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The Truth About “Razzle-Dazzle”
Can you succeed as an introverted speaker if you just don’t have that 🎇“razzle-dazzle” 🎇?
Yes, you can. In fact, you’ll be *more* successful in the long run than those who bank on flashiness to carry them through.
When I was finishing my graduate degree in journalism, I attended an event where agents and other industry professionals gave us feedback on entering the competitive world of TV News.
I’ll never forget one agent’s feedback for me.
“There are hundreds of thousands of perky blond girls trying to be on TV. Good luck.”
The agent completely dismissed me and was fixated on another young journalist with a whole lot of “razzle-dazzle.” She was loud, over-the-top, and frankly, pretty cheesy. Is that what the industry wanted? Did I have to become someone else to succeed at my job?
You might ask yourself the same question as an introverted speaker.
You see life-of-the-party “Ted” command attention at every meeting and event. Ted is cousins with Razzle-Dazzle Girl. He doesn’t have anything profound to say, but he looooves speaking louder than everyone else and turning heads.
But here’s the truth about razzle-dazzle: If it’s not backed by substance, you won’t go very far. Speakers who are loud, have gimmicks and try to mirror what they *think* it takes to grab attention don’t have staying power. They are a fire cracker that burns bright for a moment, then quickly fizzles out.
As I started my career, I decided to forgo razzle-dazzle and be just be myself. I committed to staying the warm, empathetic, often-goofy, intellectual girl who I’d always been. I also worked every shift from 3:30AM to 11:30PM. My commitment to my authentic self – not the “razzle-dazzle” – made me stand out from others, and I landed a dream job in television.
As for Razzle Dazzle Girl? Last time I checked, she was folding shirts at a mall. There is no shame in that job, but I imagine it’s not what she imagined for herself long term. The razzle-dazzle wasn’t enough. Authenticity always wins in the long run. 
Please don’t feel like you have to be like Ted or Razzle Dazzle Girl to succeed as a speaker. You don’t. In fact, some of the world’s best speakers are reflective, deep-thinking and even soft-spoken.
Commit to being your authentic self every time you speak and not only will your audience take notice, they will deeply value you and what you have to say.
#GoToSpeaker #speaker #publicspeaking #communications #confidence #determination #presentation