Introducing Yourself On Tape - What to Say in Self Promotion!

Recently I was given the wonderful opportunity to be videotaped talking about my egg craft as well as demonstrating it. It will be on a Pittsburgh craft website as a series of introductions to local crafters in the city.

When starting the process I thought I would have no problem, that I could naturally speak in front of the camera and the process would go by so quickly and smoothly I wouldn't even break a sweat. Boy was I wrong!

Not only would I freeze in front of the camera, I would get down on myself for not saying the right thing or stumbling over my words. I wanted to make the video perfect, but at the same time I didn't think it necessary for me to dwell on the tapping until the day had arrived.

I decided to share some tips I was given by the wonderful women working with me that day in order to help anyone else who ever has to deal with preparing to either speak to a group about their crafts, get videotaped, or even just to talk to people while at a craft show.


TIPS:

1. Make sure you talk about yourself! - When I started talking I assumed all people cared about were my eggs. However, this is very untrue! People want to know about YOU too! They want to know why you make your craft, how long you have been making it, why you do it, how it makes you feel, how you make the time, and anything else you can think of! People really want to be able to put a face to the craft item they may buy from you. To remember you and talk about the artist with others when showing off their purchase makes the fact it was handcrafted all the more special.

2. Talk slowly - I realized I can talk a mile a minute, and it may sound perfect to me, sometimes others are still trying to put together one sentence I said while I'm finishing up the next. I was told to pause after two or three sentences. It forces you to slow down and allows people to really understand everything you are saying.

3. Make eye contact - Whether you are being videotaped or talking with people, eye contact is important. Make sure to take the time to look at who you are talking to. If you are demonstrating a craft, stop for a little bit to explain what you have done. If possible, letting people touch your project also connects them more with what you are making. I realize this can't happen with all crafts, but sometimes even having a reject item for people to handle is a great substitute.

4. Think about it in advance - One of the most important things to do it to think about the interview or just possible conversations that may arise at a show. Think about answers to questions like how long have you been crafting, what do you love best about it, and so on. Make questions you think people will as, or if you are doing an interview, ask what kind of questions you can expect. The more you think about it and practice answering the questions out loud, the better you will be when the time comes!

I hope this helps out. I find that more and more people are shy (like myself) though they are secretly outgoing, and their crafts reveal that. However one of the best promotional tools we have is talking to others ourselves. Word of mouth can only go so far, it's your mouth and what you say that will best aid your sales and image people have of you!