What’s your vibe?

When you meet people at your friend’s house or at a networking event, what vibes do you give?

Are your vibes consistent with your brand? Or do they speak the opposite? Test the waters, ask around. What are people saying about you? Time is limited. You won’t have a chance to meet everyone in the room, but you can make a great, consistent impression, even on the people you don’t meet.

• If you are children’s entertainer, I wouldn’t want to hear any potty language from you.
• If you are an accountant, please don’t miscalculate in your casual conversation.
• If you are a fashion designer, yet you arrive looking like everyone else, you are not going to get business from me.
• If you are a therapist and you look disinterested as you small talk to people, your credibility is shot.

In my case, I want others to perceive me as “fun, creative, inclusive and effective”. I know people get the “fun” impression because people tell me. How does this happen? Is it natural? Is it planned? It can be both. For me, it is who I am, but these aspects can be emphasized with other aspects that can be planned.  As a reminder to think about your vibe, play R-Kelly’s “She’s got that vibe.”

The next time you walk in the room be conscious that you are making a statement with your actions. What are people thinking and saying about you? If the other people in the room don’t have an opportunity to meet you, what would they sense about you from seeing you? Later in the event, ask people of their perception of you.

What if someone finds your business card on the table? What kind of information can they get from your card?

Action Items:

Define your desired perceptions, and then figure out ways to lead them to that impression. Look at your signals, expressions, body language, wardrobe. From across the room, visually convey your brand. For example, as the The Meeting Maximizer, I believe I convey the attributes of fun, creative, inclusive and effective through the following:

For me, here are a few examples of how I share my personality and my brand.

• Smiles (facial expressions)
• Gestures and body language – your movement can describe your personality. I am not Italian, but I certainly use my hands to tell the story. Instead of the listeners just hearing my voice and seeing my lips move, they get to imagine and visualize being in the story. These listeners just might connect this with the word “effective.”
• Wardrobe (bright, colorful, striking attire) – it takes creativity to assemble and produce a look. My clothing is from around the world, which can show inclusivity by representing different cultures in my accessories. Who would have thought of wearing a necklace of colored corn or petrified wood wood that looks like banana chips, or belts made out of coconut shells?

With direct interaction, fun, creative, inclusive and effective is conveyed through the following:

• Comments – that keep the conversation rolling while including others
• Topics – inject unusual, creative, unique topics, that make people think and laugh
• Attentive listening – show your authentic enthusiasm for others

Figure out your vibe by beginning with the following:

• Ask your friends for pictures of you. Look at your expressions? Did you know you make these faces? Are these good expressions? Or do you look bored or grumpy?
• Ask strangers of their perception of you. If you don’t like what they are saying think about how to change this perception.
• What is wardrobe saying? Have friends and/or experts evaluate your wardrobe. What do they other professionals in your industry wear? What is expected? Where do you want to be positioned?
• What do you look like when you are talking? How do you stand? How do you gesture? Take video of yourself socializing or record audio of yourself talking to folks.
• What does your voice sound like? Record yourself talking. Listen to your vocal quality, range, and pace.
• Evaluate your impressions of others. This will help you determine criteria for yourself.
• Identify the professionals who have it together or inspire you. Analyze why you believe they have it together.

After you have defined your desired perception, ask for feedback. You have heard thousands of times the power of “the ask”. People enjoy helping, let them help.  Do your homework and test it out.

Remember, when you are running around in your sweats at Home Depot (which I do often) people should be able to see your qualities stand out even if you aren’t clad in your professional gear.  If you are passionate and authentic, this magically shines through.  Oh, confidence is a big factor…..that’s another blog. Make sure you are giving out the right vibe to maximize your “Return On Image”.

About Jolene:

Jolene Jang, helps small companies look like professional established companies through branding.  She caters to entertainers, professional speakers and hospitality vendors.  This service Maximizing ROI – Return On Image, is a division of her primary company,  the Meeting Maximizer, helps companies maximize their Return On Event. She establishes proper learning environments, eliminates distractions and most importantly focuses on the attendees.