paNASH Style

Phone Interview 101

2012-02-15T08:00:00.003-06:00

Okay, listen up everyone (recording artists too)! Below is a post that one of my recruiter friends put as her status update on Facebook recently.

Phone Interview 101 -
1- Be friendly and sound interested when the recruiter calls you (you accepted the invitation)!
2- Research the company you are interviewing for - it does make a difference!
3- The phone interview is very important --- it will determine if you are invited in for the next interview.

Now this is coming from someone who works in HR and conducts interviews on a regular basis. My guess is more than one person has violated her 3 rules of Phone Interview 101 for her to feel the need to post this on her personal Facebook page.

What's interesting about this recruiter's frustration is that it is also probably the same frustration a radio DJ has when interviewing a new recording artist. As I've previously shared in a past blog ("5 Things To Remember When Doing a Phoner") which evidently bears repeating, these rules apply to both telephone job interviews and radio phoners. A DJ's Phoner 101 list would read very much like the one above:

Phoners 101 -
1- Be friendly and sound interested when on the phone with the DJ (you accepted the invitation)!
2- Research the radio station you are interviewing with - it does make a difference!
3- The phoner is very important --- it will determine if you are invited in for an in-studio interview or another phoner for your next single.

These are just the top three mistakes interviewees are making. There are other common interview faux pas that I coach clients on to help them put their best foot forward in a variety of interviews. Whether you are a job seeker or a recording artist trying to promote your latest single, this advice coming straight from the person actually doing the interview is advice you need to follow. I promise, if you help make their job easier, they will love you for it, which will pay off with a possible job offer or increased spins of your song!

The Cost of a Valentine's Date

2012-02-08T09:15:00.002-06:00

Since we're approaching Valentine's Day, I thought I would re-post the popular blog entry I wrote at this time last year. It's an interesting topic of debate between the sexes and it really goes to show that there is an investment involved in looking your best.

Originally posted 2/8/11

Sunday night I was interviewed for the fashion segment of a local radio show (my part was only about 10 minutes which meant I only missed a small part of the Super Bowl). One of the questions I got was about what a woman should wear for a really nice date, such as a Valentine's date. That question made me think of a conversation I once had with a guy I used to work with, a sweet, young (and perhaps naive) guy in his mid-twenties.

He was complaining about how much money it costs to take a girl out on a really nice date. I asked him how much on average does that typically cost him. It was a fair, reasonable amount he quoted, but yet he seemed resentful of it. That is until I broke it down for him the average amount a woman spends on getting ready for the really nice date nice date he's paying for.

Chances are she's going to buy a new dress or a new pair of shoes, or both. She's probably going to go to the salon to get her hair color touched up or at least pay for a blow out (ladies, we all know this isn't cheap!). Most likely she will also get a manicure, pedicure or both. She may be out of some of her blush or mascara and will have to buy some more of that as well. Add in the amount of hair product used to style her hair and the time and effort it takes to put all of this together and ask yourself, are each party's expenses even and fair? Ladies, we know it's most likely not because we know how much all of this costs us (a man's hair cut costs less than a woman's haircut, yet a woman still makes less money on the dollar than a man does...another topic for another time, but I'm just saying!).

My co-worker sat there with his mouth hanging open and his face turned white after I gave him the break down and comparison of cost. Once he was finally able to speak, he said "I never thought of it that way before, and I will never complain again." Even though it may cost us ladies more in money, time, and effort for a really nice date, that doesn't mean we don't appreciate what the guy shells out for our favorite entree, wine and dessert. We do, and we hope our guys appreciate our efforts as well to look good for them!

I'd be curious to know the thoughts the men have on this topic. If you want to share, just comment below. This could possibly get interesting!

2012 Update:
Tip for the guys: since your girl puts a lot of time and effort to look nice for you, reward her, either by doing the same for your appearance with the help of paNASH Style, or by treating her to a personal shopping day with paNASH Style (a great Valentine's Day gift!). We currently have promotional offers available for both options through 3funding, allowing you to not only reward your sweetheart, but also reward local charitable organizations all at the same time! Check it out here!

Super Bowl Style

2012-02-02T14:50:00.003-06:00

Since it's Super Bowl time again, I thought it would be appropriate to share this fun little tip on how to coordinate colors in your wardrobe. I shared this tip with the guys back in October ("This One's For the Guys: Don't Be Afraid to Sport Some Color") because I knew it would be one that guys would be able to understand and relate to, as well as you female sports fans.

Tip: When in doubt about which colors go together without clashing, just look to your favorite sports teams and check out their team colors. If their team color combination works for them, it can work for you too!

Bonus Tip: When trying to choose the right accessories for colorful outfits, don't make the mistake of choosing ones that are the same color as the dominant color in the outfit's pattern. Instead, choose accessories that are the same color as the accent color in the pattern (meaning the most subtle or the least of the colors in the pattern).

Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday!!! (Would the NFL powers that be please change it to Super Bowl Saturday so we can all have a day after the party to recuperate?)

How NOT to Botch a Handshake!

2012-01-28T15:52:00.000-06:00

Meeting someone for the first time often involves the standard handshake greeting. As we all know, how you shake someone's hand in a business situation can sometimes make or break a deal or a job interview. Check out this video clip from when I spoke at a college on image and the job search last year. You may be as surprised as I was from my research in preparing for this presentation by the number of possible ways you can really botch a handshake. You will want to watch this before you head out to your next networking event, interview, or business meeting so you don't make the same mistakes!

Color Me Happy

2012-01-21T17:14:00.000-06:00

Color Me Happy

By Ashley Balding

Photo by Anna Fischer

When working with my clients' wardrobes, I often get the response of, "Wow, I never would have thought to put those colors together, but you made them work so well!" I always encourage my clients to take a little risk when it comes to putting colors together for themselves. I don't believe in letting yourself be limited by some silly "what's your season" color rules. This is why I love guest blogger and O'More College of Design student Ashley Balding's latest contribution to the paNASH Style blog. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did! Thank you Ashley!

Lori

There are days when I walk out of my bedroom with the craziest color combinations known to man. I see beautifully constructed works of art—outfits that work with intricately chosen, color-wheel-dictated combinations. Upon my entrance into the real world (a.k.a. the kitchen) my mom usually gives me that sympathetic look, somehow communicating to me that my obviously brilliant choice in color is maybe not interpreted in the same light.

"What do you think, Mom?" Her clearly confused facial expression is disheartening at best.

"Well, I wouldn't have thought to put those colors together..." she begins hesitantly, "but then again you know I like my monochromatic neutrals."

Yep, she does. It's true. My mom always hears that she looks like Meryl Streep, to which I would definitely agree. But my mom's style is more like that of Diane Keaton's. Not Annie-Hall-1970s Diane Keaton, but menswear-inspired-creme-colored-creations, only-complete-with-a-fabulous-accessory-like-a-hat-or-some-gloves Diane Keaton. I love this about my Mom. It's a classic statement that gives her comfort and is easy on the eyes.

I, on the other hand, somehow decided at some point in my young life that a place where I’d wear clothing without significantly bright hues was a world I wanted no part in. I love every color I've ever laid eyes on. I love pink, purple, blue, green, brown, puce, citrus, gold, cerulean, lime green, neon yellow, tangerine—I could literally go on and on and feel the excitement grow inside of me with each color. Yes, folks, I am that obsessed with color.

I think it is a great tragedy to live life without color. Color is so deeply connected to our psyche and our moods. Color is far more than a red dress we put on for a special dinner, or a pink shirt we wear in support of breast cancer awareness. It is a statement of our personalities. It is a defiant yet subtle stand in what we want to feel and what we desire for those around us to feel.

During the winter time, people often experience SAD, or seasonal affect disorder, which is said to be brought on (among other things) by the drab and dreary days that carry on until the peekings of the spring sun abound. How crazy is it that a gray sky as opposed to a blue sky can have that much affect on our moods? And so much so that there is an actual medical name for it?

Think about how you’d feel if you passed a million people dressed in black on the streets. I’d feel nothing—just another black outfit on just another human being. But show me someone with pink hair or a bright blue dress or red pants, and I'm immediately interested. Even if it's not an attractive look to me, or something that I might choose for myself, I'm at least intrigued by it. My brain is suddenly interacting with my surroundings and those who share my surroundings. In a society where we are all headed somewhere vastly more important than anyone else—iPod earbuds plugged in so we can plug out—it is so vital to reconnect with our surroundings and our fellow people. I love the random conversations that can come from wearing my favorite bright blue vintage dress.

My one piece of advice for those who don't already use color to their advantage is not to be afraid to experiment! I understand that not everybody will be comfortable wearing a red dress with royal blue tights, sky blue heels, and a yellow leather tote. I'm okay with that (although, come on! Doesn't that sound at least slightly delightful?). Who says you can't throw just a little color in to the mix? Take baby steps. A brightly colored purse is a great way to say, "Hey, look, I CAN have fun," without diving into the color pool head first. Any accessory in general is easy to exchange for a brightly colored addition.

You'll be surprised at how color can change your outlook on your day. Every day that I wake up and stand in front of my rainbow-infested closet, coffee tightly clutched in my hand, I think to myself, "How do I want to feel today?" Do I want to be calm and serene (blue)? Do I want to be fiery (red)? Do I want to be bright and happy (yellow)? Do I want to be grounded and cool (green)? It's a trick that I learned at a young age. Use color to your advantage. It can heave you out from your SAD days, or your just all around less-than-perfect days. Color can be a tool in your tool belt. It can alter your world and the world of those around you. Color is a beautiful, natural creation that we are blessed to have. Don't be afraid to use it.

Go forth—be colorful!

Is Your Resume Getting You to the Job Interview?

2012-01-14T16:14:00.000-06:00

It seems like as of late the majority of my work has been writing bios and resumes. People in need of resume makeovers need them either because they just lost their job, OR they are realizing that the resume they currently have is not doing the job of getting them interviews they want. In fact, one client I worked with last fall has been applying for jobs for about a year now. She finally decided to get an expert opinion on the resume she had been sending out all that time and hired me to help her. After I updated her resume, her response was, "Wow, now I know why I've not received any responses to my original resume!"

I was recently interviewed along with other resume experts for an article by Anthony Balderrama on ways to turn your experience into an effective resume. Check it out here.

New Year, New You: Is There a Makeover in Your Future?

2012-01-06T11:09:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know my weekly blog is a little late in coming out. That's because I'm in the process of revamping the look of this blog. It deserves a makeover, so stay tuned to see the transformation! Speaking of makeovers, perhaps you have decided that this is the year you're going to makeover some things in your life, whether it's your wardrobe, your resume, or your career. Whatever it may be, let me say congratulations! Good for you! Now that the intention is there, don't let the initiative dissipate. I know it can seem overwhelming to start a makeover project, but paNASH Style is here to help you break that process down into manageable steps and give you the direction you need. Contact us so we can help you in achieving your goals for a successful 2012!

The Best of 2011

2011-12-27T11:41:00.002-06:00

As 2011 is draws to a close, I wanted to recap the year with the some of my favorite and some of the most popular paNASH Style blog posts of 2011. I have high hopes for 2012 and wish you the best in the new year! Enjoy!

Which is your favorite?

Do You See What I See?

2011-12-21T17:26:00.001-06:00

I was reading this Onstage Success blog entry entitled "Things Can Blur When You're Too Close" as my eyes were trying to adjust to an improvement in my nearsightedness due to a degeneration of my farsightedness which comes with age (UGH!). Yes, I now am having to wear reading glasses when I'm using the computer. I was able to read it better and it became less blurry when I finally put on my new reading glasses (over the contacts I still have to wear for the nearsightedness I've had from a very young age - DOUBLE UGH!!).

The blog discusses the little things artists don't hear or see in their music and their performances that their team of producers is experienced in catching. Let me just say, this goes for an artist's image and appearance as well. Unless you own your own 360 degree mirror, there are things you, the artist, won't notice without the expertise of an image consultant/wardrobe stylist (I promise I'll be equipped with both my contacts and my reading glasses to help you!).

Take a minute to check out the article, one of several free articles from Onstage Success. To receive exclusive articles, videos, and more from Onstage Success, click here!

What's Worse Than a Tacky Christmas Sweater?

2011-12-15T09:55:00.000-06:00

Well, when I posted on my FB page asking people to respond with their worst garment Christmas gift received, I think most if not all of the responses included garments received as a kid, because let’s face it, when you were a kid, getting clothing just didn’t carry the same kind of magic as getting a toy. Getting socks or, even worse, getting underwear as a child was about as exciting as getting a fruitcake in your stocking (for those of you who don’t like fruit cake; I’m one of the few who does, but then again I like just about anything when it comes to food.)

Speaking of socks, one response was from a guy whose entire family on his mom’s side worked in a sock plant. Every year as a kid he got socks from everybody, but at least they made sure not to get him the same color socks. Each person gave him a different color. And then also speaking of underwear, as an adult this same poor guy’s ex-wife’s cousin got him themed glow-in-the-dark underwear that had light bulbs on them with the waistband message “You Turn Me On.” Apparently the cousin didn’t get the meaning of the message. I’m not sure if this is as bad as the person who received several pairs of her grandmother’s USED underwear that were three sizes too big, but I would say that it is because at least the boxer shorts warranted a good laugh!

In addition to this, another person wrote in about the time he got a pair of overalls that had been given to another family member who unwrapped them, wore them once, and then rewrapped and re-gifted them. What’s worse, getting a re-gifted item or an item that you only get a $2.00 refund on because it had been on the sale rack? That’s what one person described what happened when she tried to return the hideous Christmas sweater (this was years before the tacky Christmas sweater party craze had started) her grandmother had given her.

One of the worst Christmas gift garments I ever got was a homemade, hand-painted Christmas sweatshirt…that was (hopefully) accidentally painted on THE BACK of the sweatshirt! It was from someone (I can’t even remember who now because it’s been at least 20 years now) that had drawn my name for a gift exchange. You could see on the front where the person making it had started with the puffy paint and I guess they messed up and flipped the sweatshirt over as if it was a piece of paper they were drawing on! The front was completely blank except for that one small mark of puffy paint, and then Christmas glee all over the back of it! If I had worn it (which I didn’t), I guess no one would have noticed if I just walked backwards the entire day. I’m sure the person who made it at least had their heart in the right place.

If you have an example of a really bad clothing Christmas gift that can top any of these, please share! You can do so anonymously in the comment box below. ‘Tis the season for re-gifting!

photo by Mioara Dragan

Shoes of Peace

2011-12-06T16:55:00.003-06:00

Last week I had something happen that reminded me of an incident that occurred when I was 16. An incident that I had not thought of in a long time, but one of those “blessings in disguise incidents” we all have examples of.

I was reminded about the time when my sister had just bought me a new pair of Keds (yes, it was once cool to wear Keds and I know I’m showing my age with that statement!). The first day I wore them, it was obvious they were brand new and had never been worn since they were the whitest of white. I got through the entire day at school without one scuff mark or smudge of dirt; that is until I accidentally stepped into a huge wad of chewing gum coming out of the school house! I was bummed because I knew it would be easier to kill a fish by drowning it than to try to get the gum off the bottom of my shoe. I scraped off as much as I could but didn’t have time to try to get it all off because I had to go turn in a job application at a store where I was hoping to work.

One of my best friends from high school rode with me to drop off the application. After doing so, we decided to walk in and look around at one of the neighboring shoe stores. It was one of those discount shoe store chains that did not carry name brands like Keds, but for some reason, thought that it was perfectly okay to falsely accuse me in front of all their patrons of shop lifting a pair of white tennis shoes. I guess since I was wearing REALLY clean, white shoes, the staff (wrongly) assumed that the shoes came from their store (and you know what happens when you ASSUME, right?).

The accusation happened so fast that I didn’t even realize what was happening at first. When I finally did, God reminded me of the remnants of the bubble gum still on the bottom of my shoe. At that moment my leg shot up in the air like a Radio City Rockette and I said loudly, “I STEPPED IN GUM!” (I’m laughing out loud as I write this remembering what this scene must have looked and sounded like! Funny now, but not so funny as it was happening to me.) Once they saw the gum and realized that I was wearing a brand of shoes they didn’t even carry, they realized what fools they were to make such an accusation.

It is true that God can take something that seems like a negative and use it for good (Romans 8:28). There are such things as blessings in disguise. That gum that I was so bummed about being on my shoe ended up being my inarguable defense. God also used that past incident as a reminder to help me gain perspective and just kind of laugh at the situation that occurred last week. God loves us all and always has our back!

Shoe design by Kobi Levi

Black Friday a Bust?

2011-11-28T16:34:00.000-06:00

So you braved Black Friday, did the right thing by shopping Small Business Saturday, and online shopped on Cyber Monday until your eyes crossed and your hands cramped but still couldn't find the perfect gift for that one person in your family that already has everything? Well, you may not have realized it before, but paNASH Style actually offers a unique gift for a variety of people on your list, whether it's the budding musician in need of some *STAR* power, the busy mom who's taking care of everyone else but could use some pamper time for herself, the bread-winner who just lost his or her job and is looking for a new one (or a career change), or the soon-to-be college grad about to venture into the real world.

paNASH Style has services designed to help these loved ones of yours and are available in the form of a gift certificate during the holiday season, along with a great stocking stuffer, the #1 Amazon bestseller Advance Your Image: Putting Your Best Foot Forward Never Goes Out of Style. Both the services and the book are designed for those who find themselves in various lifestyle and career situations where an image makeover is just what they need to take the next step forward. It could be just the right gift that will not only positively impact your loved ones for this Christmas season, but for years to come!

To order a gift certificate in any amount for any service, email lorib@paNASHstyle.com for details. To order a gift copy of Advance Your Image, click here. To receive an autographed copy of Advance Your Image, plan to attend the December 1st book signing event at Landmark Booksellers in downtown Franklin (held 5:30-7pm).

Dress Your Best and You'll Land the Best Opportunities!

2011-11-19T11:52:00.001-06:00

So I came across this article online today: "Do Airlines Treat You Better If You Dress Well?" by George Hobica. Since so many people will be traveling by plane for Thanksgiving next week, I thought it was fitting for this week's blog.

Having recently been on a plane six times in one month, I can honestly say that I do prefer to be as comfortable as possible without looking like a slob. But I must admit that I love the classy fashions people used to dress up in when they flew back in the 60s, like they exhibit on the ABC show Pan Am. This article is just another example of how putting your best foot forward can be to your advantage, especially when others choose not to. You stand out which can lead to opportunities not afforded to others. This is true in career opportunities (i.e. landing a promotion, landing a coveted gig, etc.), and apparently in something simple as getting from point A to point B.

When a friend of mine checked in for a flight from San Francisco to Vancouver recently, he was surprised that the Air Canada gate agent handed him a first-class boarding pass as he was about to get on his flight. What was so unusual about this? Several things: He had bought an economy class ticket, he rarely flies on Air Canada and thus has no frequent flyer status on the airline and, even more unusually, the flight was half empty so this wasn't an oversell upgrade situation. So why the extra love?

Because he was wearing a suit. Yep, my pal asked the gate agent why he was so blessed and she answered, "Our station manager noticed how well dressed you were and told me to upgrade you."

I flew recently on a United p.s. flight from New York's JFK to Los Angeles and was sitting in the United Red Carpet lounge waiting for my flight in economy class when I heard my name paged. "George Hobica, please see the agent at the front desk." My heart literally started skipping beats because I knew what was coming: I was going to be bumped from the flight. I am the lowest of the low in United's MileagePlus frequent flyer program with just 80,000 lifetime miles and the flight was full.

Instead, I was handed a first class boarding pass. Was it because I was wearing suit? I didn't ask, but most of the other passengers waiting in the lounge were in what passes for air travel attire these days: sandals, dirty sneakers, jeans, t-shirts, gym attire. If I'm going on a business trip, I wear my suit on the plane, in part because I don't want it to take up too much room in my carry on. And because it just looks better.

My guess is that United overbooked economy and they needed to upgrade someone. And that someone was me. In a recent blog post, I asked a gate agent for another airline if he would give preference to a well-dressed passenger in such a scenario and his answer was, "Yes, the better dressed you are, the more likely you are to nab that seat. I am not going to put someone wearing flip flops up front with our best customers. It also pays to be courteous, to smile and to be patient. I would rather give the better seat to someone who makes my life easier." (He did point out, however, that if the flight isn't oversold, the computer takes over and assigns upgrades based on frequent flyer status and other factors.)

"You can't fly on Concorde! You're not wearing a tie!"

Think this is "dress up and sit up front" stuff is nonsense? Well, not really. For a couple of years in the 1980s, just before they went belly up, I worked as a consultant for Eastern Airlines -- remember them? -- and could fly anywhere for free, in first class if seats were available. One evening a ticket agent handed me a seat in economy. "Is first class full?" I meekly inquired. "The way you're dressed, you don't even deserve to fly at all," he scolded. What was my sin? I was wearing a suit and a nice pair of shoes but had taken off my tie. Into economy I went.

Another time I was booked in business class on British Airways on a pass from Heathrow to New York. Due to an air traffic controller slow down, my flight and virtually all others were canceled, but I convinced the company to put me on the one flight that was still operating, which happened to be on the Concorde. I approached the ticket counter and explained that I was authorized to fly supersonic.

"You can't fly on Concorde!" the agent barked at me. "You're not wearing a tie!" True story. Luckily, this time I had a tie in my carry on. "One sec," I replied. I ducked down behind the counter, quickly repaired my wardrobe malfunction, popped back up and said, "Can I have my boarding pass now?" And off I flew.

If we have to dress up, why don't the passengers?

You see, for many years airline employees were required to dress nicely if they were flying on a pass. Women were required to wear a skirt and a blouse, and men at least donned a sport coat and tie or in some cases a suit. The rules were especially strict for first-class travel. No jeans, no sneakers, no tie, no service. Although most airlines have relaxed these rules, there are a lot of employees who remember the old days. And perhaps, they figure, if we had to dress well to fly, what's up with all the passengers who get to sit in first class dressed like Richard Simmons? (It's a bit ironic that these days when you fly first class on British Airways and many airlines, they give you a pair of pajamas to change into).

And although I don't recommend that you show up at the airport in your pj's -- didn't someone get kicked off a Southwest flight recently for doing that? -- it's entirely up to you how you dress when you fly. I do understand that flying is often uncomfortable and many folks want to make the flight as pleasant as possible. And many of you will think that this entire post is a lot of nonsense, to which I say, "Great! I don't want you dressing up and competing for my next discretionary upgrade!"

But, I'm just saying. Everything else being equal (same frequent flyer status, etc.) when a flight is oversold in economy and the airline needs to upgrade someone, are they going to choose the passenger in the tank top or the one wearing the nice dress or suit? Now you know the answer.

How do you dress when you fly? Have you ever been upgraded because you were well-dressed?

Only once have I ever been bumped up on a flight (from coach to business), and I can promise you it wasn't because I was dressed my best since it was one of the last legs of a grueling 38-hour trip (including layovers) to the other side of the world. I don't know about you, but the next time I fly, I'm going to remember George's article!

Red Carpet Myths

2011-11-10T10:38:00.005-06:00

If you watched any of the CMA Awards red carpet coverage last night (or any awards show red carpet coverage for that matter), you may have thought to yourself, "Oh, how nice it must be to have someone style you and dress you and make you look so flawless and fabulous." (I'm guessing it's mostly the female audience that is having these thoughts, but yeah, some guys hate shopping and would also love to have someone - other than their mother - pick out their clothes for them so they don't have to do it themselves.) Well, here's a little secret...this luxury doesn't have to be just for the rich and famous or the industry insiders. That is just one of several myths about hiring a stylist or image consultant that I want to dispel in today's blog, so let's jump right in!

Myth: It's only for the rich and famous.

Reality: While the majority of my clients are from the music industry, almost 40% of my clients work outside the music industry and come from all walks of life.

Examples: I have worked with professionals going through career changes or looking for a new job. For instance, I had one client who had been working in a position in healthcare that required her to wear scrubs every day and she was being promoted to an administrative role in healthcare which required a change to a more professional wardrobe. I also once worked with a woman in need of a mother-of-the-groom dress for her son's wedding and of course our goal was for it to be more stunning than her ex-husband's new wife's dress (which it was)! I've even had a client hire me just to go with him to the optometrist to help him choose just the right glass/frames for his face. And it's not uncommon for a loving husband to purchase a paNASH Style gift certificate for a personal shopping day for his wife.

Myth: I can't afford it.

Reality: I know a lot of people are struggling financially these days, but hiring a stylist/image consultant to dress you does not always cost as much as you think, and the amount invested in the process can actually save you a LOT of money in the long-run. It could even lead to a new job or a promotion and more income!

Examples: I had a client who lives in another state hire me to help her via Skype to come up with an outfit for an upcoming job interview. She was tired of dressing in the cookie-cutter black job interview suit that all the other candidates were wearing and wanted something that stood out and showed some sense of style, all the while maintaining a level of professionalism. She showed me the separates she had via Skype and I made suggestions on what to mix and match. And guess what? She got the job! If all it takes to help you step up your game at work so you don't get passed over for a promotion is to start dressing the part for the job you want, not the job you have, then it might be wise to have a stylist come in and create a new look out of your current wardrobe by mixing and matching items you already have on hand. This will be a lot less expensive than going and buying new clothes. When we see something on a daily basis, we tend to become blind to its potential. Sometimes it just takes a fresh eye to see your wardrobe in a whole new light.

Myth: It's only for women.

Reality: Nearly half of all my clients are males. Some hire me to teach them how to dress more professionally; others hire me because they don't currently have a wife or girlfriend to teach them how to dress.

Examples: This past year I worked with a guy who had just gone through a 100 pound weight loss! He looked and felt great, but still needed that extra boost of confidence in how he dressed his new body. I showed him what worked best for him as we shopped for better fitting clothes. He said he was never even aware that many clothes could fit him so well until I showed him. Afterwards, all his female friends and co-workers couldn't stop commenting on how great he looked in his new wardrobe!

Myth: I don't need it.

Reality: You're right, you probably won't think you need it until after you've had it. That's usually how it goes. And you won't know until you try it! But isn't there some truth to the statement "there's always room for improvement"?

Examples: With that improvement, I've had countless clients who have stated that the improvement in their wardrobe is directly connected with the improvement in their confidence. Many also say they wish they had done this sooner because they can now see not only what they were doing wrong before, but also how they can correct it.

Think about it this way: when you exercise and work out, it's the equivalent to renovating your home. When you update your wardrobe, it's like redecorating or adding the art of feng shui to a home you've just renovated. But even better than that, you can still look slimmer by having a stylist show you how to dress your body even if you haven't yet gotten into the shape you'd like to be. This makes me think of another myth: that you have to have a perfect body to deserve the red carpet treatment. Not true! You deserve to look and feel great regardless of your size. In fact, you might want to check out a couple of our past blogs on this particular topic:

And if you're still wondering how you can allow yourself the luxury of working with a stylist or just obtaining their advice, there are two options for you coming up soon. 1) When your loved one asks you what kind of gift you'd like for the upcoming holidays, you can say a gift certificate from paNASH Style, and 2) you can attend a book signing and purchase copy of my book Advance Your Image on Thursday, December 1st from 5:30 to 7pm at Landmark Booksellers in downtown Franklin. We'd love to have you for the festivities!

(By the way...If you're wondering who my pick was for best dressed on the CMA red carpet last night, it was Taylor Swift. Exquisite!)

Want to Make the Right Contacts? Then Do the Right Thing(s)!

2011-11-02T14:37:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons why I work with people on image is to help them get their foot in the door of their chosen industry, whether it's an up-and-coming recording artist trying to make a name in the music industry or someone who is changing careers from one industry to a different one either due to job loss or a change in career focus. Image is an important component of one's career, and more specifically an important component of the number one way to get your foot in the door - NETWORKING.

But sometimes people don't immediately get the connection between image and networking until it's often too late. Let's say you know someone already in the industry who could introduce you to a lot of noteworthy people who could possibly be of assistance to getting your name out there or helping you get your big break. Ask yourself, would there be anything about me or the impression I make on others that would make this person hesitant to introduce me to his or her contacts? Remember, this person is putting his or her own name and reputation on the line whenever they refer you to someone.

There could be some reasons due to your current image that would make this person hesitant to introduce you or refer you to someone in the industry. These reasons could include poor or inappropriate appearance, such as not dressing the part, showing too much skin, marinating in your cologne, or any number of things that would cause an industry leader to not take you seriously. I've personally seen this happen more than once. I've seen people show up to networking events in athletic shoes, outdated hair accessories (i.e. the scrunchie!), and extremely worn and faded clothes that have seen better days. It's not that these people don't get noticed, it's just that they do for the wrong reasons. It doesn't take a whole lot of time and money to make just a few updates and more appropriate clothing choices for such events (check out one of my past blogs for ways to update your wardrobe with little to no money). It doesn't matter if you have the best networking skills in the world. You'll never get to put them to use if your appearance is making you less than approachable.

Another reason someone may not feel comfortable referring you to others is because of your online presence, or lack thereof. If your tweets are offensive or if it's obvious your web site is a DIY project (i.e. it's riddled with misspellings, grammatical errors and distorted photos [a real pet peeve of mine - you know what I'm talking about...when only the width or height of a picture has been changed to fit a particular space...this just screams "AMATEUR"), then you're not likely to get a referral. I once made the mistake of referring someone for a marketing job because the person seemed to have great marketing ideas, but then when I saw how outdated and inconsistent his web site was, I regretted making the referral. Another poor reflection on your online image is if you set up a Facebook page or Twitter account and then never use it again, or if you never update your web site. Dropping the ball on social media and your web site maintenance gives the impression that you have nothing new to contribute or that you're not doing anything at all.

Your image, whether it's your appearance, online presence, behavior, etc., should always reflect your talent, your brand, and your professionalism in a positive light. Once it does, you'll begin to see doors start to open for you. paNASH Style is here to help you make that light inside of you shine!

Picture Perfect Part II

2011-10-27T12:06:00.000-05:00

Promotional photos are a huge component of marketing and branding, whether you are an artist branding yourself, or you are a business owner branding your company. It's necessary to have just the right photos to effectively market your music, your service or your product and convey the message you're trying to send.

Last year, I wrote a blog about some of the biggest mistakes I see that people (especially recording artists) make when having photos done (see below for an excerpt of that blog). But in addition to those mistakes, you may need to ask yourself if you are making the mistake of relying on the same photos year after year.

For business owners such as myself, it may make sense to have one dynamic photo that catches your market's eye and becomes synonymous with your business name, but you also need to have a few additional photos for various other purposes, whether it's a head shot to be used for professional purposes or a photo that illustrates a specific media story on you or your business. For recording artists, it's especially important to have new photos done either every year or every other year, whether or not you're coming out with a new album. Doing so shows your audience that you're remaining current and have something new to say with your music. Do you have something new to say? Is it time to do so by updating those old photos with newer ones?

Also, it's important that you only use professional photographers for these types of photos (not friends who tell you they can do just as good of a job as a professional, unless they happen to already be professionals). If both you and your photos look professional, then the more professional publications are likely to print stories about you. If you can only provide amateur-looking photos to a professional publication, your story will probably get edited right out of their publication since they too have an image to maintain. The higher caliber the publication, the higher caliber the photos they print. Doesn't it give you and your business or your music more credibility if you can get in those higher caliber publications? Don't risk missing out on good publicity just because of a lack of professional photos!

Excerpt from "Picture Perfect"

I've seen too many promo photos of performers where the person has obviously bought a new outfit for the photo shoot, but the outfit is all wrong. Either the outfit was too big, too small, not the right color, not the right type of clothing for the purpose of the photos, or not the right clothing for the backdrop. At this point, money has already been spent on clothing and the photographer, and the performer is not happy with the results. Often times the performer will either settle for a less-than-stellar publicity photo that doesn't look dynamic, or will try again which means another payment for photographer/photos, and probably even more money spent on new clothing. An image consultant/stylist can work with the performer to help determine the appropriate look for the shoot and the appropriate sized clothing for the performer that shows off his or her assets and hides his or her flaws.

During a photo shoot, backdrops vary and change frequently. Not every look/outfit will work with every backdrop. That's why it's important to take several outfits to the shoot and to have the image consultant/stylist on hand to determine which outfit goes best with which backdrop and which accessories need to be changed out, to make sure clothing is fitting properly, and to make any necessary adjustments to the clothing (tucking, pinning, etc.) for a flawless look.

After the photo shoot, the performer will probably have to select only a few pictures from up to 500 frames/shots. This can be very overwhelming, and if he or she lacks an eye for detail, the performer could very well end up overlooking the very best shot and choosing one that's not as good. An image consultant will look at the emotion in the face to determine if it's the right emotion needed to convey the appropriate message, will look at what the clothes are doing in the photo (how they are laying, what effect they are creating for the body, etc.), and will look at the posing and camera angles to determine if they are making the subject of the photo look too short, too wide, or too anything!

A perfect example of this is when I was going through some photos from a client's photo shoot to find just the right full-length shot. There were two pictures that were nearly exactly alike, and she really wanted to use one of those pictures. I showed her why she should choose the other picture that was nearly exactly alike instead of the one she was interested in. The one I had suggested had a very small amount of space between her right arm and her torso, just enough to show the curve in her waist and make her waist look smaller than it did in the other picture where there was no space between her arm and torso.

Another example is when I worked with a client who had two head shot photos that were nearly alike except for the tilt of his head and the expression of his face. In the picture I chose, the tilt and expression was more consistent with the honest, sincere look and feel he was going for compared to the other picture. The difference between the two pictures was ever so slight, but made all the difference in the world for the message he was trying to convey. It's those little details that make a big difference.

A good image consultant can also assist you in finding a good photographer, hairstylist, and/or makeup artist. So when it comes to getting a perfect picture for your promotional photos, don't make the mistake others make. Be prepared by investing in this type of expertise so you won't have to spend more money again later. You won't be sorry!

paNASH Style client CrossTie - photo from 1st year's photo shoot styled by paNASH

paNASH Style client CrossTie - photo from 2nd year's photo shoot styled by paNASH

You're Not Anonymous

2011-10-19T12:08:00.000-05:00

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with people who are either just on the cusp of their careers or are going through a career transition. I get to use my skills and experience in helping them polish their uniqueness into a genuine image that will help them succeed in their endeavors. Many of my clients are up-and-coming recording artists, wondering if and when they are ever going to get their big break, and others are ones who have been forced to look for new career opportunities either due to a job loss or other devastating circumstances. Whatever the situation is, it's important to do all the things that are within our control to improve our situation, and then learn to let go of the rest and trust that God is the one who is ultimately in control. Today's devotional from my daily devotional book for this year of 2011 speaks to this. Upon reading it, I felt led to share it here on my blog so that it will hopefully bring some comfort and hope to those who read it. Whoever wrote this particular devotional chose to remain anonymous, but know that if you are reading this right now, it's because God knew you needed it today. You are not anonymous to Him.

Focal verse: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5, from the passage James 1:1-13)

It was just one of those days! I was still waiting on God to show me my place of service. I needed His wisdom and frankly, I needed it that day. I was doing my field training for seminary at the First Baptist Church of Houston (where I later served on staff for eight years) with no hope of a job in sight. I was in my last semester and wondered if God had totally forgotten about me. I had spent the last few months almost begging people to hire me. And here I was doing the tiniest of jobs and sure I could not last another day.

I felt impressed (I mean a strong impression) to go to a luncheon hosted by a women's seminary group. This was not a group that I had ever been to (or since), and I certainly was not drawn by the topic, but I knew I was to go. I already had a lunch scheduled but the lady called to cancel. There was my open door. I jumped in the car and headed to a place I'd never been (with no directions of course) and even found it. As I walked in, there was one empty seat (a no show) just waiting for me. I have no doubt the hostess looked at me like I was crazy to show up unannounced. I explained that I was supposed to be there.

As this woman began to speak, she shared her testimony of the trials in her life and how God had opened the doors for her to have her ministry job. She told story after story that I related to. She pointed us to Exodus 14:13-14: "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.... The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" I know that I had to talk to her more. I knew the Lord was speaking through her to me.

After the session was over, it seemed everyone cleared out early except for me. We walked about outside of the building and talked. She had such wisdom! It was obvious that I had asked God for wisdom and He had spoken through her. I knew God was telling me to quit trying to help Him find a job for me--He would fight for me. I just needed to patiently wait for Him.

Anonymous

I hope that as you've read this devotional, you have not only found comfort and hope in it, but that also God has led you to forward or share this with someone else you know who will find comfort in it.

The Plight of the Curvy Woman, by Ashley Balding

2011-10-12T10:52:00.000-05:00

This week's paNASH Style blog is a special one. paNASH welcomes guest blogger Ashley Balding, a fashion design student at O'More College of Design and her take on the plight of the curvy woman. Welcome Ashley and I hope all my readers out there enjoy her story and her tips as much as I did!

Lori
paNASH Style

The Plight of the Curvy Woman

By Ashley Balding

For at least the last decade, it seems to have become a trendy topic to talk about curvy women in the media. For generations we have been bombarded with idea of the perfect body and the perfect appearance. The Nineties gave us the starvation-style-Kate-Moss-esque, stick-thin models with bones poking through their paper-thin skin.

I have never been a stick. Even when I was little I had curves. Nobody ever made fun of me, but I always felt out of place. My legs were fleshy when other girls’ were twig-like. I was wearing women’s jeans in middle school, when the “cute” girls were still shopping at Limited Too. I remember in elementary school we had to gather in the cafeteria every morning. I would only sit in one certain position (on my knees with a jacket sitting on top of my legs) because I did not want anybody to think my legs looked fat.

Fat.

The big, bad F word. I hate that word. I despise it. Not just because we all feel it sometimes, but I hate the connotation. I hate the way it makes me feel. I hate how it eats away at you little by little until all that is left is an inhuman nub of negativity. And everybody deals with this.

Now when I look back at childhood pictures, I know that I was definitely nowhere near fat. I was simply normal. I wasted so much time worrying, even as a ten year old, about what people thought of me. And I know young girls do the same these days.

Thankfully, there is consistently more attention on the skinny girl image in the media. But my problem with that is I don’t want someone in my magazine that is the token “plus-size girl” to represent my supposed normal size. I hate opening a magazine and seeing skinny girl, skinny girl, skinny girl, and then one huge girl, who looks even huger because she is plastered next to the skinny girls, with big red flags saying “look at me I’m plus-sized! Give this magazine some credit!” That, to me, is worse than having all boney models. It's as if the magazines think that by simply including one big girl, it's going to appease all the women out there. WRONG!

The closest thing to “real” that I think I have seen thus far is the model Lizzie Miller, otherwise known as “the girl on page 194.” Miller is considered a plus-size model, but looks nothing near overweight (at least to me). Glamour featured her in a 3x3 inch picture that took the world by storm when its September issue hit the stands last year. Miller has gone on to appear in more editorials and talk about her experiences on talk shows. Miller is a beautiful woman who truly represents a normal physique–one that we can all attain.

What I don’t get is that she is called plus-size. If there is one term that I hate more than “fat” it is “plus-size.” Who decided that plus-size would be a great way to describe women? Last time I checked plus-size wasn’t the same type of compliment as “you are stunning.” That’s not true in all cases, but I know that if a man (or woman) walked up to me and said, “Wow, you are plus-sized!” I would NOT take it as a compliment. It has a negative connotation to it, and I really don’t believe that we need to attach that term to ourselves.

Whatever happened to the days when a woman’s curves were not just celebrated, but a normal characteristic, anyways? In the classical Greco-Roman age, women’s bodies were depicted as round, muscular, fleshy, and curvy. This represented beauty, strength, and fertility–all things that women should be and are–the NORM.

As someone who hopes to one day make an impact in the fashion industry, I struggle with this concept of “normal” body types. When the media is so skinny-girl-laden, how are women supposed to even know what to put on their bodies? This is something that I think about every day that I get dressed. There are several celebrities out there who are curvy, womanly, and beautiful, and I often channel their style in moments of frustrated outfit contemplation.

Kate Winslet has always been one of my style icons. She is classy and beautiful in that understated, Old Hollywood kind of way. She is fierce and feminine, two qualities that I admire and desire to be a part of my persona. When I look at her style and how to translate it into my wardrobe there are a few key elements that can be incorporated:

Stick with classic styles—cardigans, trouser pants, pencil skirts, tailored blazers. Feel free to play around with prints, patterns, and bold colors, but stick to simple styles that are structured in the right spots.
Don’t be afraid to stand out—Speaking of prints, patterns, and bold colors; never be afraid to use them! The right print can fool the eye and make your body look flawless. Put bold colors on parts of your body that you want to draw the most attention to. If you love your legs, wear a tomato red pencil skirt. The eye will be directed toward your favorite spot.
A little sex appeal never hurt anybody—be proud of your body. Kate is a pro at showing a little bit of skin, but not too much. It’s usually just enough to give off an air of sex appeal.
When in doubt, throw a little retro in—Kate embodies that Old Hollywood, glamorous feel. Vintage styles encourage a curvy figure and are always a win in my book. Try wearing a full skirt with a wide belt and a fitted top. Be sure to always show off the smallest part of your waist. Proportions are everything!
Red lips can save you—There are some days when nothing feels right, and you just can’t get your fashion mojo to line up, with or without Kate’s help. On days like this red lips can give you just enough oomph to make you feel sexy, classy, and lady-like. Kate does this perfectly all the time.

These are just a few tips to get you going on those mornings that you’re standing in front of your closet, without a clue as to where to start. I know I find myself in that spot far too often. Remember that no matter what, love the skin you’re in, and dress accordingly. There are so many women out there to look up to, whether the fashion industry is promoting it or not. As fellow females, we need to combine forces and be proud of who we are. It’s time for a beauty revolution, and it can start with our choices standing in front of that closet every morning!

This One's for the Guys: Don't Be Afraid to Sport Some Color!

2011-10-03T12:42:00.000-05:00

Women aren't the only ones who can have fun with color in their wardrobe. Men can easily incorporate color into their style instead of always opting for boring neutrals, but it takes some finesse in knowing how to put colors together. Below are some examples of how you can do so from a recent issue of Details magazine. And guys, when in doubt about which colors go together without clashing, just look to your favorite sports teams and check out their team colors. If the color combination works for them, it can work for you too!

Review, Rest, Renew

2011-09-25T16:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know, I'm a few weeks behind on my blog. It's been a hectic couple of weeks with new clients, speaking engagements, and more. I'm looking forward to a few days off this week and then getting back into full swing for awards/red carpet season and more new clients and speaking engagements.

In fact, one of my speaking engagements from this past week's NSAI SongPosium covered a lot of info on how recording artists can best present themselves in radio interviews and other media interviews. One portion of that presentation was based off a blog I wrote back in March that bears repeating this week. Click here for the full blog. Also, if you are a member of NSAI, you can catch the info I shared in my international webinar that can be viewed from the "members only" section of the NSAI web site.

Enjoy! I promise new blog material coming soon once I catch my breath!

A Successful Career Requires a Little LABOR!

2011-09-05T11:12:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day holiday! I am taking a little holiday myself from my blog this week, but didn't want to leave my readers empty-handed, so I'm re-posting a popular blog I wrote almost a year ago to the date! It's one that is fitting for this week since this coming Friday and Saturday is the Tom Jackson Singers-Bands Bootcamp at which I will be speaking in addition to guest speaker and vocal coach Brett Manning. For those interested in attending, there are still a few spots left and you can sign up here: Singers-Bands Bootcamp. Enjoy!

Tom Says (September 8, 2010)

The more I read Tom Jackson's blogs on the importance of live music production, the more I see how what I do for my clients parallels with what he does for his. In fact, I've referred several of my clients to him in order to take the next step in their music careers. One of Tom's recent blog entries reminds me so much of what I work hard to help my clients (including potential clients) understand about the importance of image consulting that I've decided for this week's blog entry to break his blog down and illustrate for you the parallels of these two VERY important components of a successful music career.

Tom Jackson's blog: "I’m on my way to Birmingham, AL right now to work with a pretty popular band that just got out of their record deal to pursue other, better deals. Their attorney...was glad I was working with them because she knows recording companies will make their decision based on how they like the band’s live show. She was hoping I could make all the changes, inspire, and help them in the three days I had with them. I said, 'the manager switched it to one day of rehearsal.' She came close to having a conniption fit. 'Oh, my gosh, this is the most important gig of their lives…why would the manager only hire you for 1 day?' See, she gets what we do here at Tom Jackson Productions. She knows this is a creative process. You don’t wave a magic wand, and instantly people become stars."

paNASH Style: It's true that recording companies are basing their decisions on a band or solo artist's live performance, partly because it's the ticket sales from the live performances they are hoping to make money from through 360 deals since they are no longer able to make a profit/revenue from an act's recordings. In a live performance, the recording companies not only hear the act sing, they are able to get a visual of the act's image. If the image doesn't line up with the act's music and what the label's idea of a marketable image is, the act doesn't make a good impression on the label. Developing an image is also a creative process just like the development of the live performance is. I'm no magician either and cannot come up with an image for an act in an instant...at least not one that is genuine to the act. For the image to be both genuine and successful, I need to listen to the client's music and get to know what they are about personally. I also need to spend time getting input from the client so that we are on the same page and that I'm not creating an image for them that doesn't feel like their second skin to them. I've had a few people contact me two days before a photo shoot and ask me to slap together a look for the shoot. I've also had some clients decide to cut back on the services they originally asked me to provide, which can easily compromise the quality of the client's goal.

Tom Jackson's blog: "...But I’m always optimistic once they see the process, they’ll realize what goes into live music producing...These bands did!...They actually ended up postponing their showcase with investors until we could get together again. They got a glimpse of what the process is, and they knew it was better to wait and get it right."

paNASH Style: I also remain optimistic that my clients will see how the process that they sometimes assume will be uncomfortable and/or unnecessary actually is both fun and yields results. Clients have shared with me how their confidence has increased greatly and how they find themselves putting into practice the things they learn from me, whether it's how to dress and shop for their body type or how to present themselves in a media interview or similar situation. Many have said they realized after having worked with me that they should have started the image development process sooner, and several often come back for the other services they thought they didn't need at first.

Tom Jackson's blog: "People get into the process at different levels, depending on how much time, energy, and money they can invest, where they are in their career, and how serious they are about doing the 'music thing.' I hear from artists all the time: 'I want to have a great show, so should I hire a Live Music Producer, or buy the DVDs, or come to your Bootcamp?' The answer is yes! Yes to all three. I’m not trying to evade the question, but the truth is all are necessary if you want to do this properly. You need to watch the DVDs (over and over until you are sick of me). You need one-on-one help. We don’t do something once, and 'get it.' The DVDs are one way to learn, Bootcamp is another, hands-on is another."

paNASH Style: I work with clients at varying levels in their careers and with various budgets. It really does boil down to how serious they are about their music careers. I hear from artists all the time wanting to improve their image and their presentation skills who ask me, "Should I read your book Advance Your Image, or attend one of your workshops, or hire you for individual services?" The answer is YES to all three! Like Tom says, if you want to do things properly, you need to take advantage of all that's at your fingertips to help you be successful.

Tom Jackson's blog: "I don’t know where you are in your career. But I do know this: those who are dedicating themselves to the process are seeing tangible results in their music career, whether they are new, young artists or someone who’s been around the block a few times."

paNASH Style: My clients often share with me the tangible results of their investment in working with me. One has told me how the interview preparation I did with him for a specific audition has helped him in so many other aspects of both his professional and personal life. Another has shared with me how the confidence she gained from having me put together the right look for her body type improved her comfort level on stage and her entire stage presence and live performance. A band who hired me to work on their image before working on other aspects of their music career has stated that they now see how it was so important to work on their image first because of the doors it has since opened for them. They said their image makeover is what made the right producers and other key players in their career sit up and take notice of them and take them seriously. Another client has just landed a highly-coveted spot on a show produced by Simon Fuller and told me how much our media coaching sessions also helped her with the intense interview process she had to go through during casting for the show.

Tom Jackson's blog: "In fact, those of you reading this who have worked with me 1-on-1, it’s never a bad thing to come back and get a tune-up. We’re always growing, developing, and learning. I know I am!"

paNASH Style: No, it's never a bad idea to come in for a "tune-up." When it comes to the wardrobe styling, clothing changes from season to season, and sometimes our bodies also change, and we have to know which current styles work best for our current body types. Also, the wardrobe for your last album or single's photo shoot has to be different from your next album or single's photo shoot. In fact, I'm working right now on a second photo shoot with a band that I previously worked with. They needed new pictures for their latest project. In addition, I am once again doing some media/interview coaching with a client I worked with several years ago. She and I are both able to see just how rusty she is in our recent sessions. I am also able to see how much she has matured since last working with her and how she can use that to her advantage. Yes, as Tom says, we are always growing, developing, and learning. I am a huge fan of lifelong learning and would rather be dead if I was no longer able to learn new things and to learn how to develop myself as a person and as a professional. My hope is that my clients will also continue to grow and stretch themselves in their careers so they can achieve their goals and dreams!

Receive a FREE copy of the book Advance Your Image with any purchase from Onstage Success.

Is Your Business Card Working for You?

2011-08-30T11:03:00.000-05:00

I just ordered my second set of business cards from a great online service that I absolutely love (MOO), and in doing so, I was reminded of a blog I wrote about a year and a half ago about how to improve your image in unexpected ways, one of those including having a unique and high-quality business card. Below is an excerpt from that blog:

Living in Nashville where you can throw a stone and hit six songwriters with that one stone, it’s easy to collect a lot of cards from a lot of people in the music industry. I try my best to always write down on the back of the card where I met this person so when I’m looking back through my rolodex I can remember who the person is. I’m one of those people who remembers a face but has a hard time remembering names. I have a feeling I’m not the only one who is like that. Therefore, I like getting a business card from someone who has included their picture on their card. This is the same reason why I have my picture on my card. I don’t have to stop and think where I met this person when they have their picture on the card.

I know that there are online services such as Vista Print where you can create your own card using one of their templates and get a set of cards just for the cost of shipping, but let me tell you why that’s not the best idea. There is one particular template on Vista Print that has a red background with a microphone on it. Do you know how many people here in Nashville have given me a card with this template background? Their cards don’t stand out to me because they look like so many other cards I’ve been given. Also, they are printed on very thin paper. What impression do you think this makes on the person receiving the card?

I want to encourage you to take the time to create your own unique card with your picture (or without if it’s not appropriate in your particular industry to include your picture) or get help from someone who can, and then have them professionally printed. You won’t be sorry! People will respond, “Hey this is a nice card,” and they will remember that.

I created my own card using a great online service called MOO (see below). I was able to design my own card with their easy-to-use online system that let me upload up to 50 different images for the back of my card! This was so cool because I was able to make my cards different and unique by using the images of past clients to showcase my wardrobe styling work on the back of my cards!

If you don't want to create your own, they still have some cool templates that have different designs on the back of them so that not all your cards look the same (see below). I love this! And the best part is you can choose between their really thick and modern finish cards or a more eco-friendly "green" card. The cost is a little more than what you would pay at FedEx/Kinkos or UPS Store, but your card will stand out making it worth it!

You can even order your business cards in sticker form or give them rounded corners; just simple little things to make them stand out. You can also order round stickers to put on CDs or your other merch items. For instance, I purchased some stickers that said "#1 Amazon.com Bestseller" to put on my book Advance Your Image.

You can get your MOO business cards (and post cards, stickers, and more) by clicking here to get started. I think you will love the look of your cards and others will too!

Most Commonly Asked Interview Questions

2011-08-22T11:57:00.000-05:00

Recently I came across a list of the most common interview questions for fashion industry jobs. Not surprisingly, these questions are ones that are typically asked in any job interview (and even in some label meetings), regardless of the industry. But what was even more interesting about this posting was the breakdown of which of these questions candidates hated the most, and which ones candidates had the most difficulty answering.

The top three most common questions interviewers ask are:

"Tell me about yourself."
"Why do you want to work for us?"
"Do you have any questions for us?"

The top three questions that candidates hate the most are:

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
"What is your greatest failure?"
"What would you consider your greatest weakness?"

The top three questions that hiring managers indicated were the ones job seekers have the most difficulty answering are:

"What is your greatest failure?"
"What would you consider your greatest weakness?"
"Do you have any questions for us?"

While I discuss in detail specifically how to answer these kinds of interview questions in my book Advance Your Image and in my presentations, there are a few common things to remember that will help any job seeker answer all of these questions in addition to other commonly asked interview questions (click here to see the full list of questions from the online survey):

Know who you are and what you want! This requires self-assessment and self-reflection, and being honest with yourself about what you want from a job, what you have to offer, and where you need to improve.
Understand why certain questions are being asked. If you take the time to put yourself in the interviewer's shoes, you will have a better understanding of why they have to ask certain questions, and therefore you will be able to better provide an answer to those questions. A lot of people hate the question "What are your greatest weaknesses?" But if you understand that this question is usually being asked in order for the company to know where you might need some support or additional training if you are hired instead of trying to trick you or to make you look bad, then you will be less nervous about answering this question and will be able to provide a more solid answer. (To know specifically how to approach answering this question, check out my book on Amazon.)
Do your research! I stress this so much in my book and in my presentations because this is the only way you will be able to give good answers and a give an overall good interview. Doing your research will also help you come up with questions of your own to ask in the interview. Not having appropriate questions of your own prepared, regardless of how good your answers are to the interviewer's questions, can immediately take you out of the running! You will find a list of sample questions you can and should ask in an interview in the appendix of my book.
Give examples. Never speak in generalities in an interview. No matter what you're being asked, always try to answer in specifics by providing examples to illustrate your point. Those examples should be ones of your past work and past accomplishments. When discussing your skills, always tell about a time when you've demonstrated those skills. Take it a step further by using a professional portfolio in the interview to provide a visual and tangible example of your skills and abilities. To know what a professional portfolio is, what to include in it, and how to present it in an interview, check out one of my past blogs on this topic: "Show 'N Tell: Designing and Presenting a Professional Portfolio"

Once you've done these things to prepare for upcoming interviews, the next step is to get a critique of a mock interview so that you can know what you're doing well and what you're doing wrong and how to correct it. This is just one of the many services I provide my clients, and probably one of the most helpful. I have years of experience doing both mock job interviews and mock media interviews, whichever is your need. Feel free to contact me today at LoriB@paNASHstyle.com to set up an hour session for a mock interview (either in person or via Skype). It's always better to screw up in front of someone who can help you improve than in front of the person making the final hiring decision!

Fear of the Unknown

2011-08-16T17:45:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I was meeting with a new client to do some wardrobe styling work for the shoot of his upcoming video. While I was discussing our upcoming initial meeting with him over the phone, he admitted to me that he was a little nervous about working with an image consultant or a stylist for the first time.

I told him that, for some reason, I hear that a lot from new clients. I’m not sure why that is exactly, and was trying to find out from him what the nervousness is about, hoping to shed light on why some clients feel that way before meeting face-to-face.

Some clients on the other hand are excited at the fact that someone is going to be helping them look their best. Most of those clients are female, so at first I wasn’t sure if it was just a guy thing to be a little uncomfortable about being told what to wear, but then I remembered having a few female clients who also admitted they were a little nervous in the beginning, not knowing what to expect.

Maybe it’s just fear of the unknown. I think we all can relate to that! But what I’ve found time and again once I start working with those who show signs of uncertainty is how they warm up to the experience so quickly. I’ve had several clients who have said to me after working with them, “I didn’t know what to expect in working with you and was a little nervous, but you made this process very comfortable and a lot of fun! I’ve learned so much from you about how to look my best and can now see what I was doing wrong before and why this is so important.”

That is what makes what I do so rewarding. Being able to put my clients at ease and have fun with the image development process comes from caring about and getting to know the person on the inside as I work with them.

So, if you’re one of those who’s been thinking about hiring an image consultant but was intimidated by the idea, you don’t have to worry about that when working with paNASH Style. Since my background is in higher education and I’m an educator at heart, you’re going to learn invaluable things to help you enhance your image and your presentation of yourself all while at the same time enjoying the process!

Oh, and that male client who was a little unsure at first, now has hired me to help him with his media coaching…something he first mentioned he had plenty experience in and didn’t think it was something he needed me to work with him on. He now gets the importance of taking his image to the next level. What’s your next level? How do you plan to get there?

Mobile Wardrobe: How to Pack Lightly

2011-08-08T18:53:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, my sister and my brother-in-law came to visit me here in Nashville. In usual fashion, my sister had a couple of bags packed, one of which required the strength of my brother-in-law to carry in to my house. Soon they will also both be heading to Atlantic City, which means more heavy luggage for my brother-in-law to carry. But I'm sure they're not the only ones traveling with a lot of baggage.

There are still several more weeks until summer is officially over. That means travel continues for a lot of us. Some people still have upcoming vacations, and many artists are still on tour. I myself will be doing more travel than usual for work this coming fall.

It always helps to know how to pack efficiently, whether you are an artist with limited space on a tour bus filled with other band members' stuff, or you are a traveler flying an airline that charges a significant fee for each checked bag. Here is a great article that provides tips for how to pack when space is limited: "9 Tips for Packing Light." I'm sure my brother-in-law will be ever-so grateful if my sister reads it and follows some of the tips. Love you Sis!

An Everlasting Answer to the Ever-Present Question of 'What Am I Going to Wear Today?'

2011-07-31T13:57:00.000-05:00

One day while doing some personal shopping for one of my clients, she asked me, “Do you, as a stylist, ever wake up in the morning and, like I and most women do, ask yourself ‘What am I going to wear today?’”

My response was, “Of course I have days like that!”

“So what do you do?” she asked.

I said, “I do what I do every morning: during my prayer time I ask God to show me what He wants me to wear.”

“You do?” she asked with surprise in her voice.

“Yes,” I said, “and I also ask Him to show me what clothes I should be selecting for my clients. I pray before each and every appointment I have with each and every client of mine for the Lord to guide me in my work.”

“Really?!” she asked.

“Yes. In fact, I prayed right before this appointment today. And then I put my trust in God’s workings through the talent and skills He has graciously given me.”

It’s true that God hears all of our prayers, even the ones that we assume are about insignificant things. Big or small, He’s ready to answer our prayers, either immediately or later in His perfect timing, as long as we are in sync with His will for our lives.

One of the things that is His will for us is for us to get dressed each day in the armor of God. Even if you don’t know which garments to wear on a particular day, His word does tell us that we should, before doing anything, put on armor including the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shoes of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word). I have been spending time lately studying in depth what this really means. I encourage you to also learn about the armor of God and to get dressed in it not just on this Sunday of July 31^st, 2011, but each and every day the Lord has created!

Ephesians 6:10-18

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

The Warrior’s Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Your warrior prepares for battle.

Today I claim victory over Satan

by putting on the whole Armor of God!

I put on the Belt of Truth!

May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word

so I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!

May it guard my heart from evil

so I will remain pure and holy,

protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the Shoes of Peace!

May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel

so Your peace will shine through me

and be a light to all I encounter.

I take the Shield of Faith!

May I be ready for Satan’s fiery darts of

doubt, denial and deceit

so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation!

May I keep my mind focused on You

so Satan will not have a stronghold in my thoughts.

I take the Sword of the Spirit!

May the two edged sword of Your Word

be ready in my hands

so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

By faith Your warrior has put on

the whole Armor of God!

I am prepared to live this day

in spiritual victory.

In His most Holy Name,

Amen!

Learning is a Lifelong Process

2011-07-18T14:18:00.000-05:00

Once you get out of school, you soon realize that learning doesn't end after graduation. It's a lifelong process, whether it is to benefit to your career, your personal growth, or even your personal interests and hobbies. Here in Nashville, singers, songwriters and musicians of all genres are so fortunate to have at their finger tips access to wonderful learning resources to help them in honing their craft. The great thing about these resources too is that they are not just limited only to artists based here in Nashville. They are open to anyone in the country, or even the world for that matter, who is serious about the development of his or her talents and the investment of time, energy, and resources to becoming an even better artist.

One of the most recognized resources for songwriters is the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). However, its programs are not just for songwriters, but also for performing artists, and the programs are not limited to topics related to just the country music genre, but to all genres of music. NSAI also provides legislative and professional development support for its members, and has chapters throughout the United States and the world (hence the "International" part of the organization's name!).

The staff members at NSAI are so warm, friendly, and encouraging, and I have been fortunate to have made some lasting professional relationships with them in such a short time. They really "get" and understand the importance of image and media coaching for both performing artists AND songwriters, and I am grateful to them for promoting this important ingredient in a successful music career by including me in their programming and encouraging members to seek out my services.

I am honored to serve as one of the "pro faculty" for NSAI, and am also very honored to get to speak at this year's NSAI Fall Songposium (Sept. 20-23; click here to register) where I will be presenting two programs as part of 120 a la carte classes:

Image: Yeah, It's THAT Important, for Artists AND Songwriters! (Click here for class description.)
Get Your SPIN On! How to Make an IMPACT on Radio! (Click here for class description.)

In addition to the NSAI Fall Songposium, another great resource for performing artists is this fall's Tom Jackson Bootcamp, which is a 2-day (Sept. 9th &10th) intensive workshop focused on helping artists improve the production of their live performances to draw in more fans, larger audiences, and attraction from music industry executives.

Tom works with artists such as Taylor Swift, Jordin Sparks, and The Band Perry, just to name a few. I have seen first-hand the amazing transformations he is able to take a band's onstage performance through to something that can mesmerize audiences. When an audience has an experience like that from an act's onstage performance, they want to experience that same feeling time and time again and will try to do so by returning to shows and purchasing CDs. I've seen in just one hour of Tom working with a band on the production of a particular song how it looked by the end of that hour. The performance of the song looked like one of my clients' "after" pictures! It was completely enhanced and polished to look amazing!

I believe so much in what Tom does because it directly relates to the importance of a visual for one's music, much like image does. He also sees the connection between the visual of someone's image on stage and the visual performance. As a result, he has asked me to come in and provide a session during the bootcamp entitled The Importance of Image in Promoting Your Talent. The bootcamp is open to anyone in or from outside the Nashville area, but space is limited and is filling up quickly. To register for the Sept. 9th & 10th bootcamp which includes the importance of image program, click here.

While there are numerous professional development programs and events out there available to singers and songwriters, these are two that I think all singers and songwriters should consider. I wouldn't spend my time and energy presenting programs for these events if they weren't ones I believed in. It's definitely worth your investment for either or both programs, and I hope to see you there!

The Other Side of the Desk

2011-07-11T14:05:00.000-05:00

When people think about wardrobe styling in the music industry, they immediately picture a very popular artist surrounded by a team of designers, wardrobe stylists, hair stylists, makeup artists, etc. But it's not just the artists who rely on the help of wardrobe stylists. Even those on the other side of the desk, the music executives, turn to people like me to help them find just the right look for their personal and professional life, and for industry events such as what to wear when walking the red carpet with their artist clients and when attending industry awards events.

I've even had several industry people have me write their bios for them in addition to the bios I write have written for their artists. It's not just the artist that needs a bio. Just about every professional, regardless of the industry, needs a bio on hand for when he or she is asked for one. This usually happens when the professional is asked to serve as a speaker or a panelist for an industry conference or professional development program.

I have found from firsthand experience that, no matter how good of a writer you are, it is very difficult to write your own bio. In fact, I look at the bios I've written for several artists and music industry professionals and wish I could come up with something half as good for myself. For some reason, people have a hard time tooting their own horn.

But just as we tell our artist clients these are necessary ingredients for their promotion, it is also true for us music industry professionals, especially those who are independent professionals (i.e. independent publicists, managers, etc.).

In addition to artist services, paNASH Style also offers services for those on the other side of the desk. For those of you professionals needing either a wardrobe or bio update, feel free to email me at LoriB@paNASHstyle.com for more info on my services available just for you!

A Quick Look Back

2011-07-05T09:37:00.000-05:00

So we just finished celebrating the 4th of July. Where has 2011 gone already? It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating New Year's. So, now that we are halfway through 2011, it's a good time to look back on our New Year's resolutions to see how far we've come and celebrate our successes, while also re-evaluating our approach to the goals we're still working on. If you missed my 2011 New Year's blog on how to achieve the most common New Year's resolutions, you can check it out here. Enjoy!

Putting Yourself in Others' Shoes: A Step Toward Success

2011-06-27T14:14:00.003-05:00

You all know how much I like my shoe collection, but right now during this time in my life, I'm trying to learn how to be more empathetic with others in my personal life by figuratively putting myself in other peoples' shoes. In addition to that, I'm often telling my clients that in order to really reach your audience you have to think about what they will respond to, and incorporate that with your genuine self in order to be a successful artist. Whether you are an artist seeking a label deal or pursuing your own venture independently, your success will often depend on learning how to put yourself in others' shoes.

Other peoples' shoes include the shoes of your fans and potential fans. When your fans attend your shows, they're coming not just to hear you, but also to see you, and they want to see you at your best in how you look and in how you perform. "Image is important; consumers want their stars to look better than they do," says Joe Galante, former Chairman of Sony Music Nashville in the book It All Begins With the Music: Developing Successful Artists and Careers for the New Music Business (Don Grierson and Dan Kimpel). It may begin with the music, but obviously that's just one layer to an overall successful artist career, which also includes layers of image and live production.

In writing this, I am reminded of the thoughts I often have when watching the America's Got Talent auditions. While I like the fact that the contest is open to ANY kind of talent, and I find much of the talent is very fascinating for the 90-second audition, I eventually start asking myself the question, "Would I want to watch that for a full hour and a half?" Because, keep in mind, the winner of the show gets their own year-long Vegas show. Yeah, it's breathtaking to watch a man juggling 500,000 volt stun guns while standing in a tub of water, but do I want to spend an hour and a half of my life watching him do that at the price of a Vegas show ticket? I don't think so. So then I start asking myself the question, "Do these people not ask themselves beforehand whether or not the audience wants to watch them swallow swords (or what have you) for that length of time?" This is what I mean by putting yourself in your audience's shoes.

The fans however are just one segment of your audience. You also have to put yourself in the shoes of the media and figure out how to make yourself attractive to them so they will want to give you exposure to their audience which is made up of even more potential new fans for you. They are looking for a story to deliver to their audience. Are you able to tell your story in an interesting and compelling way in the bio you send to the media? In an interview with a magazine? In a radio or television interview? Are you putting yourself in their shoes by trying to find ways to make their job a little easier?

Also, if you are seeking a label deal, then your audience additionally includes the label executives. Here's where you have to learn to think like a label executive and put yourself in their shoes by trying to be as objective about yourself as possible (this means also learning how to take criticism in a constructive and humble way). Former Sr. VP & GM of Universal Records South Fletcher Foster says, "To meld the music and image together in a cohesive package can definitely move you to the front of the pack of artists looking for a deal."

But even if you are an artist who is not seeking a label deal, it helps to learn how to think like a label executive when pursuing success independently. Ask your "CEO/business owner" self the same questions a label head would ask about your "artist" self. Galante talks about when at Sony what questions he used to consider once he signed the artists: "At the end of the day, you sign the artists, [and] then it's their repertoire; everything after that is about their look and the choices we make. The first and second singles? Which touring partners? The image of the video? The image on the album cover? What are they doing live? Is there a live coach that we can bring in? Should we improve their interview skills? We spend a great deal of time doing that with our artists. We're looking at the process and working to always make it better."

Ah, there's that word "process" again. You may remember my blogs on how image development is a process, just like Tom Jackson also indicates live music production is a process. It's ALL a process! You have to objectively look at yourself and be humble enough to admit when you need help with the things Galante mentioned, such as image development, choosing the right photos, improving your interview skills, and working on your live show.

Here again I'm reminded of America's Got Talent when a duo that just couldn't sing responded to judge Howie Mandel's criticism with a rather immature "You're a hater!" declaration. I loved Howie's reply: "I'm not a hater, I like you. I just didn't like you're singing." This is where you have to learn not to be so touchy and not take everything personally. Remember, you are choosing a career path that is filled with all sorts of rejection. Learn to handle it tactfully. By doing so, you'll develop the image of a professional and serious artist.

If you are doing the independent thing, then you must be cognizant and aware of how you are coming off to your audience (your fans, your potential fans, the media, those who can help you take your career to the next level). If you are unable to develop that ability, then perhaps the label route is something to consider pursuing.

Either way, you need to surround yourself with a team of people who can help you succeed in either route, such as a good manager, a good publicist, etc. Trying to do everything yourself can be overwhelming and you're bound to miss something that could potentially take your career to the next level. How do you find the right team? Ah, this is another segment of your audience that you may have never even considered as an audience. But, as I discuss in my workshops, the better the image you're already presenting, the better team you're able to attract and therefore the better you're able to progress in your career. This is why image development should be one of the first (and continuous) layers of your music career process.

In my book Advance Your Image: Putting Your Best Foot Forward Never Goes Out of Style, I discuss ways to develop an image while keeping each segment of your audience in mind. You can purchase a copy of the book for $12.99 by visiting my web site, or you can get a copy for FREE with any On Stage Success purchase made to start improving your live production.

Remember, it's important to take the time to walk a mile in your audience's shoes, no matter how uncomfortable or awkward it may feel!

If you're going to swim with the big kahunas, learn to think like one while remaining true to yourself!

Continuity: An Essential Ingredient for Success

2011-06-20T11:28:00.000-05:00

You've heard me talk on this blog about how the music industry now requires artists to come to the table with the total package, but also with that total package industry leaders are seeking continuity and consistency between all the elements of that artist's total package. According to Dan Kimpel, popular music industry journalist and author, there has to be harmony between the artist's music, appearance (on stage, in person, and in photos and videos), and written materials (bio, press, print and online articles).

But what I sometimes find in my work with clients is a total disregard for the essential ingredient of continuity or connection. I'll have a manager, publicist, or label who wants to hire me to help their artist with their wardrobe styling, but not with their media coaching or bio. Or, they will hire me to help with their media coaching and bio but not with their wardrobe styling.

In fact, I remember working with an artist on media coaching where I really got to know the ins and outs of this artist's personality and personal approach to music. When I noticed that the stylist hired to assist this artist was putting him in high-end Italian designer clothes and shoes, it seemed to me that the stylist didn't really "get" the artist or his music, perhaps for not taking the time to do so. While he looked great and the stylist's clothing selections were beautiful, there was quite a disconnect between the visual image and the presentation of the artist.

Of course I work hard to enhance and improve the visual image of my clients, but I feel it's important to also preserve the essence of the real person by creating an enhanced look that they feel comfortable with and that still represents who they are. I use the same approach when writing an artist's bio. The only way I can do these things well, is by really getting to know the artist which usually happens during the media coaching sessions.

I've often said that imaging is a process, which it is. But it's a multidimensional process that is made up not of sequential steps but of interdependent and interrelated methods. I've also found that there is a huge psychological component in what I do because a lot of it has to do with how my clients perceive themselves compared to how others perceive them. (And to think my dad was concerned that I'd never be able to use a degree in psychology! Ha!)

But this idea of continuity is not just important for recording artists. This same principle applies to anyone seeking a career in any industry. Since my background is in career advising, I also have clients from other walks of life seeking my help in preparing them for job interviews, helping them write their resumes, and providing them with styling advice on business attire. In these cases, the job candidate must show a connection and consistency between what is written on their resume, how they present themselves in their job interview, and what message they are sending with their choice of attire.

While it's not a crime to have different experts helping you with different aspects of your image development, know that you'll have more continuity that industry leaders seek when you hire someone who has a holistic approach to developing your image. If you decide to consult a variety of experts, make sure they are ones who will and can communicate well with each other so that everyone is on the same page. It's just the smart thing to do!

Eliminating Negative Thinking

2011-06-13T14:43:00.000-05:00

Okay, so no one got 100% on last week's quiz, but in case you were wondering, I included the answers below. But, along with those answers, I have also included some tips from Trinny and Susannah's book What Your Clothes Say About You to address each underlying concern, one tip for your wardrobe, and one for your overall life. I hope you find them motivating and helpful! Enjoy!

Answers to last week's quiz:

What I say: "Black works with everything."
What I really feel inside: "Better safe than sorry."
Chapter 2 I have an image to uphold (for the stuffy, black suit workaholic)

Wardrobe Tip: Every single day for a week, wear some thing from your closet that you don't usually wear. Vary your colors as well as your outfits. Count how many compliments you receive during that week.
Life Tip: Enroll in a week-long or month-long evening class on a topic that is fun and enriching. This will also give you an excuse to leave work on time instead of always staying late.

What I say: "These sunglasses cost $275."
What I really feel inside: "I'm terrified of my credit card bill."
Chapter 9 You're nobody unless you wear labels (for the label whore)

Wardrobe Tip: Mix designer garments with less expensive items from retail stores or consignment or thrift shops for a truly individual look that is entirely of your own making.
Life Tip: Everyday, list ten things you are grateful for. You will be delighted by how it changes your perspective on life.

What I say: "If you've got it, flaunt it!"
What I really feel inside: "Well, I think that's all I have to offer."
Chapter 4 Look at me boys! (for the girl who feels the need to dress overtly sexy)

Wardrobe Tip: Underwear belongs under your clothes. It's main job is to support your outerwear and make you look great by concealing as much as it reveals. Don't dress as though you're desperate. Lap dancers are not sexy, merely available.
Life Tip: Stop searching for your 'other half'. Why settle for half? You deserve a partner who is a whole human being. Be your own best person. Work on liking yourself, enjoying your own company and the life that you have right now. Trust that the right partner for you will come along at the right time.

What I say: "Comfort is the name of the game. I like to feel well covered up."
What I really feel inside: "I don't feel comfortable showing my body."
Chapter 1 What's the point in making an effort anymore? (For the girl who has given up on style)

Wardrobe Tip: Look carefully at the shape of your clothes - are your waistbands too high, your tops too low, your hems betraying aging knees? Can your arms take those puff sleeves, your legs those cropped pants?
Life Tip: Even if you don't feel happy, act as if you do. A smile is the best instant facelift. Try smiling at ten strangers a day and you will be amazed at the response, but don't overdo it or people will think you're crazy!

What I say: "I've got more important things to think about than clothes."
What I really feel inside: "You might not take me seriously if I wear fancy clothes."
Chapter 10 I really don't care about clothes (For the woman who deliberately down plays her looks)

Wardrobe Tip: There is a difference between well-fitted and too tight. Wearing clothes that are fitted will make you seem slimmer and shapelier.
Life Tip: Give yourself a compliment every morning. It might make you laugh, but it will also make you feel good.

What I say: "I've always been a tomboy."
What I really feel inside: "I wouldn't consider myself an attractive woman."
Chapter 6 I hate wearing long skirts and dresses (for the tomboy at heart)

Wardrobe Tip: Make it a rule to wear mascara every time you leave the house.
Life Tip: Invite some girls to lunch, including one good friend who is supportive, and some other girls you have always felt slightly intimidated by. Tell them about how you have felt about them in the past and ask them in turn about their fears. You will be very surprised to find that they have vulnerable sides too.

What I say: "Most of my money goes toward my children."
What I really feel inside: "You might think I'm selfish if I spent money on myself. I'm a martyr to motherhood."
Chapter 3 My kids are my life, there's no time for me (for the mommy who always puts herself last)

Wardrobe Tip: Clothes that are fitted and well cut are every bit as practical as shapeless, baggy ones. It's just a question of learning what's right for your body shape.
Life Tip: You are not perfect and nobody wants you to be. Allow others to help you and make their own mistakes along the way.

What I say: "I don't believe that new clothes and a new hairstyle could make a difference to how I feel inside."
What I really feel inside: "I'm afraid of losing my identity."
Chapter 12 This has always been my best look (for those stuck in a time warp)

Wardrobe Tip: Loosen up your look. Learn to wear separates, colors, and accessories that coordinate but don't match. Matching just makes you look dated.
Life Tip: Create a continuous awareness of your life by keeping a journal, even if you write for just 10 minutes each night about what you did that day and how you felt. After a while, you may begin to see the old patterns of behavior and thinking that are keeping you stuck. What small thing could you do differently today to change them?

What I say: "My clothes are traditional brands, very good quality."
What I really feel inside: "I have no idea about style so I stick to what I feel safe with."
Chapter 5 I dress old? But I am old! (for the woman who dresses older than she really is)

Wardrobe Tip: Get rid of hand-me-downs, update your shoes, and wear your jewelry in a more modern way (look at some current fashion magazines for direction).
Life Tip: Pay attention to all the compliments you receive each day and how many ways you find to bat them away. Spend the next week learning to accept compliments and generous gestures with a simple "thank you."

What I say: "I'm scared of drab colors."
What I really feel inside: "I'm scared you'll think I'm drab.
Chapter 7 Some people say I'm colorful, some say slightly eccentric (for the way-over-the-top wacky dresser)

Wardrobe Tip: Wear the smallest patterns and sheerest fabrics on the largest parts of your body. The big prints and chunkier fabrics will look great where you are slimmest.
Life Tip: It is likely that the way you've been dressing is a reflection of the way you feel inside, in a word - chaotic. Before you do anything else, take time each morning for some peace and quiet, even if it's just for 10 minutes.

What I say: "I don't care what people say about me."
What I really feel inside: "I would be devastated if they said it to my face."
Chapter 10 I really don't care about clothes (see first listing of Chapter 10 above)

What I say: "I'm so busy all the time."
What I really feel inside: "If I'm always busy I don't have to think about my own life."
Chapter: 8 Well, I have been married for years (for the woman who is in a life rut)

Wardrobe Tip: Update your "run-around" jeans with a pair that you can dress up and wear out to a restaurant with your husband by pairing them with a cute jacket and some casual heels.
Life Tip: Get into the frame of mind of putting yourself first. Make a commitment to putting aside 10% of your household budget each week for your makeover fund. This money must be used to buy yourself a whole new look or to try something fun and adventurous you've always wanted to do. It might mean the family may have to give up meat and become vegetarians for a week, but you've made sacrifices for them and so can they for you this time. Build up your fund for three months and then go out and get that makeover or do that think you've been daydreaming about!

What I say: "I look as good in my daughter's clothes as she does."
What I really feel inside: "I need to reassure myself that I'm still young and trim."
Chapter 11 I can fit into my daughter's clothes - and I'm 45! (for the woman who is desperately hanging on to her youth)

Wardrobe Tip: Replace your jeans from the juniors department, your kiddy pastels, and your cheap and childish accessories with higher-end garments, classic colors, and more elegant accessories that bring out the woman in you.
Life Tip: It's never too late to fulfill your dreams (instead of trying to live them vicariously through your daughter). Make a start now to fulfill one of your dreams and take it a day at a time. One action every week day equals five a week, which equals twenty per month. Soon, you will reach your goal!

What I say: "I dress for me, not for anybody else."
What I really feel inside: "I don't care about anybody else."
Chapter 11 I can fit into my daughter's clothes - and I'm 45! (see above)

Source: What Your Clothes Say About You, by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine

Test Your Matching Skills

2011-06-06T13:53:00.000-05:00

Just last week I cleaned out my DVD, CD, and book collection and took a few items to McKay's used bookstore to get rid of them. Usually when I go into McKay's, it's to buy instead of sell (I'm addicted to this store since it feeds my book addiction). And of course since I had to wait for the "decision makers" at McKay's to go through my items and everyone else's ahead of me before I could get my cash, I spent that time browsing my favorite sections of the store.

I love inspirational books and I found a copy of Blue Like Jazz which I've heard so much about, along with some other inspirational books that caught my eye. Then, I headed over to the fashion section where I found a book that supports my recent blog "Your Clothes Speak Loud and Clear. What Are Yours Saying?" This book is written by the hosts of the BBC British version of What Not to Wear, Trinny and Susannah, and is entitled What Your Clothes Say About You: How to Look Different, Act Different and Feel Different.

When I looked at the table of contents (the criteria I use when deciding whether or not I'm actually going to read the book), I knew I needed to get it simply based on the titles they gave each chapter! Each chapter title is a declaration I've heard from at least one of my clients if not more! The first two pages of each chapter includes the common things people say about their own style/clothing and then what they really mean and feel deep down inside when they say that.

So for this week's blog, I wanted to share from the book a few of those things that are verbally said along with their deeper meaning, but I'm going to make it a little more interesting by making it rather interactive. I'm going to list some of the sayings from each chapter, along with the names of the chapters, and the first person who can correctly match up which sayings go with which chapter will get a free copy of my book, Advance Your Image along with my 20% stylist discount at Wolford's in the Green Hills Mall (submit your answers to lorib@paNASHstyle.com). In addition, anyone willing to share their story of the saying that they relate to the most in the comment box below will also receive a free copy of my book (send me your mailing address to lorib@paNASHstyle.com so I can get that to you!). Ready? Here we go...(hint: two chapters will be the answer more than once...use the chapter listing below to determine your answers).

Sayings:

What I say: "Black works with everything."
What I really feel inside: "Better safe than sorry."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "These sunglasses cost $275."
What I really feel inside: "I'm terrified of my credit card bill."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "If you've got it, flaunt it!"
What I really feel inside: "Well, I think that's all I have to offer."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "Comfort is the name of the game. I like to feel well covered up."
What I really feel inside: "I don't feel comfortable showing my body."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "I've got more important things to think about than clothes."
What I really feel inside: "You might not take me seriously if I wear fancy clothes."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "I've always been a tomboy."
What I really feel inside: "I wouldn't consider myself an attractive woman."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "Most of my money goes toward my children."
What I really feel inside: "You might think I'm selfish if I spent money on myself. I'm a martyr to motherhood."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "I don't believe that new clothes and a new hairstyle could make a difference to how I feel inside."
What I really feel inside: "I'm afraid of losing my identity."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "My clothes are traditional brands, very good quality."
What I really feel inside: "I have no idea about style so I stick to what I feel safe with."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "I'm scared of drab colors."
What I really feel inside: "I'm scared you'll think I'm drab.
Chapter: _____

What I say: "I don't care what people say about me."
What I really feel inside: "I would be devastated if they said it to my face."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "I'm so busy all the time."
What I really feel inside: "If I'm always busy I don't have to think about my own life."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "I look as good in my daughter's clothes as she does."
What I really feel inside: "I need to reassure myself that I'm still young and trim."
Chapter: _____

What I say: "I dress for me, not for anybody else."
What I really feel inside: "I don't care about anybody else."
Chapter: _____

Chapter listing:

Ch. 1 What's the point of making an effort anymore?
Ch. 2 I have an image to uphold
Ch. 3 My kids are my life, there's no time for me
Ch. 4 Look at me, boys!
Ch. 5 I dress old? But I am old!
Ch. 6 I hate wearing skirts and dresses
Ch. 7 Some people say I'm colorful, some say slightly eccentric...
Ch. 8 Well, I have been married for years
Ch. 9 You're nobody unless you wear labels
Ch. 10 I really don't care about clothes
Ch. 11 I can fit into my daughter's clothes - and I'm 45!
Ch. 12 This has always been my best look

If you don't get a chance to participate, you can always get a free copy of my book with any Onstage Success purchase (click here). Next week, I'll share a practical tip from each chapter of Trinny and Susannah's book! Oh, and in case you're wondering, I only got $7 in cash from McKay's, which didn't really help since I ended up spending $12 on more books. But still, $12 for four books is not bad (this is how I justify my habit...that and a library card).

Elle Magazine: Can Fashion Save the Music Industry?

2011-05-27T12:03:00.000-05:00

Here is an article from Elle Magazine that describes an interesting twist of the on-going music-fashion relationship. Could this be a smart move for the continually struggling music industry? Check it out: Elle Magazine's "Can Fashion Save the Music Industry?" It reminds me of a blog I wrote nearly a year ago entitled "A Close Friend Sympathizes With the Music Industry."

Popularity, or POOPularity?

2011-05-16T10:44:00.002-05:00

People in the music industry often ask me, "So who is someone you've worked with that I would know?" In other words, "Who is someone well-known or 'popular' you've worked with?" My internal response to that question is, "If it's someone of notoriety who doesn't have a good image or doesn't give a good interview, why would their name alone make you impressed with me?" It's just like a photographer I once knew who said he often got the same question, "Who is someone 'big' you've photographed?" His response: "If the pictures themselves looked like POOP, what difference does it make if I photographed a George Strait or a Garth Brooks?" It's our work that should speak for itself.

I recently read a short but interesting blog entry from Seth Godin entitled "What's the Point of Popular?" which speaks to this concept. You should really check it out!

Then there's the opposite end of the spectrum, when people in the music industry try to impress me with whom they or their client is, knows, or has worked with. I've even had a few people drop names in the expectation that I would provide them or their clients consulting services for free as a result. (Seriously? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't work for free, regardless of who it's for! Sorry, temporary time-out needed to vent!)

What matters to me is not someone's name or who their famous relative is, but instead their work ethic and their attitude. Someone who is humble enough to know and understand the hard work it takes to earn respect and recognition, and someone who in turn understands and respects the hard work others provide to help them achieve their goals. These are the kind of people that make my work joyful, and make it easier for me to decide who I 'm going to take on as clients the times my schedule is limited! (Just like Godin says, "When you focus on delighting an audience you care about, you strip the masses of their power.") These are the ones who grow in their success (not necessarily their popularity) and go on to do great things!

Your Clothes Speak Loud and Clear! What Are Yours Saying?

2011-05-09T16:59:00.000-05:00

There are several forms of non-verbal communication, one of them being our choice of clothing and how we dress our bodies. There are so many messages we can send just with what we put on each morning. Some days we may feel like saying, "please don't pay any attention to me...you should move on now." Other days we need to say, "I'm here to make a difference and should be taken seriously."

Even just by taking what we already are wearing and changing it slightly can send a very different message. Probably the most memorable example of this was the media coverage right after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf. The press conference with then-FEMA director Mike Brown and President George W. Bush shows Bush with the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up ready to get to work on what was needed to be done, while Brown did not roll up the sleeves of his dress shirt, sending the message that he wasn't as concerned about the situation, which just so happened to be the case as we all remember.

There are various occasions in our lives when we must be intentional in the statement we are trying to make with our clothing so that what's coming out of our mouth is consistent with what we are saying visually. One of those occasions is the job interview, which so many who are currently out of work are having to go through again.

Now, there are the obvious negative statements you can make with your interview attire. Dressing very sloppy says, "I don't care about how I look, therefore I won't care about your company's image or how I represent your company." Dressing too sexy and dressing too frumpy, even though opposite approaches, can send the same message: "I don't have faith or confidence in my inner qualities and talents, therefore neither should you." But this message is communicated in a different way among these two approaches. Dressing frumpy says, "Since I don't believe in my inner qualities, I'm not going to make an effort to show my inner beauty and talent. It's not worth it," which can send the message that this person also won't make an effort in their work because they don't consider themselves capable. Dressing overtly sexy says, "I don't trust people to accept me for my talents or for who I am on the inside, so I'll just do what's easiest to get their attention." This sends the impression that this person will cut corners in the job and always take the easy approach. Do these examples sound like anyone you would want to hire?

When considering what statements you should be making in your appearance at a job interview, it's important to know what employers are seeking in a potential employee. The overall top skills and traits that all employers look for regardless of the position give you a clue. Below is a list of some of those skills and traits, along with ways to express those skills and traits in your attire:

Research/analytical skills: If you take the time to do your research on the industry as you should be doing in preparation for an interview, you should also research what is the acceptable type of attire for that particular industry and then dress the part for the interview. For instance, the music industry is more laid back and less conservative. Therefore, showing up for an interview in this industry dressed in a business suit would send the message that you lack those research skills necessary for the job with the music label. Show that you've done your research (and therefore possess those required research skills) by wearing what's appropriate for the particular industry.
Detail-oriented: Including details in your attire such as a nice watch, up-to-date glasses frames, a nice pair of subtle earrings, etc., sends the message that you pay attention to the details. While in conservative industries less is always more, going into an interview with absolutely no accessories at all sends the message that you are not detail-oriented and that you just prefer to blend in with your surroundings. Remember that you are not the only candidate. You don't want to be forgettable.
Organizational skills: You send the message that you are a highly organized individual when your clothing is pressed, your shoes are shined, and your hair is styled neatly.
Flexibility/adaptability: Wearing appropriate layers that lets you have the option to change up your interview attire throughout the day (i.e. being able to go more casual for a plant tour or more dressy for a corporate evening event) says that you are flexible to change and adaptable in different environments.
Interpersonal skills: You can show your people skills by wearing a blouse or a tie in a color that brings warmth to your face, which depends on your personal skin tone. Also, one of your accessories can be a sentimental piece or heirloom that, when commented on, you can share the story behind it which makes you more human and relatable.
Leadership skills: Dark and navy blue are colors that project authority, so a navy blue suit is perfect for an interview for a position that is a leadership role in the company. Also, dressing one step above the job for which you are applying indicates that you have goals to move up into leadership positions in the future.
Creativity: You can show your ability to be both professional and creative by adding a single statement piece to an otherwise conservative look, one that reflects your personal creativity. Having more than one statement piece is going overboard for an interview.

Overall, wearing appropriate attire that is still "you" (never try to be something you're not!) will help you exude self-confidence which is necessary for any occasion! For more tips and information, check out my book Advance Your Image.

Trust the Process

2011-05-03T20:02:00.001-05:00

This past weekend, I was brought in to Tom Jackson's Onstage Success Intensive Workshop to provide some one-on-one image consultations for the participants. It only makes sense for me to do so since live performance/stage presence and image go hand-in-hand. The other reason why it makes sense? Because my approach to the work I do is very similar to Tom's approach to his work: it's a process!

My goal is to develop the holistic image of an artist, not just their wardrobe. I want to get to know the artist's music and personality, their goals for their career, and their uniqueness so that their image can be a genuine part of their brand as an artist. This includes what story their bio is telling, what message their publicity photos are sending, what their clothing is saying (yes, clothing is a form of non-verbal communication - whole other blog on that coming soon), and how they are presenting themselves in the media.

So yeah, it's more than just saying, "I just met you and I've never listened to your music but here, wear this...now, change into this." (that's what stylists do...image consultants assist you in your overall brand development).

Since what I do is a process just like what Tom does is also a process, that means it's time for you to make image and brand development a priority in your overall career plan. That starts with knowing who you are. You won't be successful in any part of the music business if you don't know who you are. Once you know that, then I take the time to help you articulate your uniqueness visually through your look and verbally through your media interviews. You're always going to get that question either from the media or a label, "What makes you unique?" (maybe not worded in that exact way, but in a hundred other ways). You'd be surprised at how many artists (mostly the "greener" ones) can't answer that question. This is what you need to be prepared for as an artist if you want to the right people to sit up and take notice of you.

Just like it is futile for a college student to wait until this week to cram the past 15 weeks' worth of material for their final exams, it's futile for an artist to say after years of practicing and preparing for a music career to say, "oh yeah, an image...I need to get one of those...think I'll pick one up on the way to my next show."

Receive a FREE copy of the book Advance Your Image with any purchase from Onstage Success.

Audiences Hear With Their Ears AND Their Eyes

2011-04-25T11:15:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow night is the premiere of the new show The Voice on NBC, hosted by Carson Daly with Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, and Cee Lo Green.serving as coaches. If you're not familiar with the premise of this new show, it's a twist on other singing competition shows, where blind auditions are held first. During the blind auditions, the coaches decide who the best singers are that they personally want to mentor based solely on their voice, not their looks, which is how most people think it should be, but that is not the reality of the music business. Live music producer Kevin Pauls explains why in his recent blog "The Voice Alone?":

I was watching American Idol and saw an ad for the new series called “The Voice.” I am very interested in how this will play out.

In real life, I don’t think you can ever separate the voice from the person, the character, the looks, the actions… (If we could, there would be a lot more ugly singers… haha!)

When I look at this kind of exercise I understand what they are trying to accomplish. But, that is not the real world we breath in.

When you sing or play or act or perform anything, people respond to the entire person.
Bob Dylan is a perfect example. So is Johnny Cash… I imagine you can think of many others, too. The voice alone did not capture the essence of who they were. The performance did! The emotion, the song, the words, the person… the ENTIRE person captured the fans, not just one aspect.

Yes, every once in a while there is a voice that beats the odds and can capture the audience on pure perfection of “the voice.” And every once in a while someone wins a lottery and becomes rich; but you don’t want to quit your job and buy lottery tickets for a career!

The entire person… your face, your hair, your body moves, your passion, your smile, your… everything is what people hear! All of that “stuff” is what people hear when you perform live. If you think that a single piece will capture an audience and make your career, you are wrong.

It can, on a given night. But to be a whole artist you need to learn to engage your whole body and physically match the voice and the song and the band and the instruments, etc. The audience will hear with their eyes.

The stage is everything, and the audience wants the whole package… not just the voice!

Once the coaches on The Voice decide whom they want to mentor, they will be developing and advising their hopefuls in various areas of the music business. It will be interesting to see at that point how much emphasis is put on the visual (i.e. image, appearance, live performance, etc.). Be sure to tune in!

Receive a FREE copy of the book Advance Your Image with any purchase from Onstage Success.

The Feeling Must Be Mutual

2011-04-18T11:06:00.000-05:00

So many times I see people wearing things that they like because of how it looks on others, but can't honestly and realistically see how it looks on them no matter how many mirrors they look in. They see the person in their head who the outfit works for instead of what is staring them back in the face. Then there is the opposite type of distorted self-image...the one where someone will look dynamite in an outfit but they just can't see it. Everyone else can, but they can't. They think they are too this or too that to wear something so fabulous.

As you've read several times in my blog, I talk about how important it is for my clients to like what they're wearing or they will not exude confidence. Well, in actuality, the clothes have to like the client too. They have to fit the person's body, personality, musical style (if they are an artist), and lifestyle. If an outfit doesn't at least fit the body, it doesn't matter how much the client likes the outfit, it will not work. The feeling must be mutual.

It's time to take a step out of the fun house of mirrors that distort your view in so many different ways, and take an honest look at your wardrobe with someone who can help you. It's one thing to like an article of clothing, but when it also likes you and hugs you in all the right places, then you know it's right for you! Let me help you see that.

Stop the Insanity!

2011-04-11T18:02:00.001-05:00

Wonder why your talent is not getting the attention it deserves? Check out this recent blog from music industry veteran Lang Bliss:

What Does Carpal Tunnel Have to Do With My Show Not Working?

I’m piggybacking off of Tom’s recent blog about a Berklee student about to go insane because she’s done so much work, spent large dollars, and expended huge energy in pursuit of the BIG LABEL DEAL… and it hasn’t worked.

I recently ran into the exact same experience with a couple of artists I’m working with. One has some huge doors opening to him in the industry; another, big management, big producer. But at the end of the day, both artists have been counseled to “just get out there and play a lot.”

Why? Because the “big wigs” don’t feel their live shows are up to a level they need to be in order for the labels to make the final commitment of signing them.

I just spoke at an Indie Connect meeting yesterday and I told the story of a guy who was at drumming school with me. An extremely dedicated guy, he practiced so hard (and incorrectly, to make my point) that he got Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

All of us have done something wrong and kept doing it wrong, thinking that at some point in time it will finally work; you know the old “definition of insanity” phrase.

When I heard what the “big wigs” had counseled I thought of that drummer at school. I think their counsel is crazy making! Getting out to do a bunch of shows in hopes that you’ll get a great show (when you don’t know what to do), is, at the least, a lot of wasted time and energy, and probably very frustrating.

At the worst, you could end up messing things up so much that the few (or one!) opportunity you may get to truly propel your career to new heights may never come to pass again. You end up thinking that you really “knew” what you were doing, and you fall into the self-deluded mindset of “they just couldn’t see what I had to offer.”

I really don’t mean to sound harsh; I’ve been there; confused at why something didn’t work when I thought for sure it should have, and nobody there to tell me why it didn’t work – because they didn’t know either.

Unlearning bad habits is much harder than learning correctly and practicing those things to the point of self confidence. The process of our Live Music Method is so clearly effective that I feel confident that we can help just about anybody become a much better performer; we can help guide you through the process effectively.

Please don’t waste your valuable time and energy “just getting out there.” We can and want to help you maximize your performance efforts!

A great way to make sure your efforts are fruitful is to get a hold of our 7 DVD set All Roads Lead to the Stage. It is packed with the info you need to succeed at this thing we do called music.

Unlearning old habits can also include those habits of either dressing the same way you did when you were in your garage band or continuing to buy clothing that does not work for your body and/or your image (go back and look again at that definition of "insanity"). Don't "just get out there" and go shopping alone! paNASH Style spends time with its clients to teach them how to shop, what to look for to update their look that best complements their image and flatters their body, and where to find it (CLICK HERE to set up an initial consultation). If you learn to dress your body not only in clothes that you like but also in clothes that like you (hello!), your total package will have just the right wrapping it needs to catch the eye of the right people!

Receive a FREE copy of the book Advance Your Image with any purchase from Onstage Success.

Turning the Tables

2011-04-05T14:40:00.001-05:00

So last week I shared with readers DJs' pet peeves when interviewing artists for their radio shows. Those artists who are experienced in doing radio interviews have their own likes and dislikes about how DJs conduct interviews as well. Some of the same advice that was given for artists in last week's blog also applies to DJs.

For instance, just as the DJ hopes the artist takes the time to do some research on their station and their listeners, artists hope the DJ takes the time to do some research on them and their music as well. I've heard complaints from numerous artists that this just doesn't happen. They can often tell that the DJ looked over the talking points only minutes before the interview. If DJs want the interview to flow and sound more like a casual conversation and show a relationship with the artist, they have to do their part too by also doing research instead of expecting just the artist to do so.

Also, artists aren't real thrilled when you start the interview with "What's been going on?" This question shows that the DJ may not have done his or her research since it's such a broad and open-ended question. Yes, the artist is there to talk about his or her latest single or upcoming show, but DJs need to show from the wording of the question that they are keeping up with what's going on with the artist. The listeners of the station expect their DJs to know the latest news about artists and rely on that knowledge so they too can learn the latest.

Finally, artists appreciate it when they are presented with fresh questions that are unique and different to the same old ones they get asked at every other station. It makes for a more natural and more interesting interview.

As important as it is for the artist to build relationships with radio staff, it's important for the radio staff to do so as well since relationships are not a one-way street. Doing so makes for better radio and leads to success for both parties. It's a win-win!

Getting Your Song on Radio: It All Boils Down to Relationships!

2011-03-28T13:25:00.000-05:00

When people I meet ask me what I do and I indicate that one of my services is media coaching for recording artists, the overwhelming response from music industry leaders is, "oh that is SO needed!" Yet, many artists and/or their team (managers, label, publicists, radio promoters, etc.) don't make this a priority, even though they understand the importance of it. For those artists and their team who do make it a priority, good for you! You'll be the artist who gets more love, and therefore more spins, from the radio stations when your interviews are done right! And how do you do an interview right? Well, while my book Advance Your Image and the blog "Doing an Interview? Read This!" by David Hooper (Lightning 100) both provide numerous guidelines, tips, and advice on radio interviews, I decided to ask some of my personal friends from radio what makes them love an artist enough to want to add their songs and to keep spinning them, and what makes them want to pull an artist's music from their playlist. Here's what they had to say.

Things DJs wish there was a "dislike" button for:

Showing up late. Radio is programmed down to the second. It is important that, if you don't want your interview to be cut short, you show up not just on time but a little early to take the time to meet all the station's staff. One DJ states, "There has to be some time for these two people [the interviewer and the interviewee] to find some common ground."
Coming in drunk, hungover, or stoned. It should go without saying that you should never come in to an interview in any of these states, but since one of my radio friends felt it was worth mentioning...well, you can guess this probably happens more than it should.
Lack of eye contact and lack of attention from the artist. "It's difficult to do an interview with someone who lacks focus, and it shows a lack of respect for the DJ and the station when the artist acts like they wish they were somewhere else," says one DJ.
Giving a forgettable interview. "Giving the listeners just the product [i.e. info on your latest single, tickets to your show] and nothing more will make your interview forgettable to our listeners," says the DJ of an AM station. Instead, leave the audience wanting more. "When a person comes in to do an interview, I personally like to find an odd thing that they are interested in that is totally unrelated to the reason they are there, such as a person, place, or thing they feel strongly about. Give the audience something beyond your product to relate to. You can have the best product in the world, but if people can't relate to the seller you are sunk. Give the listeners just enough to want more and to want to look you up on the web and download your single they heard played on the air." Kellie Pickler is really good at sharing funny stories and tidbits that are unrelated to her "product," which is what makes her endearing to the audience.
Changing your mind mid-interview. The DJ of an FM station described a time when he asked an artist prior to the interview if a particular subject was off limits and the artist assured him that it was not and gave him the go ahead to ask away about that topic. But once asked in the interview about that topic, the artist turned cold and refused to discuss the topic. Be upfront about what you are willing to talk about and what your deal breakers are.
Acting like a prima donna. Radio stations and their staff should always be good hosts to the artist and provide whatever they can for the artist, but artists should also be sensitive to the fact that some stations (especially the smaller ones) don't always have the budget to cater to all the artists' desires, and artists shouldn't make unrealistic demands on the station.
Forgetting the "little guy." Always remember the people who helped you get started. This includes the first DJ to ever play you on the radio. Pay homage to him or her and mention him or her in your interviews, no matter how big of a star you become. Jack Ingram is best at doing this.

Things that will make a DJ your biggest fan:

Doing your research! I stress this so much in my book Advance Your Image. It's important to do this because it shows respect to the station owners, its DJs, and its listeners. DJs know that, if you've done your research, you'll know if their listeners are mostly conservative or mostly liberal, and in turn you'll be able to word your answers in a respectful way.
Dressing the part! Yes, you might think this is coming from me and that the DJs really don't care about this, but this actually comes from someone who worked in radio for 12 years. She says it's important to do this because listeners and your fans expect it, and many times when your fans find out you're coming in to the station that day for an interview, they will show up at the station hoping to meet you in person and to get an autograph. Don't disappoint them. In addition, I say it's important too because more and more stations have cameras set up in their studios to stream everything going on in the studio live on their station web site. So yes, you will be seen!
Doing your part to make the experience run smoothly. In addition to being on time and doing your research, help make things run more smoothly by doing the following: Provide plenty of product to the station ahead of time. If you are part of a band, designate one person to be the spokesperson who will facilitate the answering of the questions. This does not mean that this person dominates the conversation. Instead, it means that person will know which band member can best answer each question and will refer that question to that band member (using that band member's name so that the DJ does not get confused). If you are doing a radio remote where you have to give 25 interviews with 25 radio stations in a very short amount of time, show just as much energy and enthusiasm in your 25th interview as you did in your 1st interview.
Remembering it's not your show or your audience, it's the DJ's show and audience you're walking into. The listeners listen to a particular station because they are fans of that station's DJs first and foremost. The listeners are the DJs fans, not yours. Your fans are the people who attend your shows. Understand the difference, and understand that because of this, DJs can sometimes have egos like artists can.
Calling the DJ by his or her name. Everyone's favorite word they love to hear is their own name. Pepper the DJ's name into your conversation with each of them. Doing so is one way to make it look like the DJ is part of your world. Any additional ways you can do this will endear you to the DJ.
Being flexible. The DJ of a large FM station says, "Be willing to be a little flexible on your previously submitted talking points. Follow the DJ's lead and don't get irritated if the DJ asks a few questions that aren't related to your talking points." We all know what just happened recently with Chris Brown and his GMA interview. As long as the DJ is not asking inappropriate questions or questions you specifically requested them not to ask, go with the flow. Blake Shelton is really good at following a DJ's lead and just going with the flow. If the DJ is trying to direct you to a topic you don't want to discuss, learn how to casually bring the conversation back to the topic you are primarily there to discuss. This takes a lot of practice and finesse to do it in a smooth and inconspicuous way, and Dierks Bentley is one of the best at this.
Being engaging and engaged. Treat every interview as any other engaging conversation you would have with another person. This means you remain engaged in the conversation with the DJ and continue to have fun even when the mics are off while your song is playing. "I love it when it feels like you've got family visiting in the studio instead of a 'guest'," says one DJ.
Recalling your past interviews. DJs remember every detail from the first interview they ever did with you, and they hope you do too. They are likely to bring up something you said or did in that first interview in later interviews with you, so do what you have to do to remember something funny, unique, or special in each of your interviews with each DJ. Keep a journal of this if you have to!

As you can see, there's a common thread in what each of these DJs have said: it's all about doing things that foster relationships with the station and their staff. This includes showing respect, being courteous, and taking the time to get to know each other. When I first posed my question of what do you like most and least from artists when interviewing them, each contributor emphasized the same thing: "we like it when the artists develop a true friendship with us." Always remember that and you'll have a team of DJs across the country paving the road to your success!

Next week I'm flipping the tables. You'll get to read what artists like and don't like about how DJs conduct interviews and the artists' suggestions on how to develop and foster that two-way street of friendship. Any artists reading this right now who want me to include your suggestions and feedback in next week's blog, email me at LoriB@paNASHstyle.com (you can also email me there if you're ready to start making one-on-one media coaching a priority in your career). Any DJs reading this right now will definitely want to tune in next week!

Special thanks to Josh Talkington, formerly of Nashville's 103 WKDF and now the Chief Marketing Officer of SnapShot Interactive that provides EPK services for recording artists, Tammy Hill of WDIC AM 1430 Real Country, Sherry Massaro former DJ and program director of WVHL 92.9 FM and former artist manager, and Sandy Weaver, middays for the Moby Radio Network.

Who's Who? Part 2

2011-03-14T11:43:00.000-05:00

Last August I wrote a blog where I posted a picture of two people, a DJ and a recording artist (click here to read). I posted it to make a point because it was nearly impossible to determine between the two men in the photo which one was the recording artist and which one was the DJ. This point is also in line with the topic of the presentation I had the honor to present at last week's Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) international web cast. The topic was "Your Image is Your Brand."

Image doesn't take the place of talent, but instead rounds out the total package and provides a distinct visual that is brought to your audience's mind when they think of you, which is considered a brand. Branding is not just for recording artists, but also for songwriters (check out hit-songwriter Rivers Rutherford's web site to see what a great image and brand he has), industry executives, business owners, and others.

So, once again, I provide you with a photo to support my point and invite you to take a guess as to who is/are the artist(s) and who is/are the DJ(s) in the photo. Have a great week!

It's FINALLY Spring! Spring 2011 Fashion Trends

2011-03-09T11:51:00.001-06:00

Now that we have finally dug out from all the snow this year, it's time to put on something that will give you a little SPRING in your step. This year's Spring trends (does everyone know the difference between a "trend" and a "fad"?) are fun and bold!

COLOR BLOCKING: A great way to hide figure flaws and play up your assets, all with a little 60s and 80s feel.
70s CHIC: While I'm not quite ready to give up my skinny jeans just yet (I love how versatile they are), it's time to add in some faded denim flared jeans along with some other 70s chic such as cords and billowy sleeved tops.
ALL-WHITE: A simple and streamlined look that will make you look taller (monochromatics always do!) and keep you cool in warmer weather.
FLORALS WITH AN EDGE: Florals always tend to be popular in spring, but paired with more utilitarian and structured pieces helps balance softness with toughness.
MIXED PRINTS: Mixing textures and patterns is one of my favorite ways to get creative with clothing. Yes, you can mix prints, but you have to make sure they work by keeping them within the same color palette and using different size prints (a good way to start experimenting with this is to mix a bold pattern with a very subtle/small pattern). I can remember in junior high when I paired a subtle pattern with a bolder pattern, both in the same color palette, and my friends laughed at me because I wasn't all "matchy-matchy" like they were. I guess I was just ahead of my time!
SIMPLY SHEER: Sheer garments are a trend that we saw in last spring's fashions and have been seeing for some time over the past few years (hence, it's a trend, not a fad).

Source/photos: www.marieclaire.com