In the Industrial Age, the idea of spending time and money to understand our “why I’m alive story” didn’t make a lot of sense. It was obvious. We were alive to work (mostly in a robotic manner) for the denser, material world. But as we rapidly shift into the new age of humanity, the dynamics of what will make our business successful is also shifting. An intangible, self-revealing experience may be the most profitable investment we make.

I still remember the day in 1996 when I wrote my first big check for $1500 on a personal development course. My hand was shaking. It seemed huge. Was I losing my mind or what? I wouldn’t even have a tangible product to take home! But like many of you who’ve taken a similar risk, you realize that strategically investing in your self is worth every dime.

Why?

Without a solid foundation, we can waste thousands of dollars on promotional materials that don’t accurately represent our essential Selves. When we take the time to unravel the mystery of why we chose our particular business – our brand, logo, image and communication style comes from a place of inner strength and visible congruency. When we dedicate ourselves to that, our clients feel our commitment. They know they can count on us. It’s more than making money now; our business is infused with a deeper, unshakable purpose.

And it won’t even matter how many coaches, massage therapists or other service providers there are. When we discover at a core level why we’re here and then express it, we’ll have plenty of clients. Sharing a well-told personal story reveals our uniqueness and who can compete with that?

Taking Care

Sharing a story isn’t about rambling on wasting people’s time, but simply the compelling truth that, once revealed, creates a strong bond with another human being. It’s the story Gandhi referred to and encouraged us not to betray. It’s the life that lives on in the speech from Martin Luther King. It’s Steve Jobs speaking freely from his heart and clearly stating his purpose.

A balance between owning our life experiences and not getting stuck in them is the key. If we haven’t taken time to examine our lives, we often live in fear and denial, which leads to constant, frenetic activity. If we spend too much time with our story, we can become paralyzed by it to the point that we take little or no action.

Getting into Action

There are many formulas for composing a compelling story. (i.e. what you wanted, the challenge or obstacle, how you resolved it, and the point) It’s important to clarify your intention and know when to use which story (i.e. introducing yourself, building trust and making it easy for people to decide) Chris Haddad’s video is a good example of a story that makes it easy for people to decide. http://www.haddadink.com. Steve Chandler uses witty examples of using trust-building stories versus spouting features and benefits in his CD series called The Joy of Selling.

The beautiful thing about telling stories is that people come to their own conclusions. Most of us would agree that the days of manipulative selling are over. Stories unite. Some futurists say what our world needs most right now is to bring back the story – the ability to tell ours and genuinely listen to others.

You probably wouldn’t risk being an indie professional if you didn’t have a high level of conviction in your product or service. Learning how to communicate your story succinctly with enough sensory detail is crucial in today’s noisy business environment. When we invest the time and energy to understand the relevance of our distinct story, it’s likely that our prospects will also recognize our value. The outer world reflects the inner world.

Public speakers have a tremendous responsibility to deliver their presentations effectively, with confidence and conviction. In order to deliver a successful presentation, the speaker needs to polish their presentation skills. Discovering strategy and tips to deliver your presentations will greatly enhance your presentation skills.

1.    Know the Purpose. Know why you have been asked to speak. What is the objective of the event? Be clear on the purpose before you prepare your presentation. Your presentation will be a lot more effective when you understand why your message is significant to the event or group.

2.    Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. A great presentation is not just going to fall out of the sky and proceed out of a speaker’s mouth. A speaker has to plan, prepare, research and practice their presentation. I like to stand in front of the mirror when I am preparing for a presentation. I want to see what natural or unnatural movements I might be making. I want to check my stance, my facial expressions and so on. Public speaking is a skill that has to be honed. The more the speaker presents, the better the presentation will become.

3.   Study. Take a look at very successful speakers. What is it about their style or technique that stands out or has an impact on you? How are they able to capture the attention of their audiences? Develop some of those successful presentation skills and tweak them to fit your unique style of presenting.

4.    Tell a story. Everyone has a story to tell. People love to hear stories they can either relate to or understand. Stories not only add to the impact of the presentation but will help the audience remember your message and hopefully you. Telling a personal story in your presentation helps you personalize the topic.

5.   Finish strong. End your presentation on a high note. Your closing should be as impactful as the start of your presentation. What do you want the audience to do? Is there a call of action? Avoid just ending your presentation with just, “Thank you for your time.” End with something positive and strong.

There are so many strategies to delivering your presentations with purpose and passion. Taking the time to hone your skills will help you communicate effectively so your audiences will actually listen, understand and act on your message.

If you are looking for a network to join, check out Speakers Network at http://www.gwenthibeaux.com/about-speakers-network for more information.