9 Tips For

Looking Great
On Stage
Published by Karen R. Power
Florissant, MO

© 2016 Karen R. Power

Cover by Karen R. Power

All rights reserved.

karenpower.com

karenpower.com 2
 Table Of Contents
Introduction 4 7. Get On Camera 31

1. Cover The Basics 6 8. Got Ink? 33

2. Choose Your Colors 18 9. Get Packed 34

3. Be Comfortable 20 Conclusion 40

4. Silence Is Golden 25 Time To Stop Dreaming 41

5. Put On A Happy Face 26 Speak & Get Paid 42

6. Secure The Microphones 28 About the Author 43

karenpower.com 3
 Introduction
We all see things on Facebook that make us stop and wonder.
Right?

For me, it’s pictures that professional speakers post from their
speaking events. I began noticing a common thread among
them. If I hadn’t known who the speakers were, I would not
have been able to point them out in the group photos or the
onstage action shots. These speakers, in some cases, were
dressed more casually than the audience members.

I began to wonder what they knew about dressing for the

stage. Had anyone ever mentioned some basic tips to help
them look, as well as sound, as professional as possible?

karenpower.com 4
 Introduction
To answer this question I turned to the experts. I went to
professional speakers that I've known for years and trust. I asked
these speakers to share from their insight and experience to fill in
the gaps for me and any speaker who wants to present a more
professional image in front of their audiences.

That’s when this ebook was born. I want to provide some well-
kept secrets for preparing for the stage by speakers who learned
from their mistakes, gleaned from others, and from their years of
doing it right—people like Sarah Meece, Melissa Maimone, Jenny
Broughton, Andrea Sharp, Peter Rosenberger, Debbie Hannah
Skinner and CJ Rapp.

These tips can take you to the next level at your speaking events.

karenpower.com 5
 1. Cover The Basics
One of the best rules for how to dress is this. . .dress
one step above your audience. When in doubt, or
better yet, always ask the event planner what the
dress code will be.
Do Wear: Don’t Wear: Women:

• Color. Wear what you feel
good in, or get
complimented in.
• Tailored shirts and jackets.
• Classic ties for men.
• Items that reflect your
true style and reach your
audience.
• Wild patterns or • Matte finishes are best.
horizontal stripes.
• Make sure your hair is
• Shirts with writing on freshly cut and colored.
them. Men:
• Sleeveless shirts. • Make sure your hair is
freshly cut.
• Low necklines or short
skirts. • Shave the morning
before the session

karenpower.com 6
 1. Cover The Basics
Being a former business education teacher, I am a stickler for
dress. As I always told my students who competed in competition,
“FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE CRITICAL!” I constantly encouraged my
students to look their very best. Honestly, I think we perform
better when we feel good about the way we are dressed. (Sarah
Meece)

Regarding what to wear, it’s wise to ask yourself, “Will this help or
hinder my message?” and “Will this create a bridge or a barrier
between me and my audience?” It's better to be over-dressed than
under-dressed. You can always take off accessories and such, but
being under-dressed for an event can lead to lots of unnecessary
self-consciousness that can hinder your presentation. (Debbie
Hannah Skinner)

karenpower.com 7
 1. Cover The Basics
Men, wear a jacket most of the time. Even if with a
nice shirt and jeans, a jacket can step it up a
notch. (Peter Rosenberger)

Ask questions of the event planner about what they

expect. Double check about denominational views too.
Be yourself but not overpowering. (Jenny Broughton)

karenpower.com 8
 1. Cover The Basics
It takes a lot of time to develop a presentation, go
over notes, prepare visuals, and pack merchandise.
Which means, if you are anything like me, you will
have about 15 minutes left to throw a few things into
a bag and leave for the airport! Despite those rushed
trips to the airport, I've learned a few things about
packing and clothing choices along the way. I’ve
learned that dressing for a speaking engagement
takes preparation and thought. No sense in setting up
distance between you and your audience before your
mouth utters a word!

karenpower.com 9
 1. Cover The Basics
Know your audience. Are you speaking at a church in
the south or along a coastal community? Are they
from a rural community where the biggest store in
town is Wal-Mart, or are they in a hub of a large city?
I believe in the old adage to dress one level above
your audience. But if you show up in 4 inch heels and
your audience is made up of people who live in a
farming community, you've gone about 4 levels above
your audience. It will be harder to win over your
audience because they will not instinctively feel that
they can relate to you. That makes your job harder.

karenpower.com 10
 1. Cover The Basics
Remember, how you dress is just another form of
communication. Your outfit, hairstyle, shoes, and nails
all say something about you. What exactly it says is
up to you. I have found that the Southern states
dress up more than Western states like California and
Washington. At many events in the South, jeans
would be completely inappropriate. And yet, that
same pair of jeans in California would be just right.
(Melissa Maimone)

karenpower.com 11
 1. Cover The Basics
Don’t overdress for your environment. Have someone
you trust take a picture of what you are wearing from
a distance. If it is unflattering don't wear it, no matter
how comfortable it is! (CJ Rapp)

Wear clothes that resist wrinkles or can be ironed

quickly.

karenpower.com 12
 1. Cover The Basics
What the speaker wears depends on the event and
the venue. It is a great idea to discuss attire with the
event planner, if there is any question in your mind to
the appropriate attire. Always dress a bit above the
audience, but don't out-dress them to the point you
make them feel uncomfortable. Always iron or press
your clothing; no wrinkles or torn articles of clothing.

For retreats (i.e. speaker at weekend retreat):

Business Casual is appropriate.

karenpower.com 13
 1. Cover The Basics
For church events or conferences (i.e. speaker at women's
conference): Business Attire is appropriate. You do not have to
be stuffy; we need to come across real. A suggestion would be
to wear black pants and a jacket or skirt and jacket.

Ask the event planner what attire is required for

participants. If they are wearing jeans and t-shirts, then it is
possibly permissible to wear dress casual. Nice jeans may be
appropriate; if so, wear an extremely nice top and jacket or
vest with nice shoes, preferably heels. Sweatpants should not
be worn by speakers unless it is an extenuating circumstance,
such as for a sporting/gym event, approved, or suggested by
the event planner.

karenpower.com 14
 1. Cover The Basics
If you are there early enough, go to a local hair salon
nearby the venue, and get your hair washed and
styled. It's a great way to have your own personal
hair stylist. Take a picture of your hair to the stylist if
you want to give them a guide on what you want to
look like.

Always have a travel-size mouthwash, or breath

freshener, on hand; you will meet a lot of people.

karenpower.com 15
 1. Cover The Basics
Especially for the ladies: Nude colored
undergarments are best, unless wearing black. Also, if
wearing a dress, one-piece slips that go from shoulder
to mid-thigh present a seamless appearance. If
wearing pants, consider wearing Spanx. It fits close to
your skin so pants slide easily over them and there
are no panty lines. (Andrea Sharp)

karenpower.com 16
 1. Cover The Basics
• Never wear heavy perfume or cologne
• Never wear t-shirts
• Never wear tennis/gym shoes or flip flops
• Never wear revealing clothing; lean toward
conservative
• Never wear caps or hats
• Hair and nails should be well groomed

karenpower.com 17
 2. Choose Your Colors
Develop your basics in grays, navy, blue, and black.
Accent with a pop of color to inject some personality
without going over the top. The basic, core colors
should make up 80% of your wardrobe, with other
colors used as accent pieces.

Avoid wearing a complete outfit of solid black or dark

colors as it will look like one dark blob, especially on
camera. Black is okay, but mix it with another color.
For example, a black skirt or slacks with a different
color shirt.

karenpower.com 18
 2. Choose Your Colors
I often dress in the same color scheme as my branding. All of
my marketing materials are black and pink with a touch of
green, as well as the cover of my book. Utilizing the same
colors will often make people remember you so I will often wear
black slacks and a pink blazer or a green blazer. (Sarah Meece)

Simplify your wardrobe.

Colors depend on the person’s hair color and skin tone. I don’t
wear white or yellow when I’m speaking because it tends to
wash me out in video or pics. It’s beneficial for each person to
have their color scheme done by a professional. If there’s a
cost, it’s fairly inexpensive, but can really be beneficial. (Andrea
Sharp)

karenpower.com 19
 3. Be Comfortable
Do not play with your hair or clothing. If your
undergarments, clothes or hairstyle are
uncomfortable, change them.

I knew a speaker whose bra strap seemed to bother

her whenever she spoke. She developed a very
distracting habit of moving her shoulder around while
she spoke. (Karen Power)

karenpower.com 20
 3. Be Comfortable
Wear comfortable clothing that is well tailored.

For me, it’s a must to be comfortable in what I’m

wearing, whether that’s slacks or nice jeans (nice
jeans are becoming more acceptable in speaking
venues). At a church or conference, it’s important to
look very professional. I prefer slacks or pants versus
dresses or skirts, because I don’t like the way dresses
or skirts look when I’m standing still verses moving.
Video and pictures are presented better with me in
pants. (Andrea Sharp)

karenpower.com 21
 3. Be Comfortable
Be comfortable. I'm not talking about sneakers and
sweatpants. But if you are not used to wearing heels, your
speaking engagement is not the time to start. If you feel you
are best in a great pair of jeans, they might be better to wear
than a dress that was last worn on Easter Sunday two years
ago. If the goal is to serve the audience, then we need to feel
comfortable and confident. If you are wearing something that
is outside of the norm for you, chances are you will feel more
self-conscious. And when a person is self-conscious, they are
thinking about themselves—not their audience. People can tell
when you are not in tune with them. And if they have hired
YOU to speak, then be the best YOU—including how you dress.
Dress like you. Anything else is a show. (Melissa Maimone)

karenpower.com 22
 3. Be Comfortable
Dressing for comfort is critical. Shoes that hurt your
feet, pants that are too tight, or shirts that show too
much distract from your presentation for you and your
audience. (CJ Rapp)

Shoes have to be incredibly comfortable. The

investment in a good pair of neutral colored shoes
cannot be understated. By the time the event ends,
we’ve been on our feet for hours. Miserable, achy and
sore feet are not worth cheap shoes, no matter how
cute they may be! (Andrea Sharp)

karenpower.com 23
 3. Be Comfortable
Wear comfortable shoes.

Wear shoes that are cleaned and polished.

karenpower.com 24
 4. Silence Is Golden
Avoid clothes rubbing against the microphone, jingle-bell
earrings, jangling jewelry, buttons, jingling coins in pockets or
other offensive sounds. (Karen Power)

Don’t wear necklaces with lapel microphones. Invariably, they

get hung up on each other and that creates havoc with the
sound. (Andrea Sharp)

Stay away from large earrings. They hit the headset mic and
invariably the sound tech will tell you to take them off. (Melissa
Maimone)

Wear jewelry sparingly; nothing dangling, clanging, or

distracting.

karenpower.com 25
 5. Put On A Happy Face
If you can get your makeup done by a professional, it
makes a difference. If you do your own, do not wear
anything that glitters.

Use neutral tones on eye makeup, and a pretty color of

lipstick. For lipstick, use the kind that lasts all day and has
the sealer along with the color. Lipstick getting on teeth is
not good. I’ve arrived at an event, introduced myself,
spoken with other ladies, smiled A LOT, and then gone into
the restroom. Looking in the mirror, I saw that I had
lipstick on my teeth! Ugh! I was so embarrassed. That’s
why I now invest in lipstick with the sealer. (Andrea Sharp)

karenpower.com 26
 5. Put On A Happy Face
Wear makeup well, not heavy. Wear lipstick and blush;
otherwise, the speaker can tend to look washed out on the
stage.

I began to notice that under lights my facial

features washed out making it very difficult for the audience
to see my expressions. . .a HUGE part of communication. I
hired a professional makeup artist to teach me how to apply
makeup for stage lighting. I also asked her for tips for low
light or natural light. Now my makeup enhances my features
whether I'm speaking to a small group or shooting video on
a big stage. It was a great investment and I am still using
the tips she taught me today. (CJ Rapp)

karenpower.com 27
6. Secure The Microphones
I traveled with a speaker who always carried a few band-aids
with her. Her hairstyle didn’t lend itself to pinning a headset in
place; however, she could discreetly use a clear or flesh colored
band-aid to secure an over-the-ear headset. (Karen Power)

When wearing a headset microphone, if someone can help you

put it on, that’s always best. It’s best to have a person of your
same gender help secure the mic and mic pack because of using
bobby pins and tucking the mic and mic pack in discreet
locations. It’s good to carry your own bobby pins to use to secure
the headset behind the ears. Without those, mine tend to move a
lot. A good thing with video and pictures, I prefer to have a
blouse on so that the cord can drop down between my back and
the blouse, so cord isn’t hanging everywhere. (Andrea Sharp)

karenpower.com 28
6. Secure The Microphones
In one of my first experiences speaking in front of a
large congregation, I agonized for days over what to
wear. I was speaking to a mixed crowd of men and
women, and I wanted to look confident yet
approachable, feminine yet strong. I found the perfect
dress that seemed to cover all of those things. I
sashayed into the venue with aplomb, and was
promptly handed the headset mic by the sound guy.
"Just put this on your belt and we will do the sound
check,” he said, while scurrying off to do the myriad of
things a sound tech does.

karenpower.com 29
6. Secure The Microphones
There I stood, panic sweeping over me as I realized I had no belt
on which to clip the mic pack. "Sound Check!” he yells. In a
panic, I did the only thing a girl can do, I shoved the mic pack
into my already tight Spanx and hoped that mixing lycra and
electronics would not cause a fire. By the time my presentation
was over, the mic pack was covered in sweat, and I had an
almost permanent indentation on my skin where the pack had
been. I sheepishly handed the pack back to the sound tech, who
then not-so-subtly dried it off on his jeans. Needless to say, I
now stick to pants or skirts whenever I speak. (Melissa Maimone)

Position the lapel mic to make sure it doesn't pop or pick up

heavy breathing, etc.

karenpower.com 30
 7. Get On Camera
If your presentation is going to be recorded on video,
make the most of it! Excerpts of your video can be
used for a sizzle reel or other promotional videos, so
think carefully about how you dress.

Stay away from solid white or solid black tops. Nix

any busy patterns too. Bright, solid colors play well on
camera. Try to dress in something that is not overly
trendy. You won't be able to use the video for a long
period of time if you look outdated by the next fashion
season.

karenpower.com 31
 7. Get On Camera
Keep your hair out of your eyes. It creates a shadow on
the camera, and, in real life, can put a barrier between
you and your audience. If they cannot see your eyes
well, it will be easier for them to disengage.

If possible, make sure your eyebrows are visible too.

Eyebrows lend a lot of expression to your face, and they
help convey the story you want to tell. If you look at
television shows, notice how many actresses have their
hair completely off their face. It's so that people can see
every nuance of expression easily. (Melissa Maimone)

karenpower.com 32
 8. Got Ink?
Tattoos are becoming more widely accepted. As a general
rule, if you have tattoos that can be seen, it is wise to
check with the event planner. In some instances, it is
okay if they are seen. In other instances, it’s best to
cover them. If you are unsure, err on the side of
conservative opinion. (Karen Power)

As with anything else, dress appropriately for your

audience. If you have any doubt about it, cover it up. No
sense in setting up distance between you and your
audience before your mouth utters a word! (Melissa
Maimone)

karenpower.com 33
 9. Get Packed
As air travel restrictions and baggage charges continue to
rise, simplifying your wardrobe comes in handy!
Remember to stick with the core colors, add splashes of
color, and mix and match as much as possible. (Karen
Power)

Try everything on the week of the event to make sure it

still fits well. I once grabbed an ill-fitting outfit I had worn
months before, not realizing it no longer felt comfortable
and didn’t look too great. The last thing you want is to be
worrying about how loose/tight/uncomfortable you feel in
your clothes. (Debbie Hannah Skinner)

karenpower.com 34
 9. Get Packed
If you are flying in and out the same day, pack a
second pair of socks, underwear, and possibly a shirt
in your carryon. Just in case your airplane get
cancelled or delayed.

Roll your clothing items as you pack them. Pack them

in a carryon, if possible. Don't check luggage. Drop
ship your products to the venue, if you're flying.

karenpower.com 35
 9. Get Packed
When I fly to an event I do not check my luggage, but
keep it and my computer bag with me. Most airlines will
allow 2 carryons. I bought a suitcase that is the exact
dimensions that airlines allow on board. Those can be
found easily at department stores and they have tags on
them that specify for carryon luggage. I can get quite a
bit of stuff in there. At the gate they tag my suitcase for
the airplane staff to board and my computer bag stays
with me. It’s too big to go in an overhead bin, but fits
nicely under the seat in front of me. When the flight is
over, the staff brings my suitcase to jet way and I pick it
up. (Andrea Sharp)

karenpower.com 36
 9. Get Packed
Do yourself a favor and purchase a good travel bag
that displays all your toiletries well. Then purchase a
set of travel items you will need and keep them ready
to go in your bag. Include things like Tylenol PM for
those time changes, extra bobby pins, toothpaste,
toothbrush, safety pins, lotion, nail file, tweezers, and
your favorite makeup. (Melissa Maimone)

karenpower.com 37
 9. Get Packed
If you're arriving the day of the event, be sure to
dress in a way that is presentation ready— just in
case your plane, or other transportation, is delayed
and you have to go straight to the stage. (Debbie
Hannah Skinner)

karenpower.com 38
 Conclusion
Dressing for the stage starts before you pack your luggage
and before you prepare your presentation. It starts when you
first decide that you want to be perceived as a true
professional. . .doing everything with excellence. It starts
with creating your brand that connects with your audience
and helps to maximize the impact of the message you deliver.

Look over your publicity head shots, your website, your

promotional materials, your presentation videos. Are they
congruent with the style, colors, branding, and overall image
you want to portray to your audience? Do they reflect a level
of excellence that leads event planners to want to book you
as a professional speaker?

karenpower.com 39
 Conclusion
It’s more than just about the clothes you wear or your
hairstyle. Consistency in every area of delivering your
message is important as it causes event planners and
audiences to take notice, book and attend your events,
purchase your products, and spread your message.

To learn more about each of the speakers who

contributed to this ebook, visit
ChristianSpeakersServices.com.

karenpower.com 40
 Time To Stop Dreaming
And Start Doing!
Ready. Set. Speak! guides speakers of any level to take their next
steps from what they only imagine to reaching their goals.

Creating a speaking career doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t

happen because you are able to stand on a stage, make a great
presentation, and hear the applause of the crowd. It happens when
you ready through planning your steps; when you have set goals and
do specific tasks; and, then take action to make it happen.

Speakers are saying, "I love the idea of the activities!" and "I can't
wait to work through it!"

Ready. Set. Speak! has 31 activities designed to focus your dreams

of being a professional speaker into making it a reality. Jumpstart your
speaking career because it's time for you to get Ready. Set. Speak!

Available at karenpower.com

karenpower.com 41
 Speak & Get Paid

PACKED WITH EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED

TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR SPEAKING GOALS

"Speak & Get Paid kicks the speaker’s career up a notch! These fresh ideas move us into an
up-to-date world and give our presentations more energy and realness. You will see fast results
and relate to your audience better. I encourage you to get on board!" ~ Tammy Whitehurst,
Christian Motivational Speaker & Comedian

Available at speakgetpaid.com

karenpower.com 42
 About The Author

karenpower.com

karenpower.com 43