I’d say if that Client Expectation coincides with your Brand Image as well, go ahead & improvise that expectation:)
“What’s this? Mem turned Behanji”
While almost each one of you loved my ‘girl-next-door’ avatar for the virtual Sunfeast #MomsMagicConcert that I hosted for 8 days, my inbox also witnessed comments such as these. While these comments don’t perturb me, they do constitute as one of my audiences perspective. That’s true!
Just because some looks are glam, a Presenter can’t be stereotyped to always look ‘Mem’ as per this gentleman. The bigger point I am trying to drive here is that in all facets, it’s a Presenter’s duty to resonate with the Brand’s Campaign objective for which she/he is hired. Content, Engagement, Looks, Tonality- everything put together. ‘Looks’ for that matter are as important because it supports the vibe of your presentation. A Presenter can’t be dolling up to please her Social Media family or herself for that matter. Work is Worship! Does that mean as a Presenter you compromise on what you’d like to wear or the way you would want to look on the show day?
Never! Before saying ‘yes’ to a show I ask myself if my ideals/perspectives match the brand’s? I do.
Being in the show-business, a Presenter would always be approached for all kinds of work. You got to choose consciously:) For instance a month and a half back, I get a random call asking me if I can host a private pool party in Dubai, expecting me to dress in a way that appeared weird to my sensibilities, which may be perfectly in sync with someone else’s diameter of dress sense. So no judgements on that, I just feel staying authentic to your own brand ideal helps! Also, just in case you are wondering, let me also acknowledge about how a Presenter may dress up in any form she likes off work, that in no way should be made comparable to what her chosen standards are for her professional shows. Who anyway ever said that Instagram is a mirror of a Presenter’s ‘Show Dress Sense’?
On another note, I thoroughly enjoyed the vibe of looking a homemaker/ strong young mom/ girl-next-door or whatever you may call it for the episodic #MomsMagicConcert. It was a virtual show & Day 1 to be honest was slightly difficult because I was so used to high-definition makeup with fancy hairstyles for my corporate or gala live shows. However with the ever-supportive Brand Team of ITC by my side, we worked as a Team and made it look effortlessly relatable to all the Moms out there who were our target audience. There’s a reason why I say it was ‘effortless’. And the reason is, I’ve grown up in the most homely environment back there in UP in a middle-class family, seen my mother doing it all, the look came naturally to me! I didn’t had to do anything, it synced with my Brand Image oh so organically! Infact everyday on those 8 days I’d call Mom to ask her right before going on Insta Live for the Concert, if I looked like her or would that blouse match this saree of hers or did that little ‘bindi’ made me look a happy baby & so on…
That’s where the GOLD is, stay true to the varied hues of your personality as a Presenter. Doing the ‘Look’ for a show, be it virtual or live, actually is one of the most delightful delicacies on a Presenter’s platter.