Lesson

ps3-6. Dress for success

The impression you make, and the figure you cut, are all part of your presentation. And what you wear is a significant part of the first impression you give the audience. 

Usually, this means dressing up. In most situations, you want to look sharp and professional. You take this event and your audience seriously, like you are a big success.

However, there are plenty of exceptions. The best advice is to make what you wear part of encouraging your audience to be receptive to your message. ​
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In the picture above, I was giving a workshop on the fear of public speaking. But instead of dressing up, I dressed down.

I did not want the audience to think I was some well-trained successful intimidating professional speaker.

It worked. Before the event, the audience had no idea I was the "expert" brought in to speak. I was just a regular shmo. 

When I got up to speak, they were already comfortable enough to forget their fear and give a speech among friends - without notes or preparation.

"How can you feel intimidated by a guy dressed like that?" one said.

Practice

If you have a public speaking event or presentation scheduled, now is a good time to test out what you will wear.

And if you do not have an event scheduled, imagine who might be an audience and what would make the best look for your presentation. Your look should be planned and go with the expectations of the audience.

As we have seen, a surprise of that expectation might help you. Let's try a dress rehearsal of a speech you have been working on.

So go up to two minutes if you have already practiced the material. If not, stick with the one to two minutes if you feel more comfortable. 
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