 - Extend the hands on portion of the training (by default once you condense the overview). If participants are actively training on the content of the session, this does not allow them time to multitask on other projects during the training. In a setting of high performance individuals, they are most interested in how to execute the new changes versus hearing about the reason for the change.

The key to being able to adapt to your audience is knowing your material well enough to make adjustments mid stream. Every presenter should present with the audience in mind. If you are not meeting their needs, you are wasting everyone's time.

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Six Subtle Moves That Hold Women Back From Success

Communication is about much more than just speaking or presenting in front of a group. Non verbal gestures in day to day interactions can have a significant impact on how people perceive you. I ran across a great article on www.AOL.com posted by Lisa Johnson Mandell on April 30th, 2010 that speaks to this topic.

It's not that women are supposed to act, dress and sound like men to get ahead in the workplace, but there are a number of gestures women commonly use that denote vulnerability and fragility, rather than power and authority. In a blog called "7 Behaviors that Keep Women from Getting Ahead," Dan Erwin cites an article by Mary Ellen Drummond many years ago, which still applies to many women today.

1. Nodding your head a lot when listening. Women often nod their heads to encourage the speaker to go on, but this connotes approval and agreement when often none is intended or required, and you can end up looking like a bobble-head doll. Men usually nod their heads only to show agreement, or to indicate that they are about to make a point. Constant head nodding can express encouragement, but not authority.
2. Not taking up enough physical space. By this we mean stand firm and tall, shoulders out, head up. When sitting at a table or desk, spread out -- your papers, you laptop, your pad and pens. Let everyone know you're there -- don't try to blend in. By receding or folding in, it looks as if you're trying not to inconvenience anyone. Take ownership of as much space as possible; that sends a powerful message.
3. "Uptalking." Women's voices often rise at the ends of sentences as if they're asking a question even when making a statement. For example: "On that report I completed? It says that viral marketing is more effective?" It implies you're asking for approval, rather than stating a fact. Most women are not aware that they do this, and it's a particular habit with the young -- students and the freshly graduated. Speak with authority and periods, not with tentativeness and question marks.
4. Fidgeting. Are you constantly adjusting your clothing, hair, jewelry, purse, cell phone, etc.? Although the study was done several years ago, Drummond cites that when women enter a room, they make 27 movements. Men make 12. When you appear calm and contained, you appear powerful. Fidgeting implies nervousness.
5. Tilting your head. Women often tilt their heads when they talk. They think that directing an ear toward someone says that they are listening. Instead, it appears as if you're distracted or trying to deflect the message. If looking directly into someone's eyes is disconcerting, look just below their eyes at their cheeks or nose. But look directly at them and don't tilt your head. This, again, is something most women don't even realize they're doing; but if they watch videos of themselves, they'll note it happening.

6. Introducing yourself too quickly. It's common for a woman to say, "Hi, I'm Jane Smith," right off the bat. But studies have shown that people seldom remember anything that's said in the first 5-7 seconds because they're too busy checking each other out, and visually processing whoever is in front of them. When meeting someone new, wait a few seconds before introducing yourself. Instead make a comment about the environment, event, etc. first, then introduce yourself.
The good news is that most of these bad behaviors are learned, so they can also be unlearned. You might want to ask a family member, friend or co-worker to bring it to your attention when some of these negative nuances creep in. They might drive you nuts at first -- but you'll thank them for it later, when colleagues start showing a renewed respect.

Audience Nonverbal Cues - Part 5

If you have ever presented to an audience, you know that the audience also communicates with you via nonverbal gestures. This is the last week of the series "Audience Nonverbal Cues". Here are additional nonverbal cues you should be on the lookout for as a speaker.

Crossing legs is a sign of opposition or competition.

Covering mouth with hand indicates shock or surprise. No surprise here.

Fidgeting or swinging the foot in a circle is a sign of boredom or impatience.

Become an audience watcher. If you are going to be an effective speaker and presenter, it is important to tune in to your audience and the cues they give you. This could be the difference between a good speech and a great speech.

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Stage Presence

The Cincinnati Opera Idol contest was held a couple of weeks ago. This was the opera version of American Idol. There were 10 semi-finalists competing for the title of Cincinnati Opera Idol. I attended in support of my friend and fellow choir member Kobie Smith who gave an excellent performance. As I watched the performances, a few things were very clear. First, singing opera is indeed a craft and requires skill. Second, the singers followed instructions very well. There was a star on the stage next to the piano indicating where each singer should stand during the performance. Nine of the ten contestants followed those instructions. Lastly, the most memorable performance for me came from the one finalist who did not stand at the star for the duration of her song. She showed great stage presence by using the entire stage, physically drawing closer to the audience and gesturing throughout the aria.

Stage presence is as important when singing opera as when you are speaking. Use the available space when you present. Utilize purposeful hand gestures to bring life to your song or speech. Implementing these tactics will engage your audience and make you a more memorable speaker or singer.

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Audience Nonverbal Cues - Part 4

If you have ever presented to an audience, you know that the audience also communicates with you via nonverbal gestures. Over the next few weeks, I will continue to highlight some of the most widely recognizable gestures and their meanings. Here are the next four nonverbal cues you should be on the lookout for as a speaker.

Twiddling thumbs is an indication of boredom.

Wringing hands is a sign of anxiety or nervousness.

Glancing sideways or physically drawing back shows the listener is suspicious of what you are saying or doing.

Stroking the cheek indicates the listener is receptive to what you are saying.

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Audience Nonverbal Cues - Part 3

If you have ever presented to an audience, you know that the audience also communicates with you via nonverbal gestures. Over the next few weeks, I will highlight some of the most widely recognizable gestures and their meanings. Here are the next three nonverbal cues you should be on the lookout for as a speaker.

Quickly touching the nose with index finger: indicates the listener doubts what you are saying.
Rolling eyes: is a fairly universal sign of disgust.
Jaw drop: is a sign of disbelief.

What other nonverbal cues have you seen?

Audience Nonverbal Cues: Part 2

If you have ever presented to an audience, you know that the audience also communicates with you via nonverbal gestures. Over the next few weeks, I will highlight some of the most widely recognizable gestures and their meanings. Here are the next four nonverbal cues you should be on the lookout for as a speaker.

Folding arms across chest: This gesture is a bit tricky. In most cases, it means the listener is not open to what you are saying. He is close minded. However, in other instances, arms across the chest may mean they are cold.
Steepling hands: This gesture indicates confidence. You often see political leaders use this cue.
Biting lip: A listener is typically thinking or in deep concentration when he bites his lip.
Hands behind the head: This gesture is just the opposite of folding the arms across the chest. This gesture means the listener is taking in all the details. My dad is a great example of this. He often assumes this position when he people watches at the mall.

What other nonverbal cues have you seen?

Audience Nonverbal Cues: What Do They Mean?

Leaning forward towards the speaker: The listener is interested in what is being shared.
Shrugging shoulders: The listener has no opinion of what is being said. They are indifferent.
Gritting teeth: The listener is angry.
Wrinkled or furrowed brow: The listener is contemplating or puzzled by what the speaker has said.

What other nonverbal cues have you observed as a speaker or presenter?

Do I Talk too Much?

We've all been in the meeting with that one person who feels compelled to respond to every comment. One person makes a comment and this person responds with "and to build onto what Joe said..." People like this do not recognize the warning signs of exceeding their share of voice. In other words, they don't know when to shut up.

How do you know when you have exceeded your share of voice?

Dominating the conversation: If you are talking more than any one else in the room and you are not the leader, that's a warning sign.
People no longer look in your direction when you speak: If you are a good speaker, you are making eye contact. If you are looking at people yet they are not looking at you, that's a warning sign.

Rolling eyes or sighs when you begin to speak: Enough said... That's a warning sign.

A good speaker should always consider the audience whether on stage or in a meeting. Be mindful not to dominate the conversation but allow equal opportunity for others to provide input.

What are other warning signs of exceeding share of voice?

Now that's a Great Opening!

A strong opening is critical to ensuring your audience is engaged in your presentation or speech. In my Speakers Training Camp™, we call this the GRABM (pronounced "grab'em"). The GRABM is your opportunity to grab the audience's attention by asking a question, stating an unusual fact, telling a story or beginning with a quote, for example.

I heard a great GRABM at a 3 day training session I attended recently. The trainer began by saying "I see a lot of familiar faces today." He proceeded to mention select people in the room and how they knew each other. For example, "Joe and I worked together on a customer team 10 years ago. MJ and I attended the same university many years ago" and so on. This was a great way to enroll the audience and create a sense of camaraderie at the beginning of the training.

What other great GRABMs have you heard?

Give Me a Break!

You know the signs.

Fidgeting
Glazed expressions
Checking Blackberry or mobile devices
Visible lack of interest
Doodling
Stretching
Side conversations
Leaving to get coffee
Increased traffic in and out of the meeting room

When you see these signs as a presenter, it is time to give your audience a break. As a presenter, you should have your audience in mind before you ever begin speaking. This means you should design your content around breaks. Adults should typically be given a break every 90 minutes. Provide a break for young adults and teens every 50 minutes as this coincides with the length of typical high school and college classes.

Name Tag Placement: Right Shake, Right Place

It never fails. You walk in the door of a networking event, sales meeting or business meeting and there it is...the name tag. Writing your name on the name tag is the easy part. Now here's the hesitation. Which side do you place the name tag on; left hand side or right hand side? You look around to see where other people have placed their tags. The results are mixed. What is the right answer?

A name tag should always be placed on the right hand side of your lapel. When you shake hands, the eyes naturally move from the hand, up the right side and then up to the other person's face. The right hand side placement allows both you and the person whose hand you are shaking to easily and naturally introduce yourselves as you casually look at the name tag.

Remember to shake with the right hand and place the name tag on the right side. "Right shake, Right place"

Preparation is the Key to Success

How much time do you spend preparing to deliver a presentation? The majority of us spend most of our time creating the visual presentation, yet we spend very little time rehearsing the delivery. Even if you are leveraging Microsoft Powerpoint as your key visual, you should still practice the actual delivery. You should practice your presentation in its entirety 6 times from start to finish before you present. This will allow you to hone the flow, the timing, and the key points to emphasize in your delivery. This practice is also a good time to capture potential questions that may arise as a result of the information you are sharing. Practice time is a great time to plan for Question & Answer. Preparation is the key to success. How many times do you typically practice before you present?

Presenting to a Tough Crowd

No matter how prepared you are, at some point you will encounter the proverbial “tough crowd”. Sometimes it’s an actual crowd, but more often it’s one person. He’s the person who doesn’t pay attention, who flips ahead in the deck, or who holds a side conversation while you’re presenting. Here are some tips on effectively managing “the tough crowd of one”.

1.Doesn’t pay attention: Assuming you are indeed an engaging presenter, casually walk in their direction or shift the focus of your conversation to their general area while you are presenting. Your proximity will usually cause them to focus on you.

2.Flips ahead in the deck: This is my pet peeve. There are 2 options.

1.Present using a projector. This eliminates the need for handouts. Hand out the deck at the end of the presentation, if necessary.

2. Only provide copies of the key slides at the point in the presentation when you are discussing the topic. He can’t flip if he only has 1 sheet of paper.

3.Talks while you’re presenting: Ask “Do you have a question?’ You can also address this with the silent treatment. Stop talking until everyone in the room is looking at you. At that point, continue where you left off. This can be very effective.

As the saying goes, there’s one in every crowd. Now you know how to handle him.

What's the Value of Reciting an Easter poem?

If you grew up in a church where children participated in Christmas and Easter programs like I did, then my question resonates with you. What is the value of reciting an Easter poem? Well, as one of those children and now as a parent, I fully recognize several benefits.

1 - Memorization: Its important for children to expand their mental abilities via memorization. The process of memorization helps them to determine their learning style. Each of us has our own technique that works best. As a college student, when I had to memorize a large body of work, I would pace in circles around my papasan chair reciting the information. My daughter rewrites the information she has to learn in her own handwriting.

2 - Self Confidence: One thing that was never lacking in my church was encouragement for children. There's no better way to build self confidence than to offer praise for the effort regardless of the outcome. Anyone who has spoken in front of a group recognizes the courage it takes. Reciting an Easter poem helps to build that confidence.

3 - Development of Public Speaking Skills: Effective Public speaking is the gift that keeps on giving. Children who are given the opportunity to practice public speaking skills do not tend to suffer from the public speaking fears many adults face today. Opportunities to speak in a non threatening environment such as a church sets the expectation that speaking in front of a group can be a positive experience.

Over the last year, I have had the opportunity to judge 5th grade 4-H speeches at my children's' school. I have been impressed with their preparation, memorization and confidence as they delivered their speeches. This valuable experience will serve them well. There is definitely value in reciting an Easter poem or any other work. This is all a part of the foundation that we build upon as adults.

Can Projecting Your Voice Strengthen Your Vocal Chords?

People are born with a vocal chords ranging in size from thin to thick. A thin vocal chord produces a higher pitched voice. A thicker vocal chord causes a lower pitched voice. The size of the vocal chords cannot be changed. However, there are basic techniques that can be used to strengthen and tighten the vocal chords which allow for greater range of voice.

1 - Singing is considered to be a way to strengthen your vocal chords. Practice singing your favorite song, alternating between a moderate, low and loud voice. Project to the back of the room. When I first began singing in choirs, my singing voice was an unquestionable alto. Over the years, I was challenged to sing tenor in smaller choirs. I found that experience has helped to lower the pitch of my speaking voice and given me greater range in my singing. Lower voices tend to project louder.

2 - Deep breathing exercises help you to relax which often allows you to project your voice and speak louder. When you are nervous, you tend to tighten the upper portion of your body. Breathing becomes more shallow and less air flows through the airways. Your voice gets tight and becomes more high pitched, inhibiting the ability to project. Take a deep breath and slowly release through a count of 10. Repeat as needed.

Vocal chords are a delicate organ and can be damaged if not taken care of properly. Techniques designed to help with projecting your voice can help to strengthen your vocal chords over time. However, if you believe you have a medical issue, please seek medical advice.

Handling Objections

If you’ve ever been taught the steps to successful selling, you have been taught how to handle objections. An objection is defined by www.dictionary.com as “a reason or argument offered in disagreement, opposition, refusal or disapproval.” Whether you are selling or just presenting, you should always consider the questions or objections your audience may have, especially if there is an opportunity for Q & A. No matter how convinced you are it’s a great idea, someone else may not. When I worked for Gillette, my team conducted a “50/50” exercise before every sales meeting. This was an opportunity to brainstorm all potential objections that could occur during the sales call. There are several ways to handle objections. Let’s explore two of them.

1.Pre-empt the Objection: Anticipating the objection and addressing it before the question is asked is a smart move. You still need to be careful here. You may risk raising objections the audience has not considered.

2.Handle objections as they come: In this scenario, you don’t address the potential questions in advance. You wait for someone to ask. You should still prepare for the objections ahead of time, just in case.

Do your homework. Be objective about your topic. Handling objections should not be a debate, but a fact based explanation that addresses the issue. How well you handle objections is often the difference between making the sale or not.

Invest In Yourself

Are you marketable outside of your current company? The #1 skill most important to companies is strong written and verbal communication. Unfortunately in this world of texting and twittering, we are losing the core ability of personal communication with others. Your speaking skills are still critical in securing a job. People assess your intelligence, educational levels and overall confidence based on how well you communicate. If you need to improve your communication skills, visit http://empoweredspeaker.com to learn about speaking programs tailored just for you or your company.

Honor Your Time Commitment

How many times have you heard a speaker say “Give me just 5 more minutes.” Five minutes turns into 15 minutes or longer. This is suicide for a speaker. The benefit of being a speaker is that you have instant credibility. You immediately forfeit your credibility and integrity when you deceive the audience by speaking longer than the time you have been allotted or requested.

"You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression"

We have all heard this quote. Studies show people form an impression of you in the first 3 seconds based on your appearance. Your appearance forms the basis for others’ perceptions of your education, background, and competence. First impressions affect salaries, career decisions and the influence you will have on others. Smile. Ensure you are well groomed. Check your teeth and your breath. Present a firm handshake. Put your best foot forward…the first time.

Organizing Your Speech

The most fundamental element of any speech is its organization. The well organized speech provides a roadmap to both the speaker and the audience. Charisma will only carry you so far. To be a great athlete, you must master the fundamentals. Speaking is no different. Follow this basic outline when developing your speech.

1)Introduction: Get the audience's attention. Provide a preview of the content to come.

2)Body: Consists of 3 – 5 main points highlighted in the introduction.

3)Summary: Recap of the 3 - 5 main points you covered in your speech.

4)Conclusion: Strong finish. Leave the audience wanting to hear more.

Speaking too Softly

Many people believe they are speaking louder than they are. People with soft voices are perceived as less powerful and less confident. To improve this, practice projecting to the back of the room. Have someone located in the back of the room to give a signal if you need to be louder. Use a microphone when available to enable the audience to hear you better and to put less strain on your vocal chords.

Look like a "10"

The #1 visual in your presentation is you. I know it’s hard to believe that you’re more important than that Microsoft Powerpoint presentation you spent hours creating. That’s why your appearance matters. Consider your audience. In what geograpy are you speaking? Are you speaking on the West Coast or the East Coast? Are you speaking at an event at the beach or at a black tie affair? The clothing style and expectations are different based on geography, time of day and event. Ask yourself, what would the audience expect me to wear? Ask the event coordinator how the participants will be dressed, then dress one step above that level.

Is your Voice Adding Value?

A couple of Sundays ago, the Pastor of my church bravely gathered the children to have a discussion on the meaning of Christmas. I say bravely because you never know what children will do or say when given the opportunity. In this case, there was one very enthusiastic little girl. She positioned herself directly in front of the Pastor so she could not be missed. She raised her hand to answer every question, even before the question was asked. Children are eager this way. They want to participate and be involved in the process. Because this discussion was only 15 minutes or so, the audience found it humorous and she was quite the center of attention. Now, add 20 years to her age and place her in a meeting room. Would she be as amusing and entertaining?

How many times have you been in a meeting or a classroom with the someone like this? This is the person who feels obligated to build on or restate every other comment. This is the person who makes a comment even when they have no value to add. They feel compelled to let everyone in the room know they are there. While this type of behavior may work for a short time, in the long run it can be detrimental. While in some settings, it is important to verbally contribute to ensure people know who you are, it should not be the norm. Feeling as if you have to comment to make the idea better is often counterproductive. An effective leader and team player allows others equal opportunity to share their ideas and insights.

I found a great quote by Scott Sorrell, a professional sales trainer, that I plan to use in my new book.

"If you’d think 1% more, you’d speak 50% less, and appear 100% more intelligent."

So, You Have to Give a Speech?

As if having to give a speech isn’t bad enough, now you have to figure out what to say. One of the hardest things about giving a speech is deciding on your topic. When you are asked to give a speech or presentation, there are several important questions to consider before deciding on your topic. First, what is the occasion? Secondly, who is the audience? Do you have the level of knowledge needed to effectively speak on the topic. Lastly, how much time do you have to deliver your presentation? Once you have gathered the answers to these questions from the meeting planner or organizer, you can begin to develop your topic.

If you have the luxury of speaking on any topic, choose a subject about which you are passionate and knowledgeable. When you are requested to speak for a specific occasion on a specific topic, a bit more work is required. This is where asking the questions above first becomes important.

1 - Understanding the occasion is key to selecting the appropriate topic.

2 – Determine who will make up the audience. Presenting to all women is different than presenting to an all male audience. A specific topic may appeal more to school teachers than to doctors, for example.

3 – Research the event or organization. Check their website to understand their philosophy and mission. This research may also provide insight to aid you in selecting your topic.

4 – Determine how your area of expertise fits with the organization and the occasion. This is not the time to try to be something you are not.

5 – Select your topic.

6 – Organize and deliver a great presentation!

Remember, it will not matter whether the audience is knowledgeable about your topic as long as your enthusiasm shines through.

Tip of the Month: Use Color to Your Advantage

Leverage blue, black and grey colors to appear more powerful. Solid colors are more powerful looking than pastels, floral, tweeds or patterns. To appear friendlier VS powerful, choose small patterns, pastels or tweeds.

Image Is Everything

Or is it? We’ve all heard the saying “image is everything.”Do you believe it? Image is important. It only takes 3 seconds to make a first impression. That impression is typically based on your outward appearance. So in situations where your image matters, like interviews, presentations, and sales calls, ensure you go down the checklist.

Audience consideration: Dress one notch above the level of your audience.
Colors: Choose the best colors for you. When people give positive comments on something you’re wearing, make a mental note of the color and style of clothing.
Quality: Buy the best quality of clothing you can afford. Make the extra effort to have your clothes tailored for the best possible fit, especially if you are petite. Fitted clothes (not tight) project a better image than baggy clothes.
Shoes: Stick to conservative styles. Ensure shoes are polished.
Glasses: Those who wear glasses are typically perceived as more intelligent. Glasses are also effective at making people appear older and more experienced. You should definitely consider leveraging glasses as a tool to adjust your image. However, note that wearing glasses can negatively impact your eye contact with your audience and can make you appear less friendly.

Image is important, but it’s not everything. At some point you have to speak!

Audience consideration: Dress one notch above the level of your audience.
Colors: Choose the best colors for you. When people give positive comments on something you’re wearing, make a mental note of the color and style of clothing.
Quality: Buy the best quality of clothing you can afford. Make the extra effort to have your clothes tailored for the best possible fit, especially if you are petite. Fitted clothes (not tight) project a better image than baggy clothes.
Shoes: Stick to conservative styles. Ensure shoes are polished.
Glasses: Those who wear glasses are typically perceived as more intelligent. Glasses are also effective at making people appear older and more experienced. You should definitely consider leveraging glasses as a tool to adjust your image. However, note that wearing glasses can negatively impact your eye contact with your audience and can make you appear less friendly.