Does getting in front of an audience make you feel a bit queasy? One way to help settle those butterflies is to prepare well in advance so you can relax, be yourself, and connect authentically with your audience.  Being prepared is the first step to affirm you’re ready for the perfect opportunity to present itself.  You’ll be able to say yes to all of your ideal opportunities, knowing that you are really ready to step into the spotlight and shine!

Prepare to be seen.  How you do anything is how you do everything!  This is where your essence comes in. Knowing that piece of information is extremely helpful as you prepare to be seen, whether it is in front of a small group or on stage in front of a large audience.  Your essence is who you really are, and it is the place where your Unique Presence™ begins.

• Discover your Essence with a Fashion Feng Shui® Consultation.
• Plan your outfit and be sure it is clean, pressed and ready to go.
• Prepare your signature talk.
• Practice your talk in front of a mirror so you can see your facial expressions and several days before your presentation do a dress rehearsal wearing the outfit you plan to wear so you can be sure you feel comfortable (be sure to include shoes so you can see how they feel for a long period of time, especially if they are new!) .
• Bring along a Fashion Emergency Kit to save you from any wardrobe malfunctions. Click here to download my Fashion Emergency Kit checklist to create your own.

Presence — Discover your powerful Unique Presence™. Do you know how impactful you are?  Everyone has their own unique presence and no two people are alike.

• What makes you unique?
• How do others describe your personality?
• Who are you at the very core of your being?

Putting all that together will help you to discover your Powerful Unique Presence™. Combine your powerful Unique Presence™ with your Essence and you’ll find an authentic sweet spot that will attract your ideal clients to you!

Poise encompasses many things. How you walk, talk and dress are all part of your poise.

Are you ready to show grace under fire?  Are you prepared to answer questions from your audience or the media?  If you feel like you get a bit nervous or stressed under pressure you may want to get some coaching from a professional to help you to strategize how to handle those situations.

• Are you graceful when you walk? Have you seen yourself enter a room?  Practice walking into a room or onto a stage to greet your audience.
• Hire a professional speaking coach to help you be more confident.
• Your words make a big impact. Use them wisely!

Polish it. Your wardrobe and all of your accessories communicate your personal image. Pay attention to the details of your clothing as well as all of your accessories from your shoes and jewelry all the way down to the pen you write with.  Everything should reflect your Essence!

Position yourself for success! As an expert in your field you need to look the part.  Make sure you’re filling your closet ONLY with clothing that communicates your position, your essence, your personality and your brand. However, you do not need to wear your brand colors!

• Give the host of your event a professional Bio/Introduction, and bring an extra copy along just in case.
• Expect the unexpected! If you’re using slides in your presentation be sure to have the presentation on a thumb drive and bring it along as well as a hard copy of the presentation, just in case there are technical difficulties.

The 5 P’s are each a critical piece of the puzzle to feeling authentic and presenting a professional image to match your message. Need help putting it all together? Take the first step and apply for a complimentary Spotlight on Style Strategy Session with me!

“Spotlight on Style” radio show on Diva Toolbox Radio
Tuesday, June 15th — 10:00 am Eastern

Join me and my special guest, celebrity health and nutrition expert JJ Virgin for this month’s “Spotlight on Style” radio show when we’ll be talking about JJ’s new book “Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy!”

Blame Michelle Obama or any of the A-list actresses out there who flaunt their “great guns” in gorgeous sleeveless dresses. Stop being a hater. They earned those arms. They’ve also created a modern phenomenon amongst women called “arm envy.” Top wellness expert JJ Virgin says that “arms are the new accessory” and she’s not kidding! Put down the Prada and give away the Gucci. A great set of arms in a Target tank top says it all.

Please join JJ and me for my “Spotlight on Style” radio show on Tuesday, June 15th. We’ll be talking all about how to stop being self-conscious about your arms (and the rest of your body) and JJ’s plan to eat better, do cardio that works and burn fat so you look and feel great this summer. You won’t want to miss this one!

ABOUT JJ
Celebrity Health and Nutrition expert JJ Virgin is the premiere voice of scientific reason in the world of nutrition and wellness. She is the author of the new book, “Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy” (Simon & Schuster). Virgin is also a spokesperson for Emergen-C and Subway and spent two seasons as a health expert on “The Dr. Phil Show.” She is the co-star of the TLC reality series, Freaky Eaters.

JJ has provided nutrition and training programs for a wide variety of famous faces including CEO’s, athletes and celebrities including Gene Simmons, Ben Stiller, Tracie Thoms and the new big screen “Superman” Brandon Routh.

JJ has a PhD in holistic nutrition, is a board Certified Nutrition Specialist, has completed 38 graduate courses and is a master’s student at USF medical school in nutrition and metabolic medicine. Internationally recognized as the creator of the Weight Loss Resistance Revolution™ program, she is responsible for turning the most challenging weight loss resistant cases into stunning successes where clients stay lean for life.

Listen live or download the recording at www.blogtalkradio.com/laurie-mandato

Whether you’re just stepping into the spotlight or you’ve been there a while it’s important to have professional headshots to energize your marketing – both online and off. You’ll want to engage a professional photographer to capture your unique personality and style so your photos will help your clients and potential clients get to know who you are.

Here are my top tips for getting fabulous headshots:

1. Put Your Best Face Forward – In order to do that you need to pay attention to Your Essential Self Care.

• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat healthy nutritious foods that nourish your body.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Exercise your body so you feel energized.
• Meditate. (more…)

I have been watching the current season of Celebrity Apprentice and I especially enjoyed the episode where the teams were asked to do a music makeover for an up and coming country music artist.  Each team was asked to create an image/brand for the artist and get them media ready. It was really fun to see what the teams chose for their artist.  Team Rock Solid consisted of Brett Michaels (Rocker), Curtis Stone (Celebrity Chef) and Bill Goldberg (Actor/Wrestler).  Team Tenacity consisted of Sharon Osborne (Music Manager/TV Star) Holly Robinson-Peete (Actress), Cyndi Lauper (Grammy Winning Singer) and Maria Kanellis (Former WWE Diva).

The task required the teams to create a new image for their performer.  This included new clothes for their photo shoot, hair and makeup, media training (for interviews with magazine/TV people), and a media kit (for marketing). Then each artist would perform sporting their new look.

I was enjoying every minute of the show, but was really quite surprised at the outcome — the all male team won this challenge!  They really paid attention to the details.  One of the things I loved most was when the guys were discussing their artist’s “look” as they tried various shirts on him. The goal was to make him a bit “edgier.” At one point they were trying to choose a shirt and Bill Goldberg (the hulking wrestler) asked the singer what color his eyes were!  I couldn’t believe my ears!  Do guys really get that wearing your body colors (hair, skin and eyes) is a great way to make you shine?  I wonder …

While Curtis and Bill went out to shop for more clothes, Brett Michaels sat with the artist and coached him on speaking to the media while writing his one-sheet to be included in his media kit.  Brett gave him some great tips for speaking to media people from magazines or TV. He told him to be positive and remember that these people are really glad to meet you — so make eye contact and show them that you’re glad to meet them as well.

When Bill and Curtis returned, it was time for the photo shoot.  They didn’t have much luck shopping so they picked up some of Curtis’ clothes at the hotel and did the best they could with what they had.  Brett took off the chain he wears around his neck and asked Luke (the artist) to put it on. At first he was very apprehensive and even said it was a bit out of his comfort zone. But the guys encouraged him to go with it for a couple of photos and he agreed to give it a try. The biggest thing I noticed was how hard it seemed for Luke to make the changes the team was asking of him. It reminded me of what I often tell my own clients – It’s important to feel comfortable with any change and to make sure you are reflecting your essence and how you wish to be perceived. But, it is also a really good idea to be open to at least trying something new and different to see if it might resonate with who you are today. Who knows — you might even like it!

“Spotlight on Style” radio show on Diva Toolbox Radio
Tuesday, May 18th — 10:00 am Eastern

Join me and my special guest Lesley Bohm of Bohm Photography for this month’s “Spotlight on Style” radio show when our topic will be “How to Create Powerful Professional Headshots”

Whether you’re just stepping into the spotlight, or you’ve been there for a while, having professional headshots that reflect your authentic personality and style are a crucial piece of your marketing plan. Putting a face with your name on Facebook, Twitter, your website and blog, and in your printed materials helps current and potential clients “see” who you are.

Finding the right photographer is so important. When I decided to re-do my own headshots last year I chose the best of the best — Lesley Bohm. Her personality is non-intimidating, fun, and comfortable — a perfect fit for me. Lesley has a true gift when it comes to capturing her clients’ true essence and authentic self. Just take a look at the difference in my “old” headshot versus my new “authentic me” shot. Is that a dramatic change or what?

Please join Lesley and me for my “Spotlight on Style” radio show next Tuesday. We’ll be talking all about how to choose a great photographer and tips for making your photo shoot fun and successful. You won’t want to miss this one!

ABOUT LESLEY
Lesley Bohm is an accomplished professional photographer and artist who graduated from art school in Vancouver, Canada. She is very passionate about her photography. Her warm, inviting personality and abundant energy allow her to connect with her subjects to capture moments that translate into artistic and timeless images. Lesley has 20 years of experience in Los Angeles working in environmental portraiture, studio portraiture, and editorial photography. A number of her clients include high-profile names in the entertainment and music industry. Her work is widely published nationally and internationally in magazines, books, calendars, and advertising layouts. Lesley currently resides in the Los Angeles area with her family.

Listen live or download the recording at www.blogtalkradio.com/laurie-mandato

I’ve been preparing for my brand new workshop MEDIA READY! Step Up, Stand Out and Rock the Spotlight that I’ll be hosting in the Boston area on May 6th.  I’m getting some great feedback about content and I’m really excited to pull it all together for an exciting, fun and powerful day. This will be a small, intimate workshop and we’ll be opening registration soon — but first I’ll be sharing some juicy bits of the workshop and answering your questions on a FREE PREVIEW CALL, Wednesday, April 21st at 1:00 pm Eastern. I’d love it if you attend my workshop, but just being on the call will give you some great tips and ideas to get you “media ready” so you can step up, play BIG and be seen … with confidence, ease and grace.

Maybe you’re right at the edge of big success, but a little scared to take the next step and be SEEN. Or maybe you’re already in the public spotlight, but frustrated that you’re not seeing more success faster. Either way, your image is impacting your success. The image you present to the world matters!

If you’re not 100% positive that your public image is rock-solid authentic, be sure to join me on this live call!

For all the details, and to get registered for the preview call, visit www.lauriemandato.com/previewcall.

It’s going to be a fun and informative call … I hope you’ll join me!

Spring is such a beautiful time. I love watching the world turn from grey and brown to fresh shades of green. Flowers begin to bloom, the sun begins to shine more, and everyone and everything just seem more cheerful and exciting. It is truly the season of transformation.

Like butterflies, now is the time for us to come out of hiding, shed our cocoons and let the world see our brilliance. But just as it takes time for a butterfly to grow and change and spread its beautiful wings, it also takes time for us to stretch and grow and step into our brilliance. Sometimes our transformation stalls. We get stuck in the past, reliving an old story. Let go of the past! Allow yourself to really step into that place of authenticity and show up as the amazing woman that you are today.

To help you visualize and energize your transformation, Feng Shui expert Helen Whitehead of ivillage.com offers this suggestion: “Place an image of a butterfly in the energetic arena in which you’d like to find a sense of freedom.  Butterfly symbols are often placed inside the ‘Fame’ area, especially if you’re attempting to transform or transcend your current state of circumstances with optimism, ease and grace.” To help you find the “energetic arena” you want to focus on, you’ll want to use a bagua map. Here is a link to one that is very easy to use: http://www.tranquilspaces.com/the_bagua.php

Begin to make small, manageable changes — baby steps — in the direction of your vision for yourself and your business. A key element is your outward appearance. When you take steps to really show up authentically in your appearance, everything else falls into place. You will relax into your self, enabling you to speak from your heart with little or no effort. It all begins to really make sense, and from that place you are able to radiate your brilliance.  But transformation sometimes means that we need to step out of our comfort zone, step toward the woman you are today and away from who you were five or ten years ago.

Spring is the perfect time to start the journey to becoming the REAL you.  Start by paying attention to how you feel when you wear certain things — different fabrics, styles, colors. Start journaling about how these different things make you feel or affect you.  Jot down when someone compliments you — what color or style were you wearing? Start paying attention to the clothes in your closet and what you wear the most. Most women are wearing 20% of their clothes 80% of the time!  Start weeding out the clothes that don’t fit any longer, or don’t communicate the right message.

When you start dressing with authenticity and intention you will notice a difference.  Don’t ever settle for “just okay” when you can be FABULOUS!  Always strive to be your personal best.

©2010 Laurie Mandato

Your personal image speaks volumes about you before you ever utter a word. What is yours saying about you? Watch as Laurie talks about finding an authentic image to match your message.

You just got called to speak in front of your biggest audience yet … are you ready to run and hide because you don’t have a clue what you will wear? Watch as Laurie talks about finding your authentic style using her favorite style system Fashion Feng Shui®.