At recent CAPS meeting, Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (something you would love, if you speak, train or present), we discussed the differences and similarities between speakers.  It was fascinating.  I wanted to share just a few of the key points that were made and agreed upon by some of the most incredible and successful speakers from the London, Ontario area.

  1. Be Unique!  You are not like anyone else, there is no one that looks like you, has the same experiences as you, or speaks like you. BE YOU!  There may be thousands of people delivering a message on Customer Service, but there is no one that can deliver it like you.
  2. Own It!  Once you find your uniqueness, own it. If you start comparing yourself to others, you will lose sight of that very thing your audience, meeting planners and conference planners are looking for when booking you.  You might go to a presentation and see a speaker give a “so-so” message; the audience stands up, lines up and books the speaker again and again.  Why, because they owned their message and how it was delivered.
  3. Brand It!  Once you find your uniqueness and own it. Start branding it.  Remember to bring that “you” to your written work, your handouts, and your website.  Find ways to bring that uniqueness to all aspects of your business.  Toni Newman, a speaker extraordinaire not only knows how to do this, she owns it.  Toni, is known for her ladder, which she brings on stage, in her images, as her give away, and even her marketing material.  Toni, owns the ladder, it definitely defines her uniqueness while fitting beautifully with her message.
  4. Repeat It!  Ok, so now you have found your uniqueness, owned it and branded it, don’t lose sight of it. Find ways in which your audience, your customers and your network can speak it and own it for you.  Think Starbuck fans; Starbucks becomes their brand; they own it and stay loyal to it.  Help your audience, celebrate your message and repeat it.

I learned so much from this Mastermind of Champion Speakers.  I started to think more about my brand, and how I bring my brand to the platform.  If you are not clear on your Uniqueness, there is an exercise we do at Spoken Advantage that can help you find it, own it, brand it and repeat it.  Have fun with the power of Uniqueness.