"If people like you, they'll listen to you. If people trust you, they'll do business with you."
— Zig Ziglar
Dear Reader,
I’m Virender Nirmalkar, a TEDx speaker, TEDx curator, public speaker, Toastmaster, corporate trainer, entrepreneur, and radio host. Today, I want to discuss the importance of self-branding. But first, let me share a story.
A few years ago, while in America, some colleagues took me to a laughter club. We laughed for two hours straight. Afterward, the host asked, "All the white people, did you enjoy the show?" They responded enthusiastically, "Yes!" "All the black people, did you enjoy the jokes and laugh at them?" They replied, "Yes!" Then, he pointed at me and asked, "And you, brown man right there, did you even understand the jokes?" I looked around, realizing I was the only Indian in the room.
The host invited me onto the stage and said, "Talk about yourself, talk about your country, and how you felt." I replied, "In my country, the only brown thing we witness is brown bread." This sparked a conversation where I shared more about myself and my country. By the end of my speech, people were clapping for me. The next day, at the lunch table, my colleagues were asking about India and the places they could visit. I felt proud of the impression I made about my country.
This experience highlighted three key insights about self-branding:
1. Stand Out: You need to distinguish yourself to remain relevant. Develop a unique skill set and keep improving yourself. Adding tags and labels such as doctor, professor, entrepreneur, social worker, or TEDx speaker helps validate your identity.
2. Representation: You always represent your company, country, and community. Be aware of who you are and how you represent yourself. When you leave your town, state, or country, you become a representative of that place.
3. Power of Words: Words are incredibly powerful. In the laughter club, I could have stayed quiet after the humorous yet humiliating start, but I chose to speak about my country, which made me proud. Effective communication can make a significant impact.
Mentoring TED Ed talks for students under 18 has shown me that young people speak without fear, hesitation, or stammers. However, as we grow, societal conditioning and prejudices can hinder our self-expression. To combat this, join public speaking forums or Toastmasters clubs to practice and hone your skills.
I encourage you to reach out if you want to join these platforms or even aspire to become a TEDx speaker. It can be a great validation for your profile.
To summarize, remember the three lessons:
1. Always stand out.
2. Always represent.
3. Words are powerful.
Self-love is crucial. Don’t stop learning—keep evolving.
About the Author:
Virender Nirmalkar is the founder of VSPEAK Institute, specializing in enhancing English skills for all ages. Their programs include English enhancement for schools, spoken English for adults, TED Ed talks for students, and corporate training for companies. Visit [VSPEAK Institute](http://www.vspeak.in) to learn more.
Connect with Virender on [LinkedIn](https://in.linkedin.com/in/virendra-nirmalkar-5ba46252) and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/virendra.nirmalkar).
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