Personal Brand and Public Speaking: Let Your Audience Meet The REAL You
- Victoria Hogg
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Your personal brand isn’t just a look, a way of interacting, or a polished LinkedIn sentence - it’s the feeling people are left with after you speak. As Jeff Bezos said, “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room”.
From an improv perspective, personal brand is as much about connection as it is about performance. Your audience wants to know: Who are you? Why this message? Why should I trust you?
1. Show your values early
The first moments of a talk tell the room what you stand for. Are you curious, practical, brave, playful, generous? Let your opening reveal the person behind a persona.
2. Be consistent, rather than scripted
A strong brand comes through in repeated signals: your stories, tone, humour, examples and how you respond in the moment. Work out your three core values and let them shine.
3. Include the audience every time
Public speaking is not a broadcast; it’s a shared experience. Use ‘we’ rather than ‘I’, ask thoughtful questions and notice the room. When the audience knows you care, they can care.
4. Your quirks lend credibility
Your sparkle - or even a prop! - isn’t a distraction from your expertise; it’s often why people remember you. The best speakers don’t erase their personality. They use it as a bridge.
Your personal brand is what helps the audience decide: I understand you. I trust you. I’m coming with you. Cultivate it more deliberately and wear that hat / jacket / hairstyle with pride.
All the best,
Paul n Vic
#AppliedImprovisation #YesAnd #BusinessInPlay #BusinessSkills #PersonalGrowth #AgilityinBusiness #AdaptabilityQuotient #PositiveEnergy #PlayfulSolutions #PersonalBrand
If you have a work problem to fix and you want to hear how applied improvisation can support you, email us at hello@improvinc.co.uk. We’d love to meet you! All chemistry calls are free.
What I love About You
Aim: Run this with a friend or by yourself in the mirror and discover more about yourself.
Outcome: You’ll have a stronger sense of self and your personal brand. How it works: Start each sentence with “What I love about you…” and dig as deep as you wish: it can be appearance-based or personality-based.
Reflections: Did you discover anything new about how you’re perceived? What can you amplify for greater effect? Do you need a prop of any kind?
