>> Jamie Abbott: Welcome to Pitch Perfect, the podcast that helps you master the art of communication and captivate your audience. Hosted by Jaimie Abbott, award winning speaker, public speaking coach and PR expert, this show is your go to resource for building confidence, crafting your message and leveraging the media to grow your brand. Download Jamie's free PDF checklist. Visit jamieabbott.com speakerguide. Get ready to pitch, persuade and thrive. This is Pitch Perfect.
>> Jaimie Abbott: Well, welcome to another episode of Pitch Perfect. Today we're diving into something absolutely essential if you want to stand out in a crowded speaking industry. And that is all about building your personal brand as a speaker. Whether you're just starting out or you're looking to refresh your presence, this episode is packed with practical tips, real talk and strategies. Ah, that you can start implementing right now. So grab a notebook or just settle in and let's get into it. So, first off, what is a personal brand? Your personal brand is the unique combination of your voice, your values, your visuals and your vibe. It's the way people describe you when you're not in the room. It's what makes you the go to speaker in your niche. In today's world, it's not good enough to just be a good speaker. You have to be memorable, marketable and consistent. Think about it. There are thousands of speakers out there. What sets you apart? What makes people say, yes, I want them for my event. That's your brand. And the clearer you are about it, the easier it is for people to choose you. Now let's talk about defining your brand foundations. Let's break it down into some action steps. Number one, define your niche. Who do you speak to? What problems do you solve? Are you the go to speaker for female entrepreneurs in tech? Or maybe you help people become confident communicators in the workplace. That is something I do. Get clear. Number two, clarify your message. What is your core message? That golden thread that ties all of your talks together. So for me, it's helping people speak with confidence and authority, whether that's on stage, in the media or online. Know your values. Your values should shine through everything from your social posts to your keynote slides. If authenticity and humour are big for you, let that be felt. And number four, craft your story. Why are you the person to speak on this topic? Your journey builds trust and relatability. Share the real stuff, your wins, your lessons and the messy bits in between. Now let's talk about visual branding. This is about the visuals because let's face it, first impressions happen fast. Headshots. Invest in professional photos that Align, with your brand. If you're fun and energetic, then your photos should reflect that. So no stiff corporate headshots. Unless of course, that's your vibe. So I'm talking big confetti guns that you can push out there, throwing confetti, balloons, colourful necklaces. Really think about what aligns with your brand and use that as part of your headshots and branding. Focus/oots website and socials Here, consistency is key. Use the same colours, fonts, tone and language across all of your platforms. So your Instagram bio, your LinkedIn header and your website tagline should all tell the same story. Your speaker kit. This is your marketing gold. A beautiful PDF or a landing page that includes your bio, your topics, your testimonials and a few action shots of you on stage. Now let's talk about your online presence. Because your online presence sells you. You see your digital footprint. Your digital footprint is your brand. Let's make sure that it's working for you. So social media, you need to show up where your audience hangs out. So think about where your ideal customer is getting all their social media content. Is it TikTok? Is it Instagram? Is it LinkedIn? Is it Facebook? Is it a little bit of all of those things where your ideal customer is hanging out. Your ideal audience. This is where you want to share. Clips of you speaking behind the scenes, moments, tips and even your bloopers. People want to see the real you. Your email list, build it, nurture it and use it to stay top of mind and book more gigs. I email my list every single week, all about value, value, value. Then I will sell perhaps my course or my membership, or even myself as a speaker. Content, strategy, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, whatever works for you. I recommend that you pick one main platform, so for me, that's Instagram and own it. Position yourself as a thought leader by giving value regularly. Now let's talk about living your brand on and offstage. Here's the thing. Your brand isn't just what you post. It's how you show up. From how you network to how you respond to emails, to the vibe you bring to the stage, everything is part of your personal brand. Your goal is to be unforgettable for the right reasons. If you're known for being ultra prepared, kind, funny or bold, lean into that. Authenticity is magnetic. Now let's put it all together when it comes to your brand and being a professional speaker. Let's recap. Define your message, develop your visual brand, show up consistently online and let your brand shine in real life. This is how you build a personal brand that books you speaker gigs, builds trust, and helps you stand out in a sea of speakers. Allri Right, that's a wrap on today's episode. N short one today, I hope you're walking away with clarity and some next steps to refine or build your personal brand as a speaker. Now, if this episode hit home, please share it with a fellow speaker professional, professional in waiting. Or tag me on Instagram at Jaimie Abbott, I would love to see your takeaways. And hey, if you're ready to take your brand to the next level, don't forget to check out my free speaker toolkit. You can go to jamieabbott.com.au sl Speakeruide I will put the link in the show notes. Until next time, keep showing up boldly and speaking like the expert you are. Thanks for listening to Pitch Perfect. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it and share it to social media. If you'd like to download my free paid speaking resources, go to jamieabbott.com.