Last week, human rights attorney Amal Clooney gave a speech to the United Nations about moving forward on opening an investigation into crimes committed by the Islamic State in the Middle East. Many articles were quick to highlight not the contents of her speech, but how her pregnancy was beginning to show. Amal Clooney gained international attention when she married actor George Clooney, but she has never discussed their relationship to reporters. Instead, she now uses her newly found fame to highlight her work as a lawyer. This is a good example of how presenters can control their narrative.
Imagine being in Amal’s position. Her speech calls for the U.N. to take action and stop the genocide being carried out by ISIS in the middle east; but the only headlines to surface are about her barely visible baby bump. However, Amal does not let tabloid headlines tarnish her image. If you feel your audience is more interested in something other than your presentation, here are some ways you can take back control of the situation.
Spin
Sticking to talking points can help you stay in control of the conversation. When asked by a BBC reporter if more people are listening to her because of her marriage, Amal made no mention of her husband in her response; she instead talked about how she is happy her work is getting more attention now than before. This is a subtle and polite way to not answer a personal question you may not be comfortable with.
Oversharing
While using social media may be beneficial to you for networking and marketing, it’s also important to not share too much. Amal Clooney has no social media accounts (at least, any that the public knows about). This prevents any personal photos or videos from being shared online. This doesn’t mean delete all your online accounts, because social media is playing an increasingly bigger role in everyone’s life. The Pew Research Center says 79% of adults who use the internet have a Facebook account. And other online platforms are holding steady as time goes on. So while it is not a good thing to exclude yourself from social media if you want to market yourself or business, be mindful of what you post and what others are posting about you.
Read More: The Presenters Guide to Social Media
Advocate
Amal Clooney rarely gives interviews, but when she does, her intentions are always clear and to the point. Amal may be closely associated with being the wife of a famous actor, but she has used that association to bring more awareness to her work. To be a successful attorney means to be a successful advocate. The book The Science of Attorney Advocacy: How Courtroom Behavior Affects Jury Decision Making
Taking control of your narrative is something we are seeing more and more of when it comes to celebrities. But you can also use the same tactics they use in your own life. Don’t feel discouraged if your audience shows more interest in areas of your life that have nothing to do with your presentation. Instead, come up with talking points and practice advocating the message from your presentation. Take advantage of every opportunity to build up your reputation that you want the world to know.
Related Posts:
