Using a prop in your presentation is very powerful. They have a deeper impact than you could imagine.
Props create a mental association with the item and you.
For example, if I brought a large beach ball to the group every week, and even if I didn’t refer to it in my presentation, over time you would associate me with beach balls. This association would mean that you couldn’t help but think of me every time you saw one in any situation.
A true Pavlov’s dog situation, classic psycologial conditioning.
That is all well and good. However, I want to create a response to a situation. So I need to focus my use of props.
There are two ways to use props. The first is a single prop, like the beach ball, that is bought every week.
This would be something that is so closely associated with what you do, that the other members would understand how you use it with clients. This might be a colour chart for a painter; it might be a blank Will Form form a lawyer, it might be the keys to a courtesy car for a car repair shop. Used each week these props will become deeply associated with what you do, and members will start mentioning them when they refer you to other.
The second kind of prop use is to use different props each week. You might find that bringing 52 different items might prove problematic.
However if you have a prop of the month that you bring for four meetings at a time (or spread over different weeks) and focus your presentations on this prop and its significance in finding referrals, you will educate the membership effectively and create the mental association with each prop.
Your weekly presentation is not just about asking for work. It is a long-term education program that you need to plan and deliver in stages. Using a prop will reinforce this message and allow your fellow members a better understanding your business, how you can help people and most importantly, how to spot a referral.