A few months ago I played the role of Antonio in Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Dickinson College. I was great getting back into theatre and especially preforming Shakespeare. We even got to work with professional actor Fred Morsell who was an inspiration as well as a riot backstage.

The whole production I couldn’t help but think of how acting is a lot like marketing, selling another person’s idea to a group of relatively unknown consumers all the while trying not to make an ass of one’s self.

5 Lessons I Learned

1. Make Eye Contact

Unless you’re working with wild animals, then moderate eye contact may imply a connection. Eye contact also helps to establish strong nonverbal communication, or step one in detecting BS.  In a pinch your unblinking gaze might just make people uncomfortable enough to just give in rather than face another awkward moment of your silent condemnation.

2. Look Like You’re Listening

That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t listen, but people tend to ramble and over explain, especially when uncomfortable or confused. If you have mastered the previous step then prepare for a few minutes of senseless jaw flapping. Moreover, every conversation much like theatre involves a certain amount of filler. If you don’t look like you’re listening, then you’ve broken character, so suck it up and smile and nod when you hear an anecdote about your client’s hilarious/insightful/adorable child/evil spawn.

3. Dress the Part

If you call yourself the Duke of Milan, you had better be wearing a sweet crown and some shiny medals. When you’re meeting with a client it’s no different. As a marketer you’re supposed to have your thumb on the pulse of today’s hot trends, so lose the button down collar and and four in hand tie knot.

4. Express Yourself

Hand gestures convey meaning and reinforce step 2. However, bare in mind that you aren’t a character in the Godfather. When speaking keep your hands below and between your shoulders. It is also advisable to maintain a safe and respectable distance from clients and coworkers. No one should lose an eye when you triumphantly point your finger in the air!

5. When In Doubt, Bring Your Sword

Props aren’t just for the stage, they have applications in almost any setting, especially the office. Business Cards, Portfolios, and those weird little promotional things are all props. And just like in theatre good use of props help to draw attention away from your otherwise glaring deficiencies. For example, when introduced to someone new, hand them your business card, they will take a long second to look it before filing it in a pocket. In that time you can straighten your tie, wipe regain composure after an inappropriate water cooler joke, or switch from you half-retarded goofing off mode to some semblance of professionalism.

With these tips and a little practice you too can come across as knowledgeable, likable, and in time maybe even worth keeping around.