Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

March 7, 2009

Visual Authenticity: How Do You Show Your Promise?

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 1:28 pm

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The Promise of What’s Inside

As a book publisher, I looked at hundreds of suggested book covers. Sometimes the most well-designed were the ones that got turned down immediately. They might have been beautiful, but they didn’t do the job.

The cover’s job is to communicate what’s inside. It makes a promise of what you’ll find if you explore further.

People say “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” But we we’re not wired right, nor do we have time, to do an indepth study of everything and everyone before we decide.

I know that this can seem controversial, but to me how you look speaks volumes to someone who might be your next client. — William Love, VividlyDrawn

The one who visually communicates what he or she offers
is far more likely to get an offer. The connection happens before a word is said.

Disconnects, Visual Authenticity, and First Impressions

Yesterday, I had two meetings at The Image Studios. the professional image communication consultancy in Chicago. We accomplished several things.

Kristin, Colors, Clothes

Meet Kristin Evans wardrobe consultant. Kristin and I sat for about an hour discussing what I do, how I live, and how much time I like to spend on things like clothes. We took a phrase from my friend RoxanneDiana. I want “a high maintenance look with low maintenance management.”

Then we went to a three-way mirror. Kristin pointed out the shape of my face, the width of my shoulders and my waist, the length of arms, my torso, and my legs. Then she explained how to use clothing pieces to get the best look for what I’ve got — to draw the eyes up, to even out my height, to make the mathematics work.

We covered my hair and clothes and put colors around my face to find the color palette that works best with my skin tones … I’m delighted to report the colors I’ve chosen for my new blog design are in that group.


Kali, Diversity, and Reversity

Meet Kali, the founder and passionate entrepreneur. Kali and I talked about my goals and her goals for several hours. She talked hair and took photos use the computer imager to choose the hair style that suits my personality — the authenticity words I’ve chosen to describe myself, when no one’s looking. We’re not there yet … keep watching.

We also talked about diversity and “reversity.” We explore the idea that by teaching diversity, we’re focusing on the wrong thing. We’ve built a culture that teaches us to “allow for” differences, but don’t teach folks the skills they need or enough avenues to acquire them.

For example: We say that men, women, people of various colors and cultures, Boomers, GenYers, you and I should be understood. But any amount of diversity understanding for me — that I only sound uncertain, that I never learned to small talk, or that I only look as if I don’t care – won’t change the fact that those “differences” make it harder for me to succeed. What I need is the skills and information to reverse those perceptions.

First Impressions, Mixed Messages and Trust

First impressions are made of context and trust. If people see one thing and hear the same thing, the impression resonates with trust. If what they see and hear don’t match — I say “yes,” but shake my head “no.” — they have to reconcile the differences.

It’s hard to trust mixed messages.

When we offer visual and verbal authenticity — communication is easier for all of us. It’s a great promise we deliver on. Like the book and cover, what’s inside starts the process.

I’ve started with a new t-shirt.

t-shirt by Reflect

Elpoep gnizama tcartta i -- t-shirt by Reflect


How do you show your promise? I’m working on it and I’d really like to know.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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22 Comments to “Visual Authenticity: How Do You Show Your Promise?”

  1. March 7th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
    Sunny said

    I love this post (and your amazing t-shirt ;-), Liz, but I have to say that I think about this a little differently. Yes, it’s important to communicate trust through physical cues, but the deepest trust comes from you knowing who you are and believing in your own worth. You could dress in a soup can and I’d see who you are in an instant.That comes from the inside out, and you have it in spades.

  2. March 7th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Sunny,
    I hear you. We connect from the start. But not everyone brings to the table the perception that you have. You see past the visual to inside my head and my heart. Most folks need a visual connect to support what that’s about.

    A great book cover gets us to notice the book — if it’s wrong, we put the book back down.

    I agree it’s still the content that counts.

  3. March 7th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    love Roxanne’s phrase and that’s me too: I want “a high maintenance look with low maintenance management.”

    Will I recognize you when we meet in October?
    love the T shirt: yes you do Attract Amazing People and I feel honored to be one of them as per your recent post

    Love
    Suzie

  4. March 7th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
    Barb Hartsook said

    I’ve heard it said if any part of you — your dress, your make-up or hair-style, even your personality — seem to enter a room before you do, something’s off-balance and will become a distraction. Often a deterrent to communication. People will see what you’re wearing rather than who you are.

    I like Kristen’s goal of bringing the eye up to your face. All else supports that goal. Color base and style both help that process. (Or hinder it.)

    I am by nature quiet, not geared to a lot of small talk, but genuinely interested in others. I dress quietly as well, in clothes that last longer than a season. But once I’m dressed, I’m done fidgeting with how I look, confident nothing about me is screaming. Then I’m free to be as open as I need to be, as assertive or passive as I need to be, depending on the situation.

    You ask How do we show our promise? That’s going to take more thought. I’ll group that question with your discussion regarding diversity vs. reversity. I’ve not heard that before and need to think further.

    Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

  5. March 7th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
    Christa M. Miller said

    I’m limited by time, distance, and finances from getting out and meeting people, so the best I can do is an online presence - my words, writing so people know I can do what I purport.

    I do have to admit that last spring I too moved toward physical transformation. I read online about my face shape, skin coloring, body type, then went through my closets and also on a mini-shopping spree. Most days I still wear what’s comfortable, but the clothes and makeup are my “backup,” the image I have of myself in the back of my mind as I connect with people online.

    I hope someday soon to make a stronger connection between the two. :)

  6. March 7th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Suzie!
    You most certainly are one of the most amazing people I know. Thank you. Thank you for being so much a part of all of this.

  7. March 7th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Barb!
    I’ve never heard your opening statement before. It’s so reasonable and quotable. I’ll be passing it on.

    I’m always taken by your thoughts and ideas.

    The conversation about diversity was ours. It’s Kali’s passion and the reason that she started her business in 2000. The word “reversity” is one we coined while we were talking — to name skills communication training in a more precise way.

    I look forward to your response.

  8. March 7th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Christa,
    Make sure the image you have leaves room for something new. That’s what I’m finding out. :)

  9. March 7th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
    LisaNewton said

    I don’t know if you’ve seen it or not, but “What not to Wear,” a make-over program is amazing in the idea of first impressions and how we see ourselves.

    I know it’s TV, but the look on some of the people’s faces when they first see themselves with new clothes, new haircut, and new make-up is astonishing. They often see a different person, one with more confidence.

    These people all had the self-confidence within themselves, but looking better brought it out.

    Personally, I try to show my promise in every blog post, every tweet, and every comment. People won’t know me or trust me if I’m not authentic. Oh, and every picture I take is me looking through the lens, so I also show a little of who I am based on my photos.

  10. March 7th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Lisa,
    I only shy from agree because this whole process has gone far deeper into who I am and we’re talking about far more than “What Not to Wear.” However, what you say is sooo valid about the confidence of having a positive response to a great image alignment. YEA!!

  11. March 7th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    BTW, Lisa, I love the way that you weave your promise into everything you do.

  12. March 7th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
    Leslie Poston said

    I am loving the new twitter look, and I can’t wait to see the rest. I myself am planning my first big change in a decade and I’m so nervous!! You inspire :)

  13. March 7th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Leslie,
    I’m looking forward to finding the look that is me. Look for someone who cares who you are to make the big change … then let someone else maintain it. :)

  14. March 7th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
    Lucretia Pruitt said

    Awesome Liz!!

    Can’t wait to see all the changes! :)

  15. March 7th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Lucretia,
    Just wanted you to know!

  16. March 8th, 2009 at 6:00 am
    Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach said

    Oh, beautiful!! Love the twist on the t-shirt idea.

    I show my promise by walking the walk I talk. I give advice to folks about entrepreneuring online…and then I follow that advice myself. Thus, folks show I deliver.

    Nice, simple, and it works.

    Data points, Barbara

  17. March 8th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Barbara!
    Isn’t that t-shirt great? There’s a whole slew of them. I’m in love with that line …

    You do deliver. I see you walk your talk. I admire that about you.

  18. March 8th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
    Christa M. Miller said

    Lisa! “What Not to Wear” inspired my mini-makeover last year. :) We got rid of cable not long after we discovered it, but the lessons lasted.

    Liz, I love how you make me think. On the one hand I get bored easily, so I’m pretty open to new things. On the other, like anyone else, I seek comfort and the “known.” It would be easy to get confused as to what exactly constitutes “new.” Thanks for the insight!

  19. March 8th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
    mother earth aka karen hanrahan said

    small world - image studio spoke for us at WSWE

    i am always intrigued by what you are up to Liz

  20. March 12th, 2009 at 9:26 am
    Over Coffee… » Blog Archive » To Be Visibly Authentic, Let Go the Status Quo said

    [...] Liz Strauss, in a step toward visible authenticity, threw away some stuff. She wrote: Old habits stay with us longer than we need [...]

  21. April 2nd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
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  22. April 12th, 2009 at 8:29 am
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