It starts out with a simple question, "What are you going to wear when you tell?" Will it be something completely different each time? Something similar? The SAME thing?

"Branding" is a word that has been in the business lexicon for quite some time now. We are all familiar with graphic logo branding like Apple Computer, The Pillsbury Doughboy, the Nike Swoosh. These logos make the brands "recognizable" and differentiate them from other businesses in the same line of service or product. So, what about branding yourself as a storyteller?

It's not absolutely necessary, but it could be something to think about. Some storytellers brand with a name, like Granny Sue (Susanna Connelly Holstein). Tellers like Donna Washington and Baba Jamal Koran wear clothes representing and connecting them to their heritage.

It's certainly not necessary. And although many tellers speak of wearing dark or muted clothing so as not to distract from their stories, most tellers do not use their clothes as a "brand". Do you have a "persona" as a teller? Is this something you brand or project every time you tell? Or maybe not. It's OK to just tell. You don't need to put yourself in a specific category and stick to it. It's just a thought...something to get you thinking about who/what you are as a teller.

And what are those brands at the right?
Donald Davis' bow tie
Bil Lepp's Baseball cap (and usually a T-shirt)
And yours truly, with the vest I have been wearing for close to a year now.

P.S. 
There are other ways to brand yourself, like Doug Lipman, The Storytellers' Coach; or Sean Buvala, Executive Speakers' Coach (and one-stop shopping for all your storytelling needs).