Sep 12 in Uncategorized
Written by: Heather Rast
Comfortable and relaxed interacting with a group
Tara strode into the room with ease and confidence, as though she had held a rapport with the persons in the room, and this was just one of several conversations she’d had with them. It felt as though she knew us.
Appeared genuine and authentic
Her delivery wasn’t without pause, occasional poor word choice or circuitous route to the point. But she was enthusiastic, energetic, and engaged the whole audience as she spoke.
Had a story to tell
She started at the beginning and made no presumptions about our knowledge about the various bits of her history. There was a tale, one that likely varies in some aspects each time its’ told but still remains true to the fabric of her life.
Challenged the audience to consider our choices
Tara made no pretense or polite suggestion that we think about life’s opportunities and challenges differently. She readily acknowledged that for many, accepting what works and setting about to change what doesn’t isn’t a level of honesty they’re prepared to embrace. But she told us we should, and had to.
Now while these core characteristics directly relate to my audience experience with Tana, I believve the umbrella themes have another purpose – a “rules to live by” guide to brands developing their corporate blogs, or considering starting a corporate blog.
- You have to be prepared for supporters and detracters, and be willing and ready to respond accordingly.
- You have to be real and approachable. Words resonate; people read them with their eyes, hear them in their ears, and develop mental photography. We can easily spot “real” from “fake.”
- Join your audience in a conversation, a dialogue. You talk some, taking them on a journey with you. They’ll ask questions when you’ve intrigued them, and you smooth out the rough edges in your replies.
- Complete your storytelling journey with a compelling call to action, or cause to think. Be evocative, and stimulate greater discussion and consideration.
At the end of the presentation, Ms. Gertz challenged us to turn disadvantages into opportunities, the power of positivity in order to be unforgettable. With little self-deprecation she stated she wasn’t the best educated, most sophisticated, or even the most clever. She just knew what she wanted to accomplish and refused to let circumstances hinder her drive to reach people and incite action. She found ways in, around, behind, over top, and underneath, and she worked them consistently and thoroughly.
Isn’t that what you hope your blog – your brand – can do?
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