I've been thinking about this for a while…In social media, we're all in showbiz.  

We have our stage, whether blogs, video or other networks. Our shtick, that is who we are, how we present ourselves and what we choose to do and say. And our audience (for better or worse).

We're out here singing our hearts out (or in my case playing recorder :)) – in the hopes that someone will listen and connect.  Our interactions are public. And the accolades and (savage) critics are always lurking in the wings. 

The same holds true for our real life communications experiences, especially when we're giving a talk.

This hit home for me when I returned from the annual Counselors Academy conference, where I had the honour and pleasure of being the chair.

Reflecting on the content that resonated most for me this year and from past events I realized that three things are at their core: comedy, concepts or creativity.

In other words, showbiz.

From 2012's stellar lineup (if I do say so myself), I was captivated by Jay Baer and Gini Dietrich doing a two-step keynote, Marcus Sheridan's in your face, playful style, Elise Mitchell who has the passion of an evangelist, Darryl Salerno's knack for making profitability entertaining, Steve Cody's standup irreverence, and Candy Chang's fresh take on spatial relationships.

Past sessions that stood out include Jay Baer's high energy Now Revolution keynote, Dana Hughens' folksy and magical Myrtle, Robert Scoble's entropic social vision, Darryl Salerno's New York-style English lessons, Giovanni Rodriguez unraveling the mysteries of social media, Josh Hallett giving a social media advanced course, John Deveney using his New Orleans hometown to demonstrate how to prepare for a crisis and Robert Cialdini on ethics, influence and reciprocity.

Each of these featured people brought their ideas to life with passion, personality and pizzazz.

We didn't sign up to be entertainers – well some of us did… But now it's more important than ever to think of the show we're giving for our biz.  How can we standout, be memorable and yes, move or inspire the crowd.

This is something new for communicators and especially PR people who are used to living in the shadows. So now that we're ready for our close-ups, here are six ways to help you put on a good show in social media and IRL:

  1. Think about your strengths and what you're good at: are you funny, intense, self-effacing, able to explain complex ideas in a simple way? Use that as the foundation for your 'act'.  
  2. But be authentic. Everybody loves a clown, but no one likes a phony.
  3. Substance AND style count. So add some sizzle to your routine. But ease up on the schmaltz. You're onstage and not talking to yourself. 
  4. Don't aim to please everyone or you'll become too generic or bland. As Ricky Nelson says, you've got to please yourself..
  5. It's a show. That means you should rehearse, rehearse and rehearse again. And when you go out there, give it your all.
  6. And if you bomb, learn from it so you'll do better next time. There's no comedian around who hasn't been greeted with silence (or worse-believe me, I know).

We all have talents that make us stand out and wonderful stories to tell. And if we imbue our ideas with a bit of razzle dazzle, you'll be amazed what you can offer people, what they'll take away and where it might take you.

So are you ready for the curtain to rise?

About Martin Waxman


Martin Waxman, MCM, is a digital communications strategist. He conducts AI research, leads Generative AI and digital and social media training workshops and speaks at events across North America. He's co-founder of two PR agencies, president of a consultancy and has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years. Martin is a LinkedIn Learning instructor, adjunct professor at the Schulich School of Business and associate director of the Future of Marketing Institute. He also teaches digital marketing strategy at McMaster University. He's a member of the Institute for Public Relations Digital Media Research Center and a past-chair of PRSA Counselors Academy. He has a Master of Communications Management (MCM) from McMaster-Syracuse Universities.