How to Become an Iconic Speaker: Elevate Your Impact Beyond the Generic
Becoming an iconic speaker is about far more than just delivering information—it’s about transforming your presence, your message, and your business. Douglas Kruger, a five-time Toastmasters Southern African champion and professional speaker, shares powerful insights on how to grow your business and reputation by moving from being generic to truly iconic. This article distills his expert positioning advice, illustrating how speakers can stand out in a crowded marketplace and become the go-to name in their field.
Table of Contents
- Why Aim to Be an Iconic Speaker?
- From Amateur to Iconic: Lessons from Personal Experience
- Key Strategies to Become an Iconic Speaker
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Aim to Be an Iconic Speaker?
In the world of professional speaking, being “good” is simply the baseline. The real goal is to become iconic—someone who is not just another option but the only logical choice. Randy Gage, a leading speaker from the NSA, explains it simply: if you are a commodity, clients will shop you based on price. But if you are an icon, entire events will be built around you.
Joe Callaway calls this becoming a “category of one,” where your unique presence and value make you irreplaceable. As speakers, we operate in a world shaped by perception, and understanding how to elevate that perception is critical to breaking free from the crowd.
From Amateur to Iconic: Lessons from Personal Experience
Douglas shares a deeply personal story about growing up in a family business that operated with an amateur mindset. Despite loving and respecting his parents, the business struggled, and Douglas grew up feeling like the “poor cousin” in his school community. Visual cues like a broken-down car they called “Puff the Magic Peugeot” and ill-fitting school uniforms marked his early environment.
One vivid memory involves a rope swing his father ingeniously created, which became legendary among his friends. However, Douglas also recalls the painful reality of receiving food baskets from the church, including baby formula for his infant sister. This experience ignited a powerful desire to break the cycle of amateurism and poverty by becoming exceptional and iconic in his career.
Key Strategies to Become an Iconic Speaker
1. Cultivate a Big Game Mentality
Iconic speakers think big. Douglas cites Arnold Schwarzenegger as a prime example—known worldwide as the most iconic name in bodybuilding despite not being the most decorated competitor. Schwarzenegger didn’t just want to be good; he moved continents to study and surpass the best.
Ask yourself: Are you aiming to be as good as your hero, or better? Jon Bon Jovi sums it up perfectly: “I don’t think it’s good enough for a kid to want to be the backup to Mick Jagger. You’ve got to want to be Mick freaking Jagger.”
2. Speak Strong with a Clear Point of View
Great speakers are opinionated. They don’t just relay facts—they challenge, inspire, and provide a unique perspective. Having a strong point of view transforms you from a mere teacher into a thought leader.
Douglas highlights Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear as an iconic example of someone whose strong opinions and personality set him apart. Speakers who “speak safe” limit their impact, while those who speak strong elevate their presence and influence.
3. Ditch Peripheral Speak
Peripheral speak refers to the unnecessary softening language that dilutes your message—apologies, justifications, and filler phrases like “Before I begin.” Iconic speakers get straight to the point with confidence and clarity.
Brian Walters coined the term “going verbally viral,” which happens when speakers use short, impactful sentences that resonate and stick with the audience.
4. Practice Extra Scenario Thinking
Iconic speakers think beyond their immediate environment. They don’t just operate within the known system—they envision what lies beyond it and invite their audience on that journey.
Douglas explains that this type of thinking allows speakers to take ideas from one sphere and apply them creatively to another, a trait associated with genius. This mental expansion helps audiences dream bigger and see possibilities beyond their current reality.
5. Own a Unique Framework
A memorable and novel framework is a powerful tool for iconic speakers. It organizes your message in a way that’s easy to remember and share. Examples include:
- Rich Dad Poor Dad — a framework that revolutionized personal finance by naming contrasting approaches to money.
- Foxes and Hedgehogs — Clem Centre’s framework on scenario planning.
- The Big Bum Theory — Douglas’s own metaphor for accountability.
Even TV shows like Skinny Dip succeeded because of a simple, bold framework that made them stand out in the travel genre.
6. Become a Constant Producer
Experts and iconic speakers consistently put their ideas out into the world through books, blogs, videos, and more. Douglas encourages an “almost indecent display of industry,” quoting author James Michener who wrote thousands of words daily.
This relentless output builds presence, credibility, and opportunity. The spiritual principle of “give and you will receive” applies strongly here.
7. Understand Your Value and Price Accordingly
Understanding your value is crucial. Douglas shares a story about his sister’s surprising reaction to being paid a reasonable fee for her artwork, illustrating how early experiences shape our money mindset.
Many speakers undervalue themselves by tying income strictly to hours worked, which traps them in poverty cycles. Pricing yourself too low can hinder your ability to raise fees later.
Douglas advises positioning yourself in the upper half of the market’s fee spectrum to reflect true value and attract the right clients.
8. Cultivate a Romantic Public Figure Persona
Iconic speakers are more than experts—they are interesting, relatable public figures with a cause. Jamie Oliver, for example, is known not just for cooking but for his passionate advocacy on food and school nutrition.
Douglas shares an example of a London store owner who failed to recognize her cause and missed an opportunity to become a thought leader for plus-size fashion.
Visual iconography also plays a role—banners, professional photos, and strong branding create a perception of authority and professionalism.
9. Keep Taking Inspired Action
Consistent small efforts build gradual success, but iconic speakers also take bold, inspired leaps. Douglas recounts how walking into the BBC building on a whim led to an interview that expanded his reach globally.
Taking risks and seizing unexpected opportunities can add an extra zero to your income and change your career trajectory.
10. Be Flat Out Awesome
Ultimately, the most powerful way to become iconic is to be outstanding. Douglas recalls two speakers—Mark Brown and Randy Gage—whose charisma, storytelling, and engaging delivery left audiences captivated and eager for more.
Combining personality with expertise makes you memorable and sought after. The goal is to be the name people mention first when a topic arises.
Conclusion
Becoming an iconic speaker requires more than qualifications or content. It demands a bold mindset, a strong point of view, creative frameworks, consistent production, and a clear understanding of your value and cause. By embracing these principles and striving to be flat out awesome, you can rise above the generic and become the speaker everyone wants to hear.
Remember, iconic speakers don’t just speak—they inspire, challenge, and lead. Are you ready to take your place among them?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be an iconic speaker?
Being an iconic speaker means standing out as the unique, go-to expert in your field. You are not just one of many; you are the only logical choice, known for your distinct personality, strong opinions, and memorable frameworks.
How can I develop a strong point of view as a speaker?
Start by forming clear opinions on your topics, even if they challenge the status quo. Share your perspective confidently and back it up with stories, humor, and metaphors that engage your audience emotionally and intellectually.
Why is owning a framework important?
A framework organizes your ideas in a unique and memorable way, making your message easier to understand and recall. It also helps differentiate you from others in your industry, increasing your iconic status.
How do I price myself as an iconic speaker?
Understand your market and position yourself in the upper half of the fee spectrum to reflect your value. Avoid underpricing, as it can limit your ability to raise fees and be perceived as less valuable.
What role does personality play in becoming iconic?
Personality is essential. Combining expertise with a compelling, authentic personality helps you connect with audiences and become memorable. Without personality, you risk being seen as just a specialist rather than an expert.
