Advertisers use brand marketing to make their products stand out from those of their competitors, building awareness among their consumers.
Branding plays a vital role in any company, helping business professionals achieve a memorable mark on their intended customers.
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Defining “You” as a Brand
Selling yourself is the most important thing to do in a business pitch. Build a personal connection with your audience to make them feel involved in your presentation.
Since you’re aiming to keep them engaged throughout your presentation, projecting yourself in front of the crowd reinforces that you are the presenter, and you have something to offer them that others can’t.
More than your sales pitch, product and service offering, or brand strategies, how you market yourself still matters the most. Personal branding is what sets you apart from the competition.
While there are other benefits that you and your audience can get from branding yourself, here are some of the advantages you can gain:
Banks on Your Strengths
You can’t be deemed an expert without being knowledgeable about your topic. According to branding experts Nick Nanton and JW Dicks, public speaking is a great plus on establishing your brand as an expert in your specific field.
Once your audience perceives you as a professional, be careful not to lose that good impression.
At the same time, don’t try to change yourself drastically. Your personal brand needs to be true to your own actual strengths, not what you think your strengths should be.
Being authentic and genuine will make prospects realize that you’re not afraid to show who you really are. It makes them understand that you, too, are human.
Makes You Memorable
Marketing communications expert Susan Payton suggests that the best way to show your expertise in your personal brand is to be yourself.
Building a credible relationship with your audience makes them trust you.
How you speak, deliver your message, and appeal to their emotions makes them see that you’re a speaker who’s worth listening to, and a speaker who’s worth remembering.
Once they feel that you value their needs more than yours, they’ll respect you.
Introduces You to New Opportunities
In any pitch, you’ll meet people who can be your potential partners or clients.
Your performance doesn’t end when you walk down from the podium.
After you’re done with your pitch, network with your audience.
You can get prospects who are willing and able to do business with you, increasing your chances of getting into other business presentations.
Summing It Up
Improving your personal brand heightens your expertise, credibility, and networking during your presentation, giving you a competitive edge.
Figure out what makes you unique from other speakers. This should include a thorough knowledge of your offering or industry in order to convince your audience that you are as professional as you present yourself.
After building a relationship with your audience to boost your credibility, make sure to reach out to them even after your presentation is over.
Maintain this connection, and you’re sure to make your mark and seal the deal with your clients now and in the future. To craft an effective PowerPoint presentation, let SlideGenius experts help you out!
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References
“How to Make Your First Impression Count in the Business World.” SlideGenius, Inc. 2013. Accessed June 15, 2015.
Nanton, Nick and JW Dicks. “Personal Branding: Why You Need To Start Giving Speeches.” Fast Company. 2011. Accessed June 15, 2015.
Payton, Susan. “4 Easy Ways to Brand Yourself as an Industry Expert.” All Business. Accessed June 15, 2015.
“Presentation Tips: 5 Quick Steps to Audience Engagement.” SlideGenius, Inc. December 16, 2014. Accessed June 15, 2015.
“Why Is Branding Important?” Strategy New Media, Web Design & Marketing. Accessed June 15, 2015.