#12: Speak with Confidence: Crafting Power Statements and Mic-Drop Moments for Impactful Interviews
We’re diving deep into what it takes to craft memorable, attention-grabbing moments in your interviews. We’re talking about “mic drop moments”—those powerful statements that leave a lasting impression. If you’ve ever felt like your message gets lost or diluted, this episode is for you.
Host Allison Lane walks us through the three biggest mistakes that camouflage your key message and provides actionable tips to ensure your statements are bold, clear, and impactful. Whether you're preparing for an interview or looking to sharpen your communication skills, this episode will help you stand out.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Mic Drop Moments
00:37 Understanding Power Statements
02:08 Avoiding Tentative Language
04:51 Eliminating Disclaimer Language
06:42 Overcoming Apologetic Language
10:46 Final Tips for Powerful Statements
📚 Resources Mentioned:
Essential Author + Speaker Bio Package: https://www.lanelit.com/package
Transcript:
Provocative equals memorable. If you're saying what everyone else is saying, you are boring and you're not going to get attention.
Today, we're talking about how to nail your mic drop moment. What is a mic drop moment? That's a power statement. Those are your key messages. A lot of people, when preparing for an interview, think they are preparing to be interviewed about themselves. Let me tell ya, unless you are Stephen King, people are not interested in your writing process. They're interested in the themes of your book. No one is interviewing you about you. You are there to be a spokesperson for the themes you talk about. The way to get quoted, to stop people in their tracks, is to have a power statement.
A power statement is something that is memorable, unconventional, and therefore provocative. Provocative equals memorable. If you're saying what everyone else is saying, you are boring and you're not going to get attention.
Today, I'm going to give you three tips to find the power statements in your interviews so that you're prepared.
What you're trying to share, that nugget of wisdom, if you are doing any one of these three mistakes, you are camouflaging me from accepting your wisdom, because I can't see or hear the knowledge that you have if you camouflage it in one of these three mistakes.
1. Do not use tentative language.
Tentative language is apologetic, like saying, "Well, what I really think is..." Tentative language is tiptoeing before you actually stomp the ground. Skip the tiptoe. If you're using tentative language, you're just filling the airwaves with unnecessary words before your power statement.
For example, saying, "I would like to share with you today..." sounds like you're asking permission. No. Just spit it out.
If you're a woman who talks like that, know that you are using tentative language and it waters down everything you're about to say.
Here's what you do: take a breath. Say, "The most important thing is..." And then stop talking. Don't fill the silence with nonsense filler words like, "I really think it's important that we talk about..."
2. Avoid disclaimer language.
An example of disclaimer language is when someone says, "While this other author says this, I really think that’s good advice, but I would say..." You’re just telling me what someone else said.
Instead, just say what you need to say. Your power statement is in there. Just freaking say it. Own your provocative point of view.
3. Stop apologizing for your perspective.
Going against the grain is what makes us interesting. Don't be apologetic. An apology before a power statement is like saying, "I know a lot of people say this, but I don't want to take anything away from them..." It's unnecessary. Don't distract us with disclaimers.
You don't need to apologize for having a perspective that goes against the grain. Going against the grain makes you memorable. Your humility can act as a barrier, and it’s boring.
If you want to identify your mic drop moments, peel back the tentative, disclaimer, and apologetic language. Your humility is boring. Your audience wants to know what you are going to say, not what everyone else says.
When you're an author or speaker, especially trying to refresh interest in a book, focus on your perspective. We are interested in you, not your qualifications compared to others.
If you start with, "I'm not an expert, but..." I’m already clicking "next." You are an expert, or you wouldn’t be there.
You are the brand. Your book is the product.
The three things that get in the way of people hearing your wisdom are tentative language, disclaimer language, and apologetic language. Peel those back and deliver your value with confidence. Make sure people hear it. You got this.
