7 Keys To Finding Your Voice In Business
Finding your voice in business as a professional speaker or coach can be the key to success. It sets you apart from the competition, makes you memorable to audiences, clients and customers, and helps you build a strong brand identity. However, knowing where to start when finding your voice can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you discover and develop your unique voice as a speaker or coach.
1. Know your values
Your values are the foundation of your voice. They shape your beliefs, attitudes, and actions. If you don't know what you stand for, it's hard to communicate that to others. Take some time to reflect on what's important to you and what you want your coaching or speaking business to represent. Please write down your values and use them to guide your communication and decision-making.
2. Define your audience
Knowing your audience is essential for finding your voice in your coaching or speaking business. You need to understand who your client or customers are, what they care about, and how they communicate. This will help you tailor your message to their needs and preferences. Take the time to research your ideal client avatar and develop them as buyer personas to guide you with your communication strategy.
3. Be authentic
I'm sure you've heard me say this before because it's so important; authenticity is critical. People can sense when someone is not genuine, and not speaking with an authentic voice can harm your business and your reputation. You don't need to pretend to be someone else to be successful. Instead, focus on being true to yourself and your values. Share your story, be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, and show vulnerability (you may also want to read my recent post about the importance of Powerful Vulnerability in authentic leadership). Authenticity builds trust and loyalty with your audience.
4. Develop a unique tone of voice
Your tone of voice is how you communicate your message. It should be consistent and reflect your brand's personality. Think about the words you use, the sentence structure, and the emotions you want to convey. Do you want to sound formal or casual? Professional or playful? Your tone of voice should align with your values and appeal to your audience.
5. Use storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful tool for finding your voice as you build your speaker or coaching business. Stories can help you connect with people on a deeper level and compellingly communicate who you are and your values. Use anecdotes, case studies, and personal experiences to illustrate your message. Ensure your stories are relevant and engaging, and always tie them back to your brand.
6. Practice, practice, practice
Finding your voice in business takes practice. This is a frequent theme in my presentation skills coach and trainer work. There is no shortcut here. Finding your voice is not something you can develop overnight. Take every opportunity to practice your communication skills, whether writing, speaking, networking, presenting on video or recording a Podcast. Get feedback from others and be willing to make adjustments. The more you practice, the more confident and comfortable you will become.
7. Stay true to yourself
Finally, remember to stay true to yourself. Your voice should reflect who you are and what you stand for. Don't try to be something you're not, and don't compromise your values for success. The most successful professional speakers and coaches are those that stay true to their unique voices and values.
Knowing how to find your voice in business, whether you are a professional speaker or coach, is essential for building a solid brand identity and connecting with your audience. It requires knowing your values, understanding your demographic, being authentic, developing a unique tone of voice, using storytelling, practising, and staying true to yourself.
Following these tips, you can develop your unique voice, build a successful speaking or coaching business, and stand out.
And as always, if you need a little help with that and would like to discuss coaching, CLICK HERE, and we'll set up a call.
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