Tracy Pohlmann

Welcome to behind the lectern. Since 2006. Your host, Jeff Klein has been working with speakers at all levels, from beginners to Toastmasters International Award winners, from experts to national speaker Association Hall of Famers. In each episode, Jeff introduces you to some of these speakers as you learn about their speaker journey, how they got started, where they came from, where they're going, and more. Take the lessons they have learned on their way to help you with your own path to make speaking work for you. Let's get started.

Everybody, welcome to another episode of Behind the lectern. This is Jeff Klein. I'm excited to introduce you to my guest today. Today's guest is Tracy Pohlmann. Hi, Tracy.

Hey, Jeff, thanks for having me today. Appreciate it.

Looking forward to hearing about your speaker journey. So Tracy is an award winning speaker, certified trainer, entrepreneur, and personal image expert. She has assisted over 9000 Women in creating a stylish and professional personal image to advance their careers and attract their ideal customers. Her desire for encouraging underserved women helping local charities and numerous outreach events has awarded her recognition from one of the largest health care organizations. She's passionate about helping professional women discover a simple, cost effective way to dress so they can feel great about the way they look no matter their age or shape. They can exude more confidence, and they can create an impression that makes them shine in their career. That's pretty good stuff. Crazy.

Oh, thanks, Jeff.

So how did you find your way to the image job as opposed to being that friend that people help? Or friends?

Yeah. Well, you know, actually, my journey starts out into something that people would think, how in the world did she end up where she's at today? Because I actually started out working for a manufacturing company. I was in the quality department, I wore a uniform hairnet, hard hats, steel toed shoes, I knew nothing about dress at all, like absolutely nothing. And I remember getting a promotion at work as a manager, and actually as a training manager, and I got to wear normal clothes. And I had absolutely no clue how to dress. Like, it seemed like everybody knew that formula on how to create a killer look. And I was missing many of the ingredients. And so it started this whole journey of trying to figure out how to dress. I mean, like, I had no clue. So if anyone's out there, and they're like, I just have no clue how to even begin believing me, I've been in your shoes. And so then over the years, I actually started selling jewelry for a while and started learning how to create that image and how to create that professional image. So that's where I started really learning and honing in. And people started like, wow, like, this is so easy when I would explain it because I, I'm the type of person, I gotta simplify it, I can't make it complicated. So I was able to create like this little formula of how to put it all together with a little bit of rules. And so it's not rocket science, and it really helps people really figure out how to do it. So that's me.

Yeah. Well, and how did that turn into speaking? Well,

basically, I, as a training manager, I had to many times give speeches. And then I started actually, for the company, I started going around to all of our different locations, doing training, teaching people how to train teaching people, those speaking skills, like how to get up in front of a group, especially when you're nervous, and little tips like that, that I was constantly training people on how to do it. Because basically, for the organization that I worked for, we've disqualified everyone from their jobs, and they had to re qualify. So I helped people come up with the skill sets that were needed, decided, how are we going to transfer those skills over to those people. And so many times it was teaching people how to present do training classes, do kinds, all kinds of things like that. And then it kind of led into that whole speaking, when I was doing the jewelry business and speaking in front of groups of 10 people or groups of 1000s of people. So

yeah, one and the present. You were teaching Presentation skills. Where did that content come from was that the company provided it or they sent it to Carnegie or Ziglar, or something like that.

I attended a bunch of training classes that taught me like I became a certified trainer. And so a lot of times, I would learn it that way. But then blood I learned a lot from that would actually take the classes that I was teaching, and they would teach their tips, I'll never forget this one woman, she was like, every time and she was a dynamic speaker, let me just tell you that. And every time she would get up, she would do this thing with her hand, she would put her little thumb with her index finger, and she would sometimes do both hands, and she would kind of hold it behind her back. And it's some type of physiological thing that just gives you that energy when you're nervous. And so like, I would teach things like that, because other people would share it. And I was like, this is dynamic. And I've done it many times myself, and have been shocked at how well it does work when I do it. So do you know that one? No, I don't know. Show me again. Yeah. So it's your gesture there? Yes, exactly. And so you can hold them behind your back when you start. And many times people need that just to kind of get going, especially when you're nervous. Yeah. So it's there is a, I don't know, there's some type of physical thing that is involved with that. So I picked up a lot of different tips just talking to dynamic speakers as well. So yeah,

that's the whole teach, you know, it's easier to learn from your mistakes leads you to learn from somebody else's mistakes, or rather, it's less painful to learn from somebody else's mistakes. Exactly. You don't have to get the bruises that they've gotten. Definitely, let's So number one, do you remember who's the like the presentation? Its content itself, the first stuff you were learning, you remember which flavor of presentation teaching? It was? As far as I'm just more more curious

what it has been 22 years probably has been more like 23 years or so. Okay. Yeah. Since then.

I never took any of those courses. That's why I'm more curious. Because I mean, I know. I know. Ziglar offers a certification for presentations. And Dale Carnegie that was the the only place to go back in the day was to Dale Carnegie and of course Toastmasters. But that's not as I don't know, formal is not the right word. But you know what I mean, it's different.

This was like, and I've tried to wrack my brain trying to remember in trying to find the certification because I kept it like, quite frankly, that it was not it was not one of the ones you've heard of that it was a certification process that you had to go through. And I probably had to remember how many hours because it was like week long seminars that I had. And

it was it was obviously it was somebody who sold a package to your company. Exactly. Then it was William J. Pedy. Fat. Yes, presentations, Inc. Whatever.

It was teaching people, how people learned all the different ways that people learn some people are visual, some people need hands on. So it was a lot of that as well. Great. Well course for trainers. Yes, it was not just speaking skills, but it was also Yeah, how to put together programs for people, which has really helped me in my business. Because I know how to put material together. People always used to say that man, how do you do that so quickly? And I'm like, I don't know. It's just in my nature, I guess.

Yeah. And stuff, like building a curriculum and things like that are stuff that I never learned formally. But I picked up along the way, because I work, you know, working with other people. And by being the student, I learned, you know, a lot of that kind of stuff as well. So, yes, definitely. Some of it's on the job. And some of it.

Yeah, I think more of what we do is probably on the job, right? I mean, like, the book training, like if you think about like, even the skills that you learned in school, until you actually get out there and you're experiencing it, that's when you truly learn how to do something. So for me, that has been crucial. So on the job training, the school of hard knocks right

that well, and that's the there couple of times in my life where I had a choice to go to school, or just take the job. And both times I took the job and do the school. Yeah, the first was when I went into the movie business. And I was grant, you're going to film school is going to graduate schools and I had an opportunity to go to start working on a music video. And that led to a movie. And so I never did the three year film school or two year, whatever the film school program and of course, I had a different journey than I would have if I had gone to film school. But, you know, I started sweeping sweeping the floors, and wound up doing props and art directing. And if I'd gone to film school, I probably you know, would have gone the producer, director, writer, that whole route, but I had a good time. So no, no regrets there. That's great. Yeah, the other time was, when I started my ad agency, I was choosing whether I wanted to go to get my MBA, and be unemployed for the rest of my life, or the self employed guy for the rest of my life. And I chose the self employed, and here we are. That's,

that's great. I know, it's no regrets here, either. So more for I think this year is going on 22 years. I imagine working for anybody at this point in time in my life, like

I went from college to self employed in the movie business, which is subcontractor or, yeah, and working retail part time to make things to pay the bills. Yes. And then I was an employee for about five years. Yeah. And since 2001, it's been then on me to bring the bring home the kibble as it were.

Yes. That's wonderful. That's great.

And a lot of folks like you came out of corporate and then went into entrepreneurship, which is the end? There's a lot of that happening nowadays, isn't there?

Oh, there sure is, I think, you know, people are getting a feel for the way the world is going and how companies are treating them. And they're deciding they want a different life. And that's wonderful.

Yeah. And you and I are going to be replaced by a robot. Exactly. Because of what we do. Yes. So talk to me a little bit about some of the nonprofit work you've been doing. I love hearing about you know about how people give back. And I know that she's helping women.

Yes. You know, what I used to partner with hospital all the time. Right now, it's been a little bit challenging, but just for underprivileged women in the community. And we would do all kinds of different fundraisers and different things like that. So love being able to give back I was actually just looking at it the other day, because someone had mentioned dress for success. And so I was looking at where is the local one here? They're either two hours or an hour away. And I'm like, How can I get involved with that? Because really helping people helping women figure out how to put together that look for whatever their brand is that they're trying to accomplish? It helps so much in everything that we do. Because many times if we don't get that image, right, you know, sometimes people think well, does it really matter? But it does, because it is a first impression. And they say within seven seconds, people form an opinion of you. Whether they like you whether they want to collaborate with you whether they want to do business with you. Yeah, yes, exactly. So a lot of people don't really think about that, and how that image, it impacts that. But it also impacts our self confidence and how we feel about ourselves. Because if you can think back to a time when you knew you looked your personal best. You were on cloud nine. You see your cat's loving this too.

This is this, she's just over one year old and she he just, you know, when the screen moves, it means she's rubbing her face against it so

well, it's okay. She I think she's wanting to work on her appearance, too. So maybe you need a little cat dress or something for her.

Yeah. Imagine the scars. I'll get putting that on her.

Exactly. Yeah, cats don't like to be dressed up. Dogs, maybe but not cats.

And then the older ones 18. And he's running around here somewhere, too. So

Oh, that's fun. That's fun. I'm an animal lover. So loving animals. But yeah, those things really helping women be able to gain that confidence that they need because it really does help and it also helps in productivity. A lot of times people don't realize that. It helps in your focus when you're in character like you know, today. Could I be in my pajama pants when I'm talking to you? Yes, I could. But I know I've got pants on. I've got heels on. I've got the whole nine yards because I know when I dress that way it puts me into character. have a successful business woman. So I think a lot of times people don't think about that having that much of an impact. So love to be able to share that with others that especially new people that are coming, you know, these young adults, these young women, I've done a lot with the schools and different things like that around here, knowing that I would not get anything in return, just to try to help them in dressing because I think, especially our younger youth, they don't think about the way they dress that much.

Yeah, well, then part of it is because they don't expect to be seen. Yes. Which is, you know, nowadays, but well, and you know, some things we do Tracy, because we want to make the world a better place.

Yes. Definitely.

The immediate reward or or reward? Cognitive reward at all right? Yes, exactly. Yeah. So, yep. So talk to us about how you help your clients right now. The folks that pay you so you can afford to, to help the the people who can?

Yes, yes, well, mainly, I helped speakers figure out what to wear. That is one of the biggest things I think a lot of people are like, You know what, they're so busy in their careers. They're like, just tell me how to dress, tell me what I should wear. And I will just show up in that, and I will be perfectly happy. I hate shopping. I hate doing all of these things. So most of my clients come to me because of that. And one of the things that I do is I really work with what do you have? Because most people have a lot of what they need.

Yeah, I was gonna ask if you do the whole closet walkthrough thing, and you can do that, too. Yeah.

Yes, I do it virtually. I work with my clients, I used to work in person only. And so over the last two years trying to figure out how do I do this virtually? Which I we always wanted to, but how do you do it to be effective? So yes, I go through, we actually walk through the client's closet, what works, what doesn't work. Because if you don't feel good in the clothes that you're in, in, it doesn't look good on you. And I know over the years, this has happened to me gained a little bit of weight. Like as, as I've gone through the seasons of life, it's like, oh, yeah, it sure is. And so sometimes things don't fit you as well as it used to, and you're not happy when you put them on. So really helping people look at what is their body shape, and everyone has a great body shape. And we really accentuate those positive features and de emphasize the negative in how you dress and believe it or not, the way you put your clothes on, it has an optical illusion. Yeah, can either look taller or shorter, bigger or smaller, it can look, you know, different parts of your body can be emphasized or de emphasized just by the way you put your clothes on. And

I learned some of Yeah, I learned about some of that in my degrees in theater. So I learned way back in college, about how you can walk for stand a different way to give to help add to those same illusions.

Exactly. Oh, definitely. So and I teach a lot about like, how to walk on the stage, how to walk off the stage, different things like that. Because most of my clients are looking to advance their careers and want to get noticed more. And one of the things that can help you do that is by dressing a certain way, especially when we're all on these zoom squares, like how do you get noticed? When you're in a group of 50 100 people? How do you get noticed, right? Yeah. Oh, yeah.

And yeah, I mean, that's something we spend a lot of time on now. Is that because virtual speaking is different than speaking in person? Yes. You got to spend time looking at the little dot the little light. Yep. So people so you, you simulate eye contact by looking at the dot, you know, looking at the eye of the light? Because that's the camera. Yes, exactly. Yeah, we have to look at that. Because by looking at you on my screen, yes. As opposed to looking up there. You know, you have to you have to go back and forth. Because it's hard to as a speaker, I want to see the reactions. So when I'm speaking, I have myself in gallery view. So I can see the audio of the whole audience. Yes. And that helps me with their reactions. But I still have to occasionally look up at the light and remind, especially when I'm making a specific point and referring to them that on the presenter and the

Oh, definitely, definitely. It is different. Isn't it being more virtual and unfortunately, I think we have to embrace it because I've heard a lot people say, I'm just gonna wait until I can get back on physical stages. And I'm like The blog because I don't think it's ever going to go back 100% to the way it was before. It's gonna have this. Yeah.

And the truth is, it's to our benefit, because hybrid events are going to always be a big deal now. Yes, we go hybrid event means there's going to be more people in your audience.

Exactly. More opportunities. Yes, definitely.

The other thing that I predicted, and I'm glad it's come to fruition is these groups that would never have had a guest speaker virtual are now open to it, because they're not afraid of the technology anymore. So even while they're back in the room together, they're open to having somebody on a screen via zoom. So I'm able to, I'm able to book a client who lives in, you know, Seattle, to a group in Florida, because they're okay. And they end like I said, they're not afraid.

Yes. Yes, definitely. I know, I have actually been able to refer a lot of people that I've met in the global space for local, you know, people are like looking for local, like a speaker on this or that. And I'm like, Oh, I have someone but she's in Singapore. But she can go on Zoom, because we, we still have members of our group that are on Zoom. So it's just a wonderful thing and a wonderful opportunity for speakers to be able to go pretty much wherever they would like to.

And my business is now officially International, because I have clients who live outside of the US. Yes, so far. It's as far as Canada so far, but I have higher aspirations.

Yes. Oh, and you'll get there, Jeff, I know you're so wonderful.

Yeah, of course. You know, our website. Speakercoop.com is now international as well, because of that, you know, we got speakers on there, which means the people looking for speakers gets broader. You know, there are ups and downs. There are pros and cons about this whole COVID thing. Yeah, for business. The in the beginning, that was you know, we took a big hit, because everybody just canceled events. Yes, we're kept postponing until they never happened. Yeah. But like you said, I mean, the person who thinks they can wait it out. Good luck.

Yes, exactly. Because the world has changed. And we have to embrace the technology and embrace. How do we do business virtually. I mean, we just we have to figure it out. So and the beauty of it is, is many of us have figured out how to do it. Right. Right. So that's the beauty. So yeah.

I was meeting with clients virtually before that, but I wasn't meeting with prospects virtually. And I wasn't doing, you know, all the training and all that stuff, virtually. But now it's, I have one day a week, when I leave my office, and go do in person networking here in Dallas. And that's been in for seven, eight years. And we did virtual at first COVID. We stuck together virtually. And then we did hybrid meetings for six months. Yes, we had people in the room and people at home and just following the trends. Yes. One of our new members here at Speaker Coop is John Chen, who's the engaging virtual meetings guy, and he make their virtual experience better.

Yes. And I think there has been a learning curve with that. I know I've offered some advice when I was virtual one time in a group that we were doing a hybrid. And it was like, wait a minute, this is not really good when you're on the virtual side. Because I was in the meeting one time and then I was out of town and had to go virtual. And I'm like, wait a minute, we need to restructure this because it's really when you're not in the room, you feel like you're out of it. And so we have to somehow, like really think about how we are interacting how every day.

Yeah, absolutely. And one quick tip for that is to have two machines in the one scene that's that's got the speaker on it. Yeah, that another machine that's attending the event, but pointed at the audience of the speaker can see the audience.

That's a great idea. That's a great idea.

That was how we met managed to make the networking meetings more successful.

Oh, that's a great idea.

And everybody who's in the room would come up to the audience laptop to do their introduction. Yes. And that way the the everybody on in virtual could see them right there across the room this big. Yeah. So if you can, and it could just be a telephone if you just get a telephone on a tripod, look at the room. And then you know, obviously sign into the Zoom meeting that will help your speaker and your people in the room. are at home, feel like they're more in the room now?

Well, that I'm going to incorporate that in let's do one of the meetings that I attend. I'm gonna mention that because I think that would be a great idea for us to.

Yeah, don't make the mistake of losing one person whose phone is the one that everybody does their sign ends or pays for their event or any of that happens sometimes. Now I do have I have what I think is a pricey question. Okay. I was in a zoom the other day in there with some people that I'm regularly on zoom with? Yes. They need help with how they look on Zoo. Not and this is more about lighting than clothing. Yeah. And how would you tell how do you how do I tell them that in a helpful way, not in a criticizing way?

Yeah. Well, why don't you think about doing some type of training on how to maybe get noticed more on Zoom?

Well, we've done some, we've done some of those. But yeah, I don't know that getting them just make an appointment to come to a training or any of that actually happened?

Well, why don't you do some quick tips at the beginning? Like make sure your lighting is good.

But well, I'm not running the meeting. That's that's the problem. So what's happening is we have one one person who is kind of sitting in the dark. Yes. And that and the other person who is all face? Yes. And no. And the background is bad. Is a what do you call it a, like a green screen kind of thing?

Yes. That you're like, Yeah,

well, she really has to do probably is sit back. Yes. And the other girl, all she needs to do is get a lamp or a ring light. And that'll solve it. But I I care about how they look. But I don't know that well, very well. So that's why I'm kind of I don't know, if you have any ideas there. Besides scheduling and training to try to get them show up at?

Yes, yes, I know. And that's, it becomes touchy and you never want to offend anyone. It's kind of like in my business, too. One of the things that is hard is like, how do you tell someone they look like ridiculous, especially like, I've had some clients where, unlike, send me some pictures of your before, and I look at the before, and I'm like, you've got to be kidding me. I mean, at times, but to see their transformation. So I think you just have to be gentle and build a relationship, I think is really because I never said at the beginning like, oh, my gosh, your look is atrocious. I mean, I had one girl once,

you know you don't want to be me, or come across?

Oh, definitely. And I think building a relationship and with that person, maybe doing some one on ones with them. And and then you know, when they get on say, Hey, do you have a ring light? Because I can hardly see you? Yeah, maybe that would be a good approach. Or, Hey, boy, boy, all I can see is your face

with a client I can I can just say, hey, as part of what I provide for you is when you come across your past and you're going to be the authority, we need to tweak your background or your lighting or your whatever, you know, their client they bought or they've opted in for my app.

Exactly. But I think hey, could I give you some tips like I see a lot of your face, maybe if you step just sit back in your chair a little bit, it will look more proportionate to the size of the screen or something like that. Just I think building a relationship with a person talking to them, and then maybe mentioning it. Hey, can I give you one tip or whatever? Are you are you open to Yeah, exactly. Yes, exactly. But I think also we got to be careful. And I see this a lot I saw this recently is sometimes we try to wear things that are going to make us stand out. And I think you have to be really careful about it. Because recently I saw this lady and it was like one of those it was like around Christmas time I think it was in December or something. And she was varying this wreath Gorlin type of wreath, almost like an angel Halo, and which is fine. And I know a lot of people they want to show their personality and what they were and everything, which was fine. But I was so distracted with trying to figure out what the heck she had on her head. First of all, that I wasn't really paying attention to the words that were coming out of her mouth. Or even recently, I was or this was, I think, last fall, I was listening to someone give a speech, and she had a graphic T underneath a jacket. So she had a t shirt underneath the jacket, which was perfectly fine. But probably the first 20 minutes of her presentation. I'm trying to figure out what the t shirt said, because the jacket was covering the t shirt, and I couldn't read all the words and so I was really having a hard time focusing on her speech that she was giving, because I was trying to figure out what works she had on her shirt. So I think really being careful about Yes, you want to stand out, and there's ways that you can stand out. But you also want to be appropriate for the business showing up as a professional. And I think we all want to do that. That's not to say that you can't wear a fun hat or something like that. But just make sure it's appropriate for you and your business and your brand,

as well. And you know, the background is important. You have a very professional background, it's clean. One thing I like about your background is you could put your book where you got your blessed plaque.

Oh, I cut Yes.

There and things like that. And Oh, definitely, I get questions and comments about the big buoy knife behind me. But I did that on purpose. You know, that was that was a great, so one of my favorite speaker gifts. And, and I like to show it off, and that's cool. It's too busy back there. And okay. It may be too busy for them.

Yes, yeah. And I think a lot of times we forget that you can hire people to create those backgrounds. I think, you know, the green screen, everyone's like doing that. But then you like every time you talk, it's like you look weird. You can actually pay people to put together a beautiful backdrop for you. I know a lot of virtual assistants that do that. And that is something that you want to really do to make sure that you're showing up

in logo you've got, you know, one, you know, one one speaker, Katrina salah is a speaker and trainer and her everything behind her it's bookshelves full of her books.

Yes, yes. You know what? Her expertise?

Yeah. So she's branding the whole thing and the whole time. And that's important, too. And most definitely, what are you trying to convey? I'm trying to convey an element of fun. Yes, that's why I have the toy, the stuffed animals, and at least one of them has a story. So when somebody asked about it, I've got something else to talk about.

Yeah, exactly. Personality. Yeah.

And all the books are by people. I know. That's great. Those are all client or associate colleague. Yes.

Yeah. Want to promote and encourage and Yeah, wonderful. That's great.

It's all Yeah, and the image is not just you and what you're wearing the image goes to what your portraying what you're showing off. So exactly. All the way to Don't say you're a social media expert, if you only have 500. friends on Facebook.

Yes, exactly. That is very true. Yes, definitely.

So because that's also part of your image. Yes, you work with the branding folks, and that are doing the non person image? Did you find yourself collaborating with folks like that? Or? Or should you be collaborating more than they?

Maybe I should, I've tried to reach out to a few and would love to really work with some people. So, so far, I haven't found the right one that were a match. So because I think it is important part of the whole branding, I work with my clients a lot in what type of a brand do they want to like, even sometimes people have their business colors? Right? When they find out what their color personality is, oops, and flicks with the colors of their business, because sometimes we're attracted to certain colors, but then those colors don't necessarily look good on us. But many times, yeah, there's complimentary colors. So if you look at a color wheel, if you like, maybe your branding is one color, but you don't necessarily look good in that color. Many times you can go opposite of the wheel. And you can choose some of those colors to wear because they're complementary with what? Yeah, colors are. So I really look at that a lot with my clients, because we're talking about what kind of a brand they're trying to, like, portray, like, what type of an image who is their ideal customers, because I get many times people dress a certain way, that then they're trying to attract a certain person and I'm like, wait a minute, do you think that person's going to dress the way you dress? And they're like, no, they're not and I'm like, okay, then we got to up the game. And that doesn't mean you have to dress exactly like them that you need to dress enough to where you're going to look similar to them because people like to do business with people that they like know and trust and people that are similar to them, right?

Yeah. And that's huge because with speakers, we are our brand. Yes, you are. And I'm fully aware that I'm my brand and and that certain colors Whether there are colors, that means stuff on paper, that means something different when it's what you're wearing.

Yes, yes, exactly. And a lot of times people choose black. Yes. Easy. But unfortunately, especially with women, most women do not look good. And Black. Black is not one of those colors when I do color personalities with people who lacked is not the color they should be wearing.

Once it's actually not a color. That's a that's a different conversation, right? Yes,

definitely.

You know, I came out of the film business and everybody wore black. And it but he they you're supposed to wear black on set, so that you can blend in if you accidentally get caught on camera. Exactly. When you go to the wrap party. You should not also wear black. Yes, yes. Want to look good. You should look good at finding colors that work. And

yeah, and most people when they figure out, that's probably the big aha is figuring out what colors look good on them. And they start wearing it. And people are like, Hey, have you lost weight? Boy, you look great. You look so young? Well, it's because when you're wearing the right colors, it brings out the natural undertones in your skin. And you look better. Like you look so much better when you figure that out. And that's probably one of the biggest aha moments for people is they kind of stick to their lair used to black because black CZ, they're like I have a whole closet full of black and gray. I talked to one person recently. Yeah. And I'm like,

No, it's thinning. And it's really not so much. But yeah,

I mean, there is elements. I mean, black, definitely darker colors definitely make you look slimmer. And I have a little guide on how to look 10 to 20 pounds slimmer that a lot of people absolutely love. So if anyone's interested reach out, and I'd be more than happy to send that to you. Because it does help that it's not all about wearing black. It's some other colors too.

That's good. Well, and I used to be an earth tone guy. Uh huh. And I wanted to make sure I get that link from you to share with with the recorded with the recording. And then I actually worked with an image consultant and it turns out that bright colors I love it and bright colors and wearing a blue now but I actually I'm able to wear all the blues, which is nice. But like the Aqua is the best, the really bright blue.

Okay, I could see that in you. But you know, one of the things that's really nice is that, especially when you're when you're you're wearing navy blue. And I always tell people navy blue is that universal color that most people look fabulous in.

Yeah. And I like I like royal blue better. And like I said the T you know

that and I think I've seen you in that color. And I think it looks very nice when you're in that color.

So for a long time purple. I was known for wearing purple. Okay, yes, we didn't know we made sure that was on the business car. The shirt on my business card is in. I'm in purple. And purple is one of my logo colors. And so things like that. And I'm all fine. And now I have I went from three colors to five colors in my logo. But all five colors are colors I can get away with wearing.

Okay. Yes, yes. And I think it's important for everybody to do that. Unfortunately, I don't work with men. I appreciate that. Yes. Then people get mad at me when they're like, why don't you work with men? And I said, Well, you've got to realize, when I first started working in this space, I was in people's closets, and in people's bedrooms. And so I really didn't want to be in a man's bedroom. I just I had decided I was just going to work with women only. And plus, I'm sorry to say Jeff, but women are a lot more fun. Oh yeah, a lot more clothing options. Fun things that we can do with clothes. Unfortunately, men don't have as much

you know, I need one suit to sport coats, three pairs of slacks and half a dozen shirts. Yes. And I'm done for five years. I'm not just done for for till next year. Next. And

I always I always tell people kind of look at sometimes updating just a little. Oh, sure. It really when you do that, because I face a lot of people that have had clothes for the past 10 years, and they're like, I haven't bought anything really in 10 years because I'm trying to lose weight. And well I haven't lost the weight yet. And I'm like okay, let's dress for where you are now to make you feel good. Because I think it's really important. When you feel great about yourself. It helps you do well. Right You bet.

And I am surprised you haven't had any women say let's do my husband now.

Yeah. No, because they want they want themselves done. Yeah. Well, and

also because you're working with speakers, not business women or things like that. So

yes, well, my husband would like for me to, but then I tell him, You won't wear what I tell you to wear. So sorry, I do a little bit with him. But he's like, are you gonna give me a closet consultation? I'm like, I can give you a consultation. You wear the same clothes all the time. And every time you buy something, because he'll be like, I bought this what do you think? And I'm like, pretty much the same as what you already have. And so occasionally, I can get him to if we're out and about and we see something. I'm like, where this and he goes, I don't know. I don't know. The colors are and I'm like, it's because it's something different. And I'm like,

You owe it to him to buy him a couple shirts next birthday or whatever Valentine's Day. Something that

he says he likes some and doesn't wear him though

Java deal is he has to wear it if you're gonna buy it for him.

That's true. Yes.

So how do people read well, you just you put your to book a free style consultation, Tracy? Yes, that in the show notes. Of course, I

learned weird. So you got to make sure that you properly.

They're watching the video. It's on the screen right now. But I'll spell it for the audio. Tracy is TRACY. Pohlmann is POHLMANN and I'll spell it all together now. tracypohlmann.com. Yeah. And I actually came up with a little trick that I just happened while I was on a podcast the other day, I wanted to share a short link with people. And I named myself and I put the link on the screen in front of me. Oh, cool. And there was and I did that like three times during the podcast. So if people watched it on video, they don't need to find the notes or they don't need to find the chat. They can just it shows up right under my picture.

Oh, did you just like rename yourself?

Just use the Rename function. And I put in the shortcode for people to pull look at and awesome. Yeah, probably need to start doing that to put behind the lectern. Since that's right now there's no show branding in our interview.

Yes. That's awesome. That's a great idea.

Yeah, just came to me. I was like, How do I get the opt in that I want people to look at. So the other link you shared is to get the guy to looking slimmer?

Yeah. 10 To 20 pounds slimmer without diet or exercise. So because let's face it, most of us want to most women, probably the number one thing that most women say is they would love to look slimmer. Yeah. So these are just quick things. And it's most of it is things that you probably have in your closet right now. Things that you can apply right now, before you give that next presentation. You can look your absolute best. Just following just some of these quick little tips. Oh, yeah.

I lose weight is where you can't see it on Zoom. And it makes chairs less comfortable. That's how I know I'm losing weight or less comfortable. And the last place I lose it is where is my Zoom face? Yes. I've got the the bullfrog thing, but it'll happen as things happen. But there's not much I can do clothing wise about this.

No, no, but it's okay. Because you know what? God made you that way. That's what I always tell people. God made you a certain way. And we just have to accept it. That Yeah.

That that is a good mantra. Yes. God doesn't make mistakes.

Exactly. So it's like it is what it is. So can you do different things not not so much on the double chin but different parts of your body? You can wear different things different ways to de emphasize or emphasize I'm always big on emphasizing because then it always deemphasize

Well, and that's why your glasses come to play my face. I think my face looks thinner with the glasses than without. Yes, I do too. And then that's that's the square on a round face thing. If I were round frames, then I would look rounder.

Exactly. That's one thing I teach people glasses, sunglasses, how to wear them according to your face shape, because so many times people don't realize that does you know we just look at them and say, Oh, these look good on me or these don't look good on me or you pick a pair of glasses and then you go home and your whole family says that looks horrible on you and you're like why didn't someone tell me? And so really having a good understanding. I kind of work with women from head to toe. Yeah, for sure. Everything you're hair, your hair color your hair style all the way to your shoes. I last week, I was doing some coaching on your legs, the style of legs and what style of shoe you should be wearing based on your legs. So

well and I have seen a few miss. Well, I don't know if mistakes are the right word, but I've seen some pretty spiky heels on somebody who's standing on stage for an hour and not everybody can walk on those spikes.

Yes, people can't. That's what I find. Most women I work with. They're like, I can't do heels. And I'm like, good because I can't either. I have a lot of problems. But just even wearing just a little bit of that heel.

Yeah, let's do a heel that you can do.

Yes, exactly. Yeah, yeah. Because what it's doing, it's many times that heel, it's elongating your legs, and most of us would love to have longer legs. So and that's what it does do and

it definitely affects your posture. Yes. And yeah, for sure.

And how you're presenting yourself and how you're coming across to the

road. Here's another speaking virtually tip. I have a desk I have a standing rig on top of my bought one of those flex the adjustable desks with that I put my laptop my light my microphone on. So I can stand and speak to right here in my office, right? I mean, now I'm sitting I usually sit for interviews, but I find the energy of standing is important when you're the speaker.

Oh, I love to stand when I speak. So and most of the time when I'm working with my clients, I'm standing working with them. Because I have that there is that energy. And you know what? I think I'm going to next time I speak I'm going to be standing so

yeah, well. And this wasn't expensive. I got it at Amazon, it's it's this wide. Okay, this lineup for my laptop, and the ring light and the microphone. Okay. Maybe two and a half feet wide? Yeah, a foot and a half deep. And then it adjusts. On the fly. Like I did a little weird. There was a speaking contest. And when it was my turn to compete, I stood up and raised the desk with me and I got I got extra points or static points. Yes, standing up in the middle of the talk.

You know, I don't think a lot of times when we're talking about image and appearance and all of that. It's not just for the other person. Many times it's for us and our internal. Absolutely. Psychology, and there is a lot that has to do with that, that people don't realize. They think it's a frivolous thing like, oh, caring about your background, caring about what you wear. It's just this pretense that you put up, but it's really internally it does a lot for people's confidence, and how they're portraying themselves and your

authenticity. Yeah.

Everything? Yeah, definitely.

I don't want to put you on the spot too much. What's one or two things that a speaker can do? Or a new speaker can do to get there to start branding through their image through their image? Or you know what? It's tight with their branding? Yeah,

yeah. Well, one thing that I can probably say, is really understand who you are. Because one of the things when I work with people, I really try to figure out who is your authentic self, because I think so many times we try to be somebody else she maybe tried to portray, like someone else that you're like, Oh, if only I had her success, I'm going to dress like her. I'm going to put that's not you. And so really understanding that, and because I think it's going to really help you develop into who you need to be your true authentic self. Yeah. And so I get people sometimes that say, Well, I don't know if I want to work with you. Because I don't know if the way you dresses me. And I'm like, Well, I'm not going to teach you how to dress like me, because this is this is who I am. We're going to come up with who you are. And so I think that would be my tip is just to be yourself. You can be yourself no matter if you because I get many times people say I don't have style. And I'm like, Yes, you do have style. You just don't understand what your style is. Your style is not like me, it's not like somebody else that you think oh, she has like this tremendous style. She just has a different style than you. And so there's different style personalities and I actually have a free quiz that people can figure out.

I'm laughing is where my brain went was Tracy Pohlmann clones .com. Yeah. And then that might be a Saturday, Live skit, image and so on. And what she does is make you look like her.

Yeah, exactly, exactly. Everybody over every all of her success stories all look just like her. Yes. And that's one of the reasons why I don't sell clothes because I can't find a clothing line that appeals to all the different styles. So I have certain clothing lines that appeal to this particular style personality or this one. And so I

you know, that's on purpose, because they understand the same thing that you and I tell our clients every day, you can only be successful helping people that you can help. Yes. Find your niche of who you help. Yep, do everything accordingly. Definitely. help everybody and solve everybody's problems, because you'll go broke doing that. Because yes, will attract anybody.

Definitely. Yeah, you got it.

Thank you. Those are good. Final words. I'm sorry. I kind of jumped on and stepped on them a little bit. But

oh, no at all. Like I've enjoyed this has been fine. It's like you and I had a conversation together.

The bottom line, folks, and this is again, another Ziglar thing. And we other all I've heard hundreds of other people say it, but I first heard it from him. And that was be the best you you can be. Yeah, don't be Zig Ziglar. Don't be Tracy Bowman. Don't be Jeff Klein. He the best you a nd you will like Jeff Klein, and Tracy Pohlmann, to help you be the best you because that's our job. Yes. Our job is not to clone ourselves.

No, definitely not self. Alright. Now I

want to send the idea that somebody has set it out live.

Yeah, that'd be fun. Hey, maybe I should do a fun little skit on that.

Yeah, but well, but be careful because people might think, you know, they go well, I don't want to hire her because she just makes me look like her. It's great. Yeah, people people miss the satire buttons. Yes, exactly. Tracy pullman.com. The link for the guide to looking slimmer without losing weight is available. And we'll have that link for you as well. Yep. And thanks for everybody for tuning into behind the lectern. And we will see you hear you talk to you next time.

Great. Thank you, Jeff. Appreciate it.

You're so welcome, Tracy. Thank you.

If you're in the top 25% of the fastest time. Wow, what a great speaker. Where did you find him? You know, I used to have trouble finding speakers. Then someone told me about speaker Co Op, calm speaker co op.com. What's that? It's a website full of speakers who speak to groups like ours. How did you decide which speaker to choose? The website lets you search for speaker by topic. You can even type one search word in and find all the speakers who have that word in their topic, then you can read the speaker's bio to see if they're fit for your group. That sounds great. Yes, I'm using speaker cough calm to find all the speakers for our group this year. And I've got to find a speaker for our luncheon next month. This will make it easy. I'm going to go to Speaker co op.com and over and over again.