Join us for a powerful conversation with Karen Williams, also known as the Black Visual Queen. Karen, a skilled photo director, sat down with our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to talk about her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, her advocacy for more diversity in the photography industry, and her experience in crafting her impactful keynote talk during a one-on-one VIP Day. Spoiler alert, her talk went great!  In this episode, Karen and Diane talk about:  Why and how Karen made the shift from corporate professional to entrepreneur The events that shaped Karen’s perspectives on her work and herself and the actions she took as a result The challenges she faced as a black woman in the photo industry and her path to empowering herself and others Making the decision to use her voice to champion her own work and bring more diversity to her industry Why she decided to work with Diane on her keynote talk and the outcome of her speaking engagement About Our Guest: Karen Williams is a dedicated mentor to aspiring photographers, advocating for equitable access to information within the industry. With more than 10 years of experience in photography, Karen is a visual creative director, keynote speaker, and founder of Black Visual Queen, a photography consulting firm. An industry insider, she’s had a hand in visual stories for iconic brands like Netflix, Masterclass, Square, Wired, AARP, and San Francisco. In her free time, she loves marathon training and all things pop culture. Karen lives in Los Angeles, California. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/374/ Karen’s website: https://www.blackvisualqueen.com/ Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/business-of-speaking-workshop/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Get your own VIP Day to create your signature talk by enrolling in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Karen Williams (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenannwilliams/

You love speaking, so you’re happy to say “yes!” when someone invites you to speak. It feels great connecting with the audience and hearing how much they enjoyed your presentation. Yet, are you getting an ROI from it? Are you generating leads and/or getting paid directly to speak? I’ve been speaking throughout my career, in various industries, from small workshops to big stages. Early on, I didn’t even think about getting paid, so I never asked. I also wasn’t that good at getting leads and clients from the speaking engagements I was doing. Then, I realized what I was missing and techniques I could use. In this episode, I share with you: 3 ways to increase leads from your presentations What to do even when conferences say “no selling from the stage” The one thing to do that is GOLD 3 things to do to get paid to speak Why many speakers don’t charge or don’t charge enough Examples to inspire you Download example feedback form (no opt-in needed): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7scnmn11eqpfeh863i878/Speaking-Your-Brand-Example-Worksheet-FeedbackForm.pdf?rlkey=bmqkj2pzyjewmrg8r0smml2vu&dl=0 Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/business-of-speaking-workshop/  Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/373/ This episode is the last of our podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”  

Today we’re talking about how to handle when things go wrong or unexpected or when you can’t plan every last thing. The more you speak, something will go wrong or something will happen that you didn’t plan for. The A/V doesn’t work, so you have no slides to show. You get asked a question by an audience member during Q&A that stumps you. You’re on a panel and you feel like your responses just aren’t that great. We want to help you to not panic, not overthink, and to enjoy your speaking engagement no matter what happens that you may not have planned for. In this episode, you’ll hear: Our stories of when things went wrong Tips for making sure your slides and A/V work What to respond if someone asks you a question you don’t know the answer to What to do when someone hijacks the conversation with their “question” Your role as the leader in the room How to be a great panelist and a great panel moderator Why you should say ‘yes’ to being on a panel This episode is part of our podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.” Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/372/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

We’re continuing our podcast series to help you Level Up Your Speaking in 2024. As you work to build your speaker brand and begin applying and pitching to speak at more events and conferences, there are two things that will be helpful for you to have - one is a speaker video reel and the other is a speaker page on your website. You want to make sure your speaker reel and your speaker page showcase you in the best light and attract event organizers to book you (and pay you!). In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why you need a speaker video reel and how you can use it Tips for creating an effective speaker reel that helps you reach your speaking goals Specific things to include in your speaker reel so that it showcases you in the best possible light Why you need a speaking page on your website The key ingredients you should include on your speaker page One thing in particular to include on your speaker page that’s a bit controversial See examples of speaker reels and speaker pages on the show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/371/ If you want to get video of you speaking that you can use for your speaker reel and on your speaker page, then come to our 3-day in-person client retreat in February in Orlando. You’ll go through exercises and trainings to help you be a stronger and more impactful speaker and you’ll get hands on feedback on your delivery, storytelling, stage presence, and more. On Day 3, you get professional filming of the speaking segments you’ve been practicing on our stage and you get an edited video for your speaker reel. Get all the details and apply today at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

I’ve been there: Standing in front of an audience or being on live TV with my heart pounding, butterflies in my stomach, and my body a bundle of nerves. I’ve also had speaking engagements and TV appearances where I’ve felt in the flow and completely comfortable and confident. What made the difference? That’s what I’m going to share with you in this episode. It’s normal to feel nervous before you speak. What you want to do is learn how to channel those nerves and reduce outsized anxiety. In this episode, you’ll learn: 3 reasons you get nervous before a speaking engagement Why your body reacts the way it does A story of my worst speaking experience ever and what I learned from it What do in advance of your speaking engagement to lessen anxiety What to do right before you go on stage to channel your normal nerves This episode is part of our new podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”   Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3day in-person speaking intensive.     Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/370/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a Speaker Episode 348: Confidence Unleashed: Owning the Stage with Authentic Presence Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power

Do you sometimes wonder if your presentations are boring? Perhaps you have dense material you need to get through (hello, academics and scientists!). Or perhaps you’re afraid everything’s already been said on your topic, so you don’t have anything new or interesting for your audience. I promise that you can make *any* topic interesting to your audience. In this episode, I share 3 things you can do at the foundational level to make your speaking engagements more compelling. I also share 3 advanced techniques that will leave your audiences on the edge of their seats. I’ve presented hundreds of times both in person and online and attendees consistently say that my presentations are excellent and engaging. No sleepy faces or eyes glued to phones in my sessions! What’s the secret? That’s what you’ll learn! This episode is part of our new podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.” Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/369/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A. Episode 352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomen Episode 345: Elevate Your Audience Engagement Skills with These Proven Strategies  

You’re going to love this episode with my guest and Thought Leader Academy grad Erica Hall! If you’ve ever felt like you shouldn’t show your real personality to your audiences or that people expect you to be a certain type of person, this conversation is going to be validating and revealing. Before we get to that part of the conversation, Erica shares her perspective on money mindset and money behaviors and the experiences that shaped her understanding of money. This is why *who* you are and what you’ve *learned* are essential elements of your thought leadership. We also dig into the power of frameworks and acronyms and Erica shares what she got out of being in the Thought Leader Academy. You’ll hear: Erica’s perspective on money mindset and money behaviors How experiences Erica had when she was younger shaped her understanding of money behavior and led to her thought leadership The importance of having a framework, such as an acronym, in your talks and presentations Erica’s experience in our Thought Leader Academy, especially how helpful it was to learn our framework and have a repeatable process to use going forward How an offhand comment I made about my Enneagram number in a group call helped Erica understand that she can lean into her natural personality and not have to be someone she’s not This episode is part of our new podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”   Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3-day in-person speaking intensive.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/368/  Erica’s website: https://worthplotting.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Erica Hall (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-hall-mba-5288531a/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 363: From Burned Out to Lit Up: How Cara Houser Turned Her Signature Talk into a Best-Selling Book with Cara Houser Episode 353: The Power of Frameworks: How Sharon Ehrlich Found Her Voice and Message with Sharon Ehrlich Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience Episode 274: The Key to Booking More Speaking Engagements with Sarah Lynn Wallace (Enneagram coach)

As we embrace the excitement of a new year, it's the perfect time to strategize about your speaking journey. Are you wondering where to make your mark this year?  Let's delve deeper because the art of creating a robust speaking and visibility plan transcends merely scouting for random events, conferences, and podcasts. Here’s what you’ll discover: Identify Your Speaking Goals: Understand the different goals you can pursue through public speaking and how these can empower your personal and professional growth. Use the 5 Whys Method: I'll share with you the transformative 5 Whys technique. It's a journey I've embarked on myself, and I’ll be opening up about how this approach helped me uncover the heart of my speaking objectives. The Importance of Local Groups: Learn how to connect with local groups and why focusing on a few, to begin with, can create more impactful connections and help you get known as a speaker. Choose the Right Conferences: We’ll walk you through how to select conferences that align with your message and how these platforms can elevate your speaking career. The Right Way to Pitch to be a Guest on Podcasts: Discover the pathways to becoming a guest on podcasts that resonate with your brand and message. Optimize Your LinkedIn for Speaking Opportunities: Tips on making your LinkedIn profile a beacon for speaking invitations.   Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3-day in-person speaking intensive.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/367/ Michelle Warner’s Networking That Pays course: https://www.themichellewarner.com/networkingthatpays   Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 362: [Case Study] Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You Episode 356: What to Do Now to Position Yourself as a Thought Leader

Happy New Year! This is the 6th year in a row I’ve done a trends episode for the start of the year. Trends are like currents or waves of energy that move through our society and affect everything from business and politics and the economy to popular culture and media. As speakers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, these trends will impact our thought leadership, our content, and our marketing. In this episode, you’ll learn 3 trends I've identified that are shaping our world: Big changes in social media platforms as the premise of social media shifts from connection to entertainment and it becomes harder to tell what's real and what's not The continued rise and more ubiquitous usage of generative AI tools like ChatGPT plus images, video, and voice The internet as a whole is changing, becoming more fragmented and siloed, with network effects accruing to people and brands who already have large followings   I also share specific action steps you can take: Develop a clear and distinct brand voice Imbue your content with soul Focus more on in-person experiences and events   As a speaker, you are well positioned to connect with your audiences in a deeper and more human way. Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3-day in-person speaking intensive. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/366/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 340: Can I Tell It's You? What a Brand Voice Is and Why You Need One Episode 327: From Expert to Thought Leader: 3 Key Strategies You Need Now to Set Yourself Apart in Our New AI-Driven World Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I.   Mentioned: YouTube live stream with realistic AI avatar = https://www.youtube.com/live/VH1rOylsoMo?si=1PpvUCqchdRCb0o0&t=540 “Nobody Knows What’s Happening Online Anymore” by Charlie Warzel (The Atlantic) “TikTok is eating microblogging as we’ve always known it” by Caroline Mimbs Nyce (The Atlantic) “Is Social Media Dying? What That Could Mean for Marketers” by Lestraundra Alfred (HubSpot) “Neil Gaiman’s Radical Vision for the Future of the Internet” by Cal Newport

I’m taking you behind the scenes to share what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next for Speaking Your Brand in the areas of speaking, visibility, this podcast, and the business in general. I also reveal what I’ve learned from reading and watching Marie Kondo and how I’m applying that not only to my house (my holiday break project!) but also to Speaking Your Brand. With that in mind, in this episode, I share: 🎉  What we’re celebrating that went well this year ❌  Things we tried that did not go as well as we had wanted 💡  Larger lessons we’re taking from what worked and what didn’t 🎯  What we’re planning for 2024   I encourage you to use this template to reflect on and write down your own wins, experiments, lessons, and priorities.   Enrollment is open for our next Thought Leader Academy group that starts in January.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/365/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/ Online workshop series: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A. Episode 352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomen Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience Episode 342: I Almost Got Stuck in the Expert Trap: How I Created My Recent Successful Conference Presentation Episode 340: Can I Tell It's You? What a Brand Voice Is and Why You Need One

If you think your stories and experiences from long ago aren’t relevant to what you do now, what you speak about, and your overall thought leadership message, this conversation will show how much our past experiences shape who we are and reflect what matters to us. Our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, sat down with Samantha Irwin, a recent graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and a seasoned entrepreneur with a fascinating journey. In this episode, you'll hear: Samantha's journey from teaching to entrepreneurship, and how these experiences shaped her thought leadership Her time in the Thought Leader Academy and how it helped her create a signature talk Samantha's recent talk crafted during her VIP Day and the positive feedback she received Samantha's innovative use of her customer service card decks in her presentations for lead generation   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/364/ Samantha’s website: https://kaizen.zone/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/dianediaz Samantha Irwin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthairwin/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience

Speaking and books go hand in hand. Many authors are public speakers and many speakers have written books. What does it look like to take your thought leadership message and turn it into both a signature talk and a published book? That’s what we dig into with my guest and Thought Leader Academy grad Cara Houser. Cara recently published her best-selling book “Burned Out to Lit Up: Ditch the Grind and Reclaim Your Life” (I highly recommend it!). Cara and I talk about: Why she decided this was the topic for her thought leadership My perspective on why her book on burnout is different from others Cara’s thought leadership journey to refine her message Her writing process   Building a book launch team and marketing the book to make it a bestseller If you’ve been wanting to write a book or you know that having a book is in your future, this episode is for you!   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/363/ Get Cara’s book “Burned Out to Lit Up”: https://www.carahouser.com/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Many speakers use public speaking as a way to build awareness for their business and attract leads and clients. Speaking is an excellent way to do this because you automatically have credibility and authority by standing in front of a group of people. However, an opportunity I see speakers miss is that they forgo thought leadership when they’re delivering presentations on behalf of their business to attract leads and clients. They believe they have to provide lots of information, tips, and facts in order to provide value to the audience and by extension get the people in the audience interested in purchasing their product or service. What I’ve found to be a better approach, in the presentations that I deliver and in the ones we help our clients with, is to help the audience see where they are truly getting stuck and show them how to think about things differently, which is the essence of thought leadership. My guest is Danielle Hayden, the founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., who has built an incredible business and team that works with women entrepreneurs to truly understand their numbers so they can make better business decisions. Danielle reached out to me in October because she wanted to create a new signature talk for lead generation - listen in to find out what happened! Danielle and I talk about: Why she wanted to create a new lead generation signature talk How I recognized her thought leadership angle during our VIP Day The process we went through to develop her new talk, including how she felt about adding more stories The results she got signing on new clients the first time she presented her new talk   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/362/

Do you have giving a TEDx talk on your list of goals? Many speakers do - and for good reason! Those 10-minute talks are a powerful way to share a message and give the audience a way to think about a topic differently. Being a TEDx speaker is also a credibility marker and an opportunity to get seen by more people. How do you land a TEDx talk? What should you include in your application? What are event organizers looking for? How do you shape your idea? That’s what we’re going to get into in this episode. I’ve worked with TEDx events to select speakers and I’ve coached TEDx speakers, so I’m giving you an inside look on how you can increase your chances of getting selected and delivering an outstanding talk. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/361/  Search for TEDx events: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Apply for our 3-day in-person client retreat in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Listen to more episodes about TEDx talks. Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A. Episode 352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomen Episode 339: Using Public Speaking to Influence Social Change with Dr. Tanya Golash-Boza Episode 329: From Compelled to Take Action to TEDx Speaker with Dr. Nicole Rochester Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally

There are always going to be other people who do what you do and talk on the same topic. Have you ever collaborated with someone who’s in your same industry, who does similar work? It may seem counter-productive to do this because they’re kind of competitors, after all. But what if you could change your perspective on this? Having a thought partner who’s in the same industry can be very beneficial, which you’ll hear in today’s episode. My guests are two women who met in our Thought Leader Academy last year and have stayed connected ever since. They both work in the corporate leadership space, but with different approaches and types of clients. The three of us talk about: Why they decided to connect and stay in touch What it means to have a thought partner and how it has benefitted them How you can go about finding your own thought partner Having accountability in getting big things done Why they joined the Thought Leader Academy And more! About My Guests: Tenice Wehmeyer, PCC, founder of Wehmeyer Leadership Coaching, is dedicated to cultivating vulnerability-based trust and courage in leaders for brain-friendly collaboration. Cherie Mylordis is a business transformation expert, leadership coach and speaker. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/360/  Tenice’s website: https://wehmeyerassociates.com/  Cherie’s website: https://www.nextgenify.com Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Apply for our in-person client retreat speaking intensive in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Tenice Wehmeyer (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenicewehmeyer/ Cherie Mylordis (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-mylordis   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 324: Creating Strategic Collaborations with Cara Steinmann Episode 317: [Coaching] Using Client Case Studies Effectively in Your Presentations with Cherie Mylordis

Whatever your opinion is about AI, it’s being integrated into everything we do, from what we see on social media to how facial recognition systems work to how decisions are made about you by companies. I personally enjoy using ChatGPT and find it incredibly valuable, but I also want to make sure I’m using these AI tools responsibly and ethically. This is why I invited Juliette Powell, co-author of the recent book "The AI Dilemma: Seven Principles for Responsible Technology,” to come on the show.  Juliette and I examine the compelling reasons why AI needs the influence of women's voices and how we can work towards a more inclusive AI landscape. We talk about: The inspiration behind her co-authored book and why it's a wake-up call for responsible AI What companies are doing to reduce bias in AI systems The importance of having more women in AI, not only to diversify the field but to embed empathy and ethics into the technology that is increasingly governing our lives Actionable steps that can be taken to encourage women's participation in AI, from education and mentorship to policy changes and community support Our takes on venture capitalist Marc Andreessen’s recent, over-the-top manifesto on AI How we, as individuals, can use AI tools ethically and responsibly Juliette’s speaking experiences and tips Want to learn how to use AI tools to give your speaking a boost? Come to our hands-on AI Tools for Speakers workshop live on Zoom on Thursday, December 7. You’ll learn how to use tools like ChatGPT and others to write outlines and speaking proposals, create images for your slides, add audio and music, and more. Sign up today at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai-tools-workshop/.  About My Guest: Juliette Powell is the founder and managing partner of Kleiner Powell International [KPI], a New York City-based AI advisory. As a consultant at the intersection of responsible technology and business, she has advised large companies and governments on the questions of how to deal with the accelerating change underway due to AI-enabled technological innovation coupled with shifting social dynamics and heightened global competition. Powell identifies the patterns and practices of successful business leaders who bank on ethical AI and data to win. Her co-authored book, “The AI Dilemma: 7 Principles for Responsible Technology” (August 2023), integrates the perspectives of engineering, business, government and social justice to help make sense of generative AI and other automated systems. A passionate advocate for digital literacy, critical thinking and collaboration, Powell speaks regularly on the future(s) of innovation, information, leadership and education. She is on the faculty at New York University, where she teaches graduate students of the Interactive Telecommunications Program. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/359/  Juliette’s website & book: https://www.juliettepowell.com/  Juliette’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thkmVv54e6M  Sign up for AI Tools for Speakers workshop: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai-tools-workshop/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Juliette Powell (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliettepowell/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 358: Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) as Your Strategic Partner and Coach with Alysia Silberg Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. with Carol Cox

If you’ve listened to the recent episodes we’ve done on thought leadership, you know that I’ve been working this year on positioning myself as a thought leader in the AI space. I want to make sure there are lots of women talking about and being heard on this topic because this technology is going to have a huge impact on our society. This episode and the next one are with women who are thought leaders in AI. Whether you’re into AI (artificial intelligence) or not, you’re going to LOVE this conversation. My guest today is Alysia Silberg, a vanguard in the AI industry and author of a recent memoir. Alysia isn't only an entrepreneur; she's a visionary who sees AI not just as a tool but as a strategic coach and partner in business and life. In this episode, Alysia and I talk about: The transformative potential of using AI in your own business and personal development Specific examples of how Alysia leverages AI as a strategic asset, guiding her decision making and sharpening her competitive edge Using AI to create a more equitable and inclusive world The power of storytelling: how Alysia sharing her story in her memoir set her free Alysia’s advocacy for more women in the field of AI, and how she believes diversity can lead to more innovative and ethical AI solutions Alysia’s strategies for building a strong personal brand and powerful network Her speaking experiences and tips Want to learn how to use AI tools to give your speaking a boost? Come to our hands-on AI Tools for Speakers workshop live on Zoom on Thursday, December 7. You’ll learn how to use tools like ChatGPT and others to write outlines and speaking proposals, create images for your slides, add audio and music, and more. Sign up today at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai-tools-workshop/.  About My Guest: Alysia Silberg is a UN Women Empower Women Global Champion, CEO of Street Global venture capital firm, an AI expert, and a math and science prodigy who started her own business at the age of 11. She is also an abuse survivor -- having lived through a gunshot wound -- who grew up in poverty and around violence in South Africa before making her way to the U.S. to start a new life. Alysia is a cross between a survivalist and an industrialist -- and nothing short of a complete inspiration. In her new memoir, Unemployable: How I Hired Myself, Alysia takes readers on her journey as a startup investor, entrepreneur, executive coach, and AI trailblazer. She shares her powerful story of survival and success, aided by the great equalizer – technology. Through determination and an unwavering commitment to learning, she made her way to America and Silicon Valley, becoming a lover and funder of startups, with a passion for AI. This "unputdownable" memoir and manifesto serves as a source of inspiration for anyone who has been told, or has told themselves, that they cannot. By embracing our own superpowers, Alysia believes we can unlock our unique brilliance and contribute to the responsible advancement of technology. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/358/  Alysia’s website & book: https://www.readunemployable.com/  Sign up for AI Tools for Speakers workshop: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai-tools-workshop/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Alysia Silberg (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysiasilberg/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. with Carol Cox Episode 316: Education, A.I., and What It Means to Be Human with Dr. Bibi Pirayesh

How can you accomplish what you want, from the small to the big? As we gear up for the new year, I’m sure there are things you have on your vision board and list of goals you want to achieve. There are practical, tangible steps you can take (the what and the how). There’s also WHO you want to be, the identity you want to shift into, which is essential to aligning your actions to what you want, creating lasting change, and building self-confidence. My guest is Dr. Kim Foster, who recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy. Kim was a practicing family doctor for nearly 20 years and a few years ago decided that she wanted to make a big change to become a wellness coach and entrepreneur. You’ll be inspired by her story and her thought leadership message! Kim and I talk about: Her own identity shift from being a doctor to an entrepreneur   What helped her to make that shift Her thought leadership message and framework that the WHO is as important as the what and the how to make lasting change How you can start thinking about your own identity Why she decided to join our Thought Leader Academy and what she got out of the experience   This episode is part of our podcast series on thought leadership.   About My Guest: Dr. Kim Foster is an M.D.-turned-coach and entrepreneur who inspires people around the world to live healthy, beautiful, vibrant lives by elevating whole-person wellness. After experiencing the frustrations and crushing limitations of the conventional healthcare system for many years, she began her journey into entrepreneurship as the founder of The Wellness Coach Academy. By training new health and wellness coaches through the Academy, she has helped others build their businesses, find freedom, and promote healthy, balanced living across the globe. Dr. Kim lives in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada with her husband and their two boys. You can often find her practicing what she preaches: running by the North Pacific, spending family summers at her home in France, cooking up a pot of homemade soup, or curled up with a good book. Kim is the host of The Wellness Project podcast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at  https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/357/ Kim’s website: https://drkimfoster.com/  Kim’s podcast “The Wellness Project”: https://drkimfoster.com/podcast  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Kim Foster on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-foster-14362646/ Dr. Kim Foster on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/drkimfoster/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 356: What to Do Now to Position Yourself as a Thought Leader Episode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A.

We’re continuing our new podcast series on thought leadership. We’ve talked about finding and developing your big idea and what your signature talk should be doing for you. Today we’re diving into what you can start doing now to position yourself as a thought leader. Yes, you can absolutely be a thought leader - and we need you to be! Thought leaders have an interesting idea and they're willing to share it in a bigger way. Most thought leaders are also public speakers because of the built-in authority and credibility you get standing in front of an audience and the broader impact you can make. But, here's the thing: Seeing yourself as a thought leader doesn't come *after* you've done the thing. You need to see yourself first as a thought leader and claim that identity. That's what's going to align your actions and propel you forward. In this episode, you’ll learn: What exactly a thought leader is How people become thought leaders Self-limiting beliefs around claiming an identity, including my own self-limiting beliefs around an identity I need to claim for myself Why *you* can be a thought leader 6 things to do to position yourself as a thought leader How I positioned myself as a thought leader in AI this year Get the 6 steps to position yourself as a thought leader and a lot more in our FREE guide on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/356/  Get our free Thought Leadership guide: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A. Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You Episode 342: I Almost Got Stuck in the Expert Trap: How I Created My Recent Successful Conference Presentation  

We’re continuing our new podcast series on thought leadership. Today we’re going to take a look at what exactly a signature talk is and what it should be doing for you. Any presentation you give *should* be a signature talk. Why? Because any presentation you deliver should be a combination of your expertise + your thought leadership + your personal brand. Your signature talk isn’t a bunch of information on your topic. Your signature talk has a specific purpose for you and for your audience; it should be doing something for you. You’re not there to pass along information and to train your audience, unless you’re doing a workshop, which if you are, that’s great and you should be getting paid for that. This is where I see speakers get stuck in what I call the expert trap. They think they have to train and teach in order to provide value; but when you’re speaking at a conference or at a local group or as a keynote, you’re there to share an experience with the audience, to get them to think about something in a new or different way.   In this episode, you’ll hear: Determining what you want your signature talk to do for you The elements that make a transformative signature talk How to put your signature talk together using our Signature Talk Canvas® framework Ways you can repurpose your signature talk Whether you can have more than one signature talk The signature talk I’m working on Get our Signature Talk Canvas® framework and a lot more in our 24-page FREE guide and workbook on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/355/  Get our free Thought Leadership guide and workbook: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 353: The Power of Frameworks: How Sharon Ehrlich Found Her Voice and Message with Sharon Ehrlich Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact Episode 290: [Coaching] Get More Leads from Your Presentations with Monica Young

Today’s episode it’s all about finding and developing your Big Idea for your thought leadership and public speaking. Ideas are incredibly powerful; they can live on for years, centuries, even millennia. Ideas spark movements for political and social change. Ideas help us as humans understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us Your idea doesn’t have to be something people have never heard of before; that’s unlikely as most things have been talked about before - and that’s ok! As a speaker, you want to have something interesting and unique to talk about, you want to make a positive impact on your audience, and you want to develop your thought leadership Perhaps you’re not sure what makes a good idea or which of your ideas is the best one. It all feels a bit messy and muddy. That’s what I’m going to help you with in this episode! Think of me as your idea whisperer. You’ll learn: What a Big Idea is Why too many speakers get stuck with superficial content How to identify your I.D.E.A. using this handy acronym I came up with Examples of Big Ideas from myself, from some of our clients, and from thought leaders you’ll recognize Specific questions you can ask yourself to get started developing your Big Idea Get these questions and a lot more in our 24-page FREE guide and workbook on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/. This episode is part of our new podcast series on thought leadership.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/354/  Get our free Thought Leadership guide and workbook: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomen Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience Episode 339: Using Public Speaking to Influence Social Change with Tanya Golash-Boza, PhD Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLucca Episode 319: The 3 Stages We Go Through as Women When We Use Our Voice

Many accomplished professional women come to a point in their lives where they struggle to balance their personal and professional responsibilities.  Whether it’s their high-pressure career, raising children, caring for aging parents, or all of the above, it can often feel like you lose control over your lives and yourself in the process.  On this week’s podcast guest, Sharon Ehrlich, a former hospital administrator, English teacher, and professional at IBM and now an executive coach, and our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz chat about the challenges Sharon faced when she felt she was losing control of her life while juggling her role as a mother, caring for a disabled parent, and managing her demanding professional life and how she came to realize the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing her needs. Sharon, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, shares how the program helped her gain clarity and direction for her message.  She talks about her transformative experience during her VIP Day, where she worked intensively on her signature talk.  The result was a powerful framework for her talk - OWN (Observe, Weigh, Negotiate) - which she used to regain control of her life and now shares to help other women do the same. In this episode, Sharon and Diane talk about: Sharon's journey from hospital administration to IBM leader to executive coach, and her life-changing move to Austria Her struggle with balancing her personal life and professional commitments and how very long (6-hour!) hikes helped her find clarity and a way forward How empowering others, both personally and professionally, can lead to growth and free up our own time The creation and application of her O.W.N. framework (Observe, Weigh, Negotiate) during her VIP Day How the Speaking Your Brand Signature Talk Framework that she learned in the Thought Leader Academy helped her to create an entirely new talk, boosted her confidence, and enabled her to deliver a powerful talk that got rave reviews . . . and leads! Sharon's story is a testament to the transformative power of the Thought Leader Academy and the VIP Day. Her experiences underscore the importance of finding one's voice and sharing one's message with the world. Tune in to this episode for an inspiring conversation filled with insights and practical advice on finding balance, setting boundaries, and stepping into your power.   About Our Guest: Sharon is a passionate advocate for female empowerment, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and has been invited to share her views and lived experiences as a keynote speaker, podcast guest and webinar panelist. Sharon is the founder of Living While Leading, a premier executive coaching service which focuses on supporting women IT executives in their quest to optimize their lives so that they can live and work authentically and in alignment with their priorities and values. She also hosts the Living While Leading Podcast, a weekly podcast which focuses on topics related to women in leadership and female empowerment.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/353/  Sharon’s website: https://livingwhileleading.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Sharon Ehrlich (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonehrlich1/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out with Judy Carlson  

I recently had the honor of attending the TEDWomen conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Over 3 days, I heard 35 speakers deliver their TED talks, on topics ranging from democracy to abortion rights, menopause to artificial intelligence.  Of course, as I was sitting in the audience, I was taking lots of notes on each speaker, how they structured their talk, the elements they included, and how they delivered it. I’ve taken those notes and identified 7 key things the best speakers do. Whether you’re delivering a TEDx talk, a keynote, a conference session, or a business presentation, you can use these 7 things to make your talks impactful and memorable. Join us on November 16th for the Storytelling for Speakers workshop we’re hosting live on Zoom! Register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/storytelling-workshop/.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/352 Sign up for our Storytelling workshop on November 16: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/storytelling-workshop/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 277: The Authority Gap Women Face and What to Do About It with Mary Ann Sieghart Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience Episode 329: From Compelled to Take Action to TEDx Speaker with Dr. Nicole Rochester  

From Barbie and the Super Models to Beyonce and Taylor, women and the influence they have on culture and the economy are being seen and talked about everywhere. Since here at Speaking Your Brand we're all about amplifying and championing women's voices and advocating for gender equality, we figured it was time to give our own hot takes. Along with all the positive gains women have made, we know that there has also been a considerable backlash, both culturally and legally, most noticeably in the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year and in the states that have since passed laws restricting women's reproductive health care rights. It's easy (and accurate) to blame lawmakers and voters who vocally support such restrictions and want to turn the tide back. But what about those who do support women yet do so in myopic ways? That's why I call "country club feminism." In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: The “rad trad” movement on TikTok and what it means about feminism How we define feminism The Barbie movie, from the visual impact to the satire to the overt feminist message Taylor Swift and the backlash she’s receiving for being a powerful, independent woman as she’s dating an NFL player The new documentary “The Super Models” on AppleTV+ and what it says about female beauty and power What we’re calling “country club feminism”,  how it reinforces the status quo, and what to do instead Clearly, we are using our voices and that’s what we want you to do too! (This episode was recorded on October 5, 2023.)   We’re doing a NEW workshop series this fall live on Zoom. Join us in October for personal branding and brand voice; in November for storytelling; and in December for using AI tools for speaking. Get all the details and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/351/ Register for our live online workshops on Zoom this fall = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 277: The Authority Gap Women Face and What to Do About It with Mary Ann Sieghart Episode 216: Why We're #ChoosingWomensVoices - and You Should Too Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna V. Eskamani Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking

Last week, I talked about connecting your personal brand and your thought leadership Your stories and experiences are integral to both. Your stories connect you with your audience. Have you ever heard a speaker share a story and have one of these reactions: #1: Wow, I really feel connected to what this person is saying. I have a new perspective on my own situation.  -OR- #2: Why is this person telling this story? I don't get how this relates to the rest of their content or why I should care or this feels icky.  You don't want to end up being the speaker where the people in the audience are having the second reaction. You want your stories to have purpose and meaning and be of service to your audience. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: Contrived vulnerability (your audience can tell) What contrived storytelling sounds like and feels like The elements of authentic storytelling Examples of authentic storytelling, from our clients and from our own talks We’re doing a NEW workshop series this fall live on Zoom. Join us in October for personal branding and brand voice; in November for storytelling; and in December for using AI tools for speaking. Get all the details and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/350/ Register for our live online workshops on Zoom this fall = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/ Storytelling workshop on November 16: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/storytelling-workshop/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation with Karen Keene Episode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out with Judy Carlson Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power  

In the age of more & more content (whether human- or AI-created), your personal brand matters more than ever. Potential clients and event organizers can easily find lots of experts in what you do. What you want them to realize is what sets you apart and why they should pick you. That’s where your personal brand and thought leadership come in. I know you want to have a positive impact on the world and you may feel like cultivating a personal brand is unnecessary or self-indulgent or you just don’t have time for it. But, here’s the thing: you have a personal brand, everyone does. It’s how other people would describe you;  not just your qualities like are you smart, kind, professional, but also what matters to you. Do people know what matters to you, the better world you imagine? In this episode, you’ll hear: How your business connects to your thought leadership How your personal brand connects to your thought leadership Example from my own personal brand and thought leadership Pushback I got early on when I started my business about a particular aspect of my personal brand Finding the consistency and commonality among all of the threads in your career What humans have over AI when it comes to storytelling We’re doing a NEW workshop series this fall live on Zoom. Join us in October for personal branding and brand voice; in November for storytelling; and in December for using AI tools for speaking. Get all the details and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/349/  Register for our live online workshop on Zoom on October 26th to build your personal brand plan and define your brand voice = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership Personal Brand podcast series, episodes 332-335

When you step on stage, I know you want to feel comfortable and confident, to project authenticity and energy. Developing your confidence and stage presence happens both externally and internally. When your content and your delivery are aligned, you can have a bigger impact on your audience with your message. This is what I talk about with my guest, Dr. Christina Madison. Christina has delivered a TEDx talk and has been on TV over 250 times, including two appearances on Good Morning America. I’ve known Christina for nearly two years: we worked together on her TEDX talk and she attended our in-person client retreat. In this episode, we talk about: Why Christina said ‘yes’ to her first TV appearance How what you’re wearing can make a big difference in how you feel on stage Embodying the qualities you want to feel and portray Taking care of yourself so you are at your best for your speaking engagements What it looks like to feel authentically you This is the final episode in our new podcast series to help you up level your in-person speaking skills.   Want to work with us and practice on our stage? Registration is now open for our 3-day in-person client retreat speaking accelerator coming up in February 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Get all the details and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.    About My Guest: Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP is an award-winning clinical pharmacist. She is a clinical pharmacist specializing in public health with a focus on communicable disease, gender-based health, and professional development. She founded The Public Health Pharmacist®, PLLC, a public health consulting firm, in 2019. Dr. Madison has been featured in over 250+ on-air TV appearances related to public health including being featured on Good Morning America (GMA3 – What You Need to Know) and a panelist for the COVID-19 What Works Summit at The White House. Dr. Madison is currently an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice with Roseman University of Health Sciences (RU), College of Pharmacy and the Public Information Officer and Chief Pharmacist for Wellness Equity Alliance.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/348/  Christina’s website (you can see her TEDx talk and GMA appearances): https://www.thepublichealthpharmacist.com/  Solita Roberts’ image stylist: https://styletoimpact.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Register for our in-person client retreat = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Christina Madison (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristinamadisonthepublichealthpharmacist  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 253: TV Can Make You Famous - But Don't Read the Comments with Dr. Christina Madison  

Registration is open for our in-person client retreat speaking intensive coming up February 26-28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. We are already half-full (it's limited to 12 women). Get all the details and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.   Our speaking workshop is for you if ANY of these apply: You want to speak at conferences and events and increase lead generation at your presentations You want to attract paid speaking engagements and raise your speaker fees You'd like to do a TEDx or keynote talk one day You know how important your message is and you want to truly connect with your audience You want to feel more comfortable and confident as a speaker You imagine walking onto a stage with calm and joy, delivering your talk while having fun engaging the audience, and then leaving the stage knowing you nailed it   During the 3 days we'll be together, we'll guide you through exercises and activities designed to help you build the skills and confidence you need to become an impactful public speaker. You'll learn how to: Develop a strong, authentic speaking voice and style Tell compelling stories and engage your audience from your opening to your closing Use body language and vocal variation to enhance your message Incorporate props and multimedia to add depth and dimension to your talk Connect with your audience and build rapport Handle nerves and feel much more comfortable and confident in your body   Here's what you get: Identifying and writing/outlining your best speaking segments (opening, closing, key stories, audience engagement) Instruction on body movement, vocal variation, and use of the stage, props and multimedia Lots of time to practice on our stage and get our coaching and feedback (we are very kind and encouraging!) Understanding your natural speaking style and amplifying it to build your confidence Professional filming so you have an edited video and clips of you speaking for your speaker reel, website, LinkedIn profile, etc.   What's included: Personalized, hands-on coaching and feedback to 10x your speaking skills Fun and intentional exercises and practice sessions on our stage Professional filming of your speaking segments (you'll get the raw video files plus an edited video about 10 minutes long) Printed workbook + speaker kit Healthy food! Lunches and dinners on all 3 days (plus snacks, coffee and tea) Quality time with an incredible group of supportive women (there's nothing like being in person to form long-lasting bonds)   If you would like to join us, please complete the application at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/ so we can schedule a Zoom call to talk and answer your questions.   You can hear from some of the women who've attended our past retreats in these episodes: Episode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a Speaker with Dr. Nicole Rochester, Debby Kerr-Henry, and Terese Bottner Episode 345: Elevate Your Audience Engagement Skills with These Proven Strategies with Katie Anderson Episode 311: 10x Your Speaking Skills with Joy Spencer and Betsy Jordyn

We’re continuing our podcast series to help you up level your in-person speaking skills. Imagine you’re standing on stage, looking out at the audience, and feeling 100% confident in your content and delivery.  You’re moving fluidly, getting into your stories, engaging with your audience, and feeling connected to them. You can absolutely do this - but it takes the *right* kind of practice. Most speakers practice the wrong way. The result is that they rely on their notes, their nerves get the best of them, and they stand like a statue and don’t move around (or even worse, they see-saw in place). Doing the right kind of practice can make all the difference, which is what we’re talking about with our retreat clients Dr. Nicole Rochester, Terese Bottner, and Debby Kerr-Henry for a roundtable discussion on how they’ve transformed as speakers. You’ll learn: Our embarrassing moments on stage Why most speakers practice the wrong way and what to do instead Developing stage presence Getting more comfortable using the stage Feeling confident *not* using notes or a script The impact of practicing on our stage and getting feedback at our in-person retreat   This is the audio from a live show we did last week. You can watch the video on LinkedIn or YouTube.   Want to work with us and practice on our stage? Registration is now open for our 3-day in-person client retreat speaking accelerator coming up in February 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Get all the details and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/347/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Register for our in-person client retreat = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Nicole Rochester (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rochester-md/  Terese Bottner (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/terese-cooke-bottner-78225a10/  Debby Kerr-Henry (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/debkerrhenry/    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 329: From Compelled to Take Action to TEDx Speaker with Dr. Nicole Rochester Episode 273: How to 10x Your Speaking Skills   

Did you know that you will get *more* speaking gigs if you focus on your delivery as well as your content? Your body movement, use of the stage, and vocal variation are all essential to become a compelling and in-demand speaker. My guest today is Victoria Moran, an incredible speaker, author and podcaster, whom I’ve known for nearly 10 years, so I’m thrilled to have her on the show. In this episode, Victoria and I talk about: Getting started as a professional speaker What she learned from acting training How she uses body movement and dance in her speaking engagements (even though she’s not a dancer, as she admits!) Why your delivery as a speaker will get you more (and better) gigs The important use of vocal variation when telling stories Her favorite speaking experience Her worst speaking experience and what she learned I know you’re going to get lots of great ideas for your own speaking engagements! This is the second episode in our new podcast series to help you up level your in-person speaking skills.   Want to work with us and practice on our stage? Registration is now open for our 3-day in-person client retreat speaking accelerator coming up in February 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Get all the details and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.    About My Guest: Victoria Moran started writing for teen magazines at 14 -- she met the Beatles! -- and for health publications after she went vegetarian at 19. Speaking for groups, plus lots of radio appearances, followed the writing. Victoria is now the author of 13 books including Creating a Charmed Life and Fit from Within. She was featured twice on Oprah, produced the 2019 documentary A Prayer for Compassion, and she's presented for audiences including Speaking of Women's Health, Toyota Women's Conferences, and the Parliament of the World's Religions.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/346/  Victoria’s websites: https://victoriamoran.com/ and https://mainstreetvegan.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Register for our in-person client retreat = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Victoria Moran (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriamoranauthor/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 345: Elevate Your Audience Engagement Skills with These Proven Strategies with Katie Anderson Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox  

How do you keep your audience engaged throughout your talk or presentation? There are basic strategies like asking questions of the audience, but there are more ways to keep your audience interested and engaged. This is what I talk about with my guest and client, Katie Anderson. Katie has been around the world, from Portugal to Poland to Brazil, speaking to audiences of all sizes. In this episode, Katie and I talk about: Strategies she has used that have worked well to keep audiences engaged Fun things she has tried The importance of storytelling, performance, and stage presence A recent challenging speaking engagement that really tested her speaking skills (no surprise to me, she aced it!) How attending our in-person client retreat speaking accelerator dramatically improved her skills and confidence   This is the first episode in our new podcast series to help you up level your in-person speaking skills. Registration is now open for our 3-day in-person client retreat speaking accelerator coming up in February 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Get all the details and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.    About My Guest: Katie Anderson is an internationally recognized leadership and learning coach, consultant, and professional speaker, best known for inspiring individuals and organizations to lead with intention and increase their personal and professional impact. Katie is passionate about helping people around the world learn to lead and lead to learn by connecting purpose, process, and practice to achieve higher levels of performance. Her book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning is an international #1 Amazon bestseller. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/345/ Katie’s website: http://kbjanderson.com/ Katie’s photos speaking at the Lean Institute Brasil Summit: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kbjanderson_how-do-you-respond-when-the-plan-you-had-activity-7077025294229909504-dZ-j  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Register for our in-person client retreat = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Katie Anderson (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 280: Making the Shift from Expert Presenter to Storyteller in Your Keynotes with Katie Anderson Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox

I know you enjoy speaking - AND you want to make sure you’re getting an ROI from it. Your ROI can come from getting paid to speak and/or from getting leads and clients from your presentations. If you don’t consistently get leads from your presentations, there are a few things you can do to make that more likely to happen. You may think your audience doesn’t want to be sold to, but that may not be the case. You also may not be sure how to go about letting event organizers know that you have a speaker fee. In this episode, I share with you: 3 ways to increase leads from your presentations What to do even when conferences say “no selling from the stage” The one thing to do that is GOLD 3 things to do to get paid to speak Why many speakers don’t charge or don’t charge enough Examples to inspire you About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/344/  Download example feedback form (no opt-in needed): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7scnmn11eqpfeh863i878/Speaking-Your-Brand-Example-Worksheet-FeedbackForm.pdf?rlkey=bmqkj2pzyjewmrg8r0smml2vu&dl=0  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 290: [Coaching] Get More Leads from Your Presentations with Monica Young Episode 289: Less Free, More Paid: How to Increase Your Speaker Fees with Carol Cox Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact with Carol Cox  

I often hear from clients that they feel like their topic isn’t unique, that what they would present on others have already been said.  And they’re right: That will always be the case - there are always going to be lots of people out there who do or say something in the same umbrella as you. What you need is an IDEA, not just a topic. Ideas look for a messenger - and it’s up to you to activate the idea. YOU are the messenger your audience needs to hear. In this episode, I share with you: Why ideas are so important The four layers of thought leadership The different ways ideas can come to you What can stop you from activating an idea Inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Big Magic” Why Greta Gerwig was *the* messenger the Barbie movie needed About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/343/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Mentioned: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert Elizabeth Gilbert on the On Being podcast KLF: Chaos Magic Music Money by JMR Higgs “Who says big ideas are rare?” by Malcom Gladwell Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out with Judy Carlson Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation with Karen Keene Episode 262: The Four Layers of Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power with Carol Cox  

I *almost* got stuck in the expert trap when I was creating my recent presentation for MAICON called Maintain Your Brand Voice Through AI Personalization and Storytelling.​ I had lots of slides filled with examples and case studies. Useful, sure, but not impactful or memorable. I knew it was missing heart and soul. Fortunately, I took my own advice :-) and saved myself from the expert trap. Attendees loved my session - they said it was “fantastic, amazing, and valuable." In this episode, I share 3 specific things I did to escape the expert trap to create an impactful and memorable presentation, plus one more bonus thing that made a huge difference. I know you want to create and deliver outstanding presentations, get excellent feedback from attendees and the event organizers, stand out and get noticed, and get leads plus more speaking invitations. You don’t want to get stuck in what I call the expert trap.  The expert trap shows up in a few ways: as an information dump; no unique framework or methodology tying everything together; no vision or mission or thought leadership message; and no opinions or stances on your topic. Listen in to hear what you can do to make sure your presentation provides value to your audience and gets you noticed.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/342/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Get on the interest list for our in-person client retreat speaking intensive: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 340: Can I Tell It's You? What a Brand Voice Is and Why You Need One with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox  

Raise your hand if you’re used to giving presentations chock full of information, facts, and figures? You are not alone! Many of us get comfortable doing this, probably because that’s how we got started as speakers and presenters. But, your audience doesn’t need to hear tons of facts and figures; they need to understand the big picture of your topic, how it relates to them, and what they should do next. This is precisely the evolution that our guest, Judy Carlson, did while she was in our Thought Leader Academy. She worked with our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to create her new signature talk and framework. In this episode, Diane sits down with Judy to chat about her goal to do more public speaking and how she developed her unique framework and signature talk.  Judy also shares about her career path, personal story, and what she learned from her time in the Thought Leader Academy.  Plus, she gives us the lowdown on her VIP Day and how her awesome WEAVE framework came to be. You’ll love this story! Here's the scoop on what you'll hear in this episode: Why Judy decided to step up her public speaking game now Judy's reasons for wanting to switch gears from training to thought leadership in her speaking How Judy's personal story influenced her unique message and framework, to help her stand out from the crowd in her industry The inside story on Judy's time in the Thought Leader Academy and her biggest takeaways The step-by-step process we followed to create Judy's WEAVE framework - hint: WEAVE wasn't our first idea What Judy thought her VIP Day would be like and what it was actually like   Our Thought Leader Academy is currently open for enrollment for our next start date of August 29, 2023.   About Our Guest: Judy Carlson is an independent lifetime wealth strategist, investment advisor representative, and life insurance professional. She has 40 years of experience as a CPA and has owned her own independent financial firm for the past 12 years. Her mission is to help individuals and families protect their assets and preserve their wealth throughout their lifetimes and legacy. Judy went from being a successful CPA in Corporate America to a stay-at-home mom to losing almost everything financially. She brings a fresh perspective to taking control of your money no matter what financial decisions you’ve made in the past. Judy loves helping her clients become aware of their financial options through her education. As their guide, Judy helps her clients decide what’s best for their money. Together they custom design and build unique lifetime wealth and legacy plans.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach. At Speaking Your Brand®, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/341/ Judy’s website: https://judycarlson.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Judy Carlson (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/judycarlsonfinancialadvisor/     

Today, we're delving into a topic that lies at the heart of powerful communication and compelling thought leadership: brand voice.  If you've ever wondered, 'How can I stand out in a crowded market?' or 'How can I make my messages resonate more deeply with my audience?', then this episode is for you. We're going to explore what a brand voice is, why it's so crucial to your business, and how you can develop and refine your own unique voice. This episode is based on the presentation I recently gave at MAICON, the Marketing AI conference. I share: What a brand voice is (more than tone and personality) Why we need to think about brand voice as we use AI writing tools like ChatGPT The problem with ‘Generic Internet Voice’ in LLMs What’s your M.E.M.E.? Defining your brand voice using our Brand Voice Canvas™  Case studies for Your ‘Brand AI’ Using regular ChatGPT & fine-tuned GPT-4 Integrating storytelling into your AI content About Us: The Speaking Your Brand® podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/340/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Podcast Series on Personal Branding Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. Episode 327: From Expert to Thought Leader: 3 Key Strategies You Need Now to Set Yourself Apart in Our New AI-Driven World  

I talk a lot about the power of public speaking for building brand awareness, generating leads, and becoming known in your industry. The other power of public speaking is to influence social change. Throughout history, public speakers have inspired us about what's possible, from JFK's moon speech to MLK's I have a dream. TED speakers have done this for us for the past 15+ years: getting us to think differently about important issues. When one of our former clients and Thought Leader Academy grads, Tanya Golash-Boza, emailed me a few months ago about collaborating with her on a project, I jumped at the chance. Tanya decided to put on an event called Change the World Through Research through the University of California Washington Program (UCDC), where Tanya is the Executive Director. We worked closely with the selected faculty members to create their 10-minute TED-style talks to showcase their research. I know it was a challenge for them to condense all that they know into 10 minutes - which is where we came in as their coaches! We helped them identify their throughline, integrate their personal stories (so important!), and create a talk that took the audience along their journey of discovery. I invited Tanya on the podcast to talk about: Why she decided to put on this event for faculty to share their research Why she wanted them to do 10-minute TED-style talks instead of traditional presentations Why she wanted to collaborate with us at Speaking Your Brand to provide coaching and training for the speakers The importance of integrating personal stories, even in research/policy-based talks Lessons for event organizers How the event went and what’s next Check out my LinkedIn post with photos of the speakers at https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7077625577079218176/.  About My Guest: Tanya Golash-Boza is the Executive Director of the University of California Washington Center and a Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Merced. She is the author of six books that engage with issues such as racism, immigration policy, human rights, and race in Latin America. Her latest book, to be published with the University of California Press, is: Before Gentrification: The Creation of DC's Racial Wealth Gap. Tanya’s work deepens our understanding of systems of oppression and exploitation. She has spent her scholarly career working to understand how racism intersects with capitalism and how our legal system creates and upholds inequities. She uses this knowledge to tell stories of people and of systems to help colleagues, students, readers, and listeners understand how racism and capitalism structure our lives and what we need to do to change this country and the world.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/339/  ​​Tanya’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/eakUZX-pRCQ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Tanya Golash-Boza = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyagolashboza/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 211: Turning an Academic Topic into a Powerful TEDx Talk with Tanya Golash-Boza Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer    

What does the journey look like to evolve from an expert presenter to a sought-after speaker and thought leader? How can you escape what I call “the expert trap” and make the shift into thought leadership? My guest and Thought Leader Academy graduate, Teri DeLucca, PhD, has done exactly this. I know you’ll be inspired by Teri! In this episode, Teri and I talk about: Why she started her business a few years ago Her initial reluctance to share personal stories and be vulnerable - and what changed her mind Her desire to escape “the expert trap” and go beyond her comfort zone of academic presentations The impact storytelling and vulnerability has had on her, her business, her customers, and her audiences Why she joined the Thought Leader Academy and what she got out of it The elements we’ve worked on together to create her signature talk, from incorporating humor and video clips to coming up with an acronym and planting sales seeds for her offer About My Guest: Dr. Teri DeLucca is the Founder and CEO of Impact Early Education, a professional development institute for the preschool industry. She completed a dual PhD in developmental psychology and educational psychology from the University of Florida where her research focused on the cognitive, social, and academic development of children. She previously worked as a research scientist for a children’s early literacy intervention program and then accepted an applied position as Vice President of Operations for a system of preschools and extended day programs. Her work has been recognized by multiple awards including the Sigma Xi Women in Science Award, Academic Pediatric Association’s Young Investigator Award, the Institute of Education Sciences Randomized Trials Award, and most recently she was recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders locally. Dr. DeLucca is a member of the John Maxwell Leadership Team and is a John Maxwell certified speaker. She is also a graduate and certified speaker through the Speaking Your Brand Thought Leader Academy. Dr. DeLucca just completed her Presidency with The Junior Service League of St. Augustine, which is a local women’s volunteer organization. She enjoys serving the community both locally and abroad and her favorite volunteer endeavors are serving at a children’s home in Guatemala for several years and serving with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She has been matched with her “Little” sister Hannah for 18 years now! Above all else, the most important role she has is that of mom to two wonderfully amazing boys, who never let her take life too seriously.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/338/ Teri’s website: https://impactearlyed.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Teri DeLucca = https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-delucca-ph-d-46b296200/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 327: From Expert to Thought Leader: 3 Key Strategies You Need Now to Set Yourself Apart in Our New AI-Driven World with Carol Cox Episode 307: From University Lecturer to Thought Leader with Heather Hausenblas, PhD  

I strongly believe that sharing your story transforms not only your audience, but also yourself. You and your audience discover that you’re not alone and that change is possible. From the consciousness-raising circles of the women’s movement in the 1970s to present-day campaigns for policy and legislative changes, our stories can make a profound difference. My guest today is Karen Keene, who is a pillar of the Orlando, Florida, community. I’ve known Karen since 2016 when I went through one of the women’s leadership programs, Athena NextGen, that she runs. Karen recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy, where we worked together to create her keynote so she can share her story of courage and resilience to her audiences. In this episode, Karen and I talk about: The tragic event that happened to Karen in March 2020 Finding her purpose and calling Making the decision to share her story through speaking engagements The framework we developed for her keynote Karen’s experience in the VIP Day and what she learned going through the Thought Leader Academy About My Guest: Karen Keene’s life was blown apart when she was nearly killed in a home invasion on March 8, 2020. But after 23 life-saving surgeries by Orlando Health’s Dr. Michael Cheatham, who leads the only Level One Trauma Center in Central Florida, Karen is well on her way to recovery, and plans to work to end gun violence in the U.S. Karen’s harrowing experience and the daily struggles she fought to keep moving forward thrust her into finding her true calling. Each of us experiences personal setbacks that can shatter our world and test our endurance. But these tragedies, while agonizing, can be our greatest teachers, the catalysts for transformation. Karen’s professional experience spans more than 28 years as the senior marketing executive and public policy expert for international and regional law firms. She has led multi-faceted teams in client development, strategic planning, branding, external affairs, and media relations. Karen is the Founder and Chief Strategic Advisor of ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc. To date, 400 women are alumni of the ATHENA NextGen masterclass series and they're rising to the top of Orlando's businesses and non-profit organizations. It's changing the course for how women lead. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/337/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Karen Keene = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-keene-profile2023/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 297: Integrating Your Story Into Your Talks with Carol Cox, Diane Diaz, and Joy Spencer Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol Cox Episode 230: Use Your Story for an Inspirational Talk with Tanea Smith Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories with Carol Cox  

This episode airs the week of our 4th of July holiday in the United States, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to re-air one of my favorite episodes. If you want to go from being a good speaker to a great one, there are key elements to infuse into your content and delivery. Three years ago, during the July 4th holiday weekend of 2020, I was at home with not much to do since we were all still in the throes of the COVID-19 social distancing.  Luckily, that weekend, “Hamilton: The Musical” (filmed from the Broadway production) aired on Disney+. I was instantly transfixed.  I knew I would like the play, but didn’t realize I was going to love it.  In this episode, I talk about “Hamilton” the play and the production and what we can learn from it as speakers. Why study the play?  After all, as speakers, we’re not acting in a play or singing in a musical. We’re speaking to grow our audiences, build our businesses, generate leads, get paid. I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen a lot of so-so and boring presentations. Your presentations shouldn’t be flat - they can be fun and engaging and they should be layered - and speak to universal themes. In this episode, I share what I saw as I watched “Hamilton” as well as what I learned from reading the amazing book called “Hamilton: The Revolution” that gives behind the scenes of the creation and production of the musical. You can listen to this episode whether you’ve seen Hamilton or not. If you haven’t, this episode will hopefully inspire you to watch it! (This episode originally aired in November 2020 as episode 197. It’s a must-listen!)   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/336/ Book “Hamilton: The Revolution” = https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Revolution-Lin-Manuel-Miranda/dp/1455539740/  Connect with Carol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 195: Our Opening and Closing Speeches from Our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Summit with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader & How We're Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox  

We’re wrapping up our podcast series on personal branding. Today we're diving into how to amplify your personal brand.  You've started to define it, you're building it, and now, how can you leverage public speaking to really become a sought-after authority?  We're going to explore strategies that work - like how to find speaking engagements that are right up your alley, ways to refine your public speaking skills, and tips on using speaking opportunities to enhance your personal brand. In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, and I talk about: Why public speaking is the fastest way to build authority and credibility for yourself The journey from getting started with speaking to landing bigger stages Strategies to lessen fears and nerves around public speaking The benefits of speaking to local groups, even if they don’t have your ideal client in them Using storytelling to make your presentations memorable Tips for creating your speaker reel, even if you don’t have professional video clips (yet!) Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/335/    Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 251: What Makes Public Speaking Unique as a Medium Episode 332: Defining Your Personal Brand: The First Step to Becoming a Thought Leader Episode 333: Building Your Personal Brand: Establishing Thought Leadership Online and Offline  Episode 334: Styling Your Personal Brand: Be Comfortable and Confident in Any Room  

We’re continuing our podcast series on personal branding. Imagine you have a speaking engagement coming up: What do you wear? How does what you wear reflect and reinforce your personal brand? Our guest in this episode is Solita Roberts, who is an image stylist, LinkedIn Top Voice, and in the first class of LinkedIn’s Creator Accelerator Program. Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, talks with Solita about: How our style and clothing (and shoes!) connect to our personal brand What to consider when selecting what to wear, whether it’s on stage or to a networking event Why Solita doesn’t believe in clothing basics And more! Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ About Our Guest: Solita Roberts is the creator of Style To Impact, an image consulting company that advises Women of Color and entrepreneurs on how to transform their image and style to authentically reflect their individuality and confidence. Solita has worked with TEDx speakers, lawyers, and financial advisors to elevate their image and style to match their influence and impact. Solita is also Client Concierge at Speaking Your Brand.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/334/  Solita’s website = https://styletoimpact.com/    Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Solita Roberts = https://www.linkedin.com/in/solitacroberts/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 294: Attracting a Diverse Clientele with Solita Roberts  

We’re continuing our new series on personal branding. If you caught our episode last week, we dug deep into defining what a personal brand is.  We chatted about how to discover your unique brand, and why it's crucial as a thought leader to sync it up with your audience. Today, we're all about building that brand of yours and establishing your thought leadership, both in the digital world and in person. In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, and I talk about: How we built our personal brands when we started our businesses in 2015-2016 The importance of consistency Why you shouldn’t discount jobs or businesses you’ve had in the past, even if they don’t feel like they are relevant to what you do now Strategies for attending events and networking as an introvert What to do after attending an event to nurture relationships with the people you met Tips for building your personal brand online, especially on LinkedIn Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/333/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 332: Defining Your Personal Brand: The First Step to Becoming a Thought Leader  

We’re kicking off a new series all about personal branding. Do you know you have a personal brand, whether you're aware of it or not? Now more than ever, your personal brand is essential. We're all swimming in a sea of online content, from social media posts to podcasts and videos, and even AI churning out more stuff.  How do you stand out in that crowd? How can you connect with the people you most want to connect with so that they understand who you really are, what matters to you, and then how they align with that? We know it can be confusing about what personal branding actually means.  How slick and buttoned up does your personal brand need to be? Does it feel superficial or like a facade to have a personal brand? How does your personal brand connect with your company brand?  That's why we're doing this series on personal branding. It's a perfect match with thought leadership and public speaking. So, let's navigate this together and help you make your mark in your world. In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, and I talk about: What a personal brand is What it looks like to define your personal brand Our 3 C’s of personal branding How to determine what your personal brand is currently And more! Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/332/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 327: From Expert to Thought Leader: 3 Key Strategies You Need Now to Set Yourself Apart in Our New AI-Driven World with Carol Cox Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. with Carol Cox Episode 293: The True Value of Your Personal Brand with Monique Bryan  

We are wrapping up our podcast series on Using Your Voice with a very special guest. Sharon McMahon is a former high school government and law teacher whose Instagram went viral in 2020 (she now has over 1 million followers!) and who is the host of the podcast Here’s Where it Gets Interesting.  Sharon is “on a mission to combat political misinformation by sharing non-partisan facts about the US government and democracy.”  Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz is a super fan of Sharon and has been following her since the 2020 election season.  Diane reached out to Sharon who graciously agreed to chat with Diane and share with us how she started using her voice where she was with what she knew. In this episode, Sharon shares how her journey began with one small post on her Instagram about wanting to change one person’s life through a monetary donation and has since grown into 1 million followers on Instagram and a community of people, lovingly dubbed the Governerds, who’ve raised over $7 million for various causes.    Diane and Sharon talk about: How Sharon’s podcast was born out of her audience demanding more content than she could share on Instagram Why Sharon decided to write a book  Why Sharon challenges the notion that small contributions are insignificant, especially for women How Sharon manages the haters and trolls that can come with using your voice to do meaningful work The importance of thinking beyond the present to understand the ripple effects of your voice and actions Why each of us should embrace the courage to speak up, even in the face of criticism   Sharon's belief that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something, emphasizes the power of small contributions. Sharon's journey is a remarkable reminder that our voice has the potential to create lasting change. She believes we must shed the belief that our contributions are insignificant and instead embrace the power we hold to shape our world.  We hope you’ll feel inspired by Sharon to find your courage, use your voice, and engage in meaningful action so that you have a bigger impact in the world!   About Our Guest: Sharon McMahon is on a mission to curate facts, fun, and inspiration by educating Americans on democracy, politics, and history. After years of serving as a high school government and law teacher, Sharon took her passion for education to Instagram with a mission to combat political misinformation with non-partisan facts. Sharon has earned a reputation as “America’s Government Teacher'' and quickly amassed over a million social media followers, affectionately known as “Governerds.” Sharon is also the host of the top-rated podcast, Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, where each week she provides entertaining yet factual accounts of America’s most fascinating moments and people. In a time where flashy headlines and false information often takes the spotlight, Sharon is a reliable source for truth and logic. She has shared her knowledge with CNN, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and Good Morning America. In 2022, Sharon was the recipient of PRWeek’s Communicator of the Year Award as well as the the noteworthy Jefferson Award.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/331  Sharon’s website: https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/  Sharon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso/ Sharon’s podcast “Here’s Where It Gets Interesting”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heres-where-it-gets-interesting/id1576266622 Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna Eskamani Episode 253: TV Can Make You Famous – But Don’t Read the Comments with Dr. Christina Madison  

Have you ever felt so passionate about something that you experienced and the lessons you learned from it that you thought to yourself “others need to hear about this?”  If you’ve ever thought something like this, then you’ll want to hear this conversation with our guest Kelly Lopez.  Kelly is a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and in this continuation of our Use Your Voice series, she talked with our Lead Speaking Coach Diane Diaz about:  Her story of going from settling, personally and professionally, to being intentional about her life and work Why she almost said no to a huge speaking opportunity and what changed her mind How she manages imposter syndrome when speaking What inspires her to continue to use her voice to speak about her passions Why she feels her voice matters in her male dominated industry What prompted her to join the Thought Leader Academy The reason she believes it’s imperative that more women use their voices  This episode is part of our Use Your Voice series.   About My Guest: Kelly Lopez is the Executive Vice President, Enterprise Services at Scout Sourcing, a woman-owned nationwide sourcing and distribution company providing sustainable paper, raw materials, and packaging solutions to Fortune 500 companies. Kelly is responsible for the strategy and execution of emerging product and service categories at Scout Sourcing. Prior to joining Scout Sourcing, Kelly was Vice President of HealthCare Sales at RR Donnelley. While at RRD, she held both operational and sales leadership roles providing print and marketing solutions to Fortune 500 companies. Kelly's experience spans almost every facet of life from her career in corporate America climbing the ladder in a male-dominated industry and mentoring emerging professionals to her personal journey of navigating through divorce, life as a working mom, running a blended family of 8, and fostering support for events and organizations in her local community. She has a degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/330    Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Kelly Lopez (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyglopez Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 328: Feeling Worthy Enough to Have a Voice with Kelly Schermerhorn

Have you had an experience that impacted you so much that you were compelled to take action, to make a shift in your life, business, or career? “Compelled to take action” is one of the core stories you can use to frame a talk (others we teach include crisis of confidence, paradigm shift, pin drop, and more). This is precisely what happened to my guest Dr. Nicole Rochester. Nicole was inspired to start her company, Your GPS Doc, after caring for her late father and witnessing the complicated healthcare system from the other side of the stethoscope. Not only has Nicole channeled her advocacy work into her business, but she also does a lot of speaking engagements and panels. Nicole was on this podcast way back in December 2018 (episode 98) when we did an on-air coaching call to help her take her personal story and universalize it. She did exactly that, which led to her TEDx talk in 2019! In this episode, Nicole and I talk about: What she learned from that on-air coaching call How she prepared for her TEDx talk Why she decided to leave her career as a physician and start her own business The mindset challenges she’s faced and how she’s overcome them What’s next for Nicole as she scales her business and impact This episode is part of our new podcast series called Use Your Voice. About My Guest: Dr. Nicole T. Rochester is a board-certified pediatrician, TEDx and keynote speaker, and the CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, an innovative company whose mission is to eliminate health disparities by empowering, educating and advocating for patients and family caregivers struggling to navigate the healthcare system and by providing health equity consulting services to healthcare organizations. Dr. Rochester was inspired to start her company after caring for her late father and witnessing the complicated healthcare system from the other side of the stethoscope. Dr. Rochester has been featured on television and radio, is a frequent podcast guest, has an active presence on social media, and has contributed to more than thirty digital publications. She speaks locally and nationally about health equity, navigating the healthcare system, and elevating the patient and family caregiver voice. A Maryland native, Dr. Rochester obtained her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University, her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine. She is a member of the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates, the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Medical Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Most importantly, she is the proud mother of two young adult daughters. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/329  Nicole’s website: ​​http://yourgpsdoc.com/  Nicole’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/0bcVfiI1zeM  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Nicole Rochester = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rochester-m-d-40700812/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D. Episode 297: Integrating Your Story Into Your Talks with Carol Cox, Diane Diaz, and Joy Spencer  

Have you ever felt imposter syndrome, that you weren’t sure if you had enough expertise or experience or knowledge or credentials [or fill in the blank] to speak up, share your perspective, and use your voice? If so, you’re not alone - and there are ways to move past this. My guest is Kelly Schermerhorn, who describes herself as a recovering people-pleaser and accolade-collector (I can relate!). Kelly recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy. Kelly and I talk about: Her story of feeling worthy enough to have a voice Her message around mental health Why she wanted to create a signature talk and speak to audiences Why she decided to enroll in the Thought Leader Academy The doubts that came up while she was creating her talk and our conversation about it The process of creating and refining her talk and framework This episode is part of our new series called “Use Your Voice.”   About My Guest: Kelly Schermerhorn is a recovering people-pleaser and accolade-collector. She’s ditching her long-time history of collecting accolades in return for being her authentic self. Kelly’s traversed skyscrapers, tiptoed through galas at the Smithsonian and traveled from the United States’ East Coast to West Coast, all to say she’s worked in ‘Corporate America’ for the last 15 years. She’s taken her years of climbing skyscraper stairs and corporate ladders to provide women a framework to shed their shields, their suit coats, and instead become authentically who they are – beautiful, unique women, who will change the world, just as they are.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/328    Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Kelly Schermerhorn (guest) = https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/KellySchermerhorn Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 301: Why We Get Imposter Syndrome and What to Do About It with Melody Wilding Episode 321: What It Means to be Visible to Yourself and Others with Bibigi Haile  

If I take a look at your slide deck or presentation outline and I can’t tell that the content is yours (vs. another speaker on your topic), you’re in danger of being a commodity speaker. Commodity speakers are undifferentiated and interchangeable. It will be harder for you to attract higher-profile speaking engagements, raise your speaking fees, and generate quality leads at your presentations. What you want instead is for your content to position you as a thought leader. You will have a much bigger impact on your audiences and your speaking will be an effective marketing channel and revenue stream in your business. Now more than ever it's time to escape the expert trap that will keep you undifferentiated and interchangeable with other experts and with the A.I. and instead step into thought leadership. This is how you’ll stay relevant in the age of A.I. were rapidly entering. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the expert trap is, why we stay in it, and how it holds us back What being a thought leader truly means 3 key strategies you can use now to step into thought leadership and set yourself apart Examples to inspire you How we work with our clients in our Thought Leader Academy This is the audio from a live training I did on Crowdcast. You can watch the video and see the slides at https://crowdcast.io/c/syb-speaking-ai. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/327  Watch the video replay: https://crowdcast.io/c/syb-speaking-ai Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. with Carol Cox Episode 323: Marketing Is Changing: Why We're Ditching the Hero's Journey with Carol Cox  

Register for our new free online training at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training/ If you’re like many of us, you like being seen as an expert. After all, expertise is celebrated because it generally takes some combination of degrees, credentials, and experience to be seen - and to see yourself - as an expert. You’ve put in the hard work, you’ve mastered a subject, and you can help others in your area of expertise. You speak to audiences and you share your expert tips and insights in your presentations. All of that is changing - and changing fast. If you’ve used ChatGPT, you’ve probably marveled at how quickly and seamlessly (and pleasantly) it comes back with a well-written response to your query. Sure, it’s not perfect, but remember it’s still in its infancy (and GPT-4 is significantly better than what most people have been using with GPT-3.5). A.I. (artificial intelligence) tools like ChatGPT have more expertise than we as humans can possibly acquire, remember, or synthesize. A.I. is now the expert. It has the answers at its fingertips (bits?) and can put them together faster than we can think of them. Where does that leave us? We used to think that our intelligence, cognitive abilities, even art and creativity were what made us human. That’s no longer the case.  It’s incredibly important now more than ever to escape the expert trap that will keep you undifferentiated and interchangeable with other experts and with the A.I. and instead step into thought leadership. This is how you’ll stay relevant in the age of A.I. were rapidly entering. In this new free live online training I’m hosting on May 2nd, you’ll learn: What the expert trap is, why we stay in it, and how it holds us back What being a thought leader truly means 3 key strategies you can use now to step into thought leadership and set yourself apart Examples to inspire you How we work with our clients in our Thought Leader Academy   When = Tuesday, May 2 from 1-2 pm Eastern / 10-11 am Pacific Where = Crowdcast   Register for free at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training/   There will be a recording if you can’t attend live. But if you are there live, you’ll get our special bonus action guide on supercharging your speaking.  

We’re wrapping up our series on how marketing is changing and new approaches you can take to more effectively connect with your audiences and prospective clients.  This episode is all about getting PR and media, which can be an important element of your visibility. Have you ever seen someone you know featured in a television news story and wondered how they made it happen?   It’s no secret that public relations efforts like being interviewed on television can ramp up your visibility and grow your reach.  But it might feel like a mystery as to how to get those opportunities.  Our guest is Cheryl Tan, who is a former TV news anchor & host and the creator of the Media Authority Plan, a program designed to help experts increase their visibility through video. Cheryl talks with our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz about:  How media and PR has changed and how it’s impacted getting your story in front of your audience  What media people are looking for in pitches and strategies you can use to pitch your story to them What makes a story compelling and interesting to the media How to identify and engage with reporters to pitch your story  Common mistakes in pitching stories to the media and how to avoid them  We know once you listen to this episode you’ll want to put these tips to work immediately. About Our Guest: Cheryl Tan believes everyone has a story to tell. Her mission is to help entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and corporations tell those stories better on video and become known as experts in their space. A former TV news anchor & host, Cheryl shares the skills she learned in the newsroom to help businesses around the country become media authorities. She is the creator of the Media Authority Plan, a program designed to help experts increase their visibility through video. Cheryl and her husband have three sons and live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/326  Cheryl’s website: cheryltanmedia.com Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Cheryl Tan (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryltanmedia/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 253: TV Can Make You Famous - But Don't Read the Comments with Dr. Christina Madison Episode 209: The Differences in Doing Interviews for Podcasts, TV, & Publications with Marie Fiebach  

We’re continuing our series on how marketing is changing and new approaches you can take to more effectively connect with your audiences and prospective clients.  Two weeks ago, I kicked off this series on how we’re ditching the traditional hero’s journey framework for marketing and how here at SYB we’re approaching marketing. Last week, I talked to Cara Steinmann about relationship marketing and strategic collaborations. Today, I’m excited to have on the podcast Wendy Kendall, who is a Chartered Psychologist and a co-founder of The Self Led Practice, the health virtual workplace for independent mental health practitioners.  I invited Wendy to come on the podcast because a few months ago she shared a post on LinkedIn about what she calls “regenerative marketing”, a framework she developed to better serve her clients. (You know we love frameworks!) I was intrigued because it aligned so well with how I was thinking about a better approach to marketing. I have a huge light bulb moment towards the end of our conversation, so be sure to listen to the end. Wendy and I talk about: Why traditional marketing approaches didn’t sit well with her or her clients Pain points and problems = why so many of us don’t like to lead with this in our marketing and what to do instead What “regenerative marketing” is How Wendy approaches her marketing, including on LinkedIn The huge light bulb moment I have when Wendy mentions “survivor bias” in the context of social media marketing About My Guest: Wendy Kendall, Chartered Psychologist, and co-founder of The Self Led Practice, the health virtual workplace for independent mental health practitioners. Wendy has over twenty five years of experience in working as a psychologist, having started her career as a military psychologist for the British Army before building her own practice. She is dedicated to creating innovative and empowering opportunities in mental healthcare, where practitioners, clients and businesses all flourish. Wendy is recognised as an industry leader in entrepreneur coaching and is a sought-after speaker and trainer whose passion is helping independent therapists and coaches to become successful entrepreneurs.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/325  Wendy’s website: http://www.inspiringpsych.com  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Wendy Kendall (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyakendall/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 323: Marketing Is Changing: Why We're Ditching the Hero's Journey Episode 300: How to Create Your Own Framework to Set You Apart as a Speaker & Thought Leader  

We’re continuing our series on how marketing is changing and new approaches you can take to more effectively connect with your audiences and prospective clients.  Last week, I kicked off this series on how we’re ditching the traditional hero’s journey framework for marketing and how here at SYB we’re approaching marketing. I knew I had to have on as my guest today, Cara Steinmann, for this series. I met Cara last fall and when we had a consult call and I learned about the work she does around relationship building and strategic collaborations, I was instantly intrigued. I got to know Cara over the past couple of months as she went through our Thought Leader Academy. In this episode, Cara and I talk about: What strategic relationships and collaborations look like Why who you see as a competitor may be the perfect person for a collaboration Why you don’t need to be an extrovert to be good at networking How to go about building strategic relationships Why Cara decided to join our Thought Leader Academy and what her experience was About My Guest: Cara Steinmann is a business development strategist who helps purpose-driven women service entrepreneurs build strategic networks that lead to rapid referrals and more ideal clients. She believes the collective power of women is the key to dismantling systems of oppression and has made it her mission to connect as many women as she can so they can build more wealth and amplify their impact together.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/324  Cara’s website: https://carasteinmann.com  Ravel Collective: https://www.ravelcollective.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Cara Steinmann (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carasteinmann Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 323: Marketing Is Changing: Why We're Ditching the Hero's Journey  

You know that stories have the power to inspire, engage, and create lasting connections with our audiences. But, do you wonder: Which stories should you share? How do you connect your stories to your overall message? How do you tell your stories in a way that the audience can relate to and get value from?   We're thrilled to announce our upcoming live online workshop, "Storytelling for Impact," designed specifically for women entrepreneurs and leaders who want to elevate their communication skills and make a difference.   Workshop Date = Thursday, April 13th, 2023   Here's what you can expect from this fun and interactive live workshop on Zoom: Learn the elements of a compelling story, from structure to emotional appeal Craft your own captivating stories using our story prompts Adapt your stories to captivate different audiences and contexts See how to use ChatGPT for brainstorming, content creation, and refining your stories    You do the work in our workshop! You'll receive a PDF workbook with training resources, story prompts, and examples. You'll also receive our Marketing Story Map PDF of where to use these different stories in your presentations and in your marketing materials (website, emails, social media, etc.).   💸 Save $200 right now with early bird pricing.   Get all the details and sign up at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/storytelling-workshop/?utm_source=podcast0423&utm_medium=podcast&utm_id=workshop 

We’re kicking off a new podcast series on how marketing is changing and what to do now. The rise of AI tools means that endless quantities of decent content can be generated at virtually no cost. This is going to impact social media marketing, SEO, and online advertising. As speakers, content creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs, doing the same things we’ve always been doing isn’t going to work for much longer. Along with content saturation making it harder for our content to be discovered and seen, pretty soon we’re not going to be able to tell who online is real and who is not. This is why I believe that as a public speaker, you have a unique opportunity to cut through the noise, authentically garner people’s attention, build relationships, and attract leads and clients. In this episode, I talk about: The big shifts in online marketing that are only going to accelerate Why we’re ditching the hero’s journey as a marketing framework The problems with the hero’s journey that is making it less compelling The shift from the individual to the collective What we’re focusing on instead in our marketing and sales Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/323  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 310: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2023 with Carol Cox Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. with Carol Cox Episode 314: Using ChatGPT and Image Generators to Enhance Your Content with Carol Cox  

As women, we are all too familiar with the societal expectations imposed on us from a young age. Both implicitly and explicitly, we are told how we should look and act and what roles we should embody. This pressure often leads to a struggle for many women, as we try to conform to these external demands while grappling with our own unique identities. But there comes a transformative moment when we decide to break free from these constraints and embrace our authentic selves. This moment of self-acceptance and empowerment is not only liberating, but it also paves the way for us to lead more fulfilling and successful lives. To conclude our podcast series for Women’s History Month, we're delving into the topic of self-perception and its impact on our personal and professional lives. I'm thrilled to have Heike Martin, a talented photographer and Thought Leader Academy graduate, as our guest on this week's episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast. Heike's powerful work captures the essence of authenticity, allowing her subjects to truly shine as they are. Together, we discuss how our self-perceptions as women shape our experiences and how we can cultivate a stronger sense of self-acceptance and self-love.   About My Guest: "Owning Your Visibility" is at the core of Heike Martin's vision and mission as owner and lead photographer at Heike Martin Photography. She is the author of "Owning Our Game: Female athlete stories of strength, beauty and athleticism". Combining curiosity, creativity and expert photography skills Heike helps busy, focused and soulful female professionals grow their impact and profits with intentional visual storytelling. Drawing on 17 years of fair trade marketing experience, Heike's photography centers joy and a celebration of self. To help women shift their perspective, Heike regularly speaks about visibility and branding—in her trademark German accent—for networking groups, panels, and podcasts. Heike Martin Photography offers both headshot and lifestyle branding photography at her studio in Manheim, PA and on location. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/322  Heike’s website: http://www.heikemartinphotography.com  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Heike Martin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/heikemartinphotography  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 321: What It Means to be Visible to Yourself and Others with Bibigi Haile  

Fear of failure, fear of rejection, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, vulnerability hangovers, nerves. All of these can cause us to be reluctant to be visible, to put ourselves out there. I’ve certainly experienced all of these throughout my career. Yet, I’ve also experienced the power and transformation that comes from being visible not only to others but also to myself. My guest is Bibigi (Bibi) Haile who works with women to help them be visible. We talk about: What comes up for women when they think about being visible Getting curious and living with the discomfort Our examples of times when we didn’t want to be visible What happens when we see other women punished for their visibility Bibi’s recommendations I know you’re going to be inspired by our conversation! This is the third episode in our podcast series for Women’s History Month.   About My Guest: Bibigi Haile founded The Beauvoir Group to give women in middle and senior management roles the license to be Unapologetically Visible, make bold moves, and stop apologizing for what they want from their career. As a sought after keynote speaker and strategic advisor to women, Bibigi has rightfully owned spots on national stages sharing her approach to women’s visibility, imposter syndrome, and personal branding. When she isn’t on stage, she’s still speaking – her podcast Speaking with Women invites women to share their experience in the modern workplace. Bibigi is also and especially the mother of a wise 7-year-old, third culture kid, podcast and book nerd, and a running enthusiast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/321  Bibigi’s website: https://thebeauvoirgroup.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Bibigi Haile (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibigi-haile/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 319: The 3 Stages We Go Through as Women When We Use Our Voice with Carol Cox Episode 158: Dealing with Uncertainty and Fear When Public Speaking  

I’ve been wanting to do an episode since last fall on what’s been going on in Iran with the huge protests by girls and women. This is a fascinating and important conversation about the power of women using their voices and how privileged we are in the U.S. and other democratic countries to be able to use our voices without fears of arrest or death. Last September, a young woman named Mahsa Amini died while in custody of Iran’s morality police after being detained for allegedly not adhering to the strict dress code.  When news of what happened spread on social media, young women took to the streets to protest having to wear the hijab to cover their hair along with having to comply with many other strict and misogynistic rules. As the protests have grown and spread, the Iranian government has cracked down on protesters, including mass arrests, death sentences, and the execution of four young protesters. “The core and heart of this movement is really the revolutionary act of these women turning their head scarves into the most effective and most powerful weapon against religious dictatorship and deep layers of misogyny and patriarchy,” said Fatemeh Shams, a women’s rights activist and an assistant professor of Persian literature at the University of Pennsylvania, in a recent New York Times article. To help us understand what has been going on, I invited one of our Thought Leader Academy grads, Dr. Bibi Pirayesh, to share with us the history of Iran’s morality police and how revolutionary these protests by women are. Bibi was born in Iran and came to the United States with her family when she was a child. She’s been back to Iran a few times as an adult, so she also shares those experiences. This is the second episode in our podcast series for Women’s History Month. About My Guest: Dr. Bibinaz (Bibi) Pirayesh is an educational therapist based in Los Angeles. Her K-12 education was spread across 3 countries, exposing her to many different curriculums and philosophies of education. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh in Neuroscience and Education. She holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University where she studied Developmental Psychology in Education with a primary focus on children’s development of mathematical thinking. Her own scholarship is concerned with the ethical and social justice implications that arise at the intersection of brain science and education. She is also Faculty at the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/320  Bibi’s website: https://www.laeducationaltherapy.com/ Recent New York Times article: Their Hair Long and Flowing or in Ponytails, Women in Iran Flaunt Their Locks  Call to Action for Iran: https://freedomforiran.carrd.co/  Iranian women to follow on Instagram: Masih Alinejad = https://www.instagram.com/masih.alinejad/ Nazanin Boniadi = https://www.instagram.com/nazaninboniadi/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Bibi Pirayesh (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bibi-pirayesh-b771331/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 319: The 3 Stages We Go Through as Women When We Use Our Voice with Carol Cox Episode 316: Education, A.I., and What It Means to Be Human with Dr. Bibi Pirayesh    

We’re kicking off Women’s History Month here in the U.S. in the month of March.  Of course, we champion and advocate for women every month and every week :-), but I do have some special episodes for you this month, starting with today’s. Last fall, I delivered a keynote address and as I was working on that talk, I was really thinking about what happens as women when we use our voices and the transformative power it can have.  That’s what I’m going to share with you in today’s episode, including: What I hear from women about public speaking The 3 stages we go through when we use our voice Why many women stop at stage 1 How I got stuck in stage 2 What happens at stage 3 3 things we can do at the individual, collective, and structural level for ourselves and others About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/319  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 267: The Way to Gender Equality is through Public Speaking Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message Episode 162: Why We're #ChoosingWomensVoices - and You Should Too  

We are celebrating 6 years of the Speaking Your Brand podcast! To mark this milestone, I invited Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, to interview me. I know you’re going to enjoy our conversation! Diane and I talk about: Why I decided to start a podcast The benefits I’ve experienced (both for the business and personally) How my thought leadership has evolved How podcasting has increased my confidence Vulnerability hangovers And more! About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/318  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 97: Thinking Bigger: I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader & How We're Evolving at Speaking Your Brand  

We’re going behind the scenes so you can hear how and why to integrate case studies into your presentations. My guest is Cherie Mylordis, who is currently in our Thought Leader Academy. Cherie and I have been working on her signature talk using our Signature Talk Canvas® framework (based on 3 acts). In this episode, Cherie and I talk about: Her thought leadership message and framework around a new way of working Why we decided to use case studies as the main content in Act 2 of her talk The benefit of using case studies for thought leadership talks Cherie’s experience as a leader helping to organize the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Why Cherie decided to enroll in our Thought Leader Academy And more! About My Guest: Cherie Mylordis is a business transformation expert, leadership coach and speaker. As the founder of nextgenify, Cherie helps future-focused leaders innovate, transform and thrive with a unique, contemporary approach. She inspires her clients to think differently and achieve extraordinary outcomes beyond what they could have imagined. Cherie understands why many transformation programs fail and how to avoid it. She also recognises that uncertain times create enormous opportunities for innovation, new directions and courageous leadership. With a passion for leadership and organisational culture, Cherie follows inspiring case studies around the world and shares her insights with clients. Cherie is based in Sydney, Australia, and she works with clients around the world. Her track record spans top-tier consulting, large corporates, government departments and non-profits. She credits the five years spent organising the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games for shaping her approach to purpose-driven leadership and collaboration on a massive scale. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/317  Cherie’s website: www.nextgenify.com Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Cherie Mylordis = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-mylordis Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 290: [Coaching] Get More Leads from Your Presentations with Monica Young Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact with Carol Cox  

When ChatGPT came out at the end of 2022, one of the first industries to be instantly impacted was education. There were a lot of articles written bemoaning ChatGPT and schools announced they were banning the tool because students could use it to very easily and quickly write papers. Sure, there will always be students who want to find a way to do less work.  But, what if there’s a way that A.I. tools like ChatGPT can be used to improve education and to allow students to learn in a new way? I knew that I had to have on the podcast Dr. Bibi Pirayesh to talk about this important topic. Bibi is an educational therapist and one of the smartest people I know. Get ready for a deep conversation!   Bibi and I talk about: What the purpose of education is  The current paradigm of education vs. what a new paradigm could look like How A.I. tools like ChatGPT can benefit students and their learning, including issues around social justice How I’m using ChatGPT in the university classes I teach and what students think about it What it means to be human This is the final episode in the current series on A.I. we’ve been doing for the past few weeks. (We’ll have more on A.I. in future episodes.) About My Guest: Dr. Bibinaz (Bibi) Pirayesh is an educational therapist based in Los Angeles. Her K-12 education was spread across 3 countries, exposing her to many different curriculums and philosophies of education. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh in Neuroscience and Education. She holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University where she studied Developmental Psychology in Education with a primary focus on children’s development of mathematical thinking. Her own scholarship is concerned with the ethical and social justice implications that arise at the intersection of brain science and education. She is also Faculty at the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University.     About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links:   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/316  Bibi’s website: https://www.laeducationaltherapy.com/ Bibi’s talk at our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit: https://youtu.be/A66uawV4CeY  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Bibi Pirayesh (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bibi-pirayesh-b771331/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 314: Using ChatGPT and Image Generators to Enhance Your Content Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. Episode 173: Going Virtual with Your Business and Speaking for the First Time with Dr. Bibi Pirayesh  

Do you find yourself staring at a blank document when writing speaking proposals, struggling to figure out what to include and how to title your talks? Are you not sure what to charge for your presentations and workshops? Do you wonder if you're undercharging but you don't know how to negotiate your fee? Would you like to have speaking invitations come to you? This is where we come in! We have a NEW LIVE online workshop we're hosting all about The Business of Speaking, so you can: Learn the key elements of compelling speaking proposals and how to title your talks Learn how to find speaking opportunities based on your goals, topics, and target audiences and start making a list Learn what typical speaking fees are and what you can charge based on your level of experience, topic, and audience Write your speaking proposals using our prompts and worksheets plus a little help from ChatGPT Optimize your LinkedIn profile and speaker page to attract speaking invitations Get feedback from us Get our workbook with prompts, resources, and examples   You do the work in our workshop! You'll be all set to monetize your speaking and add a revenue stream to your business this year. Workshop Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Time: 1-5 pm Eastern (10 am-2 pm Pacific) Location: Live on Zoom ➡️ Get the details and sign up today at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/business-of-speaking-workshop/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcastpromo020923&utm_id=businessworkshop2023   In this mini episode, I share: 3 primary ways you can earn money from speaking How much money I made last year from speaking How much our clients have made as a result of working with us 3 things that made the difference

We’re continuing our new podcast series on A.I. with my conversation with startup founder Dr. Elena Mechik. Elena was inspired after spending two months in the Brazilian rainforest to use technologies like blockchain and A.I. to provide transparency and accountability to solve challenges of the past using the technologies of the future. In our conversation, Elena and I talk about: How she’s using AI in her software and why What blockchain is and why it's important Her experience in the Brazilian rainforest and the work she did for her PhD How we see AI impacting society (the good and the bad) What it's like to be a female founder of a startup About My Guest: Dr Elena Mechik spent over five months in the rainforest of Brazil writing her PhD on climate change mitigation through sustainable conservation of tropical forests. In 2009, she founded an NGO to minimize poverty and protect the environment. In 2020, she founded INHUBBER, a SaaS solution for contract management, which uses blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies to reduce paper consumption at companies on the one hand and to create a total transparency of contractual relationships on the other.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/315 Elena’s website: https://inhubber.com Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn:  Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Elena Mechik = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elena-mechik Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 314: Using ChatGPT and Image Generators to Enhance Your Content Episode 310: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2023 with Carol Cox

Get ready for a fun episode where I share how I’ve been using A.I. tools like ChatGPT and image generators like Midjourney and DALL-E. You don’t have to be a techie or tech savvy to start trying them out. The key to thriving in the age of A.I. is to be proactive and adaptable. By embracing the technology, developing relevant skills, and staying informed, you can position yourself to take advantage of the many opportunities that A.I. has to offer. This is the second episode in our new podcast series on A.I.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/314 ChatGPT by OpenAI = https://chat.openai.com/ Ryan Reynolds’ Mint Mobile Ad using ChatGPT = https://youtu.be/_eHjifELI-k    Image Generators: DALL-E = https://openai.com/dall-e-2/  Midjourney = https://midjourney.com/  Stable Diffusion = https://huggingface.co/spaces/stabilityai/stable-diffusion  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our email list: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/  Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. Episode 310: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2023

This is the first episode in a new podcast series on A.I. (artificial intelligence) and what that means for us as entrepreneurs, content creators, speakers, and thought leaders. In the next few years, it’s very likely that up to 90% of the content we see online will have been artificially or synthetically created, from text to photos and images to audio and video. How will we know what’s real and what’s not? How can we double down on what makes us human? We used to think that our intelligence, cognitive abilities, even art and creativity were what made us human. This is no longer the case. In this episode, I make the case that we’re going to see a shift into what I’m calling the embodied economy and embodied experiences. I share with you 3 things you can start doing now to thrive in this new age of A.I. and set yourself apart as a speaker and thought leader.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we empower women entrepreneurs and professionals to confidently and effectively communicate their unique brand message and story to a wider audience. Our expert coaching and training services help our clients develop their thought leadership platforms and create compelling signature talks that inspire and influence others. We believe that by amplifying the voices of women and increasing their visibility, we work towards disrupting the status quo and driving positive change in the world. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/313/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Attend our in-person client retreat speaking intensive in Orlando at the end of February 2023: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 310: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2023 Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership

In the trends for 2023 episode I did 2 weeks ago, trend #3 was about the return and resurgence of in-person activities and events, which means more in-person speaking opportunities.  (Btw, if you haven’t listened to the trends episode 310 yet, definitely do so. I’ve received great feedback from listeners and I’m going to be talking about each of the trends more in depth in future episodes.) When new women join our Thought Leader Academy, I ask them to share what they liked to do when they were young and most of them loved performing, whether in school plays, singing, or dancing. There’s definitely a connection between speaking and performance. However, once we start speaking for our business, we don’t see the connection between speaking and performing and we miss out on bringing performance elements into our presentations and speeches. You don’t need to sing and dance - unless you want to! - but there are things you can do to create a more immersive and memorable experience for your audience. At the end, I’ll share an embarrassing moment from a high school performance I was in. In this episode, I talk about: Different types of performances Why we love attending performances The importance of synchrony and collective effervescence as humans My top tips you can do as a speaker to incorporate performance elements - and the benefits of doing so If you would like to work together to improve your in-person speaking skills, we are hosting our 3-day speaking intensive in Orlando at the end of February 2023. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/312/  New York Times article by Adam Grant: “There’s a Specific Kind of Joy We’ve Been Missing” Attend our in-person client retreat speaking intensive: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 310: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2023 with Carol Cox Episode 197: What We Can Learn as Speakers from ‘Hamilton’ with Carol Cox Episode 244: Behind the Scenes of My Recent Keynote with Carol Cox Episode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers with Sarah Soliman Episode 246: Audience Engagement Strategies for In-Person Speaking with Ramona J. Smith

If you’re a speaker who has in-person events coming up OR if you’re planning an in-person event, you won’t want to miss this conversation. We held our first in-person client retreat speaking intensive in Orlando, Florida, in April 2022 and it was incredible! We brought 12 women together to practice their speaking delivery skills (on a real stage!) and get professional videography they can use in their speaking reels. I asked two of the women who attended, Betsy Jordyn and Joy Spencer, to join me and Diane Diaz to talk about the experience. We talk about: Top takeaways from the the instruction and practice on delivering keynote speeches Favorite parts of the retreat How the retreat made them feel as speakers and thought leaders Our lessons as the hosts / planners of the retreat   We are hosting another retreat! Join us in Orlando on February 27, February 28, and March 1st, 2023, for 3 full days of coaching, training, practice, and filming. Get all the details and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.   [This episode originally aired in April 2022, which was the audio from a LinkedIn Live. You can watch the video at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6919241904681283584/.] About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/311/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Joy Spencer = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/  Betsy Jordyn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox Episode 238: What’s IN Your Way IS Your Way to Your Thought Leadership with Betsy Jordyn Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer

Happy New Year! This is the 5th year in a row I’ve done a trends episode for the start of the year. This may be the most important podcast episode I’ve done to date, as the trends I’m talking about will impact every business and every industry in profound ways, including the rise of A.I. tools; the shift from mass audiences and the attention economy to trust-based audiences and the imagination economy; and a renewed focus on local, in-person activities and business. What I mean by trends are not fads or cliches or gimmicks.  Trends are like currents or waves of energy that move through our society and affect everything from business and politics and the economy to popular culture and media. How do these trends impact our public speaking and thought leadership?  As speakers and leaders, our talks and messages have more of an impact if our audiences can see the bigger picture of what’s affecting them and the world around them. In this episode, you’ll learn 3 trends (and action steps for each) related to format, audience, and content that you can apply to your speaking and thought leadership, as well as to your visibility and marketing strategy in general.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/310/  Try ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 309: Year in Review: What Worked, What Didn’t, What’s Next with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

I’m taking you behind the scenes to share what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next for us in the areas of speaking, visibility, this podcast, and the business in general. 🎉  What we’re celebrating that went well this year ❌  Things we tried that did not go as well as we had wanted 💡  Larger lessons we’re taking from what worked and what didn’t 🎯  What we’re planning for 2023 I encourage you to use this template to reflect on and write down your own wins, experiments, lessons, and priorities. Enrollment is open for our next Thought Leader Academy group that starts in January. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/309/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 275: Public Speaking Has Changed: The 3 Skills You Need Now to Get Selected, Stand Out, and Make Money as a Speaker Episode 273: How to 10x Your Speaking Skills  

This is a tour de force conversation about being a woman business owner and how to navigate changes in the economy that we’re all seeing and experiencing right now. My guest is Angela Guice, the founder of an Emmy-award-winning Los Angeles-based production company that has worked with clients like The Walt Disney Company, Netflix, Hulu, BET, Warner Media, NBCUniversal and DreamWorks. Angela and I worked together on creating her new keynote around the importance of personal branding and how your uniqueness, even what you may perceive as a weakness, is actually your strength. In this episode, Angela and I talk about: Her roots and why she wanted to work in Hollywood The weaknesses she perceived she had and how they turned out to be what set her apart The framework we created for her keynote How she’s navigated changes in the economy, from the impact of COVID on the filming business in 2020 to what she’s seeing now Specific things you can do now to thrive in your business About My Guest: Emmy-award-winning Angela Guice is Executive Producer and Founder of Los Angeles based production company, NUCONTEXT. Founded in 2006, Angela has built NUCONTEXT into one of the most sought-after production agencies in the entertainment marketing business, working with clients such as The Walt Disney Company, Netflix, Hulu, BET, Warner Media, NBCUniversal and DreamWorks. Over her 23 years in the business, Angela has collaborated with a veritable “who’s who” of Hollywood heavyweights such as Steven Spielberg, Robert Redford, Tyler Perry, Quentin Tarantino, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Martin, Amy Schumer,  Kevin Hart, Will Ferrell, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, and The Kardashians, to name a few.     About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/308  Angela’s website: http://www.nucontext.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Angela Guice (guest) = https://www.instagram.com/angguice/ & https://www.instagram.com/nucontext  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 292: Your Net Worth is in Your Net Work with Colleen O’Mara and Jessie Nagel

I’m joined in this episode by one of our Thought Leader Academy grads, Heather Hausenblas, PhD. Heather has an impressive background as a health psychology expert, an international award-winning scientist, and a professor of health sciences. We met at an event I spoke at earlier this year and it was perfect timing because Heather had been wanting to make the shift from expert to thought leader. Heather and I talk about: Heather’s message around the importance of social health and social connections How she has made the shift into thought leadership with her presentation content The results she’s seen so far from the presentations she’s been giving Elements of her signature talk that we worked on together And more! About My Guest: Heather Hausenblas, PhD, is a health psychology expert, international award-winning scientist, public speaker, and best-selling author. Her research focuses on how our health habits affect our well-being. She is ranked in the top 1% of the most influential scientists in the world. Heather has published 7 books and over 110 peer-reviewed scientific articles. She frequently appears on podcasts and her work has been featured in magazines such as SELF, Real Simple, Women’s World, O The Oprah Magazine, and dozens more as well as in news publications such as The Times London and The Chicago Tribune. Heather is the CEO and Founder of Wellness Discovery Labs, a health behavior research company. Heather obtained her PhD from Western University in Canada. She was a faculty member and the Director of the Exercise Psychology Lab at the University of Florida, and she has served as a Scientific Advisor for nutrition, supplement, and health companies. She is currently a Professor of Health Sciences at Jacksonville University.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/307  Heather’s website: www.wellnessdiscoverylabs.com Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Heather Hausenblas (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hausenblas/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 302: Stellar Scholar Speaker Archetype with Kristen Albert, Ed.D. Episode 211: Turning an Academic Topic into a Powerful TEDx Talk with Tanya Golash-Boza

This is a fun and lively conversation about all things speaking, from what to charge to what makes a great TEDx talk to setting long-term goals. My guest is Dorie Clark, who is a keynote speaker, a top business thinker, and a bestselling author.  Dorie has given 4 TEDx talks since 2015. Her most recent one this year currently has over 1.8 million views (!). I’ve been a fan of Dorie’s since reading her books, including The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You, and Stand Out.   Dorie and I talk about: Her goal of writing a musical that appears on Broadway (with my love of Hamilton, I had to start there) What it means to think and set long-term goals in a short-term world What makes a great TEDx talk (hint: it’s the opposite of what we do in our businesses) What to charge for speaking engagements And much more About My Guest: Dorie Clark helps individuals and companies get their best ideas heard in a crowded, noisy world. She has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50. She was honored as the #1 Communication Coach by the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards and one of the Top 5 Communication Professionals in the World by Global Gurus. She is a keynote speaker and teaches for Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School. She is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You, and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine. She is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, a producer of a multiple Grammy-winning jazz album, and a Broadway investor.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/306 Dorie’s website: https://www.dorieclark.com/ Dorie’s self-assessment tool = https://dorieclark.com/entrepreneur  Dorie’s article “I’m an introvert and I’ve built a career around public speaking” Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/. Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dorie Clark (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/doriec

This is the fourth and final episode in our series exploring the four speaker archetypes. (You can discover your archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.)   Knowing your archetype will help you to: Create more impactful and memorable presentations Market yourself as a speaker using your strengths Try our recommendations to take your talks to the next level In this episode, we’re talking about the Spellbinding Storyteller speaker archetype with my guest and Thought Leader Academy client Shannon Bumgarner.   As a Spellbinding Storyteller: Your audience is captivated by your stories and they feel a real connection to you. You understand the power of sharing personal stories and being vulnerable - it's how you've learned to better understand yourself. You see what's happened to you as a way to share life lessons and help your audience realize they're not alone. Your big challenge? You love sharing stories so much that you may miss out on the opportunity to provide your audience with your overall thought leadership message and a strong call to action. Shannon and I talk about how she’s leveraged her strengths as a Spellbinding Storyteller plus what she’s learned about the power of using her voice and thought leadership. Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.   About My Guest: Shannon Bumgarner is a bold manufacturing professional and degreed engineer who challenges women in STEM and technical careers to transform themselves, industries, and communities. She’s the host of the Empowering Women in Industry podcast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/305  Shannon’s podcast Empowering Women in Industry: https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/podcast  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/. Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Shannon Bumgarner (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonbumgarner/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 298: Women in STEM Panel: Ways to Use Your Voice and Build Thought Leadership Episode 297: Integrating Your Story Into Your Talks with Carol Cox, Diane Diaz, and Joy Spencer Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn How to Market and Sell Your Speaking with Carol Cox  

You know how important stories are in your presentations and content, but do you struggle with thinking of stories or worry that yours are not that interesting or relevant? Or maybe you have stories but you're not sure how to tell them in a compelling way and how to integrate them into your talks? This is where we come in! In our brand NEW hands-on storytelling and storywriting workshop on December 8th, you'll: Learn how to tell compelling stories Identify your best stories from our list of 10 key stories for your story bank Write your stories, practice sharing them, and get feedback Get our workbook with story prompts, frameworks, and examples   You do the work in our workshop! You'll be all set for 2023 to make sure you have powerful and relevant stories for your presentations and content.   💸 Early bird pricing is on now (save $200).   Get all the details and sign up at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/storytelling-workshop/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=promo1122&utm_id=storyworkshop2022  

This is the third episode in our series exploring the four speaker archetypes. (You can discover your archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.)   Knowing your archetype will help you to: Create more impactful and memorable presentations Market yourself as a speaker using your strengths Try our recommendations to take your talks to the next level In this episode, we’re talking about the Provocative Performer speaker archetype with my guest and Thought Leader Academy client Cara Houser.   As a Provocative Performer: You’re outgoing, charismatic, and love to put on a show. The bigger the stage, the better. You're an entertainer at heart and love to incorporate acting, comedy, dancing, singing, props, and multimedia into your speeches and presentations. Your natural performance abilities and comfort on the stage make you a captivating speaker. You enjoy thinking of new, creative ways you can wow your audience. Your big challenge? You love performing so much that you may miss out on the opportunity to provide your audience with your overall thought leadership message and a strong call to action.   Cara and I talk about how she’s leveraged her strengths as a Provocative Performer plus what she’s learned about the power of audience engagement and thought leadership. Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.   About My Guest: Cara Houser has spent 20 years learning how to survive and ultimately thrive in the ultra male real estate development business. By shifting her perspective, strategy, and approach, she rebuilt my career with far more autonomy and purpose. Learning that she had the power to set her own rules of engagement with the world was a watershed moment. She just had to learn how to use it. Now Cara designs and leads programs to help high impact women see their value, use their power, and get what they want in work and life.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/304  Cara’s website: https://www.carahouser.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/. Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Cara (guest) =  https://www.linkedin.com/in/caraehouser/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn How to Market and Sell Your Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox    

This is the second episode in our series exploring the four speaker archetypes. (You can discover your archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.)   Knowing your archetype will help you to: Create more impactful and memorable presentations Market yourself as a speaker using your strengths Try our recommendations to take your talks to the next level In this episode, we’re talking about the Fabulous Facilitator speaker archetype with my guest and Thought Leader Academy grad Susan Moe. As a Fabulous Facilitator: You’re a great teacher and listener and really good at helping people understand concepts and learn from each other. You enjoy speaking to smaller groups in a workshop setting where you can encourage participation and dialogue. Your empathetic nature allows you to identify connections among people. Rather than you being the provider of the solutions, you like to help people find the solutions together. Your big challenge? You're so inclined to give the floor to others that your audience misses out on the opportunity to learn more about you. Susan and I talk about how she’s leveraged her strengths as a Fabulous Facilitator plus what she’s learned about the power of incorporating personal stories into her talks and the results so far. Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.   About My Guest: Susan Moe is the founder of Ascended Presence, a coaching and training company that helps people live richer, more meaningful, and happier lives. Susan is an international clairvoyant reader, life coach, spiritual mentor, public speaker, and workshop facilitator. Through her readings and trainings, she empowers people to take ownership over their emotional well-being regardless of their external circumstances. Susan holds a Master’s degree in business from UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State University, Sacramento while having studied in Sweden her junior year at Uppsala University. She also graduated from CDM Spiritual Center’s advanced seminary program. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/303 Susan’s website: http://www.ascendedpresence.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/. Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Susan (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-moe-580a1b2/ Susan (guest) on Instagram =  https://www.instagram.com/ascendedpresence/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn How to Market and Sell Your Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 264: The Role of Symbols and Metaphors in Our Stories with Susan Moe  

This is the first episode in our new series exploring the four speaker archetypes. (You can discover your archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.) Knowing your archetype will help you to: Create more impactful and memorable presentations Market yourself as a speaker using your strengths Try our recommendations to take your talks to the next level In this episode, we’re talking about the Stellar Scholar speaker archetype with my guest and Thought Leader Academy grad Kristen Albert, Ed.D. As a Stellar Scholar: Your presentations are value-packed with insights and expertise. You enjoy digging into the details. You have drive and ambition and you're always looking to improve and master something new. Your powerfully logical mind helps you identify connections and find solutions to even the most difficult of problems and you make things happen. Your big challenge? Sometimes you might be a bit too technical and tactical in your presentations by sticking only to the facts. Kristen and I talk about how she’s leveraged her strengths as a Stellar Scholar plus what she’s learned about the power of incorporating personal stories into her talks and the results so far. Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.   About My Guest: Kristen (Kris) Albert, Ed.D. is the President and Lead coach of Turning Points LLC, the host of the online Turning Points Leadership Community, and the Turning Points in Leadership podcast. Kris holds a doctorate in leadership from the University of Delaware, a certificate in Ontological Coaching from the Newfield Network, and is a Certified Leadership Circle Profile practitioner. She is also a graduate of the Speaking Your Brand Thought Leader Academy. Kris believes that every one of us is not only capable of leading, but also responsible for leading positively within our spheres of influence. Throughout her entire career Kris has been dedicated to growing exceptional leaders – from the classroom to the board room, and everywhere in between. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/302 Kris’s website: https://www.liveworksatisfied.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz. Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Kristen (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkristenalbert/ Kristen (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/drkalbert/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn How to Market and Sell Your Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

You’ve most likely heard of “imposter syndrome” and perhaps you’ve experienced it yourself. If so, you’re not alone! I hear from women we work with that they sometimes suffer from imposter syndrome, especially as they think about putting themselves out there in a bigger way. You’re going to learn a lot in my conversation with Melody Wilding, who has an impressive background as a best-selling author, a contributor to places like Harvard Business Review, and a LinkedIn Learning instructor.  Melody and I talk about: What imposter syndrome is The various ways it can show up (one of these surprised me) How imposter syndrome has shown up for both of us Specific techniques we can use to lessen it How Melody was selected to be a LinkedIn Learning instructor and her tips for creating engaging video content About My Guest: Melody Wilding is the best-selling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work. Recently named one of Business Insider’s Most Innovative Coaches for her groundbreaking work on “Sensitive Strivers”, her clients include CEOs, C-level executives, and managers at top Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Amazon, and JP Morgan, among others. Melody has been featured in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal and is a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Psychology Today, and Forbes. Melody is a licensed social worker with a masters from Columbia University and a professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College. Learn more at melodywilding.com About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/301 Melody’s website: https://melodywilding.com/ Melody’s LinkedIn Learning courses: https://melodywilding.com/courses/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Melody (guest) =  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 298: Women in STEM Panel: Ways to Use Your Voice and Build Thought Leadership Episode 289: Less Free, More Paid: How to Increase Your Speaker Fees with Carol Cox Episode 260: Self-Doubt Happens: Here’s What I Do with Carol Cox  

Do you know that one of the most powerful elements of your presentations is showcasing your own framework? Having your own framework differentiates you from others - you’re building your thought leadership and intellectual property. Having a framework is a tremendous asset for your business - you can use it for sales conversations, on your website and marketing materials, and of course for your presentations. A framework helps your audience to remember you and your content - it also helps you to remember your own content! This applies to lead generation presentations, thought leadership talks, and keynotes - and how you use a framework will depend on the type of talk you’re giving.   In this episode, you'll learn: What makes a good framework The process I use when I create new frameworks How I use frameworks in my presentations and webinars The steps you can take to start creating your own framework Tips on what *not* to do when creating your framework Lots of examples to guide and inspire you  Join our Thought Leader Academy to create your signature talk and framework: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  This is the audio from a live training I did on Crowdcast. You can watch the video at https://www.crowdcast.io/c/syb-frameworks/.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/300/  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes:   Episode 299: [Case Study] All the Ways You Can Leverage Your Own Framework with Amber De La Garza   Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact with Carol Cox

If you already have a framework that you use in your business and presentations, you will get some new ideas in this conversation on ways to use your framework. If you don’t already have your own framework, you’ll be inspired to create one! My guest is Amber De La Garza, the Productivity Specialist. Amber has a unique framework she developed about 4 years ago that has been paying dividends ever since. Frameworks usually reflect the work you do with your clients to get them from results. Frameworks can also be representative of your overall approach to problem solving or innovation.  Frameworks can oftentimes be represented as an acronym (such as our V.O.I.C.E. thought leadership model), an alliteration (the 3 C’s of…), a metaphor, or a visual shape (think Maslow’s hierarchy of needs or our Signature Talk Canvas®).  In this episode, Amber and I talk about: What her framework is and why she developed it in the first place How her framework evolved The many ways Amber uses her framework in her business, including in some ways that may surprise you and that you’ll want to use too! How her framework has helped her land clients from her presentations and keynotes   You’ll get so much out of our conversation!   About My Guest: Amber De La Garza is The Productivity Specialist! Amber is a sought-after coach, trainer, speaker, writer, host of the Productivity Straight Talk podcast, and creator of Leverage Lab®. She helps business owners improve their time management and elevate their productivity to maximize profits, reduce stress, and make time for what matters most! About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/299  Get Amber’s free training “Take Back Your Time”: http://www.amberdelagarza.com/takebackyourtime/ Listen to Amber’s podcast “Productivity Straight Talk”: https://amberdelagarza.com/podcast/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Amber (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberdelagarza/ Amber (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/amber_delagarza/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 290: [Coaching] Get More Leads from Your Presentations with Monica Young Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact with Carol Cox Episode 222: Communicating Your Vision and Values to Your Team with Amber De La Garza

You won't want to miss this powerhouse panel of women in STEM sharing how they use their voices to advocate for change and build their thought leadership. Whether you're a woman in a STEM field or not, does it sometimes feel like you struggle to stand out, get your ideas heard, and have a bigger impact with the work you do? You have all the credentials and plenty of ideas, but perhaps you struggle with imposter syndrome and how to be seen in a crowded space? This can be common for women in male-dominated industries. But it’s so important to find a way to use your voice and build your thought leadership to create the impact you want and that the world needs. Join our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz for a live conversation with these 4 incredible women: Michelle Taylor, a recent graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, is a global supply chain executive with 28 years experience & achievements with large OEM manufacturing companies and an independent board director and public speaker. Dianna Deeney, also a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, is president of Deeney Enterprises, LLC, an engineer, senior quality professional and speaker who hosts the Quality during Design podcast, co hosts episodes of Speaking of Reliability, publishes blogs, and is a contributing author of the book Quality Disrupted. Shannon Bumgarner, a graduate of our Master Your Speaking program (now the Thought Leader Academy), is a bold manufacturing professional and degreed engineer who challenges women in STEM and technical careers to transform themselves, industries, and communities. Dr. Nicole Rochester is a pediatrician, health equity consultant, professional health advocate, TEDx speaker, and the Founder/CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC.   You can watch the video at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6972921857003917312/.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/298/  Find out your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   

Hi, I’m popping into your podcast feed to invite you to a brand new free live training I’m hosting on Wednesday, October 12 all about frameworks. I’m going to share with you How to Create Your Own Framework to Set Yourself Apart as a Speaker & Thought Leader. Go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training and register today. Having a framework is a tremendous asset for your business - you can use it for sales conversations, on your website and marketing materials, and of course for your presentations. Having your own framework differentiates you from others - you’re building your thought leadership and intellectual property. A framework helps your audience to remember you and your content - it also helps you to remember your own content! This applies to lead generation presentations, thought leadership talks, and keynotes. You'll learn: What a framework is The process I use when I create new frameworks in SYB How I use frameworks in my presentations and webinars The steps you can take to start creating your own framework Tips on what *not* to do when creating your framework Lots of examples to guide and inspire you     Join your host Carol Cox of Speaking Your Brand for this webinar. Be sure to ATTEND LIVE so you can ask questions and get our special bonus. Register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training/.

How do you integrate your story into your talk and message? Which story should you choose? This is one of the main areas we work on with our clients in our Thought Leader Academy. Your personal story is one of the essential ingredients for your thought leadership and for your talks, whether you’re delivering a lead generation presentation, a keynote, or a TEDx talk. Join me and our coaches Diane Diaz and Joy Spencer as we talk about: Frameworks you can use to integrate your story The 3 essential ingredients a great story needs Examples from our own talks and from women we’ve worked with About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by two of our coaches, Diane Diaz and Joy Spencer. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/297 Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Mentioned: Public Narrative = https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/30760283/Public-Narrative-Worksheet-Fall-2013-.pdf  Tanya Golash-Boza’s TEDx talk = https://youtu.be/eakUZX-pRCQ  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Joy = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 284: Connecting Your Ideas into One Message with Cindy Rowe Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol Cox Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer [Storytelling Series]

On the podcast this month, we’re exploring different ways you can channel using your voice and building your thought leadership platform. In this episode, we’re diving into the impact and legacy you can have by writing op-eds. Did you know that most op-eds are only 650-850 words in length? You can do this! My guest is Princella Talley, who is a writer and speaker. In 2020, she was selected as a Public Voices Fellow of the OpEd Project and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Princella and I talk about: The purpose of op-eds and why you would want to write one How Princella got into writing op-eds The elements that go into a good op-ed Two impactful op-eds she has written and the power of vulnerability and truth telling Handling backlash, sexism, and racism as a woman with a public voice What The OpEd Project is About My Guest: Princella Talley dived headfirst into her craft at age six when she would clip images out of magazines and paste them into her notebook as inspiration to create new stories. She won her first writing contest at 12 years young but couldn’t claim her prize because she was under 18. Today, with over 15 years of experience, Princella has built an impressive resume as a writer, ghostwriter, and editor. Princella's writing portfolio includes an array of content from magazines, initiatives, and companies. She has been a columnist for a variety of outlets including CBS Las Vegas and Las Vegas’ Guardian Liberty Voice and was contracted as an assistant editor by publications in the United States, South America, and throughout the Caribbean islands. In addition, she has conducted numerous celebrity interviews and worked on Grammy campaigns for award-winning artists.  She has also written and published works on climate change and social entrepreneurship, ecotourism, and the role of AI in environmental conservation.  In 2020, she was selected as a Public Voices Fellow of the OpEd Project and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. During the course of her fellowship year, her op-ed pieces and commentary were published in Grist, The Hill, Zora, World War Zero, The Urbanist, The Progressive, The Sacramento Bee, Quad City Times, Hawaii Tribune Herald, Killeen Daily Herald, The Chronicle, Herald News, Bangor Daily News, Merced Sun-Star,Times Herald-Record (Catskills Edition), Newsbug, and the Marietta Daily Journal. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/296/ Princella’s website: https://www.princella-talley.com/ Princella’s op-ed after the overturning of Roe v. Wade: https://inthesetimes.com/article/black-women-abortion-ban-roe-louisiana-universal-healthcare  The Op-Ed Project: https://www.theopedproject.org/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Twitter = https://www.twitter.com/carolmorgancox  Princella (guest) on Twitter = https://twitter.com/p_talley101 Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk [The Medium is the Message Series]  

On the podcast this month, we’re exploring different ways you can channel using your voice. Last week, we talked about building your personal brand. Next week, we’re going to focus on the impact you can have by writing op-eds for newspapers and magazines. In this episode, we’re taking a look at creating and leading a community-based non-profit as a way to amplify your thought leadership. My guest is Arlene Blake, who’s the founder of Women on the Rise, a 501(c)3 organization based in Orlando, Florida.  Arlene has built an incredible community, so I invited her to come on the podcast to share what she’s learned. Arlene and I talk about: Why she started her non-profit organization Women on the Rise The power of vulnerability and sharing personal stories to build trust and community The biggest leadership lessons Arlene has learned What Arlene looks for in the speakers she invites for her events, including where she finds them About My Guest: Bringing over two decades of excellence in key leadership positions, Arlene Blake is a charismatic entrepreneur, sales leader, and community relations professional with expertise in conceptualizing innovative strategies that captivates audiences and boost sales.  As a strong believer in the power of teamwork, Arlene enjoys recruiting, building, and training top-performing professionals to identify opportunities and exceed targets. As a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of Women on the Rise International, Inc., an organization with a vision to provide educational empowerment to women, Arlene prides herself on offering a platform where women can network, volunteer, and grow. During the last six years, she has dedicated her time to make this organization a pathway for women to recognize their talent and make advancement in their respective careers. In 2020, Arlene was featured in the Orlando Business Journal as a Woman Who Means Business, considered one of the highest honors in the Central Florida Business Community, and was named the runner-up of the Ms. Corporate America Mompreneur Competition. In 2021 she was listed as One of the Most Influential People in Orlando by Black Business Orlando, selected to be in the centennial class of Leadership Orlando, selected to be a part of Leadership Orange and most recently recognized as a 2022 Women of the Year by Orange Appeal Magazine. While she has only just begun, Arlene hopes to one day expand the mission of Women on the Rise International, Inc. to inspire, motivate, and empower women to break the glass ceiling and accomplish their personal goals across the globe. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/295/ Arlene’s organization Women on the Rise: https://www.wotrinc.org/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Arlene (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/arleneblake/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 237: The Power of Being Vulnerable with Your Personal Story with Cyndi Shifrel Episode 192: The Cure for Vulnerability Hangovers with Carol Cox

I hit the “easy” button earlier this year. I say this not as an excuse but as a wake-up call for myself. It was May of this year and we had an incredible group of women join our Thought Leader Academy - and I couldn’t help but notice that almost all of them looked like me (white). This is in no way to discount how much I’ve enjoyed having each of them in the program, seeing their progress, and being incredibly proud and excited to see how they’re going to make positive changes in their communities and industries. And yet I also recognized that something was lost by not having a diversity of races and backgrounds in our program because I know how much we learn from each other’s experiences, perspectives, and ideas. At our team meeting that month, our executive assistant Solita Roberts pointed this out. I knew without reservation that I was responsible for this. I wanted to make sure I was doing what I should be doing to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment and to show up in the places where the women don’t all look like me. This is a very important and powerful conversation Solita and I have about: Why it was easy for me to hit the “easy” button for where I showed up in the first half of this year - and the results that led to My concerns about not wanting to be seen as a “white savior” parachuting into other groups Solita’s suggestions on how to show up in communities to empower them My 3 big takeaways: self-awareness; intentionality; and collective effort About My Guest: Solita Roberts is the creator of Style To Impact, an image consulting company that advises Women of Color and entrepreneurs on how to transform their image and style to authentically reflect their individuality and confidence. Solita has worked with TEDx speakers, lawyers, and financial advisors to elevate their image and style to match their influence and impact. Solita is also Executive Assistant and Client Concierge at Speaking Your Brand.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at  https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/294  Solita’s website: https://styletoimpact.com/ Take our free Speaker Archetype quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Solita Roberts (guest) =  https://www.linkedin.com/in/solitacroberts/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox

We’re continuing our podcast theme for this quarter on “Wealth” with this episode on the true value of your personal brand. You’ve most likely heard about the importance of understanding your personal brand and how you’re perceived by others. Your personal brand stays with you no matter if you change jobs, businesses, careers, or industries. The power of your personal brand is that you *can* shape it. My guest is Monique Bryan, who runs a successful personal brand consultancy that helps established professionals amplify their industry credibility and use their personal brand and visual online presence to become an in-demand business leader.  Even if you think you know a lot about personal branding, you will learn something new in this conversation (I know I did!). Monique and I talk about: How she got started in the fashion business and the pivot she made Her philosophy of “build it backwards” when thinking about your personal brand Cultivating relationships, assets, and legacy Cleaning up your digital house What happens when someone damages their own brand Monique shares publicly for the first time what she would love to do with her business About My Guest: Monique Bryan is an Executive Producer of Personal Brands that helps coaches, consultants and thought-leaders build their personal brand so they can position themselves to top-tier clients, land those dream opportunities and start to scale their influence in their industry. As a former fashion designer, three-time startup founder, Monique brings over 15 years of top-level industry experience in the areas of product development, entrepreneurship, branding, business development, and personal styling. With a focus on messaging, marketing and using your personal brand as a visual communication power tool Monique is known for helping established professionals amplify their industry credibility and use their personal brand and visual online presence to become an in-demand business leader. Today Monique runs a successful personal brand consultancy while being a brand herself. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/293  Monique’s website: https://www.moniquebryan.com/ Take our free Speaker Archetype quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Monique (guest) on LinkedIn = http://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquebryan Monique (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/moniquebryan_co/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol Cox Episode 121: Designing Your Website So It Speaks Your Brand with Melanie (Mel) Richards Episode 179: The Deep Truths You and Your Brand Need to Say with Rebeca Arbona [Finding Your Voice Series] Episode 226: Build Your Brand with Consistency and Authenticity with Sydney Cummings

This quarter on the podcast we’re focused on the theme of “Wealth.”  We’ve talked about how to go from commodity speaker to thought leader (last week’s episode 291) to generating more leads from your presentations (on-air coaching call episode 290) to increasing your speaker fees (episode 289) to using our framework to create a signature talk for both impact and income (episode 288). Today we’re focusing on the wealth of your relationships. After all, your net worth is in your net work. If I think about many of the speaking invitations I’ve received over my career, the vast majority came from my network. This episode is to help you think and plan more intentionally and proactively about building and nurturing relationships in your industry and with other speakers and event organizers. My guests are Colleen O’Mara and Jessie Nagel, who are co-founders of Hype, a PR, social, and branding agency based in Los Angeles, that they started 25 years ago (so impressive!). As you’ll hear in this episode, I invited Colleen and Jessie to talk about this topic because I’ve seen the robustness of their network in action and how much their clients and relationships matter to them. They are soon-to-be graduates of our Thought Leader Academy, so they also share their experience and why they joined to work on their projects (for Colleen, a memoir; for Jessie, a non-profit initiative). We talk about: What their agency does, who they work with, and how it's evolved over the past 25 years How Colleen and Jessie have been intentional about building their network and creating trust Specific things they do to meet new people and to nurture relationships for their business Tips you can use, including “Always take the meeting” and the power of hosting your own events (big or small) The most impactful relationship they each made that changed their life/business Their experience in the Thought Leader Academy and why they joined  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/292/  Colleen’s and Jessie’s agency: http://www.hypeworld.com/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Colleen O’Mara (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleeno3/ Jessie Nagel (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/greenthebid/ About Our Guests:  Colleen O'Mara: Hype Co-Founder & Special Agent Colleen O'Mara-Diamond, a former magazine editor, devised the concept for Hype and opened the agency with her good friend Jessie Nagel. Because of Colleen and Jessie's diverse interests, they built a client roster for Hype, which constantly challenges them and their energetic team. Today, the international Hype roster features an eclectic group of talent in entertainment + beyond. Hype recently expanded by adding a social media division, Hype Social, as well as a branding-design division, Hype Creative. In addition to her work co-managing Hype, Colleen enjoys her collaboration with an ever-expanding group of press contacts around the world. Beyond her co-directorship of Hype, Colleen writes short stories, poetry, essays; and has embarked on writing her first book-length project, "Raw Diamond: A Memoir" (www.colleenomaradiamond.com). She is represented by Editor-Agent Nancy Hancock, formerly of Harper Collins & Harper One. Colleen also hosts & moderates her own writing group each week with Writing Partner Catherine Simone Gray (Unsilenced Woman) called The Writer's Collective, which includes Writers from around the U.S.   Jessie Nagel: Special Agent Jessie Nagel is the co-founder  of Hype -- a sassy boutique communications company that provides brand-strategic PR, Marketing, and Social Media services to creative companies. Dedicated to the entertainment industry as a community, Hype is committed to keen storytelling and promoting the creative process. Just under two years ago, Jessie, along  with four other co-founders from various disciplines with advertising, launched Green The Bid, a non-profit organization, educational resource, and community dedicated to transitioning the global advertising and production industry to sustainable and regenerative practices. Green The Bid currently has over 300 member companies (and growing) - comprising brands, agencies, production, and post - along with supporting trade organizations.     Jessie’s participation in the development and ongoing nurturing of Green The Bid came out of volunteer work on the West Board of the  AICP (the Association of Independent Producers) for which she helped develop the organization’s first sustainability guidelines. She leads the annual AICP Gives Food + Goods Drive and is a member of AICP’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.     Colleen’s Favorites: Book = Lisa Brennan Jobs’ Memoir “Small Fry,” which I modeled my own book project on. TED talk = Roxanne Gay’s “Confessions of a Bad Feminist" Quote = Dr. Maya Angelou (who I had the good fortune to collaborate with on a project about “Diversity,” before that was even a word or term, in my early 20s…): “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” and “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style." Jessie’s Favorites: Books = “Fight Knight” by Mariam Towes is a funny, heartbreaking, wonderful story told through the perspective of a precocious girl about a family of three generations of women. “Station Eleven” by Emily St John Mendel is a beautiful and haunting work of fiction about humanity’s cruelty and hopeful perseverance. It’s the book that inspired the equally excellent TV episodic series. TED talk = Spoken word poet Sarah Kay’s “If I should have a daughter” https://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_kay_if_i_should_have_a_daughter Quote = “Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t.” - Michelle Obama

If I take a look at your slide deck or presentation outline and I can’t tell that the content is yours (vs. another speaker on your topic), you’re in danger of being a commodity speaker. Commodity speakers are undifferentiated and interchangeable. This means that, as a commodity speaker, it will be harder for you to attract higher-profile speaking engagements, raise your speaking fees, and generate quality leads at your presentations.  As more conferences, groups, and associations are returning to in-person events, they need speakers who can deliver engaging content and present ideas that get them to think differently, not speakers who share the same-old stuff their audiences have heard on countless trainings over the past few years. As a thought leader, you will have a much bigger impact on your audiences and your speaking will be an effective marketing channel and revenue stream in your business. How do you know if you’re in the commodity speaker category? What can you do to position yourself as a thought leader? Listen in! In this episode, you’ll learn: The moment I recognized I was a commodity speaker and what that had cost me The changes I made, the results I got, and what I learned that surprised me 3 key elements you need to go from commodity speaker to thought leader What’s getting in your way from making this shift, including some tough love about all the time and energy you’re spending on social media 3 things you can do now to start making this shift to thought leadership Examples of how our Thought Leader Academy clients have shifted from commodity speakers to thought leaders     Join our Thought Leader Academy to develop your speaking skills and create your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    This is the audio from a live training we did on Crowdcast last week. You can watch the video at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/syb-3-elements-speaking-income-impact. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/291/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 290: [Coaching] Get More Leads from Your Presentations with Monica Young Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn How to Market and Sell Your Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 271: Providing Transformation vs. Information with Carol Cox

One of the best reasons to be a speaker is to increase brand awareness for your business and to generate leads and clients. Especially as social media gets noisier and the algorithms make it harder for our content to be seen, being a speaker standing in front of an audience (whether in person or virtually), with the built-in credibility and authority and attention that comes from that, is an incredible opportunity to connect with potential clients and take them to the next step on their buying journey with you. However, what I see happen a lot is that speakers provide too much content, especially too much training, in their lead generation presentations, which makes it less likely that they will get the leads they want. This episode is an on-air coaching call with one of our Thought Leader Academy clients, Monica Young, as she pivots from training content to thought leadership in her presentations. You’ll hear us talk through: Pinpointing her offer and ideal client Using our Signature Talk Canvas® framework to lay out her content in the 3 acts The types of questions to ask her audience Integrating her personal story as the bridge from Act 1 to Act 2 Focusing more on changing the audience’s understanding of productivity rather than giving them more things to do Using the feedback form for lead generation Monica’s experience in the Thought Leader Academy About My Guest: Monica Young, Productivity Consultant and CEO of MY Productive Biz, is passionate about helping small business owners and high-performing professionals Do L.E.S.S and Accomplish More - even when they feel like there is too much to do and not enough time. Sharing her extensive experience in business ownership and operations - and her freaky fascination with all things productivity - Monica has helped hundreds of professionals get organized and streamline their day-to-day operations so they can accomplish their work, enjoy their lives, and increase their impact. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/290 Take our free quiz to discover your Speaker Archetype: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Monica Young (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicajyoung/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact with Carol Cox Episode 275: Public Speaking Has Changed: The 3 Skills You Need Now to Get Selected, Stand Out, and Make Money as a Speaker Episode 169: Leveraging Free Speaking Engagements Into Bigger Opportunities with Angela Hosking  

We have a new free LIVE training happening on Tuesday, August 16! Register today for free at  https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training/. If I take a look at your slide deck or presentation outline and I can’t tell that the content is yours (vs. another speaker on your topic), you’re in danger of being a commodity speaker. Commodity speakers are undifferentiated and interchangeable. It will be harder for you to attract higher-profile speaking engagements, raise your speaking fees, and generate quality leads at your presentations. What you want instead is for your content to position you as a thought leader. You will have a much bigger impact on your audiences and your speaking will be an effective marketing channel and revenue stream in your business.  How do you know if you’re in the commodity speaker category? What can you do to position yourself as a thought leader? Attend our free live training on "Speaking for Income & Impact: The 3 Key Elements You Need (and What’s Getting In Your Way) to Go from Commodity Speaker to Thought Leader." Register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training/. You'll learn: The moment I recognized I was a commodity speaker and what that had cost me The changes I made, the results I got, and what I learned that surprised me 3 key elements you need to go from commodity speaker to thought leader What’s getting in your way from making this shift, including some tough love about all the time and energy you’re spending on social media 3 things you can do now to start making this shift to thought leadership Examples of how our Thought Leader Academy clients have shifted from commodity speakers to thought leaders   Join your host Carol Cox of Speaking Your Brand for this webinar. Be sure to ATTEND LIVE so you can ask questions and get our special bonus. Register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training/.

If you’ve been getting speaking requests, but they’re free or low paid, or you’ve been charging the same amount for a while and aren’t sure if (and how) to raise your speaker fees, tune in to this episode. I share 3 reasons you *should* increase your speaking fee and how to confidently do so. I also go through specific dollar amounts of what you could be charging based on where you’re at in your speaking journey. Finally, I talk about reasons why you may decide to speak for free and specific things you can do to make sure you’re getting maximum value from those speaking engagements. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/289/ Find out your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 169: Leveraging Free Speaking Engagements Into Bigger Opportu Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 271: Providing Transformation vs. Information with Carol Cox Episode 274: The Key to Booking More Speaking Engagements with Sarah Lynn Wallace

Do you sometimes sit down to create a new presentation and stare at a blank document or slide deck, not sure where to start or you feel like you have so many ideas you don’t know which to include? Or perhaps you’ve been delivering your presentations for a while and they’re not quite as effective as they could be for lead generation? Or perhaps you want to put more of your thought leadership and personal stories in your presentations but aren’t sure how to do that? This is why I created the Signature Talk Canvas® framework. I use it for my own presentations and we use it with our clients in VIP Days and in our Thought Leader Academy. It works for any topic in any industry. Our framework is a proven, repeatable process that works - so much so that it’s led to tens of thousands of dollars (at least) in clients from lead generation talks I’ve given plus all the leads and sales our clients have received from their presentations. It’s also led to highly successful TEDx and keynote talks. In this episode, I describe the Signature Talk Canvas® framework and how you can use it for income and impact. You can see what our Signature Talk Canvas® framework looks like by downloading our free thought leadership workbook at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/288/ Download our free thought leadership workbook: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 145: You Need to Create a Framework Episode 236: Using One Story with Different Angles for Different Audiences with Chanta Wilkinson Episode 243: How We Create a Signature Talk in a VIP Day Episode 284: Connecting Your Ideas into One Message with Cindy Rowe

What can you expect when you work with a speaking coach? What are the outcomes and results you get? In last week’s episode, we talked about what a public speaking coach does and when you need one. In this episode, I talk with one of our Thought Leader Academy grads, Dianna Deeney, on why she decided to invest in a speaking coach, including: What attracted her to thought leadership for her business Why public speaking wasn’t on her radar until after she joined our program The tangible results she’s seen so far, both personally and professionally What surprised her about adding storytelling and performance aspects to her presentations About My Guest: Dianna Deeney is the host of the Quality during Design Podcast and is the founder of Quality during Design. She coaches product development engineers about awareness and use of quality and reliability methods during the design development process. She is an engineer, a senior quality professional, and an active member of ASQ holding certificates as a CQE, CRE, CQA, and CMQ/OE. Dianna believes that design engineers do not need to become quality or reliability engineers to use those methods and benefit from quality thinking. She has seen that using quality as a strategic asset during concept and design development improves the design and the design process and helps design engineers to be recognized as star performers. Her mission is to bridge product managers and designers (entry-level to seasoned) to the world's quality initiatives and quality-minded people   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/287 Dianna’s website: https://www.qualityduringdesign.com/ Find out your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dianna Deeney (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannadeeney/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn How to Market and Sell Your Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 286: What a Speaking Coach Is and When You Need One with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz  

What exactly do we do as speaking coaches when we work with our clients? When is the right time for you to work with a speaking coach? In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, and I talk about: Different types of business and speciality coaches When and why we’ve hired coaches ourselves The purpose of hiring a coach What we do as speaking coaches Some trigger points for when you could benefit from working with a speaking coach About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/286 Find out your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox/  Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 236: Using One Story with Different Angles for Different Audiences with Chanta Wilkinson Episode 257: ​​Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk [The Medium is the Message Series] Episode 283: How to Exceed Expectations as a Speaker at an Event with Jill Janecke Episode 284: Connecting Your Ideas into One Message with Cindy Rowe

What kind of speaker are you? How would you describe your style? I’ve always told our clients that we don’t want to fit you into some type of “speaker mold” that doesn’t feel natural to you. Instead, I encourage you to take your natural speaking strengths and amplify them. This also means adding to your speaking toolkit by taking some of the elements that other speaking styles have and making them your own. I’ve been thinking a lot about this since we held our in-person client retreat speaking intensive a few months ago.  It was fun to see a variety of speaking styles of our clients as they practiced on stage and to realize that each one brought something different and also what they wanted to improve. I’ve identified 4 speaker archetypes that I’m going to talk about in this episode, including what each has as their natural strengths along with areas to develop.  Find out your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/.  You’ll discover where you shine as a speaker along with recommendations on what you can add to your speeches and presentations to make them even better.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/285  Take our NEW Speaker Archetype quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/.  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 271: Providing Transformation vs. Information with Carol Cox Episode 275: Public Speaking Has Changed: The 3 Skills You Need Now to Get Selected, Stand Out, and Make Money as a Speaker  

Have you ever felt like you have a bunch of ideas and you’re not sure how they’re connected and how to get them into one message? You are not alone! Most of us struggle with this because we’re too close to our own ideas, expertise, and stories. Our guest, Cindy Rowe, owns a marketing agency that works with small businesses. Cindy also has a passion for speaking and for spreading her message around kindness. Cindy joined our Thought Leader Academy in March and worked with our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz in a VIP Day to create her signature talk. In this episode, Diane and Cindy talk about: What led Cindy to her thought leadership message and how it connects to her story The process that Diane and Cindy went through to incorporate Cindy’s story into her keynote The types of speaking engagements Cindy most enjoys doing Why Cindy joined our Thought Leader Academy and what her experience has been About My Guest: Cindy Rowe is an Entrepreneur, Mom and Kindness Spreader. Enduring a series of challenges, she was determined to rise. Her transformation happened when she focused on practicing kindness. Not only did her personal life change, but her business grew with this pivotal shift towards kindness. Her passion is to inspire and empower others to discover how kindness can be the gamechanger; the key to success in life and in business. Cindy is the perfect example of how the power of kindness can pull you through dark and difficult situations including divorce, a brain injury and childhood traumas. She resides in Northern Illinois with new found love and soon-to-be husband, her children and blended family as well as two crazy, but sweet pups. She continues to build her marketing company that serves entrepreneurs and small business owners. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach.  At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/284/  Cindy’s website: http://thecindyrowe.com/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on social: Diane on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Diane on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/dianediaz  Cindy Rowe (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyrowe1/ Cindy Rowe (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/cindyarowe/ Cindy’s favorite book = “Chasing the Bright Side” by Jess Ekstrom: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Bright-Side-Optimism-Activate/dp/0785229329/   Cindy’s favorite TED talk = Brene Brown on vulnerability: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en   Cindy’s favorite quote = “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 280: Making the Shift from Expert Presenter to Storyteller in Your Keynotes with Katie Anderson  

If you’re going to be speaking at an in-person conference, this episode has some excellent tips on how you can exceed expectations as a speaker to make it a win-win-win for you, the audience, and the event organizer. Our guest is Jill Janecke, who is a mental health counselor and has opened and operates 15 offices in South Dakota. Last year, Jill decided to host a conference for women around mental and brain health and recently held it for a second time. As the organizer, Jill delivered a keynote address and joined our Thought Leader Academy to develop it with our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. In this episode, Diane and Jill talk about: What Jill does in her business and why she decided to create her own conference What it's like to speak at her own event vs. someone else's event The importance of practicing and envisioning your audience As an event organizer, suggestions Jill has for speakers Why Jill joined our Thought Leader Academy and what her experience has been Get our free thought leadership workbook that has our event preparation checklist in it: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/  About Our Guest: Jill Janecke has been working in mental health since 2005 and started Rising Hope Counseling, a private practice, in 2013. Her passion to help people expanded as she created a group practice and has opened 15 offices across the state of South Dakota since March of 2020. Jill yearns to bring opportunities for people to have access to hope.  Annually, she presents a Women’s Conference and also provides motivational, educational and inspiring speaking engagements making mental health an approachable topic with easy to learn concepts to apply to anyone’s life.  Jill embraces learning to help people achieve their goals and grow from the inside out.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/283/  Jill’s website: https://risinghope605.com/jill-janecke-ms-lpc-mh/ Get our free thought leadership workbook that has our event preparation checklist in it: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Diane Diaz on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Jill Janecke (guest) on Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/risinghope605  Jill’s favorite books = “Switch on Your Brain” by Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Your-Brain-Happiness-Thinking/dp/0801018390/ and “Happy Days: The Guided Path from Trauma to Profound Freedom and Inner Peace” by Gabrielle Bernstein: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Days-Guided-Profound-Freedom/dp/1401965490/ Jill’s favorite TED Talk = Brene Brown: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en   Jill’s favorite quote = “Don’t be afraid to fail.”- Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers with Sarah Soliman

Do you sometimes wonder how BOLD you want to be with your thought leadership message? You know you have something important and impactful to say, but you’re a bit uncertain on how it will be received and if there will be any backlash. I have definitely experienced this - and the benefits have far outweighed any negativity. My guest is Jodi Flynn, who is the founder of Women Taking the Lead, which helps corporate women advance in leadership, and the host of the Women Taking the Lead podcast. Jodi recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy, where she worked on her thought leadership message and signature talk. Jodi and I talk about: The types of speaking engagements Jodi was comfortable doing - and why she wanted to do something different What her bold thought leadership message is The hesitancy she had around sharing her message - and how she got past it A story from her childhood that influenced the work she does Why *you* are the messenger for your message   This is the audio from a recent LinkedIn Live. You can watch the video at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6930483939065118720/.    About My Guest: Jodi Flynn, founder of Women Taking the Lead, is an Executive Leadership Coach, Podcaster, Author, Speaker, and Workshop Facilitator. A Certified Professional Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation (ICF), women leaders hire Jodi to develop the skills needed to thrive in Senior Leadership. She is the host of the critically acclaimed Women Taking the Lead podcast, and an Amazon bestselling author with her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. Jodi has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, the Maine Bankers Association Women in Banking and Emerging Leaders Conferences, and the Michigan Bankers Association Rising Leaders Conference. She is the President of the board for The Maine Women’s Conference and has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes Magazine.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/282/  Jodi’s website: https://womentakingthelead.com Register for our Summit Speakers Reunion on June 21 (it’s free): https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/reunion/  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Jodi Flynn (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 232: Are You an Influencer, an Expert, or a Thought Leader? with Carol Cox Episode 233: 3 Types of Thought Leadership Models with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

How should you open and close your talk? When we work with our clients on their signature talks using our framework, we always make sure to have a strong opening and closing. In the beginning, you want to make a good impression and set the right tone. You may also be nervous, so feeling confident about how you’re going to open your talk can make you feel better. At the end of your talk, you want to leave the audience feeling satisfied AND wanting more. In this episode, I’m sharing with you: 6 ways you can open your talk Examples from my own talks and from our clients How to choose which way to open your talk depending on the format of the event and the size of the audience What to do when you get to the event and you realize your planned opening isn’t going to work How to close your talk, including what not to do!   Register for our Summit Speakers Reunion on June 21 (it’s free): https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/reunion/  Speakers from our past Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summits are joining us to talk about: What is was like to create a transformational TED-style talk Being vulnerable with their story and any concerns they had - and whether they had any vulnerability hangovers afterwards! How delivering this kind of talk (transformational vs. informational) helped them to see themselves as a different kind of speaker than they may have been used to How the coaching they received from us helped them to create their talks What they’ve been doing since the summits   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/281/  Register for our Summit Speakers Reunion on June 21 (it’s free): https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/reunion/  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories [Storytelling Series] Episode 153: Threading a Story Throughout Your Signature Talk with Amber Hawley [Coaching] Episode 193: Five Kinds of Stories to Share in Your Thought Leadership Content with Carol Cox [Storytelling Series]  

Last year on this podcast, I did several episodes about the distinction between being an expert and a thought leader. As speakers, we often get stuck in what I call “the expert trap.” We get comfortable training and teaching in our area of expertise and we think that’s the only way to provide value to our audiences. The way out of this is to incorporate more of your personal journey and storytelling into your talks and to believe that providing your audiences with transformation is more important than information. My guest on the podcast is Katie Anderson, an internationally recognized leadership and learning coach, consultant, and professional speaker. Katie and I have been working together since the beginning of the year on her new keynote and helping her incorporate more storytelling and performance aspects into her delivery. Katie and I talk about: Why she wanted to get out of the expert trap and add more storytelling into her keynotes What the process has been like for her and what doubts she had The results so far from delivering two keynotes this year How she developed her own voice from the blog and book writing she’s been doing since 2015 The power of the pause and silence And much more! About My Guest: Katie Anderson is an internationally recognized leadership and learning coach, consultant, and professional speaker, best known for inspiring individuals and organizations to lead with intention and increase their personal and professional impact. Katie is passionate about helping people around the world learn to lead and lead to learn by connecting purpose, process, and practice to achieve higher levels of performance. Her book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning is an international #1 Amazon bestseller.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/280/  Katie’s website: http://kbjanderson.com/ Katie’s book “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn”: https://kbjanderson.com/learning-to-lead/  Register for our Summit Speakers Reunion on June 21 (it’s free): https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/reunion/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Katie Anderson (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson/ Katie Anderson (guest) on Twitter = https://twitter.com/kbjanderson   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 232: Are You an Influencer, an Expert, or a Thought Leader? with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 271: Providing Transformation vs. Information with Carol Cox

Do you have an experience that happened to you that you’re reluctant to share with your audience? What would happen if you did? So often we feel like our stories are too uncommon or unrelatable or not interesting enough to include in our talks. What I see happen is that speakers generalize their stories - and by doing so they remove what makes a great story. It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s the specificity and details of our stories, the very thing we think is uncommon, that makes them powerful. Sharing a deeply personal story, one that shaped who you are and how you understand yourself, is what can connect you to your audience and build trust. Building trust with your audience is especially important if you want to help them go deeper and think differently. You have to go first. Being vulnerable is not always easy. You may wonder if you’re sharing too much or if your audience will look at you differently. But, the rewards are well worth it - not only for the audience but for your own personal development and confidence. My guest is Dr. Katrina Skinner, a pediatrician who is also the founder of Women in Pediatrics, an organization that provides unique, practical educational content and opportunities for female pediatricians. Katrina recently hosted an in-person retreat for Women in Pediatrics and she opened the event with her keynote talk sharing a very personal and vulnerable story. I invited Katrina on the podcast to talk about that experience and what she learned from it.  About My Guest: Six weeks after residency graduation, Dr. Katrina Skinner opened the doors to her pediatric practice in her rural Alabama hometown. Twelve years later, she and her team serve thousands of their community’s children as a Patient Centered Medical Home.  Dr. Skinner serves as the President of the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, where she advocates for children and pediatricians across the state, from working with legislators to negotiating with payors to make sure Alabama’s children and the physicians who serve them are fairly represented. Dr. Skinner is also the founder of Women in Pediatrics, an organization that provides unique, practical educational content and opportunities for female pediatricians.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/279 Katrina’s website = https://www.katrinaskinner.com/ Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Katrina Skinner (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-skinner-md-faap-0a61011b2/ Dr. Katrina Skinner (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/katrinaskinner_md/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 192: The Cure for Vulnerability Hangovers with Carol Cox Episode 193: Five Kinds of Stories to Share in Your Thought Leadership Content with Carol Cox Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol Cox

I took an improv class a couple of years ago and it has been incredibly helpful to me as a speaker, so much so that I had the attendees at our recent in-person client retreat do some improv games (they appreciated it, I swear!). Improv is not only useful for getting into your body as a speaker on a stage; improv is also a philosophy of engagement, vulnerability, and co-creation. This is what I talk about with my guest Shannon Hughes in this episode. Shannon melds business strategy with improv training techniques to embolden trustful communication, belonging, and transformational leadership. Whether you have in-person or virtual speaking engagements coming up, you’ll get a lot out of our conversation. Shannon and I talk about: How to use the improv “yes and” technique to push past fear Breaking the fourth wall to engage your audience in conversation Tools to get your audience engaged, especially during virtual presentations The scaffolding techniques Shannon uses to engage audiences   About My Guest: Shannon Hughes is an experiential trainer with a calling to enliven creativity, confidence and easeful collaboration in groups of all shapes and sizes. In her practice, Enlivened Studios, she melds business strategy with improv training techniques to embolden trustful communication, belonging and transformational leadership   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/278/  Get Shannon’s free download on writing your manifesto: https://www.enlivenedstudios.com/manifesto  Get Shannon’s free download on how to liven up your virtual gatherings: http://www.enlivenedstudios.com/download  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Shannon (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannondeanhughes/ Shannon (guest) on Instagram =  https://www.instagram.com/shannondeanhughes/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 251: What Makes Public Speaking Unique as a Medium with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz  

I’m going to start this podcast with a bit of a controversial question: Why do we (and, yes, I said we) often feel much more uncomfortable having a woman in a position of authority than we do men? My guest Mary Ann Sieghart is a London-based journalist and broadcaster and author of the new book “The Authority Gap: Why women are still taken less seriously than men, and what we can do about it.” The authority gap isn’t just a challenge of how men see women but also how we as women see other women in positions of power and authority.  As women we have to go beyond “lip service feminism” - it’s important that we are aware of our own biases so we can correct them. Think about some of the choices you make, from the books you read to the television broadcasters you listen to. How many are women?  This is a wide-ranging and important conversation about why women have struggled to get into more leadership positions, from companies to governments, and even when they do, why they’re taken less seriously. In this episode, Mary Ann and I talk about: Why she felt compelled to write her book and how she defines the authority gap Why it isn’t just about getting more women in senior leadership roles The awkward interaction between Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, and Pope John Paul II that’s a perfect example of the authority gap Why we shouldn’t mistake confidence for competence and how likability and warmth affect women leaders What surprised Mary Ann about the research she found - and what made her optimistic The types of public speaking that Mary Ann enjoys About My Guest: Mary Ann Sieghart is a London-based journalist and broadcaster who has worked for the Times, the Independent, the Economist, the Financial Times, and the BBC. Her new book is called “The Authority Gap: Why women are still taken less seriously than men, and what we can do about it.” She researched this book as a Visiting Fellow of All Souls College, University of Oxford.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/277/ Get Mary Ann’s book “The Authority Gap”: https://www.maryannsieghart.com/the-authority-gap/  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Mary Ann Sieghart (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-sieghart-17a27891/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power with Carol Cox Episode 162: Why We're #ChoosingWomensVoices - and You Should Too Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox  

I talk a lot about storytelling and the importance of integrating stories into your presentations and talks. Well, money has a story too. Your money story may be driving behaviors in your business. My guest is Melissa Houston, a CPA and Financial Strategist for CEOs. I’ve gotten to know Melissa over the past few months as she’s gone through our Thought Leader Academy to develop her speaking skills and create her keynote signature talk. Melissa and I talk about: The #1 challenge she sees with the women she works with about their finances What it means to have a money story and how much that can impact our relationship to money and to our business The difference between using money to spend vs. invest Melissa’s own story around money Why Melissa decided she wants to be a speaker What Melissa got out of her experience in our Thought Leader Academy   Join our Thought Leader Academy to develop your speaking skills and create your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    About My Guest: Melissa Houston is a CPA and Financial Strategist for CEOs. Melissa helps successful business owners increase their profit margins so they keep more money in their pocket and increase their net worth. Melissa is the host of The Business Society podcast and a columnist at Forbes.com.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/276/  Melissa’s website: http://melissahoustoncpa.com/ Melissa’s podcast “The Business Society”: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/think-like-a-cfo-podcast  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Melissa Houston (guest) on LinkedIn =  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahoustoncpa/ Melissa Houston (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/melissahoustoncpa/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 161: Mindset and Negotiation Strategies for Speakers with Latesha Byrd Episode 243: How We Create a Signature Talk in a VIP Day

If you plan on speaking in-person this year, you’ll want to listen to this entire episode.    I'm sharing with you the 3 key skills you need now to: Get selected as a speaker Stand out by delivering the exact content your audience wants Make money, whether it’s from paid engagements or by generating leads and sales from people in your audience   I recently returned from an in-person speaking engagement and put these skills into practice.   Here are the results I got *that same day*: New client (worth $5,000+) New keynote speaking invitation (worth $5,000+)   The old model of public speaking no longer works. Content dumps, information overload, and one-way communication don’t cut it anymore. Your audience expects more - and you have an incredible opportunity to set yourself apart as a dynamic speaker. In this episode, you'll learn: The old model vs. the new model of public speaking Myths you’ve internalized that may keep you from embracing the new model The 3 key skills you need now as a speaker How you are perfectly positioned to use the new model of public speaking to connect with your audiences and attract bigger and better speaking opportunities How we can help you shift from information presenter to transformational speaker Join our Thought Leader Academy to develop your speaking skills and create your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    This is the audio from a live training we did on Crowdcast last week. You can watch the video at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/syb-3-speaking-skills.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/275/  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 271: Providing Transformation vs. Information with Carol Cox Episode 274: The Key to Booking More Speaking Engagements with Sarah Lynn Wallace

Speaking opportunities are increasing as more events and conferences are returning to in-person and organizations are looking to bring in trainers. Now is the time to get prepared and take action. This is exactly what our guest, Sarah Lynn Wallace, has been doing as she’s been going through our Thought Leader Academy this year. Sarah has booked several speaking and training engagements, including paid ones.  I asked Sarah to come on the podcast and have a conversation with our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to talk about what has been effective for her in booking speaking engagements. Sarah has a unique take on the marketing and visibility work she does with her clients, which you’ll hear about as well. Diane and Sarah talk about: Why Sarah decided to focus on thought leadership in her business Feeling stuck in the expert trap and not differentiating herself The strategies Sarah has used to book more speaking engagements, including paid ones (at higher fees!) Sarah’s experience in our Thought Leader Academy How your Enneagram archetype number can influence your speaking style Join our Thought Leader Academy and make the shift from expert presenter to sought-after speaker and thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  About My Guest: Sarah Lynn Wallace is host of the Enneagram MBA podcast, certified Enneagram coach, workshop facilitator, speaker, and visibility consultant with over 13 years of experience in relationship management and sales, working with government agencies like the EPA and companies including Big Ass Fans, MindBody software, and adidas Outdoor. Women running a business or in a business hire Sarah to use the Enneagram to help them know, like, and trust themselves, so that they can get visible with a brand that clients and other stakeholders know, like and trust. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/274/  Sarah’s Enneabrand course = https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneabrand  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Diane Diaz on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Sarah Lynn (guest) on LinkedIn =  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlynnwallace/ Sarah Lynn (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/enneagrammba/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 156: Visibility Strategies That Get You Noticed with Janice Gassam, Ph.D. Episode 227: How We Pitch & Prep for Speaking Gigs with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers with Sarah Soliman

We have a brand new FREE live training happening on Tuesday, April 26! Register today for free at  https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training/. After two years of virtual speaking on screens (and, let’s face it, virtual living), the old model of public speaking no longer works. Content dumps, information overload, and one-way communication don’t cut it anymore. Your audience expects more - and you have an incredible opportunity to set yourself apart as a dynamic speaker. There are 3 key skills you need now to get selected as a speaker, stand out by delivering the exact content your audience wants, and make money, whether it’s from paid engagements or by generating leads and sales from people in your audiences. You'll learn: The old model vs. the new model of public speaking The 3 key skills you need now as a speaker How you are perfectly positioned to use the new model of public speaking to connect with your audiences and attract bigger and better speaking opportunities Myths you’ve internalized that may keep you from embracing the new model 3 things you can do now to start putting this into practice How we can help you shift from information presenter to transformational speaker in our Thought Leader Academy Register at  https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training/.

If you’re a speaker who has in-person events coming up OR if you’re planning an in-person event, you won’t want to miss this conversation. We held our in-person client retreat speaking intensive a couple of weeks ago in Orlando, Florida, and it was incredible! We brought 12 women together to practice their speaking delivery skills (on a real stage!) and get professional videography they can use in their speaking reels. I asked two of the women who attended, Betsy Jordyn and Joy Spencer, to join me and Diane Diaz to talk about the experience. We talk about: Top takeaways from the the instruction and practice on delivering keynote speeches Favorite parts of the retreat How the retreat made them feel as speakers and thought leaders Our lessons as the hosts / planners of the retreat Will there be another retreat??? This is the audio from a LinkedIn Live. You can watch the video at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6919241904681283584/.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/273/  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Joy Spencer = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/  Betsy Jordyn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox Episode 238: What’s IN Your Way IS Your Way to Your Thought Leadership with Betsy Jordyn Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer [Storytelling Series]

As entrepreneurs, we have a lot on our plate and fitting in the time to build our thought leadership platforms, create presentations, and pitch ourselves can too often get relegated to the back burner. However, if you’re a service-based entrepreneur who is not a volume business (you’re not looking for thousands of clients at a time), you need speaking and thought leadership to grow your business. The other thing you need is to say “yes” to opportunities even when you don’t feel prepared and it feels scary. That’s what I want to talk to you about today. In this episode, you’ll hear: The importance of timing and saying yes to opportunities Having a bias towards action How timing has impacted my life (good and bad) The contrast between being at the mercy of social media algorithms vs. speaking to a captive audience Practical ways to fit in the time for your visibility and speaking About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/272/ Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 242: LA Grads: Evolving from Experts to Thought Leaders Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 262: The Four Layers of Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

Are you providing transformation or information in your presentations and talks? Whenever I work on a presentation or a keynote or even the agenda for the in-person client retreat we’re holding in April, my default is to think of all the information I want to convey to the audience. You may be the same way. We’re usually good at coming up with lots of things we can share and teach. But, I want to challenge you (like I challenge myself) to reduce the information and increase the transformation. Why? Because you’ll have a bigger impact on your audience; you’ll get traction on your thought leadership message; and you can increase your prices, both for speaking and for the services and programs you offer.   In this episode, you’ll hear: Why information is not that valuable anymore Examples of providing information vs. transformation 3 specific ways to think in terms of transformation for your content What I’ve learned from watching business TV shows like Succession, WeCrashed, and Inventing Anna that you can use About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/271 Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect with Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories Episode 193: Five Kinds of Stories to Share in Your Thought Leadership Content with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership with Carol Cox  

When you start putting your thought leadership out into the world, think of your overall message as the hub. You then have various spokes you can use to share the message and get others involved. These spokes can include your own podcast; a LinkedIn Live or Instagram Live show; a challenge; speaking (of course!); podcast guesting; and events you host. My guest Christie Rocha recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy and we worked together on her thought leadership message and her signature talk. Christie has a really important message to share, particularly to millennial moms, about mental health and self-care. Christie has such a fun and vibrant personality, which comes across in her podcast “Sass Says” and in this interview. In this episode, Christie and I talk about: Why she wanted to delve into thought leadership The container she chose for her thought leadership message The many ways (spokes) she is sharing her thought leadership Her experience in our Thought Leader Academy Her awesome TLA graduation speech called “Give me the mic” About My Guest: Christie Rocha is the host of Sass Says, a podcast to guide women on how to heal, educate, and empower themselves through therapy and real-life stories of perseverance. She interviews mental health professionals, experts, coaches, and women who share her mission to debunk the stigmas and misconceptions about therapy and mental health. Christie is known for asking the “but how” questions so that her listeners walk away from each episode with actionable steps on what to do next when it comes to relationships, motherhood, body image, ambition, and what she calls, the Intangible. Self-care is also a hot topic on her show. Christie and her husband live in New Jersey with their two toddlers.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/270 Christie’s website & podcast “Sass Says”: https://sasssays.com/ Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Christie (Guest) Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/sasssays/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 262: The Four Layers of Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

As you’re working on your keynote speech (or aspiring to one), there are key elements to include that make it different from a regular business presentation or training. Along with stories and audience engagement (always!), you can also create what’s known as a “bit.” This is a section of your keynote, usually just a few minutes long, that stands out and becomes memorable for the audience. My guest Nicole Edwards recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy and we worked together to create her keynote. I really enjoyed working with Nicole because she was always open to learning and improving. In this episode, Nicole and I talk about: Her background and what has brought her to thought leadership The process we went through to create her new keynote signature talk The key elements of her keynote, including stories and her framework Why we decided she needed a “bit” for her keynote and what that means Her experience in our Thought Leader Academy About My Guest:  With a professional background in mental health and talent development that spans over 20 years, Nicole Edwards has been a catalyst of growth for people and organizations—working with thousands of individuals in educational, corporate, and nonprofit settings.  Nicole dedicates her life’s work to stir others to live and lead from a deeply authentic space. With her masterful approach to learning design and speaking, Nicole has been afforded opportunities to design certificate and leadership courses for emerging leaders, facilitate corporate retreats, speak at international conferences, and land a spot on the big red dot with her TEDx talk called In Your Eyes. In 2019, Nicole created Edwards Authentic, a vision brought to life by providing transformative experiences for professional women. Through insightful content, courses, and retreats, Nicole aspires to create a sanctuary for women to flourish in their personal and professional endeavors.  Nicole is a coauthor of the International Women of Color Who Boss Up— an Amazon best-selling book seen on CBS and NBC that features the stories of female entrepreneurs of color who have trailblazed their unique paths, overcoming adversity in the relentless pursuit of purpose.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/269 Nicole’s website: https://www.edwardsauthentic.com/  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Nicole Edwards (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleedwardscplp/ Nicole Edwards (guest) on Instagram  = https://www.instagram.com/edwardsauthentic/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 229: 3 Speaking Styles You Can Use with Carol Cox Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox

What does it look like to create your signature talk and put it out there for the first time? Our guest, Kelley D. Carlstrom, PharmD, did just that a couple of months ago. Kelley recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy and worked with our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz to create her signature talk for lead generation. Kelley took her new signature talk and presented it as a webinar to promote her program for oncology pharmacists, called the ELO Collaborative.  Not only did Kelley get great feedback, she also got enrollees for her program! In this episode, Diane and Kelley talk about: What prompted Kelley to want to develop her thought leadership The process of creating her lead generation signature talk The results from the webinar she did to enroll pharmacists in her program The value of an MVP Focusing on both short-term and long-term visibility How your business and your thought leadership run on parallel tracks to support each other Prospective clients often ask us what kinds of industries we work with and it truly is a wide variety of women entrepreneurs, from executive leadership coaches, business strategists, and marketers to pharmacists, physicians, and therapists.  If you’d like to join our Thought Leader Academy, you can get all the details and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  About My Guest: Kelley D. Carlstrom received her Doctor of Pharmacy from The University of Colorado and completed post-graduate residency training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. She is a board-certified oncology pharmacist that has worked in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings including at a large academic medical center where she specialized in blood and marrow transplantation, at a small community hospital, as a consultant for a large electronic medical record implementation, and most recently in the healthcare technology space helping to create digital products for oncology clinicians and patients. Kelley is passionate about oncology and sees a growing need for more pharmacists to be trained in this specialty. Despite this need, there are professional barriers for those seeking to specialize. Kelley has launched KelleyCPharmD, LLC to decolonize oncology pharmacy training and increase accessibility and inclusion. She offers unique oncology training opportunities because she believes every pharmacist deserves access to specialty training that can transform their career.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/268  Kelley’s website: https://www.kelleycpharmd.com/  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Diane Diaz on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Kelley Carlstrom (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleydcarlstrom/ Kelley Carlstrom (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/kelleycpharmd/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk Episode 243: How We Create a Signature Talk in a VIP Day Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership with Carol Cox  

Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is Break the Bias.  I appreciate that on the IWD website, they write, “Celebrating women's achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality, is key.” In this episode, I share the premise of the book I’m working on around the importance of women being public speakers as a way to advance women in leadership and gender equality and a new model of public speaking. What if I told you that the key to being more confident is not what you’ve been told in the myriad of women’s leadership and personal development books you’ve read?   Well, at least it’s not the whole story.   Sure, what those books have taught you about getting clear on your goals, asking for what you want, taking action, and striking a power pose in the bathroom before an important event are helpful. But, they stop short of what’s critical for building true and lasting confidence. These books tiptoe around it by encouraging women to speak up and to raise their voice, but the advice is generally limited to asking for a promotion, contributing ideas at a meeting, or pointing out unequal treatment at work. What they miss is that the act of public speaking (the right to have a public voice and {safe} access to the public sphere) is what fundamentally shapes our individual identity and who we can become as leaders, as changemakers, and as citizens. Listen to the episode to hear more.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/267  Sign up for our free Choosing Women’s Voices challenge: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge/  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 266: How I’ve Found and Used My Voice with Carol Cox

In this episode, I share 3 ways public speaking has helped me to find and use my voice and the lessons I’ve learned along the way that may help you too. I take a broad view of public speaking = stages, in front of audiences, on TV, in the media, also virtual presentations and podcasting, live streaming, video. Public speaking, in all of these ways, helps you to get your message out, to share your thought leadership ideas, and to have a bigger impact. It’s also an incredible way for more people to know about your business and the work you do and  to attract clients, speaking engagements, and media opportunities.   I talk about: The one time when I was on TV that I momentarily lost my voice and had to ask for a retake The lesson I learned about going on TV to shift my goal from persuasion to validation Creating this podcast every week for the past 5 years and the role that imperfection has played in finding and using my voice How in-person speaking has shaped my voice (including failures) and the connection between the voice and body Key takeaways you can consider for finding and using your voice   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/266 Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 253: TV Can Make You Famous – But Don’t Read the Comments with Dr. Christina Madison [The Medium is the Message Series] Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol Cox Episode 264: The Role of Symbols and Metaphors in Our Stories with Susan Moe

We’re wrapping up the month of February talking about how we as speakers can love our audiences. Why is this important?  Because the more connected the people in our audience feel to us and to each other, the more impactful and memorable our presentations and talks will be. And here’s the thing about loving our audiences: it’s about relationship, which is much different from the standard approach to public speaking which tends to put all of the spotlight on the speaker. In this episode, which is the audio from our LinkedIn Live show, we share 3 ways you can love your audience.   You can watch the video replay at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6897210513009569792/  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/265 Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 251: What Makes Public Speaking Unique as a Medium with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [The Medium is the Message Series] Episode 263: Closing the Gender Speaking Gap with Kristin Oakley

If you’re an analytical, left-brained thinker like me, this episode is going to give you a different perspective on your content, your speaking, and yourself. My guest Susan Moe is an MBA-trained former business executive who is now a clairvoyant reader who helps her clients understand themselves better through their own symbols and metaphors. Susan is a long-time and loyal podcast listener who did a reading for me back in December 2020 (the first one I’ve ever had). It was powerful and revealing - and I share a bit about it in this episode. You’ll hear in this conversation how I’m on my own journey to get more in touch with my intuitive, creative, right-brained side. I invite you to come along with me!   Susan and I talk about: Her journey to the work she does now The reading Susan did for me and two of the symbols that stuck with me The energy exchange we have with our audiences as speakers Releasing the need to please our audiences and feeling like they need to have a certain outcome How we can use symbols and metaphors in our presentation content to form a stronger connection with our audience At the end, I’m going to share with you a realization I had about one of the symbols after my conversation with Susan About My Guest: Susan Moe helps people find solutions to problems that they haven’t been able to see through traditional thinking. Whether it’s a relationship, career, parenting, or another dilemma, getting to the core of the issue is key to its resolution. This often requires “seeing” beyond the external circumstances and into the soul deep within. Susan has worked with people around the world for nearly two decades, empowering her clients and students to have sovereignty over their own well-being by teaching them simple, yet powerful, energetic tools and techniques. When not immersed in all things metaphysical, you will find Susan out in nature, relating to her family, or pursuing her other passion project, OneGreenSmoothie, where she promotes personal and planetary health through a plant-centric lifestyle.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/264 Susan’s website: https://www.ascendedpresence.com/  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Caron on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Susan Moe (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/ascendedpresence/ Susan Moe (guest) on LinkedIn= https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-moe-580a1b2/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol Cox

Since we’re in the month of February, I figured it was a good time to talk about finding the emotional heart of your message. As speakers, we can get so focused on the information we want to share that we neglect emotions and feelings and making a heart-to-heart connection with the people in our audiences. If you want your talk to be memorable and impactful and you want to become a keynote speaker, be on bigger stages, deliver a powerful TEDx talk, you need to have an emotional heart to your message.   In this episode, I’m going to share: What I mean by the emotional heart of your message Examples ranging from Eliza Hamilton to Taylor Swift to a recent workshop I facilitated on storytelling You’ll hear a clip from my keynote about what happens when we find resistance in our purpose Question prompts to help you find the emotional heart of your message   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/263/ Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 197: What We Can Learn as Speakers from 'Hamilton' with Carol Cox Episode 244: Behind the Scenes of My Recent Keynote with Carol Cox Episode 262: The Four Layers of Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

I remember last year I was doing some research and I googled “famous thought leaders.” Guess what the results were? All men. Now, we know there are women thought leaders: Brene Brown, Mel Robbins, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Minda Harts all come to mind. But, Google hasn’t caught on yet. Why not? Because we need MORE women thought leaders to flood the zone.  This is where you come in and this is why I’ve been talking a lot on the podcast about thought leadership and the role it plays in your business and for you getting bigger opportunities and the impact you want to have. It’s also why I created our Thought Leader Academy - to give women entrepreneurs and professionals a place where they can develop their thought leadership ideas and signature talks. In this episode, I’m going to talk about 4 key layers that make up thought leadership. These are layers I’ve identified as I’ve worked with our clients over the years on their keynotes, TEDx talks, and thought leadership messages and as I’ve worked on my own. Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/262 Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect with Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Books mentioned: The Signature of All Things: A Novel by Elizabeth Gilbert Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert KLF: Chaos Magic Music Money by JMR Higgs Podcast: A mind-bending, reality-warping conversation with John Higgs Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

You won't want to miss the story I share in this episode that made me so mad at the time. About 5 years ago, I was attending an event run by a very prominent women's organization and I couldn't believe who they had on stage. Here's a hint: It has to do with our topic today, which is the gender speaking gap. Similar to the gender pay gap, the gender speaking gap represents the disparity between the number of women and men we see speaking at events, from high-profile keynotes to panel discussions (#nomoremanels). We know how important it is for more women to be visible and have a public voice, so I’m excited to have Kristin Oakley as my guest. Kristin is a professional speaker, emcee, on-camera presenter and Personal Empowerment Coach™ with over 20 years of public speaking and presenting experience across multiple industries. She’s passionate about closing the gender speaking gap, which I learned more about during the VIP Day we did to create her new signature talk. In this episode, Kristin and I talk about:  The gender speaking gap and what we can do about it Lessons she’s learned as a professional speaker for the past 20 years How the pandemic has changed what audiences want from speakers as in-person events are starting to return Why she decided to book a VIP Day and what the experience was like (This is the audio from one of our LinkedIn Live shows.) About My Guest: Kristin Oakley is a professional speaker, emcee, on-camera presenter and Personal Empowerment Coach™ with over 20 years of public speaking and presenting experience across multiple industries. She spent 12 years as an on-camera host and professional spokesperson, traveling throughout North America as a presenter for top brands within the automotive, technology, and financial services industries – and was even a guest presenter on QVC! She is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, and creator of the Unstoppable Speaker Program and the Unstoppable Speaker Challenge: 10 Days to Master Your Fear of Public Speaking. She was also named the 2020 Unstoppable Influencer of the Year.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/261 Watch the video of our conversation from LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6866024667812032512/  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Kristin Oakley (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinoakleyspeaker/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 251: What Makes Public Speaking Unique as a Medium with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 243: How We Create a Signature Talk in a VIP Day

One of the side effects of going bigger with your message and putting yourself out there is self-doubt. Even when you’re excited about what you’re working on, self-doubt can creep in. Self-doubt can masquerade as procrastination, boredom, shiny object syndrome, distractions, filling up your to-do lists and calendar, even deciding to clean those areas of the house that never get cleaned. Self-doubt can also keep you stuck and not developing further as an entrepreneur, speaker, and thought leader. In this episode, I’m sharing my own struggles with self-doubt and specific things I do when it comes up that may be helpful to you.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/260/ Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 127: Developing Confidence in Public Speaking Episode 131: Pitching and Negotiating for Bigger Speaking Opportunities with Maureen Taylor Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

How is your thought leadership message connected to your business? Should it be related? I look at it this way: Thought leadership is the personal WHY to the WHAT (vision) and HOW (mission) that you have for your business. Think of your thought leadership as a parallel track to your business; it’s WHY you do what you do. I talk about thought leadership because it’s the way to get more of what you want: better speaking engagements, including paid ones, plus the way to reach more people with your message and create change.   In this episode, I talk about: What thought leadership is How thought leadership is different from your marketing and sales message in your business How to connect your thought leadership and your business My own thought leadership message The a-ha moment I had when I gave my keynote talk back in September Examples from some of our clients The biggest challenges I see when working on your thought leadership About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/259 Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 213: The V.O.I.C.E. of Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Big Ideas Series]

Happy New Year! This is the 4th year in a row I’ve done a trends episode for the start of the year. What I mean by trends are not fads or cliches or gimmicks.  Trends are like currents or waves of energy that move through our society and affect everything from business and politics and the economy to popular culture and media. How do these trends impact our public speaking and thought leadership?  As speakers and leaders, our talks and messages have more of an impact if our audiences can see the bigger picture of what’s affecting them and the world around them. In this episode, you’ll learn 3 trends (and action steps for each) related to format, audience, and content that you can apply to your speaking and thought leadership, as well as to your business and visibility strategy in general.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/258/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 251: What Makes Public Speaking Unique as a Medium with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox  

This is the final episode in the series we’ve been doing called “The Medium is the Message”. In this series, we’ve covered the mediums of podcasting, public speaking, video, TV, email, and social media - what makes each one unique and how to make the most of them. This episode is all about the medium of the book and my guest is author and book coach Tiffany Hawk. Writing a book allows you to develop your thought leadership in a deeper way and gives your ideas longevity. A book can also be an important asset for you to have as a speaker, especially if you want to be a keynote speaker. Tiffany and I talk about: How getting published is the ultimate vetting process and credibility marker What makes a book “a book” (the medium) The pros and cons of traditional vs. self publishing The timeline for writing and publishing a prescriptive nonfiction book The book proposal I’m working on right now with Tiffany as my book coach About My Guest: Tiffany Hawk is an author and book coach who helps leaders write agent-ready books and book proposals. Her clients have landed literary agents, traditionally published with big New York Presses and small literary presses, self published, won awards, and seen their stories in places like Harper’s, the Los Angeles Times, Narratively, McSweeney’s, and The Atlantic.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/257 Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Tiffany’s website: https://www.tiffanyhawk.com/  Get Tiffany’s “How good is your book idea?” free assessment: https://www.tiffanyhawk.com/idea  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Tiffany Hawk (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyhawk/   Good models for prescriptive nonfiction books recommended by Tiffany: Practical How-To: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Mindset How-To: Rich As F*ck by Amanda Frances (also a great example of self-publishing the right way) Personal Self-Help: Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck  Scholarly Thought Leadership: Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 186: From Hashtag to Podcast to Book: Developing Your Thought Leadership Platform with Elayne Fluker [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 250: Lessons Learned from 250 Podcast Episodes with Carol Cox [The Medium is the Message Series] Episode 256: Making the Most of LinkedIn as a Thought Leader with Tyrona Heath [The Medium is the Message Series]

This is one of the best conversations I’ve had about how to use social media effectively as a thought leader. My guest is Tyrona (Ty) Heath, who is Director, Market Engagement, at The B2B Institute at LinkedIn. You’re getting the inside scoop of the big picture of how to make the most of LinkedIn. We get past the superficial tactics and really dig into what makes social media and LinkedIn in particular unique, how to showcase your body of work as a thought leader, and what your audience wants from you. Ty and I talk about: The ways social media, and LinkedIn in particular, can be used for different goals (e.g., brand awareness, lead generation, thought leadership) What entrepreneurs often get wrong about using social media and LinkedIn effectively What's working well on LinkedIn right now How LinkedIn content is similar or different from what other social media platforms prioritize (IG reels/stories, TikTok, etc.) The key ingredients to think about when posting content   This episode is part of the series we’ve been doing called “The Medium is the Message”. About My Guest: Tyrona (Ty) Heath is Director, Market Engagement, The B2B Institute at LinkedIn. Ty is passionate about connecting people with information needed to make intelligent decisions, studying the future of B2B marketing and decision making. With research, she engages and educates the industry in partnership with the leading marketing effectiveness thinkers. This effort helps better define the category, so customers can drive growth through marketing. Marketers benefit from Ty’s marketing experience at Google, consulting within IBM and leading her own B2B consulting practice. Ty serves on the Digital Marketing Institute's Global Advisory Council, on the Board of Directors for the American Advertising Federation and as an Adobe Insider with top executives and experts.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/256  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Ty’s website: https://tyronaheath.com/    LinkedIn resources: https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/linkedin-live https://members.linkedin.com/creators Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Ty Heath (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyronaheath Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 252: Using Video for Thought Leadership, Brand Awareness, and Sales with Stacy Mayer  

We’re taking you behind the scenes to share what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next for us in the areas of speaking, visibility, and the business in general. Diane Diaz and I talk about: 🎉  10 things we’re celebrating that went well this year ❌  3 things we tried that did not go as well as we had wanted 💡  5 larger lessons we’re taking from what worked and what didn’t 🎯  3 strategic priorities for next year   I encourage you to use this template to reflect on and write down your own wins, experiments, lessons, and priorities. Applications are open for our next Thought Leader Academy group that starts in January. This episode is from a recent LinkedIn Live we did. You can watch the video replay at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6871110343964323840/. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/255 Apply to join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w  Diane Diaz on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 201: 2020 Year in Review: What Worked, What Didn’t, What’s Next with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

What does the *medium* of email want in order to be the most effective? What do *we* want when we look through our inboxes? The answers surprised me! We’ve heard for years that it's important to build our email list.  Unlike social media platforms, you own your email list and can communicate with the people on it directly, without the filters of algorithms. However, just because someone is on your email list, that doesn’t mean they’re opening your emails, much less reading them and taking action.   I like to experiment with the emails I send.    I’ve sent fancy newsletter styles with lots of content and links. I’ve sent personal stories with no styling. Our open rate remains consistent, but the personal emails get the most engagement for sure. This is why I wanted to bring on an email expert, Kate Doster, for the series we’ve been doing called “The Medium is the Message”. You’re going to love this episode. Kate has fantastic energy and she’s a great guest.   Kate and I talk about: What our brains want when we check our email inbox The ways email can be used for different goals (brand awareness, sales, thought leadership) What entrepreneurs often get wrong about their email list What's working well with email right now (length, format, type of content, etc.) The best way to promote a podcast episode or other content you’ve created in an email About My Guest: Kate Doster is the host of the Inbox Besties Podcast, creator of the Love Your List 2.0 email marketing mega course and is dangerously obsessed with helping ethical entrepreneurs carve out their slice of the interwebs. She helps her students woo open the hearts (and wallets) of their small but mighty audiences thanks to fun email marketing and easy yes mini-offers. She believes you don’t need to bleed the alphabet or be a dirty rotten spam face to write emails that jolt subscribers into taking action, gobbling up your paid offers like candy… or kale if that’s their thing.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/254   Get Kate’s free 2-years-worth of email ideas: https://www.katedoster.com/speaking-your-brand    Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Download our free thought leadership workbook and get on our email list: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Kate Doster (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/kate_doster/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 234: How to Create Content Using Your Authentic Voice with Ashleigh Rennie

If you’ve ever thought that you’d like to be on TV as a contributing expert - or if you think you’re not qualified (you are!) - you’ll get so much out of this episode. We’re continuing our series “The Medium is the Message” and in this episode we’re focusing on TV as a platform that can quickly propel your visibility and credibility. Since 2005, I’ve appeared (too many times to count) on Orlando-area news stations as a Democratic political analyst. Being on TV can turn you into a mini-celebrity, as people who see you on the news start recognizing you at the store.  (True story: During the 2016 election cycle, I was on the news frequently. I was at the store one day in yoga clothes, hair in a ponytail, and no makeup and the clerk said to me, slowly and with a hint of uncertainty, “Did I see you on TV?” Why, yes, you did, and I looked a lot more put together then!) Being on TV gives you built-in authority and credibility because so few people get the opportunity.  TV is one of the last gatekeepers (along with traditional book publishing) where the audience assumes that if they're seeing you on their television, you’ve been selected and vetted as an expert. Being on TV has lots of advantages for giving you this credibility. It can also have a downside, especially as a woman and even more so as a woman of color (never read the comments). My guest today is Dr. Christina Madison, the Founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist, PLLC, a public health consulting firm. Christina has been featured in over 200+ on-air TV appearances since January 2020 related to the pandemic and public health, so when I met Christina recently on a consult call and learned about her background, I knew I had to have her on the podcast.  Christina and I talk about: The benefits of being on TV The challenges we’ve both faced as women having a public presence and voice Tips for working with TV stations so they keep calling you back How Christina got her first TV appearance and how she prepared What TV as a medium wants (visuals, soundbites, mass market information) How to pitch your topic to local news to make it newsworthy The importance of representation of women and women of color in the media {There is one very appropriate f-bomb in this episode, hence the "Explicit" rating. It's worth it!}   About My Guest: Dr. Christina Madison is the Founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist, PLLC, a public health consulting firm. She is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice with Roseman University of Health Sciences and works as a clinical pharmacist specializing in public health with a focus on infectious communicable diseases. A trusted and valued health care professional with 14 years of experience in Public Health and 17 years’ experience as a pharmacy professional. She has been asked to share her clinical public health and infectious disease expertise with Local, State, and International Media outlets and NGO’s. Dr. Madison has been featured in over 200+ on-air TV appearances since January 2020 related to the pandemic and public health. Advocating for public health and the profession of pharmacy to improve the health and wellness of vulnerable populations and the underserved is her passion and mission.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/253 Christina’s website: https://www.thepublichealthpharmacist.com/ Christina’s speaking reel: https://youtu.be/1ftHfCaVJZw  Apply to join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Christina Madison (guest) on LinkedIn= https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristinamadisonthepublichealthpharmacist Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna V. Eskamani Episode 209: The Differences in Doing Interviews for Podcasts, TV, & Publications with Marie Fiebach

More and more social media platforms, from Instagram and Pinterest to LinkedIn, are encouraging users to create videos and prioritizing video in their algorithms. As entrepreneurs, speakers, and content creators, how can we effectively use different types of video formats for thought leadership, brand awareness, and sales? My guest is Stacy Mayer, a Certified Executive Coach and founder of Executive Ahead of Time, helping women get promoted into the executive suite on their own terms.  I’ve noticed Stacy using video on LinkedIn, so I invited her on the podcast to share what’s been working for her.   Stacy and I talk about: The types of videos she creates (length, format, content) Finding a way to be both natural and rehearsed (I love the phrase she uses) The process Stacy goes through to create and edit the videos The results she’s seeing on LinkedIn How she’s using video in her sales process and the big impact it’s had How she uses video to pitch for speaking engagements This is the third episode in our “The Medium is the Message” series. Be sure to listen to the intro to get the details on how you can enter for our special giveaway to win a 60-minute coaching session with us. About My Guest:  Stacy Mayer is a Certified Executive Coach, a promotion strategist, a mother, a wife, and the creator and founder of Executive Ahead of Time, helping women get promoted into the executive suite on their own terms. Her vision is to bring more diversity to leadership by empowering women to take ownership of their careers and claim a real voice at the table. She does that through her coaching programs, podcast "Maximize Your Career with Stacy Mayer" and her soon-to-be released book "Promotions Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Executive Suite". About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/252   Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.    Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Stacy Mayer (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacymayer/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 250: Lessons Learned from 250 Podcast Episodes with Carol Cox [The Medium is the Message Series]

Did you know that public speaking is one of the fastest ways that you can establish your expertise, credibility, authority, and thought leadership? Why? Because of the intrinsic benefits being the speaker standing in the front of a room or on a stage conveys, before you’ve even said a word. This in and of itself is one of the best reasons to be a speaker. This is the second episode in a new series we’re doing called “The Medium is the Message.” Each medium/platform we use, whether public speaking, podcasting, video, social media, TV, books, and so on, gives us particular benefits due to the nature of the medium itself. This also means that each medium wants different things and the content we create for each medium should reflect that.   In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: What makes public speaking unique as a medium The role you play as a speaker (and the huge benefits that conveys to you) Who can speak in public was historically limited to {white} men and the impact that has on women speakers today How different types of speeches (business presentations, keynotes, and TED/TEDx talks) dictate different messages/content What audiences want from speakers and how they view speakers Why public speaking is the fastest way to thought leadership Be sure to listen until the end to get the details on how you can enter for our special giveaway to win a 60-minute coaching session with us.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/251   Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.    Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 205: The 4 Types of Talks You Need as a Speaker and Thought Leader with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Goals & Planning Series] Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox Episode 250: Lessons Learned from 250 Podcast Episodes with Carol Cox [The Medium is the Message Series]  

We’re celebrating 250 episodes of the Speaking Your Brand podcast! I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you lessons I’ve learned after hosting and creating 250 episodes, including what makes podcasting unique and different from video and writing and how it has impacted my business and thought leadership. This is the first episode in a new series we’re doing that I’m calling “The Medium is the Message.” This phrase is from media theorist Marshall McLuhan and books he wrote in the 1950s and 60s. McLuhan analyzed technologies (mediums) like the printing press, electric light, radio, and television and saw that it was the medium itself, not the particular content, that affected and changed society and human behavior. It was the medium that dictated how people interacted with it. I explain a bit more about this in the intro, but what I really want for us to get out of this is that as entrepreneurs, marketers, and content creators, it’s tempting for us to just copy/paste content from one platform to the next (guilty!). But, it doesn’t work that well because each platform, each channel, each medium is different, wants different things, and the audience interacts differently on it. I’m starting this series on The Medium is the Message talking about podcasting, since I’m at episode 250 and because it’s my primary content channel. Other episodes in this series will focus on the channels (mediums) of public speaking, video, TV, social media, email and other forms of writing (books and articles). Be sure to listen to the end to hear about our special giveaway and enter a chance to win a 60-minute coaching session! About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/250    Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.    Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Podcast Performance Coach Tim Wohlberg: https://podcastperformancecoach.com/    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

We’ve been doing a series on in-person speaking, as more conferences and events return to in-person. Today, I’m talking about the relationship between speaking and performance. This episode was prompted by one of our Thought Leader Academy calls from a few weeks ago. I asked each woman to tell us what she liked to do when she was young and most of them loved performing, whether in school plays, singing, or dancing. There’s definitely a connection between speaking and performance. However, once we start speaking for our business, we don’t see the connection between speaking and performing and we miss out on bringing performance elements into our presentations and speeches. You don’t need to sing and dance - unless you want to! - but there are things you can do to create a more immersive and memorable experience for your audience. At the end, I’ll share an embarrassing moment from a high school performance I was in. In this episode, I talk about: Different types of performances Why we love attending performances The importance of synchrony and collective effervescence as humans Specific things you can do as a speaker to incorporate performance elements - and the benefits of doing so   This episode is part of the series we’ve been doing on In-Person Speaking: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/podcast/in-person-speaking/.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/249  New York Times article by Adam Grant: “There’s a Specific Kind of Joy We’ve Been Missing” Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 197: What We Can Learn as Speakers from ‘Hamilton’ with Carol Cox [Storytelling Series] Episode 244: Behind the Scenes of My Recent Keynote with Carol Cox Episode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers with Sarah Soliman Episode 246: Audience Engagement Strategies for In-Person Speaking with Ramona J. Smith  

Whether you’re presenting at a conference or running a program or course, you want to make sure that your audiences and clients are learning and, more importantly, applying what they learn. My guest is Manja Horner, who has a deep background as a learning experience designer. She now helps entrepreneurs create effective and impactful programs and courses. Manja and I talk about: Mistakes we make when designing our programs and courses Making our courses bingeable in a weekend The importance of experiential learning Assessing our audiences and clients at the beginning and along the way Suggestions for audience activities for in-person and virtual presentations I share some of the things we do in our courses and Thought Leader Academy About My Guest: An ex-corporate learning experience designer, Manja Horner is a fun and friendly trusted advisor to entrepreneurs who are in growth mode with their offers. She gets results for her clients by teaching them to think like learning designers and always putting the learners’ needs front and center. Innately curious, Manja absorbs information at an alarming rate and has an uncanny ability to make that information learnable for others. Her Masterminds and Workshops elevate your ability to craft professional learning offers to a new level. Teaching is in her blood; a certified music and business teacher, Manja makes a career creating learning and teaching others how to build supportive learning environments.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/248 Manja’s website: https://www.boostld.com/  Manja’s course creator quiz: https://www.boostld.com/Course-creator-quiz    Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol Cox on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Manja Horner on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/manja-horner-73b53151 Manja Horner on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/boost_learningexperts Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 246: Audience Engagement Strategies for In-Person Speaking with Ramona J. Smith

When you think about your thought leadership, one of the questions to consider is: What is missing in your field/industry? For my guest Katrine Marçal, the question wasn’t only “what” is missing, but “who” is missing and what the consequences have been for all of us. Katrine is a bestselling author on women and innovation and her second book just came out called “Mother Of Invention: How Good Ideas Get Ignored In An Economy Built For Men.” Katrine and I talk about: Why women have been missing from economics The innovations we’re missing as a society because women have been ignored and don’t receive funding for their ideas and businesses How Katrine is "speaking her brand" with her writings and speaking engagements I share some Ideas for Katrine’s talks About My Guest: Katrine Marçal is a bestselling author on women and innovation. Her first book “Who Cooked Adam Smith's Dinner?” has been translated into more than 20 languages. Margaret Atwood called it "a smart, funny and readable book on women, economics and money". It was named one of The Guardian's books of the year in 2015. BBC also named Katrine one of its 100 Women in 2015. Katrine's second book “Mother Of Invention: How Good Ideas Get Ignored In An Economy Built For Men” became a bestseller in Sweden in 2020 and will be published in several languages during 2021 and 2022. Katrine works for the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter. She has given keynotes at institutions such as Oxford University Business and Economics Programme, London School of Economics and The Royal School of Technology in Stockholm. In her role as a financial journalist she has interviewed many of the world's leading economic thinkers. Some of her interviews have been viewed more than a million times on YouTube. She lives in the English countryside with her husband and three children.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/247 Get Katrine’s new book “Mother of Invention: How Good Ideas Get Ignored in an Economy Built for Men”: https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Invention-Ideas-Ignored-Economy-ebook/dp/B08WJV9JBS/  Subscribe to Katrine’s Substack newsletter: https://wealthofwomen.substack.com/    Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Katrine Marçal (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrine-marcal/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna Eskamani [Use Your Voice Series]

We’re continuing our series on in-person speaking with this episode to talk about audience engagement strategies you can use and how you can give your audience an experience. My guest is Ramona J. Smith, who holds the prestigious title of the 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking from Toastmasters, only the 2nd Black woman and 5th woman overall to win this award. Ramona and I talk about: How she created her award-winning speech The importance of using your body and the stage Handling nerves Fun strategies for audience engagement Setting your speaking fees   About My Guest: Ramona J. Smith is an international award-winning public speaker who holds the prestigious title of the 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking. She is a powerhouse, a gracious woman beyond measure, one who courageously surpassed over 30,000 people to receive such an illustrious honor. Her ubiquitous stage presence and poised intellectual delivery of various topics has made Ramona one of the most sought-after public speakers in the world. She has given keynote addresses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and India. Ramona has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing from the famed Baldwin Wallace University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA from Prairie View A&M University in Houston, Texas.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/246/  Watch Ramona’s winning speech at https://www.ramonajsmith.com/ Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Ramona J. Smith = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramona-j-smith-61390743/    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 244: Behind the Scenes of My Recent Keynote with Carol Cox Episode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers with Sarah Soliman

As the speaking season is ramping up (both virtual and in person) and conferences are planning for next year, how can you stand out and get selected as a speaker? Our guest is Sarah Soliman, who’s the founder of Soliman Productions, a full video content firm that produces videos and also manages and executes hybrid events and full virtual experiences from start to finish. Sarah is also active with MPI (Meeting Professionals International). Sarah and Diane take you behind the scenes to talk about: What meeting planners look for in speakers What kinds of video clips / sizzle reels to have Getting the best from videography when you're speaking at events The importance of being consistent in your brand and your thought leadership output How you as a speaker can make the conference organizer’s job easier Leading with personal story and emotion And more! You can watch the video replay of this conversation that originally happened on our LinkedIn Live show at https://www.linkedin.com/video/live/urn:li:ugcPost:6830560911284166656/.  About Our Guest: With over a decade of experience in Broadcast Journalism and Production, Sarah Soliman brings her producing and reporting experience into her own company, Soliman Productions, covering the meetings industry at large. She runs and operates a full video content firm that specializes in all aspects of visual storytelling and has worked with associations and corporations of all sizes to help them tell their story in a compelling way. In addition, Soliman Productions specializes in managing and executing hybrid events and full virtual experiences from start to finish. Sarah serves as the Immediate Past President of the MPI Greater Orlando Chapter and Vice Chair of Chapters for MPI's Global Board of Trustees. She has also served as Co-Chair for the MPI Women's Advisory Board.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/245/ Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Sarah Soliman (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahsolimandaudin/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 244: Behind the Scenes of My Recent Keynote with Carol Cox

I’m taking you behind the scenes to talk about the recent keynote I delivered, including how the event organizer found me, how I created and prepared for the speech, and how it went the day of.  It was my first in-person speaking engagement since before the pandemic and it felt so good to be back at an event! It was in Orlando, where I live, so I was able to invite my mom and sister along with Diane Diaz and some of our clients who also live here.   You can see event photos and a video clip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CUDEF8ZLdLb/    Video I posted on LinkedIn of how I used our Signature Talk Canvas® framework to create my speech: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6843913809497772032/  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/244 Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 119: Deconstructing a Keynote: Writing, Preparation, and Delivery Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer Episode 229: 3 Speaking Styles You Can Use Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership

What is it like to create your signature talk in a day? Can it really be done? What are the results?  This episode is the audio from a LinkedIn Live we did recently with two women, Erin Austin and Casey Gromer, who’ve worked with us in VIP Days to create their signature talk. We take you behind the scenes to talk about:   Why they wanted a signature talk What the VIP Day experience was like How they’ve been using their signature talk Why we like the VIP Day process to give our clients clarity and momentum Ideas for how you could offer a VIP Day for your own services   You can also watch the video replay of this LinkedIn Live at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6841484602545102849/.  About Our Guests:  Erin Austin is the founder of Think Beyond IP, which helps professional services firms build and protect their assets to create scalable, saleable businesses. She combines her decades of commercial transactions experience as a former COO and general counsel of IP-driven companies with her intellectual property law background. Casey Gromer is the founder and head Integrator of SHE-Suite Boutique – a business consultancy that works for female founders who are ready to stop away from being boss while still achieving growth and success as a business owner. She is also the host of the Female Founders Breaking Boundaries podcast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Apply to join our Thought Leader Academy (you have the option of adding a VIP Day): https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/. Book a VIP Day to create your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/VIPDay  Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Erin Austin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/  Casey Gromer (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseygromer/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 202: Measuring the Right Metrics to Get the Results You Want with Casey Gromer [Goals & Planning Series] Episode 221: Your I.P. Can Make Your Business Scalable and Saleable with Erin Austin Episode 242: TLA Grads: Evolving from Experts to Thought Leaders

How can you evolve from being an expert to a thought leader? What mindset shift needs to happen and what does thought leadership message and content look like? This episode is the audio from a LinkedIn Live we did recently with two of the women who've graduated from our Thought Leader Academy, Emily Rogers and Jackie Roby. We take you behind the scenes to talk about: What it means to them to be a thought leader The role that vulnerability plays in being a thought leader How they shifted their mindset to evolve from expert to thought leader The kind of content they create to position themselves as thought leaders Thought leadership content has a long shelf life and impacts people beyond your immediate network Why they decided to join our Thought Leader Academy and what they got out of it You can also watch the video replay of this LinkedIn Live at https://www.linkedin.com/video/live/urn:li:ugcPost:6835634155724820481/.  About Our Guests:  Emily Rogers is a business consultant, executive coach and retreat facilitator who strategically advises and supports businesses, teams and individuals in growing and realizing their full potential in purposeful and balanced ways. Jackie Roby is Chief Excellence Officer at Inspired Journey Consulting, a Boston-based business dedicated to wellness, healing, and transformational tourism. She is a sales strategist for wellness travel businesses & is a Diversity Equity Inclusion advocate. She’s the host of the Through Inspired Eyes podcast. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/242 Apply to join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/. Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Emily Rogers = https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhowellrogers/  Jackie Roby = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-roby/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 210: Finding Your Big Idea By Noticing What’s Missing with Jackie Roby [Big Idea Series] Episode 239: Leadership is about the Heart as much as the Head with Emily Rogers Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox  

You’re an expert in what you do: you have work experience, skills, knowledge, credentials, degrees. You’re well regarded as an expert in your field. You enjoy presenting and training in your area of expertise. Being an expert is great for attracting clients who need your specialized services and for doing workshops and conference breakout sessions. And it’s holding you back. It’s holding you back from thought leadership: making a bigger and bolder impact, integrating meaning and mission into your business, and delivering speeches that are transformational and game-changing.   It’s holding you back from developing your full potential.   I call this “The Expert Trap” and, as women, we face this trap because of the society in which we live and how we’ve adapted to make careers and livelihoods for ourselves. But, I believe we can do and be so much more - and we must if we want to make sure all of our rights are protected.   In this episode, I talk about: What it means to be a thought leader Why you would want to be a thought leader as the next stage of your evolution as an entrepreneur and speaker What “the expert trap” is Why women in particular get stuck in the expert trap What you can do to start shifting from expert to thought leader About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/241 Apply to join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/. Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 232: Are You an Influencer, an Expert, or a Thought Leader? with Carol Cox Episode 233: 3 Types of Thought Leadership Models with Carol Cox

Is there something holding you back from your thought leadership? If so, it just might be the way through. In the episode from 2 weeks ago with Betsy Jordyn, we talked about Betsy’s realization, which she shared in her Thought Leader Academy graduation speech, that “What I thought was *in my way* to my thought leadership was *the way* to my thought leadership.” The idea is that what holds us back, where we get stuck, what we’re putting off doing, what we’re afraid to talk about is precisely what we need to do. Our audiences will relate to our struggles and WE will grow by pushing past the doubts and fears. I’ve been reflecting about what holds me back - and it’s that I don’t like being in the spotlight. This seems counter-intuitive and ironic and ridiculous. After all, I’ve been speaking on stages of all sizes for years, have been on TV for the past 15 years, and have been doing this podcast for 4-½ years. And yet I’ve started to realize that my default behavior has become to say ‘no’ to opportunities and find someone else to put the spotlight on instead of myself. In this episode, I share how I came to this realization, the impact that a very hard professional experience had on me, and how I’m making progress. I also share with you questions I’ve been asking myself to get to the root of what may be holding you back that you can use too. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/240  My Summit Speech 2021: https://youtu.be/5H2FysOKvdw?t=1001  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/. Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader and How We’re Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox Episode 232: Are You an Influencer, an Expert, or a Thought Leader? with Carol Cox Episode 233: 3 Types of Thought Leadership Models with Carol Cox Episode 238: What's IN Your Way IS Your Way to Your Thought Leadership with Betsy Jordyn  

As a high-achieving woman and a left-brained/logical/analytical person, I've been perfectly comfortable living and working from my head. However, I’ve begun to realize over the past couple of years that leadership and coaching and, really, being human is about your heart. My guest is Emily Rogers, a high-achieving woman who has learned to tap into her somatic wisdom and helps her executive coaching clients with that as well. Emily had a very successful career as an executive in a high-profile role in a very male-dominated industry. And then one day her coach asked her, “What if you led with your heart?” Emily resisted that for a while, until she recognized what a benefit that would be for her team and for herself. Emily and I talk about: Her career and the burnout it caused Her passion for women in the workplace The importance of somatic wisdom How to get started listening to your body Finding spaciousness Why she decided to join our Thought Leader Academy and what she learned  About My Guest: Emily Rogers is passionate about purposeful living, being in wide open spaces in nature, and mindful leading. As a business consultant, executive coach and retreat facilitator, Emily strategically advises and supports businesses, teams and individuals in growing and realizing their full potential in purposeful and balanced ways. Described by The Ledger as bringing a “fresh face to leadership”, Emily authors a monthly column intended to inspire leadership excellence. Prior to starting her business in 2013, as President & Chief Growth officer of IEG (a WPP company), she advised Fortune 100 brands, professional sports teams, entertainment properties and global nonprofits on how to form mutually beneficial strategic alliances. Emily is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, International Coach Federation, Institute of Coaching, Lakeland Economic Development Council, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, and the Central Florida Development Council. She and her husband live on their family ranch in Lakeland, Florida where they raise beef cattle and grow citrus. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/239 Emily’s website: https://emilyrogers.com   Books mentioned: The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Your Body Is Your Brain by Amanda Blake Finding the Space to Lead by Janice Marturano Join our Thought Leader Academy at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.    Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.    Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Emily Rogers = https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhowellrogers/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 193: Five Kinds of Stories to Share in Your Thought Leadership Content Episode 214: Top Takeaways from Our Speaking Coaches  

This is an incredibly powerful conversation about owning and telling our story and what it looks like to develop into a thought leader. My guest is Besty Jordyn, who is truly a brand whisperer. She has a magical ability to understand who her clients are at a deep level and help them position their business and marketing. Betsy went through our Thought Leader Academy earlier this year and on our final graduation call, Betsy shared her journey through the program. This part of her speech stopped me in my tracks: “What I thought was *in my way* to my thought leadership was *the way* to my thought leadership. What I felt crippled me actually qualifies me for the message that I want to deliver to others,” Betsy said. Betsy and I have had many conversations since then about what it means to be a thought leader, so I asked Betsy to come on the podcast to talk more about her own experiences and the insightful model she’s developed.  As you listen to this episode, think for yourself if there’s something you have within yourself that could be the way to your thought leadership message, especially if it feels like right now it is what’s holding you back. Betsy and I talk about: What it means to find the right business for you What Betsy realized about her thought leadership message The surprising question Betsy asks her clients to discover what their natural passion is Normalizing our experiences and flaws and releasing shame around our story The feminist power of owning and telling our story The differences between the hero’s journey and the heroine’s journey Betsy’s 4 stages of adulthood maturity, including going through the dark night of the soul to let go of the false ego to reach stage 4 to be of authentic service to the world Examples of people who have reached stage 4, including Oprah, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Monica Lewinsky Thought leadership is about your lived experience, not just about what you know intellectually The role of loss, grief, and suffering in developing into an authentic thought leader (I share my own realization around this) Recognizing the narratives we tell ourselves and when they no longer serve us About My Guest: Betsy Jordyn is a business positioning strategist, keynote speaker, podcaster and prolific content creator. Her business development firm builds strong and powerful brands for remarkable consultants and coaches and their unique strengths. Simply put, her team designs credible online stores that position consultants and coaches as thought leaders and sought-after experts. She personally helps her clients find the words to describe the value of what they do and use them on their website and in their marketing. You can learn more about her mentoring and marketing agency services at https://www.betsyjordyn.com.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/238 Betsy’s website = https://www.betsyjordyn.com  Betsy’s podcast “Enough Already” = https://www.betsyjordyn.com/podcasts/enough-already  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.    Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.   Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Betsy on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 232: Are You an Influencer, an Expert, or a Thought Leader? with Carol Cox Episode 233: 3 Types of Thought Leadership Models with Carol Cox

I know from first-hand experience how hard and scary it can be to be vulnerable sharing a deeply personal story that reveals something that shows you’re not perfect. And I also know how incredibly powerful doing so can be. Not only for those who hear it, but for yourself. This is the journey that our guest Cyndi Shifrel has gone through during the past year, as COVID dramatically impacted her events businesses. As the CEO of two businesses (with nearly 40 employees) and a leader in her community, it wasn’t easy for Cyndi to decide to share what she went through, both from a business perspective and also her own personal struggles. And yet doing so has helped others and has shaped her thought leadership message. Cyndi is currently in our Thought Leader Academy and has been working one-on-one with our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz, so I asked Diane to interview Cyndi about her journey.   Diane and Cyndi talk about: How Cyndi’s thought leadership message emerged from the dramatic impact COVID had on her events businesses The fears of being vulnerable and sharing your personal story when you’re a CEO and leader in your community On the flip side, the benefits of being vulnerable and sharing your personal story The work Diane and Cyndi are doing on her keynote signature talk What Cyndi has most appreciated about being in our Thought Leader Academy Enrollment for our Thought Leader Academy is opening again in September! Get the details and join our interest list at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/. About Our Guest: With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Cyndi Shifrel is the President and CEO of Orlando Wedding & Party Rentals, a full service luxury event and party rental company that specializes in upscale, tailored event rentals. She is also the President and CEO of Central Florida Luxury Restroom Trailers, a company that provides luxury restroom trailers for events. Cyndi has helped to grow her award winning company to a staff of more than 40 employees and is considered to be a leader in the event rental industry. Her company was fortunate to make it on Orlando Business Journal's Fastest 50 growing companies in Central Florida for the past several years. Most recently she started her own brand, The Gingerpreneur, a podcast that provides insight, tactics and advice on the daily challenges and success stories from women making a difference in the hospitality industry.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/237  Cyndi’s websites: https://thegingerpreneur.com/ and https://orlandoweddingandpartyrentals.com/   Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Diane on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Cyndi on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndishifrel/ Cyndi on FB = https://www.facebook.com/thegingerpreneur/?ref=pages_you_manage Cyndi on Instagram = http://instagram.com/the_gingerpreneur Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader and How We’re Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 213: The V.O.I.C.E. of Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Big Ideas Series]

You know that including stories, especially personal stories, in your presentations is important to connect with and engage the audience. This is true whether you’re giving a keynote, a business presentation, or a training. Along with integrating various stories and examples throughout your presentations, you can also have one core story that illustrates your topic and why it’s important. This is what my guest Chanta Wilkinson and I have been working on during our coaching sessions as part of our Thought Leader Academy. Chanta provides trainings and workshops for organizations around diversity, equity, and inclusion, so we identified a story going back to when she was a young girl that perfectly illustrates why she has gravitated to this work and why DEI is so important. Even better, we’ve identified different angles she can use from this one core story, depending on who’s in the audience and what she wants to emphasize. You are going to love Chanta’s energy and passion for what she does! Enrollment for our Thought Leader Academy is opening again in September! Get the details and join our interest list at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.   About My Guest: Chanta Howard Wilkinson is the founder of Chanta Wilkinson Consulting, LLC, where she provides diversity, equity and inclusion consulting and assistance to organizations implementing diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and best practices. Chanta previously served as a Human Resources Consultant for small to mid-size businesses in Delaware and New York City. Prior to that, she served as the Associate Director of EEO/AA for Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. In addition, she also served as a Deputy Attorney General and an EEO/Affirmative Action Coordinator for the New Jersey Office of Attorney General and an Associate at a large New Jersey law firm. Chanta holds a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law, a BA from Rutgers College, and a Diversity & Inclusion for HR Certificate from Cornell University.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/236  Chanta’s website: https://www.chantawilkinsonconsultingllc.com/ Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w  Chanta on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanta-howard-wilkinson-547ab8a0/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories with Carol Cox Episode 193: Five Kinds of Stories to Share in Your Thought Leadership Content with Carol Cox Episode 232: Are You an Influencer, an Expert, or a Thought Leader? with Carol Cox Episode 233: 3 Types of Thought Leadership Models with Carol Cox

Have you been getting the feeling that you’re ready to go bigger with your ideas and message? That you want to have a bigger impact and reach more people? This is what today’s guest, therapist Marisol Erlacher, started feeling last year, as she took part in conversations with other BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) women who were recognizing the role that trauma has played in their leadership development and how it has shown up in their professional lives. Marisol is currently in our Thought Leader Academy and has been working one-on-one with our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz on her thought leadership platform and signature talk. I love what Marisol says towards the end of their conversation about her evolution as a thought leader: “It’s not about how other people see me. It’s about how I see myself.”   In this episode, Diane and Marisol talk about: The conversations Marisol was having that led her to realize “There’s something more here” How listening to cues can guide you in identifying your thought leadership message Marisol’s transition from therapist and business owner to speaker and thought leader The scary and exciting aspects of shifting your identity Seeing yourself as a thought leader and owning that identity   Enrollment for our Thought Leader Academy is opening again in September! Get the details and join our interest list at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.   About Our Guest: Marisol Solarte-Erlacher, M.A., LPC is a trauma expert, speaker and workshop facilitator specializing in post-traumatic growth and resilience. She is also the creator and host of the podcast Resilience and Resistance, which features Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color who have overcome trauma and built success. Her dedication to Latinx communities and women’s issues is evident in her research and public-speaking engagements as well as her leadership with nonprofits and public health departments. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/235 Marisol’s website = https://www.marisolerlacher.com/  Marisol’s podcast = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-and-resistance-podcast/id1521769475    Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.    Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/   Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Diane on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Marisol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-solarte-erlacher-a5566513 Marisol on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/resilience_and_resistance/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 210: Finding Your Big Idea By Noticing What's Missing with Jackie Roby Episode 215: Moving Past the Surface to Find Your Deeper Story and Message with Zaribel Clay

The best way to describe this episode is to share what my guest, copywriter Ashleigh Rennie, wrote when she scheduled our podcast interview: “When I was growing up in South Africa, the country was in the darkest days of the Apartheid. It was the 80s. Nelson Mandela had been in jail for twenty years. We were on the verge of a civil war. My parents were liberals who voted for democracy. And I was making speeches at school about social injustice, equality and marginalisation, and why Apartheid was wrong.   “Then I went to work for a non-profit, The Foundation for Tolerance Education, and I held workshops and made speeches about Apartheid, the Holocaust, and what it means to be a victim, a perpetrator, and a bystander.   “I'm passionate about being vocal about what you believe in. It's everything to me. It's a huge  part of my business and my work as a copywriter. For me it’s feminism, human rights, animal rights, black lives matter, issues of privilege. I want my clients to find their voice and be unapologetic about putting it out there. But I also want my own voice to resonate with people.” As soon as I read this, I couldn’t wait to interview Ashleigh!   Ashleigh and I talk about: Her background growing up in Apartheid South Africa How her early experiences influenced what she does now The importance of finding your authentic voice and weaving it into your business and your brand, in your copy and in your marketing Creating content that makes people fall in love with you because you're a little bit in love with yourself     About My Guest: Ashleigh Rennie runs The Story Team, her copywriting business. Her mission is to empower female entrepreneurs to embrace their authentic voice and weave it into their business, creating consistent branding and copy that converts. She works with female entrepreneurs from South Africa to New Zealand, from India to South Korea, from the UK to the USA, helping them with badass brand voice and copy tips. She is an unapologetic vegan who started her business from her car while working as a care worker. She swears too much, is far too loud, is working more and more on not caring too much about what other people think, and she wants to tell her story so that it may help other women to find their power.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at  https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/234  Ashleigh’s website: https://www.thestoryteam.org/  7 of the Greatest Public Speakers (really, no women?!?): https://bigthink.com/stephen-johnson/7-of-the-greatest-public-speakers-in-history  A more balanced list of great speeches: https://blog.wsb.com/powerful-lessons-for-speakers-from-15-great-orators    Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w  Ashleigh on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-rennie/ Ashleigh on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/thestoryteamldn/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader and How We’re Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox Episode 213: The V.O.I.C.E. of Thought Leaders with Carol Cox

In this episode, I share 3 types of thought leadership models: personality-driven, research-driven, and mission-driven.  A lot of times we see someone who we would categorize as a thought leader and think that we can’t do what they do - and you don’t have to be just like them.  You can see which of these 3 types most closely aligns with who you naturally are.  Just like your business model influences your customer segments, value proposition, key activities, and channels, your thought leadership model will do the same. Once you have an understanding of which type of thought leader you are, your goals, your message, your content, and your platforms will be much clearer and easier to implement. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/233. Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  SYB on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7AtXV0f_HL09mepAON65w  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 213: The V.O.I.C.E. of Thought Leaders with Carol Cox Episode 229: 3 Speaking Styles You Can Use Episode 232: Are You an Influencer, an Expert, or a Thought Leader? with Carol Cox

What’s the difference between an influencer and a thought leader? And what’s the difference between an expert and a thought leader? Which one you choose will determine the kind of content you create and where (what platforms) you should be spending your time and focus. Most likely, you’re currently in the expert category (which is great!) and perhaps you want to develop into a thought leader. There’s a lot of overlap between being an expert and a thought leader that you can leverage - AND there’s a critical difference between the two, which you’ll hear in this episode. In this episode, I talk about the differences between influencers, experts, and thought leaders, including examples, what they do, platforms, monetization streams, and what their content looks like. I also talk about WHY it can be hard to shift from expert to thought leader.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/232.  Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol on Instagram= https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox Episode 214: Top Takeaways from Our Speaking Coaches Episode 229: 3 Speaking Styles You Can Use

How can you get selected to speak at an event? What do event organizers look for in speakers? My guest is Kelly Youngs, the founder of global women’s network She Is Fierce!, which puts on in-person and virtual events. Kelly and I talk about the balance between inspirational speakers and expertise speakers, what kinds of speakers are inspiring to us, and how she curates the content and speakers for her events. I’ll be speaking (in person!) at Kelly’s She is Fierce! Summit this September 22-24, 2021, in St. Augustine, Florida. Join me there! Show notes, links, and related episodes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/231.

Have you ended up somewhere in life that you did not expect (or was not expected of you)? Do you have a life story that people have told you is inspirational? For my guest and client Tanea Smith, the answer to both of these questions is YES. In this episode, Tanea and I talk about how she’s using her life journey for her signature talk, including identifying her big idea, how we selected specific stories, and what happened to her recently that confirmed the message she wants to share.   Show notes, links, and related episodes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/230. 

Are you ready to challenge yourself with your presentation content and delivery to make a memorable experience for your audience? In this episode, I share with you 3 main speaking styles, the overall goals of each, what each of them looks like including examples. You can take parts of each to create a style that’s your own - one that you enjoy, stretches you, and is memorable for the audience. After doing many, many Zoom sessions and virtual presentations over the past 16 months, I know I can’t wait to be in front of an audience and to truly make an experience for them and for me. You can use this opportunity as we shift from virtual to in-person to try new things, maybe go out of your comfort zone a bit and play with a new speaking style. Show notes, links, and related episodes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/229. 

Have you attended presentations, whether in person or online, where you get frustrated or bored? Perhaps even the thought has crossed your mind to walk out of the session or to close the Zoom window? I know I’ve had those experiences as someone in the audience - and that’s definitely *not* something you want your audiences to experience when you’re the presenter. As speakers, we want to deliver a really great experience, get excellent feedback, and get leads and clients. Hear 5 mistakes I see speakers make that turn off their audiences AND what to do instead. This applies no matter the audience size and whether you’re presenting in person or online. Show notes, links, and related episodes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/228. 

Get behind the scenes on what we do at Speaking Your Brand to get, pitch for, and prep for speaking engagements. When I'm at a live event, whether it's a conference with speakers or a play with actors, I'm just as curious to know what goes on *back* stage as what's going on *on* stage. As such, we’ve started a NEW LinkedIn Live show called "Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand"! This podcast episode is the audio from the first LinkedIn Live show we did last week on how we and our clients pitch for and prepare for speaking engagements. We talk about: strategies for attracting inbound speaking requests, submitting speaking proposals, and preparing for the return of in-person speaking. You can watch the video replay on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/video/live/urn:li:ugcPost:6800864573894348800/.  Show notes and links at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/227

Sydney Cummings is a YouTube sensation with over 1.1 million subscribers, which she built organically over the past 3 years by uploading a new workout every day (talk about consistency!) Recently, Sydney gave a TEDx talk called “Resilience: How to Emerge from your Tragedies Stronger”, which was her first (!) experience with public speaking. Sydney was invited to give the TEDx talk because the organizers at UC Davis heard about her and her story. This is how consistency and authenticity can build your brand and lead to opportunities. Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz has been following Sydney for a while (doing her workouts!) and invited Sydney onto the podcast to talk about her TEDx experience and how she has built her brand. Diane and Sydney talk about: Why Sydney almost said ‘no’ to doing the TEDx talk How she got the opportunity to do a TEDx talk How she came up with the specific topic and thread The importance of a strong opening Making your story relatable to the audience by taking your personal story and universalizing it How she leveraged the visibility from her TEDx talk The role of consistency and authenticity in building an audience Positioning yourself as a person, not a company (advice from Nike)   About Our Guest: Sydney Cummings is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutrition Specialist based in Charlotte, NC. She is a Women's Health Magazine Action Hero and is the owner and founder of Royal Change, a fitness media company alongside her fiance, Dustin Houdyshell. Sydney was a West Virginia University alum and national qualifying Track & Field high jump athlete who still maintains several school and state records for high jump. Royal Change has grown into a fitness brand that has successfully provided over 115 million free workouts to people from all over the world via their YouTube channel, titled "Sydney Cummings" and has a membership community and a merchandise and apparel line that helps people all over the world represent everything Royal Change is about; Making the changes to make yourself feel like royalty!   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/226 Connect with Sydney: Her TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/HA-0rvrWu7c  Website: https://www.royalchange.fit/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneycummings_/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SydneyCummings Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneycummingsfitness

“The more you speak, the more you understand yourself and your audience.” I love this quote from my guest Dr. Zoe Shaw. Zoe is a psychotherapist, coach, podcaster, and speaker, whom I have known for the past few years as I’ve seen her speaking career grow. You’ll get a lot out of our conversation!    Zoe and I talk about: How her speaking career got started How she got her first paid speaking engagement How speaking led to Zoe getting her first book contract Why Zoe has decided to re-brand her podcast and narrow her focus and audience to be more specific around faith and feminism How her hot seat in our mastermind has helped her to walk into her re-brand with confidence Setting speaking fees and deciding how many free speaking engagements to do each year About My Guest: Dr. Zoe Shaw is a passionate practitioner in the field of clinical psychology. She is licensed as a psychotherapist and divides her time between her family life, clinical practice, virtual life and relationship coaching, speaking, writing and hosting her podcast (The Dr. Zoe Show).  Dr. Zoe holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA, where she also competed as a sprinter and hurdler. Dr. Zoe has been sought out as an expert and featured in Oprahmag.com, Prevention Magazine, Voyage LA Magazine and the Los Angeles APA magazine discussing issues relevant to women and psychology.  Dr. Zoe has presented at the National APA Convention regarding racial identity development and has been a keynote speaker for various engagements, including the NAACP and U.S. Navy.  She is author of A Year Of Self Care, published in 2021. She is currently writing her memoir.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/225 Zoe’s website: https://drzoeshaw.com/  Listen to Zoe’s podcast: https://drzoeshaw.com/podcast/    Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social media: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Zoe Shaw on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/dr-zoe-shaw-1409b5122  Carol Cox on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/drzoeshaw 

When you have a big goal or project you want to achieve, what do you do to keep yourself on track? For me, having external deadlines and public accountability is what gives me the motivation to complete the goal. This is what happened with our first Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit. I set the date of October 15, 2020, announced it to our email list and on social media, and then worked backwards from the date to make sure everything happened that needed to. I did the same thing when I launched this podcast in February 2017. I applied to speak at a podcasting conference and figured it would be helpful to have a podcast by the time of the conference, so the week leading up to it, I worked to make sure this podcast went live. My guest in today’s episode is Natalie Sisson, who has achieved a lot of big goals, both personally and professionally. Natalie has written 3 books, had 2 different podcasts, given a TEDx talk, biked across Africa, and much more. In this conversation, Natalie and I talk about: The identity shift Natalie went through when she changed her brand name and focus after being The Suitcase Entrepreneur How she prepared for her TEDx talk she gave in 2016 Why she decided to self-publish and crowdfund her latest book The success she’s had using public accountability to achieve her goals And more! About My Guest: Natalie Sisson is a New Zealand entrepreneur, author, speaker, host of the ‘Untapped’ podcast and triathlete. After ditching a successful corporate career and co-founding a technology company, Natalie decided to monetise her humble, 6-month old blog, The Suitcase Entrepreneur, into a multiple-six figure online education platform back in 2010. In her efforts to continuously innovate, Natalie, the OG of digital nomads, has since turned that content and knowledge into 8 different revenue streams including digital products, courses, workshops, international retreats, and coaching. These days, she’s passionate about helping others leverage their unique set of skills, knowledge, and experience to earn a living and make an impact from anywhere, simply by being them. She’s the author of three books, and proud Queen Bee to the Queens of the $10K Club, an international posse of women who support each other through trials and success, all while being coached and mentored by Natalie. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links:   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/224    I’ll be participating in Natalie’s Monetise You Summit happening May 25-27! I’m talking all about how to get paid speaking engagements. Register for free at https://speakingyourbrand--nataliesisson.thrivecart.com/all-access-pass/.   Natalie’s website = https://nataliesisson.com/    My episode 114 on Natalie’s podcast “Untapped”: https://nataliesisson.com/eps-114-how-to-find-your-thought-leadership-message-signature-talk-topic-with-carol-cox/    Get Natalie’s new book “Suck It Up, Princess”: https://nataliesisson.com/princess    Natalie’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/lNNCMu1OjRQ   Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on social media: Carol Cox LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Natalie Sisson LinkedIn = http://linkedin.com/in/nataliesisson/ Carol Cox Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox/ Natalie Sisson Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/nataliesisson Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 65: Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book with Julie Broad Episode 186: From Hashtag to Podcast to Book: Developing Your Thought Leadership Platform with Elayne Fluker [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 198: Find Your Hook for Your Book and Talk with Kelly Notaras [Storytelling Series]

Hosting your own event can be incredibly valuable for you and your business. It can position you as an expert and authority in the topic of your event; it can expand your visibility to new audiences; and it can build your email list and bring in revenue. There are different types of events you can host: live vs. pre-recorded; one day vs. multiple days; online or in person.  Here at Speaking Your Brand, we hosted our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit in April 2021 and in October 2020. We chose to do it live on one day: all of our speakers delivered their talks live on the day of the event. My colleague and business coach Lisa Princic took a different approach to the summit she hosted in February (called The Profitable Membership Summit): hers was pre-recorded presentations and interviews, with some live components, over a period of a few days. I invited Lisa on to the podcast to talk about: The specific goals she had for her summit Why she decided to structure hers the way she did How she chose her speakers and curated the content The price points she had and why she decided to charge more than others typically do The results she got Changes she’ll make for next time About My Guest: Lisa Princic helps impact-driven business owners dive deep into their unique value and business models to build sustainable & profitable brands. She helps them simplify their offers, increase their visibility with bolder messaging, strengthen and deepen their marketing systems and scale with membership programs. She is a trained business strategist and the host of the Scaling Deep Podcast. Lisa is a results-oriented, deep thinker who has a knack for “seeing” the value of each business and turning that into a pipeline of ideal clients. A staunch believer in business simplicity and intention, Lisa helps her clients accomplish their goals by focusing on what to do AND what to ignore.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/223 Lisa’s website: http://www.scalingdeep.com/ and https://scalingdeep.com/freebie/  Listen to Lisa’s podcast “Scaling Deep”: https://scalingdeep.com/podcast/  My episode 111 on Scaling Deep: https://scalingdeep.com/thought-leader-carol-cox/ Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Lisa Princic (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaprincic/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 12: Defining Your Value Proposition for Marketing with More Heart and Less Hustle with Lisa Princic Episode 142: Positioning Your Brand for Business Growth with Lisa Princic [Leadership Series] Episode 174: Hosting Your Own Virtual Summit with Dr. Holly Tucker Episode 189: Behind the Scenes of Planning Our Virtual Summit with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Use Your Voice Series] Episode 196: Why Our Summit Was the Best Virtual Event Experience People Have Had with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

I’ve always thought of “Speaking Your Brand” as not only how you communicate externally to audiences, whether it’s at conferences and events, on webinars, or on podcasts. It’s also how you communicate internally with your team members, your clients, and your vendors. How can you best share your vision and values with your team? I invited my friend Amber De La Garza onto the podcast to talk about how she has done this with her team members as her business has grown. Amber and I talk about: The team retreats we held for our respective teams What content we included in those retreats to help our team members better understand our businesses The 3 questions Amber asks her team as well as her clients as part of the feedback loop Speaking Your Brand’s QBR (Queen Bee Role) and how that informs what we do The importance of decision-making filters The nuances of word choice and specific examples regarding words we don’t use with our clients and why About My Guest: Amber De La Garza is a sought-after coach, trainer, speaker, writer, host of the Productivity Straight Talk podcast, and creator of the S.T.O.P. Leverage Formula. She helps small business owners improve their time management and elevate their productivity to maximize profits, reduce stress, and make time for what matters most! Amber passionately shares her message with entrepreneurs all over the world.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/222  Get Amber’s free training “Take Back Your Time”: https://www.amberdelagarza.com/takebackyourtime  Amber’s Leverage Lab: https://www.amberdelagarza.com/leveragelab  Listen to Amber’s podcast “Productivity Straight Talk.” Book mentioned: “Clockwork” by Mike Michalowicz Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Amber De La Garza (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberdelagarza/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 43: How Speaking Can Grow (or Derail) Your Business with Amber De La Garza

We talk quite a bit on this podcast about the value of creating frameworks. A framework is the repeatable process you use with your clients to help them achieve a particular outcome. We have our own Signature Talk Canvas® framework that we created and use when we work with our clients on their presentations. Your framework is your intellectual property (I.P.), which becomes an asset to your business.   My guest in this episode is Erin Austin, who is an intellectual property attorney and the founder of Think Beyond IP. She helps B2B professional services firms identify, protect, and leverage their valuable intellectual assets. Erin and I talk about: What it means for a business to be scalable and saleable Why you want to think in terms of what it would look like to sell your business even if you have no intention of doing so The different forms of intellectual property for service-based professional businesses and how to protect them (copyright, trademarks, etc.) Erin’s G.I.V.E. framework The importance of having a speaker contract The benefits Erin received from working with us in a VIP Day to create her signature talk   About My Guest: Erin Austin combines her decades of commercial transactions experience as a former COO and general counsel of IP-driven companies with her intellectual property law background to help professional services firms build and protect their assets to create scalable, saleable businesses. Her service has included roles as general counsel, head of business affairs and COO at large and small companies, including Warner Bros., Lionsgate (fka Artisan), MGM, Teaching Strategies and M3 USA Corp. Her experience as a lawyer and as an executive--at the intersection of business and the law--informs the elevated legal and strategic business advice she provides to her clients.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/221  Get Erin’s free checklist at https://www.thinkbeyondip.com/carol  Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Erin Austin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

In this episode, we’re sharing the opening remarks from our recent Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit. Listen in for not only the content but also the structure of our speeches. What elements do you notice? Our emcee Amber Hawley kicked off the event and then our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz opened with her speech on how as women we’ve studied our absence and how that has affected our confidence. I then picked up on this thread and talked about the importance of stories told by women, why as women we silence ourselves, and what we can do to change this. Our event was inspiring, motivating, and empowering for the hundreds of women who attended.   Here's what attendees said: "This is by far the best online event I have attended: intimate, engaging and special. The speakers were riveting, their stories compelling. Thank you to all the women who worked so hard to create this day of empathy and strength to make us all stronger. WOW!" "This is my first summit and so amazing. I feel super motivated and understood." "I love the diversity of age, background, speaking and life experience." "Kudos to all of you for putting together this ambitious program, and to your speakers for sharing their vulnerable stories. This is helping me get real with myself in new ways." A huge and heartfelt thank you to our team, speakers, panelists, summit speaking coaches, and volunteers who made this event happen! Enrollment is now open for our Thought Leader Academy! Get all the details and join us at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/220  Join our Thought Leader Academy at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 195: Our Opening and Closing Speeches from Our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Summit 2020 Episode 216: Why We're #ChoosingWomensVoices - and You Should Too

As we get closer to resuming in-person conferences and events later this year (yay!) plus with many groups still doing virtual events, this is a great time to research, identify, and reach out to organizers to get on their roster. What are ways you can do this? How do you know which types of speaking engagements are best for you? This episode is made specifically for you to address these questions and more! This is a mini-training based on the one we do for our clients in our Thought Leader Academy on creating your visibility plan and identifying and pitching places to speak (in TLA, we also go into creating your speaking fees and packages, writing your speaking proposals, and more). Our next Thought Leader Academy is enrolling now through April 19, 2021! Get all the details and sign up at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.    In this episode, Diane Diaz and I share: What we did early in our businesses to get visibility and speaking opportunities The 4 visibility opportunity areas Selecting the best channels for your visibility goals The surprising results we’ve experienced from tracking our visibility Identifying and researching places where you can speak 6 different types of speaking engagements you can do, including which are generally unpaid and which are paid Ways to connect with event organizers    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/219    Join our Thought Leader Academy at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 132: 7 Reasons Why You Aren’t Getting Paid to Speak Episode 150: Podcast Pitching and Guesting with Angie Trueblood [Goals & Planning Series] Episode 169: Leveraging Free Speaking Engagements Into Bigger Opportunities with Angela Hosking Episode 209: The Differences in Doing Interviews for Podcasts, TV, & Publications with Carol Cox and Marie Fiebach

My guest Natalie Legrand recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy and is one of our panelists at our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit. I invited Natalie on to talk about: Her thought leadership project What it looks like to implement DEI as a small business owner Why you want to be a force for change and not just a force for good Questions we can consider to be a force for change Recognizing obstacles others have that we don’t think about Natalie coaches me (really helpful!) Our Thought Leader Academy is starting again in April 2021. Get all the details and sign up at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.   About My Guest: Natalie Legrand is a leadership and social impact coach, a trusted advisor, and consultant. Her work addresses various societal issues and brings awareness of the unique cultures, politics, and economies that characterize different regions around the world. She collectively designs, develops, and implements global strategies and programs in which individuals and teams of employees from Fortune 100 organizations strategically engage in underserved communities. She advises companies on corporate responsibility, social issue leadership, employee engagement, and related areas with the goal of creating initiatives that strengthen business and impact society.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/218  Natalie’s website: https://www.natalielegrand.com/  Natalie’s Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/natalierlegrand/  Register for free for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Natalie Legrand (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-r-legrand-9443773/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

What steps can you take to start building your thought leadership platform? What are strategies you can use to build an audience and grow your business, speaking, and visibility? This episode is a panel discussion from our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit that we held last October 2020. (Our next event is coming up very soon on April 1, 2021! Register for free at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit.)  Our panelists (LuAnn Nigara, Tammy Lally, and Dr. Karen Wilson) are all accomplished speakers, from having a podcast with over 3 million downloads to having a TEDx talk go viral with over 2 million views to being a sought-after presenter at top industry conferences.   You’ll hear us talk about: What does being a thought leader mean to you? If you had to pick one thing that was key to getting you from where you were 4 or 5 years ago to where you are today (in terms of your platform/success), what would it be? What’s something you wished you had done early on when building your thought leadership platform? What role has speaking played in developing your platform? Do you ever get vulnerability hangovers? If so, what strategies do you use to work through them? About Our Guests/Panelists:  LuAnn Nigara is the host of the top-rated interior design podcast, A Well-Designed Business®, which recently surpassed 600 episodes and 3 million downloads. Her podcast was named in Architectural Digest as one of the top ten podcasts listened to by interior designers. LuAnn also hosts an annual event called LuAnn Live and has published several books. LuAnn began her career more than thirty years ago as a co-owner of Window Works, an award-winning window treatment and awning retailer in Livingston, NJ.    Tammy Lally is a published author, TEDx speaker, and Certified Money Coach. Her TEDx talk on money shame has been viewed over 2 million times. She helps others master their finances by first conquering their emotions around money, then by creating a comprehensive financial plan.   Dr. Karen Wilson is the founder of ChildNEXUS.com, which aims to dispel myths about issues related to pediatric mental health, disseminate information, and help parents make informed decisions when choosing providers for their children. She’s also a clinical neuropsychologist, with a private practice in Los Angeles, California, where she specializes in the neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents. Karen is the host of the ChildNEXUS podcast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/217  Register for free for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.    Websites: LuAnn Nigara = https://luannnigara.com/  Tammy Lally =  https://tammylally.com/ Dr. Karen Wilson = https://www.childnexus.com/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox LuAnn Nigara = https://www.linkedin.com/in/luannnigara/  Tammy Lally = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammylally/  Dr. Karen Wilson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkareniwilson/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 11: Creating and Preparing for a Keynote Presentation with LuAnn Nigara [Coaching] Episode 24: What It Takes to Do a TEDx Talk with Tammy Lally Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally Episode 213: The V.O.I.C.E. of Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Big Ideas Series]  

Last March 2020, as part of Women’s History Month, I released this episode and our challenge called #ChoosingWomensVoices. This content and challenge is just as relevant today, so this is an excellent opportunity to listen again or to listen for the first time. I’m taking this opportunity myself to audit the podcasts I listen to, the books I read, and the people I follow to make sure there are a preponderance of women’s voices and of diverse women’s voices. This all started towards the end of 2019 when I was listening to a well-known, very popular male podcaster and he put me over the edge when he said something like this (I'm paraphrasing): "Some people tell me I should have more diverse guests - women and people of color - but I don't think that should be a criteria for who I invite. I want the best person on a given topic no matter their gender or race." And at that moment, I hit stop, unsubscribed, and deleted his show from my podcast app.🤯​  (You'll hear who it was and more in this episode.) I do have to thank him for partly inspiring the #ChoosingWomensVoices challenge we're running this month to raise our awareness of the voices we listen to (and read), from podcasts and books to movies, tv, and news to our specific industry. How many are women? Is there diversity within those women's voices? Are there women podcasters/authors/experts you can find to augment (or replace) the male voices? You may be wondering: why does it matter if the content I listen to or read is from a woman or a man? That’s what we’re talking about on the podcast as well as during the challenge. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: What’s just as important as visibility is our actual voices as women and what we’re saying: “If you can see it *and* hear it, you can be it.” Although there are more women in higher-profile positions than ever, we're still hitting that glass ceiling. Why is that? There are many factors, but one is literally the voices we hear. The history of women being shamed, ridiculed, threatened, even harmed and killed for speaking up. This continues even today: GamerGate, harassment on social media, women in politics. Women’s actual voices are criticized as being shrill, nagging, whining, too angry, too emotional or not emotional enough. The positive impact that collective women’s voices can have, as we've seen in movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and #TimesUp.  What we can do about it by being more intentional with the voices we choose. Unsilencing ourselves and developing the confidence to do so. Join the Challenge! To sign up for our free #ChoosingWomensVoices challenge, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge. During the challenge, you'll receive an email prompt each day for 5 days with a short activity, along with recommendations. (You can start the challenge any time.)   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/216  Sign up for our free 5-day challenge #ChoosingWomensVoices at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge. Register for free for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Connect on social media: Carol Cox LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Carol Cox Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Diane Diaz LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna Eskamani [Use Your Voice Series] Episode 213: The V.O.I.C.E. of Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Big Ideas Series]

Have you ever felt like you have a deeper story and message to share with your audience? Perhaps you’re uncertain what it is because it’s hidden under surface content. Or perhaps you know what the deeper story is but you have some fears and doubts about being vulnerable and sharing it. We all have a deeper story and message - and our audiences can benefit when we’re willing to open up. This is exactly what we’ve seen Zaribel Clay do in our Thought Leader Academy during the past few months. Zaribel has been working closely with our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz on her thought leadership message and her signature talk, so I asked Diane to interview Zaribel to talk about the journey Zaribel has been on. Zaribel is also one of our speakers for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit that takes place on April 1st. It’s free to attend, so register today: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Zaribel has been an inspiration to the other women and to me. I'm delighted to have her on the podcast! About Our Guest: Zaribel Clay is a business owner, writer and speaker. She runs her Kinderdance business out of Elizabeth City, NC. She is passionate about helping women find their voice, find emotional healing, and live their truth. She is also a proud wife and mom. Her faith is her most important value. Zaribel's highest goal in life is ''to be the reason someone knew healing is possible.''   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/215  Zaribel’s website: https://zaribelclay.com/  Register for free for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 192: The Cure for Vulnerability Hangovers with Carol Cox Episode 213: The V.O.I.C.E. of Thought Leaders with Carol Cox

Get ready for a value-packed and heartfelt episode with key takeaways you can use as you think about your thought leadership message and signature talk and putting yourself out there. This is a round table discussion with our speaking coaches who work with our clients in our Thought Leader Academy and with the speakers for our upcoming Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit. Joining me in this episode are Diane Diaz, Marie Fiebach, and Joy Spencer. We talk about: The shifts we’ve seen our clients go through over the past few months Common challenges and obstacles we see clients face The impact of being in community with other women working towards similar goals Vulnerability and self-compassion when digging deeper into your story and message The connection between the head, heart, and gut in thought leadership Unlearning academic or marketing jargon when creating speeches And more! About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/214  Register for free for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Marie Fiebach = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariefiebach/  Joy Spencer = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 169: Leveraging Free Speaking Engagements Into Bigger Opportunities with Angela Hosking Episode 192: The Cure for Vulnerability Hangovers with Carol Cox Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer Episode 205: The 4 Types of Talks You Need as a Speaker and Thought Leader with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 209: The Differences in Doing Interviews for Podcasts, TV, & Publications with Carol Cox and Marie Fiebach

How can you start developing your thought leadership message? In this episode, I walk you through: my V.O.I.C.E. model for thought leadership common fears that keep us as women from speaking up the rewards you get from speaking up 6 steps to position yourself as a thought leader   Download our free Thought Leadership workbook that has the V.O.I.C.E. framework, question prompts, and more: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.    I define a thought leader as someone who has an interesting idea, especially one that hasn’t been talked about a lot in their circle of influence, that challenges the status quo and challenges our assumptions; who communicates it with conviction and boldness; who inspires people to take action; AND who causes people to be self-reflective, to learn more about themselves and how they relate to the world. Thought leaders who gain momentum also have what I call a container or project for their thought leadership message, which you’ll hear more about in this episode. One of my thought leadership containers is this podcast; the other is the Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit we did last year and that we’re doing again on April 1st. Register for free at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.    This week is also the 4-year anniversary of this podcast! Podcasting each week has been the most important factor in the growth of Speaking Your Brand as a company and in helping me refine my voice. THANK YOU for being a listener, whether you've recently found the podcast or have been listening for a while. A SPECIAL THANK YOU if you’ve been a listener since year 1! You helped me continue to hit publish every Tuesday. This episode is part of our Big Ideas series.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/213 Download our free Thought Leadership workbook that has the V.O.I.C.E. framework, question prompts, and more: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.  Register for free for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 183: Amplify Your Voice by Having a Sponsor with Jhaymee Tynan Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader & How We're Evolving at Speaking Your Brand Episode 192: The Cure for Vulnerability Hangovers Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer  

Have you been asked to be an emcee for an event or thought about being one? An emcee (or MC, Master of Ceremonies) is the person who is the bridge and what I call the cohesive glue of the event. Being an emcee is harder than it looks! You’re a host, an entertainer, and a representative of the event’s brand. As the emcee, your goal is to make the participants, the event organizer, their brand, and their business look good. I recently was the emcee for a virtual event and wanted to share my experiences and lessons with you.  I’m joined in this episode by Amber Hawley, who is the emcee for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit coming up on April 1st and was the emcee for the event we did last year. Amber and I talk about 5 rules we came up with for being an excellent, effective, and engaging emcee.  These rules apply whether you’re doing virtual or in-person events. And these rules are helpful for you as a speaker! Be sure to register for our next Brave. Bold. Beyond. LIVE virtual summit to see Amber in action! https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/   About My Guest: Amber Hawley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of a group private practice. Amber is also co-host of the My Biz Bestie Podcast, Founder of CouplesFix, which provides relationship support to high achieving couples, and is a speaker and emcee.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/212/ Amber’s website: https://www.mybizbestie.com/  Listen to Amber’s podcast “My Biz Bestie.” Register for free for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Amber Hawley (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhawley/    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 153: Threading a Story Throughout Your Signature Talk with Amber Hawley

We all love TED talks, right? The best ones tell us something we haven’t thought of before and inspire us to take action. TED talks became so popular because they showcased Big Ideas that oftentimes came from or were influenced by the speaker’s own personal story or experience (plus they’re under 20 minutes!). In this episode, I’m joined by Tanya Golash-Boza, who recently delivered her TEDx talk called “How to Kill a Neighborhood and Make a Profit” about how disinvestment in Black communities during the 20th century has led to gentrification in the 21st.  Tanya is currently in our Thought Leader Academy and worked with us to create her TEDx talk. As a professor of sociology at the University of California, Merced, and founder of the Racism, Capitalism, and the Law Lab, Tanya knows a lot about her topic (she’s writing an entire book on it!): years, statistics, and the specifics of policies like redlining and racial restrictive covenants that led to segregated neighborhoods. Her challenge was to take an academic topic for a niche audience and turn it into a powerful TEDx talk for a general audience - and she did! In this episode, Tanya and I talk about: Narrowing down her content and finding the throughline for her talk Integrating her personal story and experiences growing up in D.C. How she iterated her scripts and added more storytelling with help from one of our speaking coaches Joy Spencer Getting feedback from various people in different disciplines How she memorized her script and prepared for the filming What she’s doing next: taking her TEDx talk and expanding it into a signature talk and keynote, using our framework What has been the most beneficial aspects of being in our Thought Leader Academy   This episode is the second in our Big Ideas series. About My Guest: Tanya Golash-Boza is a scholar who focuses on gaining a deep understanding of systems of oppression and exploitation. As a writer, speaker, and teacher, she tells stories of people and of systems to help colleagues, students, readers, and listeners understand how racism and capitalism structure our lives and what we need to do to change this country and the world.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/211 Tanya’s website: http://www.racismcapitalismlaw.com  Tanya’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/eakUZX-pRCQ Tanya’s blog post: http://getalifephd.blogspot.com/2021/01/how-to-write-compelling-tedx-script.html  Register for free for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Connect on Twitter: Carol Cox = https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox  Tanya Golash-Boza (guest) = https://twitter.com/tanyaboza    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Tanya Golash-Boza (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyagolashboza/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story

What does it mean to have a Big Idea? Your Big Idea doesn’t need to be something that’s never been talked about before or something that new research you’ve done has uncovered for the first time (if yours does, that’s great!). I like to think of Big Ideas as ones that aren’t getting talked about in *your* circles, in your community or in your industry. Big Ideas can often be found at the intersection of your industry and a trend (not a fad - I talk about the differences between trends and fads in episode 206). For example, in episode 163 last year, I talked about a feminist approach to public speaking. Speaking is not a new topic and feminism is not a new topic, but combining them is something new. Big Ideas inform your thought leadership. In this episode, I talk with Jackie Roby, the founder of Inspired Journey Consulting, a Boston-based business dedicated to wellness, healing, and transformational tourism. Jackie was one of our incredible speakers at our last Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit and is currently in our Thought Leader Academy. This episode is the first in our new series on Big Ideas. Jackie and I talk about: Her Big Idea of how travel can be healing (which came from her own personal situation) What wellness travel and healing travel mean The thought leadership project Jackie is creating with her new podcast and her #TravelCanHeal hashtag and challenge How Jackie came up with another Big Idea around helping travel companies with DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Questions you can ask yourself to identify your Big Idea Jackie shares her experience of speaking at our event and the impact it had on her About My Guest: Jackie Roby is Chief Excellence Officer at Inspired Journey Consulting, a Boston-based business dedicated to wellness, healing, and transformational tourism. She is a sales strategist for wellness travel businesses & is a Diversity Equity Inclusion advocate. Jackie brings over 19 years of experience in travel and hospitality sales. IJC's vision is to create a world where marginalized people feel empowered to be their authentic selves, where traveling is a tool for inclusion, to enhance the cultural wellness in the travel industry, and grow emotional intelligence, healing, & self-care for a kinder humanity.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/210 Jackie’s website: https://www.inspiredjourneyconsulting.com/  Register for Jackie’s webinar: https://inspiredjourneyconsulting.com/events/ Jackie’s Podcast “Through Inspired Eyes: Travel Can Heal”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/through-inspired-eyes-travel-can-heal/id1544605633  Jackie’s speech from our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit ‘20: https://youtu.be/bVsFpfbax0w Sign up to get updates for our next Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Jackie Roby (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-roby/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 162: Why We're #ChoosingWomensVoices - and You Should Too Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders

Many of us guest on podcasts and it’s an excellent way to increase your visibility and expand to new audiences. Have you considered pitching yourself for traditional media, like TV, radio, and publications? You should! Joining me in this episode is Marie Fiebach, who is one of our speaking coaches for our Thought Leader Academy and for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit. Marie is the host of the Feed Your Family Tonight podcast and a regular contributor on her local ABC TV affiliate in Wichita, Kansas. Marie and I have been working on a training she’s doing in our academy on media pitching and prep, so it got me thinking that it would be helpful for us to talk about the differences in doing interviews for podcasts, for media (TV and radio), and for publications. In this episode, Marie and I discuss: Why you should do interviews (what you get out of it) Who gets media coverage (hint: you can!) The differences between podcasts, TV, and publications in the content you share, your call to action, and the depth of your answers How to interact with the host on a podcast vs. when doing a TV segment Examples from both my and Marie’s experiences in doing TV, podcast guesting, and being interviewed for publications About My Guest: Marie Fiebach has been working with non-profits for more than 20 years. Through her work in strategic planning and fundraising leadership, she has helped many organizations break through the status quo and achieve goals once thought to be impossible. Marie has helped organizations plan and execute fundraisers with revenues in excess of $100,000, developed a food program for at-risk teens, designed and executed a process for recruiting and hiring a new executive director, and so much more. She currently sits on two local non-profit boards and is a weekly guest on KAKE TV’s Good Morning Kansas. She lives, works, and volunteers in Wichita, Kansas. When she is not helping others dream bigger you may find her pursuing her passion for helping busy families at FeedYourFamilyTonight.com.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links:   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/209 Marie’s website: https://feedyourfamilytonight.com/  Marie’s podcast “Feed Your Family Tonight”: https://feedyourfamilytonight.com/category/podcast/  Work with us to prep for your media interviews: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/media-training/ Sign up to get updates for our next Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Marie Fiebach (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariefiebach/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 115: How Your Speaking, Media, and PR Can Work Together with Wendy Glaister Episode 139: Selecting the Best Stories to Include in Your Signature Talk with Marie Fiebach

If you’re an introvert, the thought of visibility, and maybe even the thought of public speaking, is one that you may be a little bit more hesitant to pursue. However, did you know that there are so many speakers from professional speakers all the way down to entrepreneurs, who do public speaking and consider themselves introverts? You do not need to be an extrovert to be a really great public speaker. As an introvert, there are many things that you can do to put yourself out there, to find your voice, and to use your voice effectively. My guest today is Katherine N. Johnson, who is a Certified Professional Coach, mentor, writer, podcaster, and speaker. In this episode, Katherine opens up about her experiences as an introvert and details her journey in finding and using her voice.  Plus, we also share specific strategies we’ve both used as speakers that you can apply to your public speaking and thought leadership journey. About My Guest: Katherine N Johnson is a Certified Professional Coach, mentor, writer and speaker. After 20+ years in the Information Technology (IT) field, Katherine now leverages her extensive experience to mentor women in STEM fields helping them level up so that they can EXCEL in their careers. Katherine is passionate about helping professional women and young girls to gain clarity, courage and confidence to pursue their bigger purpose and vision. In her newest venture, the Beautiful Reflections podcast, Katherine gets vulnerable sharing details of her personal story, while interviewing other inspiring women along the way.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/208/  Katherine’s website: https://katherinenjohnson.com/  Katherine’s podcast “Beautiful Reflections: Coaching for Career Women”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beautiful-reflections-coaching-for-career-women/id1546169726  Sign up to get updates for our next Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ or text SPEAKING to 33-777.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Katherine N. Johnson (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinenjohnson/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 127: Developing Confidence in Public Speaking [Confidence Series] Episode 129: From Fear of Speaking to Keynote Speaker in 2 Years [Confidence Series] Episode 192: The Cure for Vulnerability Hangovers [Use Your Voice Series]  

It’s no question that 2020 definitely threw us for a loop. With many of our speaking engagements and events forced to convert to online presentations and webinars, I know that a lot of us are excited to get back to in-person speaking (hopefully sometime in the later half of 2021). My guest today is Mary Beth Simon, who is the founder of Niche Partnership Consulting and also a current client in our Thought Leader Academy. In this episode, Mary Beth & I talk about what she’s doing for visibility and various strategies she can implement to leverage her visibility opportunities including: In-person speaking engagements Virtual presentations Podcast guesting A TEDx talk Listen in through the end as she shares the opening of her TEDx talk that she’s working on—I promise, you’re going to be blown away!    About My Guest: After 30+ years in corporate financial services, Mary Beth now uses her strategic talents to coach entrepreneurs and individuals on creating their contingency plans empowering their second-in-command to keep business and life flowing smoothly in an emergency. Mary Beth founded Niche Partnership Consulting because her clients’ transformations inspire her. She believes that the combination of continuous learning, growth, and change is the fountain of youth and recently became a certified Les Mills BodyFlow instructor.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/207  Mary Beth’s website: https://nichepartnershipconsulting.net/  Apply to speak at our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/apply.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Mary Beth Simon (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-simon-npc/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 102: Getting Local Media and Publicity to Expand Your Visibility with Amanda Berlin Episode 156: Visibility Strategies That Get You Noticed with Janice Gassam, Ph.D. Episode 206: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2021 with Carol Cox

Happy New Year! This is the 3rd year in a row I’ve done a trends episode for the start of the year. You’d think after what happened in 2020, I’d shy away from projecting trends, but the trends I talked about a year ago surprisingly held up pretty well. (I recap them in this episode.) What I mean by trends are not fads or cliches or gimmicks.  Trends are like currents or waves of energy that move through our society and affect everything from business and the economy to popular culture and media as well as our politics. How do these trends impact our public speaking and thought leadership? Because as speakers and leaders, our talks and messages have more of an impact if our audiences can see the bigger picture of what’s affecting them and the world around them. In this episode, you’ll learn 3 trends (and action steps for each) related to format, audience, and content that you can apply to your speaking and visibility, as well as to your business and marketing strategy in general.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/206   Be sure you’re on our email list so you don’t miss announcements for our next Brave. Bold. Beyond. Live Virtual Summit on April 1st, including our call for speakers in January: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join.    Interested in working together to create your signature talk and thought leadership platform? Schedule a consult call: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 101: Public Speaking Trends for 2019 Episode 154: Public Speaking Trends for 2020 Episode 166: Reimagining Our Businesses, Industries, and Public Speaking with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader and How We’re Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series]

I talk quite a bit on this podcast about signature talks - why you should have one and what goes into one. Your signature talk is your foundation for your brand message and story. It showcases who you are, what you do, who you do it for, and why it matters. We’ve worked with our clients for the past 5 years to help them create their signature talk, which they’ve used for presentations (in-person and virtually) for brand awareness, lead generation, keynotes, and TEDx talks.   In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: 4 types of talks you should have as an entrepreneur, speaker, and thought leader When you should use each type Examples of each My favorite type of talk What the women in our Thought Leader Academy are currently working on This episode is part of our series on Goals & Planning.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/205 Get instant access to our Webinar Idea to Launch on-demand training: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar-course  Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Get on the interest list for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/.  Maureen Taylor’s webinar results on Nikki Rausch’s Sales Maven podcast: https://yoursalesmaven.com/how-to-make-your-free-webinar-profitable-a-client-success-story/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk Episode 145: You Need to Create a Framework [Frameworks Series] Episode 165: How to Repurpose Your In-Person Presentation into an Engaging Webinar with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

How can we create a decision-making filter to determine which opportunities to say ‘yes’ to and which to say ‘no’ to? If you are newer in your business and/or with speaking, it can be very beneficial to say ‘yes’ to a lot of opportunities because it provides you with experience and with data for future decision making. Then, as we get further along in our businesses and in our speaking careers, we inevitably get more and more invitations and opportunities. My guest today is Danielle Hayden, who is the founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. where she and her team help business owners with bookkeeping, financial analysis, and education.   Danielle and I talk about: Decision-making filters to help you decide what opportunities to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to Identifying the goal you have for a speaking engagement Determining if that particular audience is the best one for you Tracking metrics beyond dollars (so important) When an entrepreneur should hire a bookkeeper and CPA The framework Danielle uses with her clients This episode is part of our Goals & Planning series.   About My Guest: Danielle Hayden is a reformed corporate CFO (chief financial officer) who is on a mission to help rule-breaking female entrepreneurs understand their numbers so they can gain the confidence needed to create sustainable profits. After spending 10+ years in the boardroom as a corporate finance officer, Danielle is now in her sweet spot as the co-owner of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. where she helps business owners with bookkeeping, financial analysis, and education and as the author of the Profit Planner book series. When Danielle isn’t crunching numbers on her clients’ behalf or crafting the next iteration of the Profit Planner, you can find her hanging with her two kids as she inspires them to lead their fullest lives or doing any and almost every fitness-related activity ranging from Spartan races to pilates.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/204 Connect with Danielle at www.profitplannerbooks.com and www.kickstartaccountinginc.com. Download Danielle’s free financial goal setting worksheet: profitplannerbookkeeping.com/speaking  Danielle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellehayden__oh    Be sure to get on our email list so you don’t miss the details of our next Brave. Bold. Beyond. live online event that will be on April 1st. Call for speakers is coming in early January. Go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Danielle Hayden (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-hayden-kickstartaccounting/  

This episode is 2 conversations in one.  I invited my guest and client Lesley Batson, founder of Rebel Rock Wealth, on to the podcast to help us with our financial review and planning as we end one year and start the next. Lesley shares with us the areas we need to review as individuals and as business owners. This ends up being the 2nd half of our conversation.  The 1st half of the conversation is about an incident that happened to Lesley when she was co-hosting an online event in November. You won’t want to miss either parts of this episode.   About My Guest: Lesley Batson launched Rebel Rock Wealth, a strategic financial consulting firm that teaches independent thinking professionals and small business owners, the WHOLE truth about money and helps them implement strategies to control and build the wealth style they desire. Lesley is licensed in several states and meets with clients from Florida to California virtually. She loves Hamilton the Musical, playing golf, and taking up space on a sandy beach.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/203 Lesley’s website: https://www.rebelrockwealth.com/  Free checklist: https://www.rebelrockwealth.com/syb Lesley’s video about what happened at the event she was facilitating: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lbatson_tedxcentennialparksalon-antiracism-diversityandinclusion-activity-6733081975789293568-pw2x  Lesley’s group No More Ignorance: https://no-more-ignorance.mn.co/  Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Lesley Batson (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbatson/ 

Although 2020 didn’t end up going quite as planned (understatement of the year), there are lessons I’ve taken from it that have made me and Speaking Your Brand as a business stronger and more resilient. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: The impact COVID had on the business and our plans for the year The value of constraints What worked and what didn’t work this year 5 big lessons from 2020 (these are not the obvious ones) My commitments and strategic priorities What’s coming in 2021   This episode is the first in our new Goals & Planning series.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/201 Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz    Want to improve your podcast or need an editor? I highly recommend our editor, Tim Wohlberg. Check him out at https://podcastperformancecoach.com/.    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 166: Reimagining Our Businesses, Industries, and Public Speaking with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

200th episode celebration!  After creating 200 podcast episodes over nearly 4 years, I’ve learned a lot.  In this episode, I share: The impact podcasting has had on my business How my guest selection process has evolved Things I wished I had done earlier The most popular episodes and why I think they are My favorite episodes The surprising lessons I’ve learned about finding and using my voice What’s coming next for the podcast Takeaways you can use if you have a podcast or are thinking of starting one   Thank you so much for being a listener! I wouldn’t be 200 episodes in if it wasn’t for you. Want to help me celebrate? There are 3 things you can do: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Share about the podcast on your social media Tell a friend or colleague about one of your favorite episodes (text them the link!)   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/200  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 100: Best of the Podcast: 100 Episodes Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader and How We’re Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 197: What We Can Learn as Speakers from ‘Hamilton’ with Carol Cox [Storytelling Series]

We’ve heard so much about the importance of storytelling over the past few years that using data, statistics, and research in our presentations seems to have been sidelined. However, data can play a very important role in helping people understand what’s going on and what’s possible. Data can be used to tell stories and to affect change. This is a fantastic conversation with my guest Monique Ositelu, PhD, who runs a data-consulting firm that helps educational institutions, non-profits, and companies leverage their data into useful strategic insights to curate actionable solutions.  In this episode, Monique and I talk about: The stories she heard growing up and how they impacted her Why and how to use data in your presentations How to tell stories using data How Monique humanizes the data she analyzes Specific strategies you can use when presenting data, charts, and graphics The research Monique did for her dissertation on collegiate athletics, education and race, using data How Monique is sharing her thought leadership message Register for Monique’s professional development webinar “Telling Compelling Stories with Your Data”: https://hopin.to/events/telling-compelling-stories-with-your-data   About My Guest: Dr. Monique Ositelu is the Founder & CEO of Data Driven Consulting & Solutions, a data-consulting firm that helps educational institutions, non-profits, and corporate companies leverage their data into useful strategic insights to curate actionable solutions. As someone who enjoys using data to tell stories and making systematic change in both practice and policy, Dr. Ositelu launched her business to pursue her passion and currently serves as the Chief Data Consultant. Dr. Ositelu also serves as a Senior Policy Analyst for Higher Education with the Education Policy Program at New America. New America is a bipartisan public policy research institute located in Washington, D.C. In her role, Dr. Ositelu conducts policy research and data analysis to promote college access and degree completion for historically underserved students. Dr. Ositelu earned her PhD in higher education, with a specialization in public policy, from Florida State University. Prior to that, she earned her master’s degree in public administration, with a concentration in public policy, from the University of Texas at El Paso and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Furman University. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/199  Monique’s website: http://www.ddcands.com/  Register for Monique’s professional development webinar “Telling Compelling Stories with Your Data”: https://hopin.to/events/telling-compelling-stories-with-your-data Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Monique Ositelu (guest) = http://linkedin.com/in/moniqueositelu-phd    This episode is part of our podcast series on Storytelling.   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 138: Scientists Need to Tell Stories Too with Karen Corbin, PhD, RD [Storytelling Series]

Writing a nonfiction book and having a signature talk go hand in hand: both are a reflection of who you are, what you do, and why you do it. Both your book and your signature talk should have a “hook,” which is your particular angle that answers “why me” and “why now” for your topic. Some of our clients come to us after they’ve written a book to work on their signature talk, so we help them pull out the most important stories and key points. Other clients create their signature talk first, which becomes the foundation and outline for their book. My guest in this episode is Kelly Notaras, founder of kn literary arts, which works with authors who are writing nonfiction books.   Kelly and I talk about: Why stories about yourself are not self-indulgent and how detailed to get in your stories 3 types of nonfiction books you can write: prescriptive nonfiction, narrative memoir, and teaching memoir Examples of each type and how to choose the best one for you, especially as a speaker 5 elements you can use to find the “hook” for your book What traditional publishers look for in authors How her book coaches work with authors This episode is part of our podcast series on Storytelling.   About My Guest: Kelly Notaras is an author, speaker, book editor and entrepreneur. She started her book editing career right out of college by moving to New York, where she worked in the editorial divisions at Avon Books, HarperCollins, Penguin USA and Hyperion Books. She then relocated to Boulder, CO where she became the VP, Associate Publisher at spirituality publisher Sounds True. Kelly speaks regularly at the Hay House Writer’s Workshops, and coproduces the membership-based Hay House Writer’s Community along with Hay House CEO Reid Tracy. But her proudest accomplishment is her book studio, kn literary arts, whose mission is to amplify positive change in the world through the medium of books.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/198  Kelly’s website: https://knliterary.com/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Kelly Notaras (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/company/kn-literary-arts/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk Episode 145: You Need to Create a Framework [Frameworks Series] Episode 186: From Hashtag to Podcast to Book: Developing Your Thought Leadership Platform with Elayne Fluker [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 193: Five Kinds of Stories to Share in Your Thought Leadership Content with Carol Cox [Storytelling Series]

I admit, I’m a bit obsessed with the musical “Hamilton.” I watched it on Disney+ the July 4th weekend it came out and was instantly transfixed.  I knew I would like it, but didn’t realize I was going to love it.  Today I’m going to talk about “Hamilton” the play and the production and what we can learn from it as speakers. Why study the play?  After all, as speakers, we’re not acting in a play or singing in a musical. We’re speaking to grow our audiences, build our businesses, generate leads, get paid. I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen a lot of so-so and boring presentations, both in person at conferences and, especially this year, virtually. Your presentations shouldn’t be flat - they can be fun and engaging and they should be layered - and speak to universal themes. In this episode, I’m going to share what I saw as I watched “Hamilton” as well as what I learned from reading the amazing book called “Hamilton: The Revolution” that gives behind the scenes of the creation and production of the musical. You can listen to this episode whether you’ve seen Hamilton or not. If you haven’t, this episode will hopefully inspire you to watch it. This episode is part of our podcast series on Storytelling.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/197 Book “Hamilton: The Revolution” = https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Revolution-Lin-Manuel-Miranda/dp/1455539740/    Connect with Carol: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories with Carol Cox Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader & How We're Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox  

The live virtual summit that we hosted a couple of weeks ago was a smashing success. Attendees told us that it was the best virtual event they’ve even been to; some even said it was the best event, in person or virtual. And the stats prove it: the average watch time was nearly 3 hours. People told us they planned to pop in for an hour and ended up staying for the entire time! In this episode, we talk about why we think that was.  As a speaker, you’ll learn takeaways you can use when presenting virtually. If you’re planning an event, you’ll learn what the critical elements were that made it such a great experience for the attendees. If you’re interested in more behind the scenes about our summit, also check out episode 189.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/196  This episode is part of our podcast series on Storytelling. Join our Thought Leader Academy coaching & training program for women entrepreneurs and professionals at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 189: Behind the Scenes of Planning Our Virtual Summit with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Use Your Voice Series] Episode 195: Our Opening and Closing Speeches from Our Brave. Bold. Beyond. Summit with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Storytelling Series]

What an incredible day we had last week for our Brave. Bold. Beyond. live virtual summit!  Our speakers truly embodied being brave and bold. There were tears and laughter, mic drops and raised hands. In this episode, you get to hear the audio from my opening keynote and Diane Diaz’s closing speech. (In next week’s episode, Diane and I are going to talk about our takeaways from the summit, to help you as a speaker and as an event organizer, should you decide to host an event as your thought leadership project.) The summit was an all-day live experience and it was truly extraordinary to see our speakers deliver their powerful stories and the women in the chat supporting the speakers and networking with each other.   Here's what summit attendees said: "It was such a lovely, well put-together event. It's certainly the most engaging virtual platform I've experienced." "A world-class event." "I took the afternoon off from a job that feels like it is killing me slowly - and today - at the closing of this event - I feel completely inspired with renewed hope and purpose." "So many great stories, passions of the heart and motivation from all of the speakers today. A transformational WOW! Magic happens when women get together to empower one another! It was crystal clear the team of experts who assisted these speakers in designing their story."   A huge and heartfelt thank you to our team, speakers, panelists, volunteer speaking coaches, volunteers, and prize sponsors who made this happen! If you'd like to be a part of a group of women who empower and support each other, as you work on creating your thought leadership message and signature talk, I invite you to learn about our new Thought Leader Academy coaching & training program for women entrepreneurs and professionals. Details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/195 This episode is part of our podcast series on Storytelling. Join our Thought Leader Academy coaching & training program for women entrepreneurs and professionals at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series]

Why would you want to start a movement when you’re busy with your business? Isn’t a movement for activists and non-profits? Not necessarily. A movement is a group of people coming together to act towards a common cause who share similar values. As a business owner, you can ask: How can I serve people who believe the same thing I do? What can I create for this community to achieve our goal? You can use your business to have a bigger purpose and a greater impact, plus having a movement can provide a *container* for your thought leadership message. And of course public speaking can get out your bigger message and attract the people who believe in what you believe. My guest today is Joy Spencer, who was on the podcast earlier this year.  She’s back to talk about using a framework called Public Narrative to tell the Story of Self, Story of Us, and Story of Now. In this episode, Joy and I talk about: Why you would want to start a movement as an entrepreneur How a movement can run parallel to your business How public speaking can get out your bigger message and attract the people who believe in what you believe Story of Self, Story of Us, Story of Now: The Public Narrative framework you can use for movement-inspiring speeches  Examples of Public Narrative speeches The emotional power of telling your own story You have to be willing to let go of control and learn new leadership skills   This episode is part of our podcast series on Storytelling.   About My Guest: Joy Spencer is a coach, speaker, and organizational development consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Whether she’s working with individual contributors or senior leaders, Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy’s coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.     About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/194 Joy’s website: http://reframetocreate.com/ Public Narrative PDF: https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/30760283/Public-Narrative-Worksheet-Fall-2013-.pdf  Valarie Kaur speech: https://www.today.com/video/what-if-this-is-not-the-darkness-of-the-tomb-but-the-darkness-of-the-womb-watch-valarie-kaur-s-speech-917892675740  Last chance to register for our free live virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Enroll in our NEW Thought Leader Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Joy Spencer (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer-acc-cpc-835b212/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 172: Get Past Perfection and Throw Out the Script with Joy Spencer Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 193: Five Kinds of Stories to Share in Your Thought Leadership Content with Carol Cox [Storytelling Series]

You’ve heard by now the power of storytelling in your presentations and thought leadership content. But, do you sometimes feel stuck and uncertain about what *kinds* of stories to share? As we work with our clients on their signature talks, we ask them questions about their past, present, and future, so we can extract the stories that will reveal who they are and how they can relate to and help their audience by sharing their own experiences. In this episode, you’ll learn about the 5 kinds of stories you can share in your presentations, including what each story type represents and examples to get you thinking about your own stories. This episode is the first in our new podcast series on Storytelling.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/193  Register for our one-of-a-kind live free virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Get on the interest list for our new Thought Leader Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories [Storytelling Series] Episode 139: Selecting the Best Stories to Include in Your Signature Talk with Marie Fiebach [Storytelling Series] Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader and How We’re Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series] Episode 192: The Cure for Vulnerability Hangovers with Carol Cox [Use Your Voice Series]  

Have you ever had a vulnerability hangover? I know I have, including just last month, along with other times this year after recording particular podcast episodes or writing emails to our list. A vulnerability hangover is that feeling of regret or uncertainty after you share something that’s personal or something that could be considered controversial. I’ve been thinking about vulnerability hangovers as we’re preparing the speakers for our virtual summit that’s coming up live on October 15. I’m in awe of the emotional resonance of the personal stories they’re sharing and the journeys they’re going to take us on. I know it’s not easy to open yourself up like that, so in this episode I share six strategies you can use to lessen the impact of vulnerability hangovers. You may have guessed that there is no “cure” other than not being vulnerable in the first place. You may save yourself a hangover, but you - and your audience - will lose out on the benefits of being vulnerable. In this episode, you’ll learn: What a vulnerability hangover is and why we feel them The benefits of being vulnerable for both you and your audience 6 specific strategies you can use to lessen vulnerability hangovers   I’d love to hear if you have other strategies you use! Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or connect with me on Instagram or LinkedIn. This episode is the last in our podcast series called Use Your Voice.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/192 Register for our one-of-a-kind live virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Get on the interest list for our new Thought Leader Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox/    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 118: Push Past Your Speaking Plateau Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader and How We’re Evolving at Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series]

I’m excited to have on the show today Anna Eskamani, who is my state representative in the Orlando, Florida, area where I live. Anna is young, outspoken, and tireless in the work she does for her constituents and for Floridians in general. I invited her on to have a conversation about what it’s like to run for office as a woman, how she found her voice, how she deals with negative and vocal opponents, and the importance of supporting progressive women running for local offices. I have a background in politics myself, having served as chairperson of my county’s Democratic Party in 2005-2006. I also founded a technology company called DemsLink that was one of the first in the nation to provide a complete set of online tools for Democratic candidates and organizations. And since 2005, I’ve been providing political analysis on TV news.  I’ll be back on TV for another Election Night this November 3, this time via Zoom instead of in the news studio.  I recorded the intro to this episode a day after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at 87 years old, now leaving a vacant Supreme Court seat less than 2 months before the election that Senate Republicans, in all of their hypocritical glory, are going to try to ram through and fill.  Just as RBG worked her entire career to expand equality and rights to more people, we have to take up her mantle, which I address in the intro. In our conversation, Anna and I talk about: What it's been like to run for office as a woman How Anna found her voice How Anna deals with negative and vocal opponents Lessons she’s learned for other women interested in running The importance of supporting progressive women running for local offices What kind of support we can give   This episode is part of our podcast series called Use Your Voice.   About My Guest: Born and raised in Orlando, Representative Anna V. Eskamani is the daughter of working-class immigrants who has a proven track record in building consensus while fighting unapologetically for progressive values. Anna previously served as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida and is a PhD student studying Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida. On November 6, 2018 Anna was elected to serve the great people of House District 47 with a vote margin of 57% to 43%, flipping a legislative seat, and becoming the first Iranian-American elected to any public office in Florida. During her first two legislative sessions, Anna fought hard to increase funding for arts and culture, pushed back against anti-LGBTQ legislation, voted to preserve the environment 100% of the time, and to increase access to healthcare. Tough, authentic and unafraid, Anna has been recognized across the state and nation for her tireless work during the COVID-19 outbreak. She continues to call on the state demanding more testing, immediate benefits for the hundreds of thousands struggling to receive unemployment, and for equitable small business relief. Heading into her November re-election bid, she continues to build collective power and advocate in support of Florida’s hardworking families. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/191 Anna’s website: https://annaforflorida.com/  Connect with Anna on Instagram and Twitter. Register for our one-of-a-kind live virtual summit “Brave. Bold. Beyond.” on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ or text SPEAKING to 33-777. Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Rep. Anna Eskamani (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaveskamani/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 94: Speaking and Showing Up Powerfully as Women with Molly Baker McPherson Episode 141: Advocating for What You Want for Yourself and Others with Nicole Tisdale [Leadership Series] Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Finding Your Voice Series]  

Have you had an experience that made it so you couldn’t *not* speak up and use your voice? It could have been something that happened directly to you or it could have been something you witnessed or learned about. My guest is Dr. Karla Manning, who had such an experience when she taught in South Africa, which she calls a transformative experience that led her to be more vocal about injustice and disparities, particularly in education. Karla is the founder of The Equitable Leadership Group, LLC, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy focused on K-12 schools. Karla received her PhD in Curriculum & Instruction and Multicultural Teacher Education.  How she sees what she does as a spiritual pursuit Using love to overpower fear Speaking truth to power Where Karla got her courage froKarla and I have a deep conversation in this episode about: The experience in South Africa that inspired her to speak out m The importance of language and using certain words The impact of silence This episode is part of our podcast series called Use Your Voice.   About My Guest: The Equitable Leadership Group, LLC is a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy based in Brooklyn, NYC. The Equity Leadership Group was founded by Dr. Karla Manning, who serves as the CEO and lead trainer for the company. Previously, she was a high school English teacher in the Chicago Public Schools System (2007-2011) and received her PhD in Curriculum & Instruction and Multicultural Teacher Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2017. Bringing her 13+ plus years of teaching experience to ELG, she has developed systems and strategies designed for educational equity and excellence in K-12 classrooms and schools. Dr. Manning has delivered trainings and speaking engagements at the American Educational Research Association, National Association of Multicultural Education, Wisconsin Council for Teachers of English and is a member of The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa. She also teaches pre-service educators in culturally responsive teaching at the CUNY University system in New York City.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/190  Karla’s website: https://equityleadershipgroup.com/  Karla’s podcast “The Equity Experience”: https://equityleadershipgroup.com/the-equity-experience/  Register for our one-of-a-kind live virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Karla Manning (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-manning-phd-a22773163/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 171: 5 Types of Webinars You Can Do to Build Your Business and Visibility with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Finding Your Voice Series]

What’s it like to plan an event in only 8 weeks? We’re about to find out! Our live virtual summit takes place on October 15. Register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit (it’s free!). This is a one-of-a-kind event: a mix of TED-style 10-minute talks plus panel discussions so you can learn how to craft a stellar speech and build your thought leadership platform. I’ve coached a number of TEDx speakers over the years and love the format of short, impactful talks that center around a big idea and a powerful personal story. If you enjoy speaking, want to get better at speaking, want to hear high-quality speeches, and want to learn what goes into them, you won’t want to miss our event. In this episode, I’m joined by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz to talk about how we’re planning the event, from the speaker application process and speaker prep to the virtual event platform and marketing and promoting the event. We talk about: Why we decided to host a virtual event (the business goal) The overall timeline and logistics of planning an event Why we chose the format we did (TED-style talks) The speaker selection process What stood out in speaker applications and videos - and what did not How we’re preparing the speakers, including providing each one with a speaking coach Marketing and promotion of the event Lessons learned (so far!) After the summit, we’re going to come back on the podcast and talk about how it went, what we loved, the survey results of the attendees, what we’ll do differently next time, and more. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes! This episode is the second in our podcast series called Use Your Voice. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/189 Register for our one-of-a-kind live virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 174: Hosting Your Own Virtual Summit with Dr. Holly Tucker Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series]

This episode is the perfect bridge between the series we just wrapped up on Thought Leadership and the new series we’re starting called Use Your Voice. My guest is Gina Bianchini, the founder of Mighty Networks, which enables people like you (and me!) create and host online communities (and more). I’ve been a fan of Gina’s since her days as co-founder of Ning and in the past couple of years even more so as Gina has been bold and direct in calling out Facebook for their lack of transparency and accountability around data privacy, misinformation, and disinformation. You’ll enjoy our conversation around trends, thought leadership, and the importance of having trusted circles you can turn to when you want to - and do - use your voice.   In this episode, Gina and I talk about: Being a few years ahead of trends and the impact that can have on your business The problem with Facebook and Facebook Groups How Gina felt about her decision to publish a very direct and bold article against Facebook The dangers of being too negative as a thought leader A time when Gina didn’t speak up, why she didn’t, and what she learned she needed I reflect on a similar situation on not speaking up, “losing my voice,” and what I learned that I do differently now Speaking up when you disagree with friends What Gina sees as the future of conferences and networking   This episode is the first in our new podcast series called Use Your Voice. About My Guest: Gina Bianchini is the Founder & CEO of Mighty Networks. Her mission at Mighty Networks is to usher in a new era of digital businesses built on network effects. Mighty Networks serves small and medium businesses that offer digital memberships, online courses, community, and subscriptions–all offered in one place under their brand, instantly available on every platform. Before Mighty Networks, Gina and Netscape co-founder Marc Andreessen launched Ning, a pioneering global platform for creating niche social networks. Under her leadership, Ning grew to ~100 million people in 300,000 active social networks across subcultures, professional networks, entertainment, politics, and education. It was sold for $150M in 2010. In addition to Mighty Networks, Gina serves as a board director of TEGNA (NYSE: TGNA), a $3 billion dollar broadcast and digital media company, and served as a board director of Scripps Networks (NASDAQ: SNI), a $12 billion dollar public company which owned HGTV, The Food Network, and The Travel Channel that was purchased by Discovery Communications in 2018. Gina and Mighty Networks have been featured in Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Wired, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, and The New York Times. She has appeared on Charlie Rose, CNBC, and CNN. She grew up in Cupertino, California, graduated with honors from Stanford University, started her career in the nascent High Technology Group at Goldman, Sachs & Co., and received her M.B.A from Stanford Business School.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/188 Check out Mighty Networks: https://www.mightynetworks.com/ Gina’s LinkedIn article “Facebook is gaslighting us”: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/facebook-gaslighting-us-gina-bianchini/ Connect with Gina on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ginab Speaking Your Brand live virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Get our Webinar Idea to Launch online course: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar-course  Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Gina Bianchini (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginabianchini/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 144: What I’ve Learned about Being a Leader [Leadership Series] Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Finding Your Voice Series] Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series]

A few weeks ago in episode 184, I talked about the five elements that thought leaders have. One of these elements is what I call a *container* for their message and content. What happens as content creators and speakers is that we create pieces of content here and there. What makes the content more impactful is when there’s a participatory project or initiative, a container, that your audience can get involved with and carry with them, which means it’s more memorable and shareable. In this on-air coaching call, listen in as Speaking Your Brand coach Diane Diaz and one of our clients, Brenda Reiss, talk through the work that Brenda does with her clients and then identify a container for her message and content. This episode is the final one in our series on thought leadership.    About Our Guest: Brenda Reiss is an author, accomplished speaker, workshop leader and personal catalyst for forgiveness. She is a master at guiding women in the process of letting go and opening their hearts to love, peace and true freedom. Brenda has helped hundreds of willing souls, release the past and live a more vibrant life. Her vast background from navigating corporate leadership to facilitating personal transformation have made her an invaluable asset in the forgiveness field.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is an on-air coaching call conducted by one of our speaking coaches, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/187  Brenda’s website: https://brendareisscoaching.com/ Brenda’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgivenesscoach/ Speaking Your Brand live virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Get our Webinar Idea to Launch online course: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar-course  Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series]

We’ve been talking about thought leadership for the past few episodes - what it means to be a thought leader, what thought leaders have in common, and the importance of having a container/project for your message. My guest Elayne Fluker has done exactly that - even though she didn’t start out with that plan in mind. It evolved as she paid attention to what she needed and what she was hearing from her audience and community. From a personal mantra of “Support is Sexy” to a hashtag to a podcast and now a book coming out in 2021 with HarperCollins Leadership, Elayne’s evolution shows how powerful it can be to stay consistent with your message and to give your audience a way to be involved. It was such a joy to have this conversation with Elayne and I know you’re going to leave it feeling inspired.   Elayne and I talk about: Her recent decision to make the intentional and transparent change about who she works with in her business, beyond the “riches in the niches,” to a calling to serve Black women entrepreneurs The unique challenges Black women entrepreneurs face (Sojourner Syndrome and Superwoman Syndrome) How an event Elayne attended in 2015 sparked “Support is Sexy” for her The two things people find the hardest to ask for: love and support How “Support is Sexy” grew from a personal mantra to a hashtag to a podcast to a book Paying attention to who you’re already serving and what they’re naturally getting behind How Elayne got her book agent and book contract with a traditional publisher What Elayne did when she finished the first draft of her book and it was only half the length it needed to be and she had no idea what else to add to it This episode is part of our series on thought leadership.    About My Guest: Elayne Fluker is a coach and advisor for Black women who want to make entrepreneurship part of their next chapter. Elayne is also the founder of the content and consulting agency, Chic Rebellion Media, and she is creator of Support is Sexy, her beloved podcast featuring interviews with more than 500 diverse women entrepreneurs around the world. In 2019, Elayne founded SiS.Academy -- an online learning platform with video workshops taught by top women entrepreneurs and experts -- to help women have access to information that will help them grow their businesses. Her first book, which encourages unapologetically ambitious women to get over "I Got It!" Syndrome and embrace support as their super power, will be published by HarperCollins Leadership in 2021.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/186 Pre-order Elayne’s upcoming book “Get Over ‘I Got It’”: getoverigotit.com Listen to Elayne’s podcast “Support is Sexy”: http://elaynefluker.com/podcast/ Elayne’s Black. Women. Business. newsletter on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/black-women-business-6683882050593841152/ Elayne’s Black. Women. Business. community for Black women entrepreneurs: blackwomenbusiness.us.  Elayne’s SiS.academy: https://www.sis.academy/ Carol’s book coach Joelle Hahn: https://brooklynbookdoctor.com/   Subscribe to get updates about the Speaking Your Brand live virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Elayne Fluker (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaynefluker/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 167: Creating a Sense of Belonging with Your Audience with Traci Baxley, Ed.D. Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series]

This episode didn’t go quite as planned. In last week’s episode, we looked at why some speakers become thought leaders - the elements they have in common. I’ve gotten great feedback on that episode, so go back and listen to it if you haven’t already. I decided to do this series on thought leadership because of a client survey we did and a recent conversation I had with my business coach. She pointed out to me that I needed to step up. So, I was planning on sharing my own journey as a thought leader over the past 15 years. I have 3 particular inflection points: when I was in politics; when I had my prior technology company; and the past 5 years since I started SYB. Except Sunday morning came, two days before this episode airs, and I had been procrastinating on recording it. I had the outline done, yet I felt like something was missing. I was showing the facade of Carol - sure, I’d share “mistakes” I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned, but it felt flat. If you’ve been listening to this podcast this year, especially for the past few months, you may have noticed - I certainly have - that a theme has shown up several times - how hard it is for me to tap into my emotions.  I’m great at analyzing and intellectualizing, but ask me to tell you what my emotions are, what’s deeper, and there’s a wall there: my guests April Harter and Rebecca Arbona pointed it out (and I’m grateful for them); you can even hear it way back in episode 97 when Geraldine Carter coached me. So, I decided to use this episode to share a very personal story, one that most of my friends don’t even know.  You’ll also hear the reasons I chose to share it, as well as how we’re evolving our work here at Speaking Your Brand. Thank you for listening. This episode is the second in our series on thought leadership.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/185 Subscribe to get updates about our upcoming live virtual summit on October 15: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/summit/ Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect with Carol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Business Coach Lisa Princic: https://www.scalingdeep.com Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 177: A Radically Different Approach to Understanding Racism with April Harter Episode 179: The Deep Truths You and Your Brand Need to Say with Rebeca Arbona [Finding Your Voice Series] Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 184: Why Some Speakers Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox [Thought Leadership Series]

What do you think when you hear the term “thought leader?” Do you think you can be one? (Hint: you can!) I define a thought leader as someone who has an interesting idea that challenges the status quo, challenges our assumptions, maybe even breaks the rules, especially one that hasn’t been talked about a lot in their circle of influence, who communicates it with conviction and boldness, who inspires people to take action AND who causes people to be self-reflective, to learn more about themselves and how they relate to the world. We did a client survey recently and the phrase “thought leadership” came up more than I had expected. It makes sense that if you enjoy speaking, it means you want to have a bigger impact, reach more people, and grow your brand and business, all of which is related to being a thought leader. But sometimes it can feel like you’re putting out content - and yet it doesn’t seem to go anywhere in particular.  What’s missing is a container for what you’re doing. You don’t need to have extraordinary charisma or a great PR machine. (Although how you communicate does matter, but not in the way you may think.) For this episode, I analyzed 5 people - 4 women and 1 man - who’ve become thought leaders to see what they had in common: Brene Brown Simon Sinek Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Layla F. Saad Rachel Rodgers   Why did I select these 5? They were the first who came to mind and I wanted to analyze a few who’ve been around awhile (10 years) and a few who are more recent. In this episode, you’ll learn: 5 key elements that turned them from speakers/content creators into thought leaders What makes their communication style especially effective The role that thought leaders play for people What it means to have a container for your message Questions you can ask yourself   This episode is the first in a new series we’re doing on thought leadership.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/184 Register for our next free webinar: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/ Schedule a consult call to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.  Connect with Carol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Resources mentioned: Brene Brown’s TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability Simon Sinek’s TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s speech on the House floor: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4894496/representative-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-speaks-exchange-representative-ted-yoho AOC’s Instagram post about her speech: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDMrZIzAI1B/ Layla F. Saad’s Me and White Supremacy challenge and book: http://laylafsaad.com/ Rachel Rodgers’ Instagram video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA1Ez5qHL6o/ Rachel Rodgers’ podcast: https://helloseven.co/podcast-page/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 179: The Deep Truths You and Your Brand Need to Say with Rebeca Arbona [Finding Your Voice Series] Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Finding Your Voice Series] Episode 183: Amplify Your Voice by Having a Sponsor with Jhaymee Tynan [Finding Your Voice Series]

If you've seen the incredible production of the play “Hamilton,” you may remember the song, “The room where it happens.” In it, Aaron Burr laments that he wants to be in the room where it happens - where leaders make decisions, make compromises, make opportunities for themselves and those who they are allied with. The idea is that to get traction, to have your ideas heard, to be successful, you want to be where things are going on, where you can make a difference, where the people around you can help you out.  But what happens if it's not possible for you to be in that room? You need people who are advocates for you, people who are in those rooms, especially higher-level rooms that you may not have access to or be invited to or be there at that moment, who can advocate on your behalf, who can recommend you for a speaking engagement, who can refer you to a new client, who can nominate you for an award or an opportunity. This is what it means to have a sponsor: a person who advocates for you in the rooms where you are not. Having a sponsor amplifies your voice - and you can amplify other voices by being a sponsor for them. My guest today is Jhaymee Tynan, who is Assistant Vice President of Integration at Atrium Health, a $10bn integrated healthcare delivery system in Charlotte, NC, and is passionate about sponsorship, particularly to advance women of color. Earlier this year, Jhaymee launched her 100 x 2030 initiative to sponsor 100 women of color in healthcare in the next 10 years - and to encourage others to do so as well. We worked together recently to create her signature talk so she can share this message of the power of sponsorship with more organizations.   In this episode, Jhaymee and I talk about: The difference between a sponsor and a mentor The 5 C’s of a great sponsor How you can become sponsor-ready Why Jhaymee created her 100 x 2030 initiative Jhaymee’s stress management strategies (including 2 book recommendations) How we worked together to create her signature talk to promote her initiative - and what she found especially helpful   This episode is part of our podcast series on “Finding Your Voice.”   About My Guest: Jhaymee Tynan, PMP®, PfMP®, FACHE® is Assistant Vice President, Integration at Atrium Health, Charlotte, N.C. In her current role, she leads the system’s Integration Management Office, which provides day-to-day operations and strategy leadership for post-merger integration activities with current and new partners. Before joining Atrium Health, Jhaymee was Business Transformation Manager at Deloitte Consulting in the Global Life Sciences and Healthcare Practice.  Jhaymee received a M.B.A. in General Management from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, a master’s degree in project management from The George Washington University, Washington D.C., and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, V.A. Jhyamee is the Creator and Founder of #100x2030, a career movement designed to increase diversity at the senior and C-Suite levels of healthcare organizations across the globe. Jhaymee personally made a commitment to sponsor 100 women of color in healthcare by 2030 to demonstrate the importance of sponsorship and to amplify the careers for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in the healthcare industry.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/183 Jhaymee’s website: https://jhaymeetynan.com/ Jhaymee’s Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2020/02/05/why-im-sponsoring-100-women-of-color-in-healthcare-by-2030/#5db178f73f3f Work with us to create your signature talk and message: Schedule a free consultation call at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact. Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Jhaymee Tynan (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhaymeetynan/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D. [Coaching] Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 169: Leveraging Free Speaking Engagements Into Bigger Opportunities with Angela Hosking Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Finding Your Voice Series]

In this episode, my guest and I talk about what may be a difficult topic for some of you: sexual abuse and in particular male sexual abuse. We don’t go into detail about the abuse, but I wanted to let you know in case this is an area that is personal to you and you’d rather not listen to our conversation. Even if we’ve never personally experienced sexual abuse or have a close family member who has, this topic can be uncomfortable precisely because it’s not talked about. I’m not one to shy away from uncomfortable topics because I believe that it’s invisibility and silence that maintain the status quo - and there are so many things in our society that need to change. My hope is that after listening to this conversation, you will be inspired to use your voice because you can help others break their silence. I first met my guest Kelli Palfy, Ph.D. when I did an online presentation to Julie Broad’s Book Launchers group of authors (Julie was on this podcast in episode 65 and talked about writing, publishing, and promoting your book). Kelli then hired us for a VIP Day and worked with our speaking coach Diane Diaz to create her signature talk. After hearing more about the work that Kelli does and her book, I invited her on the podcast to talk about how she found the courage and confidence to give voice to a difficult topic - and what the impact has been on her, her clients, and her audiences.   In this episode, Kelli and I talk about: Her awakening to what was going on in her field (even though she was an expert) The fulfillment and meaning you get when you speak up How your voice can help others break their silence When you talk about a topic that others don’t, you help people think differently (which is huge) How we approached creating Kelli’s signature talk Suggestions for Kelli to start charging for her workshops This episode is part of our podcast series on “Finding Your Voice.”   About My Guest: Dr. Kelli Palfy began her professional career working in adult and youth corrections. Here she noticed a disproportionate number of males in the system. After becoming an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) officer, she took an interest in investigating sex crimes and went on to specialize in sex crimes committed against children internationally.  After retiring from the RCMP, Dr. Palfy obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Alberta. She conducted her doctoral research on the reasons why males don’t commonly disclose sexual abuse. She is now a trained trauma therapist and public speaker on the topic of male abuse. Dr. Palfy currently runs a small private practice where she works with male survivors of sexual abuse, first responders and couples using Emotion-Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Approach, plus Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Her recent book is “Men Too: Unspoken Truths About Male Sexual Abuse.”   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/182 Kelli’s websites: https://www.peaksandvalleyspsychology.com/ and http://kellipalfy.com/ Work with us to create your signature talk: Get the details and schedule a consult call at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Enroll in our LinkedIn for Speakers Masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Kelli Palfy (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kelli-palfy-98336270/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 65: Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book with Julie Broad Episode 153: [Coaching] Threading a Story Throughout Your Signature Talk with Amber Hawley Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Finding Your Voice Series]

We’ve been talking for the past couple of podcast episodes about finding your voice and both the challenges and opportunities around that. My guest today is Dr. Jerrica Dodd, a pharmacist who now coaches other women pharmacists transitioning into starting their own businesses. Jerrica is an incredible entrepreneur, coach, and speaker. We’ve worked together twice on her talks and she has a dynamic personality and presence. Jerrica and I talk about: The key question she asks her coaching clients - one that’s oftentimes difficult for us as women to answer Asking yourself: If you could do anything, what would it be? Jerrica’s surprising and unexpected journey to pharmacy (from a love of English and History) Our mutual love of diagramming sentences (do kids still do that?) How Jerrica found her voice by seeing what was at the core of her stories Recognizing the universal values that keep showing up in your personal experiences and stories Jerrica’s recommendations if you want to have more impact and fulfillment This episode is the third in our podcast series on “Finding Your Voice.”   About My Guest: Dr. Jerrica Dodd is a pharmacist, educator and coach who empowers individuals to transform their lives through coaching, teaching and speaking. Through her integrative company, JerricaSpeaks.com, she combines her pharmacy administration, pharma-medical affairs and managed care expertise with her passion for service. She teaches healthcare professionals, individuals and organizations on up-to-date drug interaction considerations when treating chronically ill patients and consults with practices on drug safety. In addition to her pharmaceutical services, she empowers women to live healthier and happier from the inside out as a coach and licensed Zumba instructor. From medicine to ministry, Jerrica is undeniably passionate about people—and it radiates through every aspect of her work.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/181 Jerrica’s website: https://drjerricadodd.com/ Book “The Big Leap” by Dr. Gay Hendricks. Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Jerrica Dodd (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjdodd/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 98: [Coaching] Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D. Episode 177: A Radically Different Approach to Understanding Racism with April Harter, LCSW Episode 179: The Deep Truths You and Your Brand Need to Say with Rebeca Arbona [Finding Your Voice Series] Episode 180: You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz [Finding Your Voice Series] 

Have you struggled to figure out what to say, whether it's on a social media post or in a presentation? Have you stopped yourself from sharing something because you weren't sure what the reaction would be? Do you feel like there's something deeper, more meaningful, more impactful you want to say, but you haven't quite been able to tease it out? Do you feel stuck in your business and marketing and haven't been able to break through the online noise? As business owners, we're used to being marketers: crafting a message that appeals to a customer market to help them where they're at and where they see *they* want to go. Being a thought leader is different: it requires you to push your audience (and yourself) to go somewhere new. This can feel scary and it's normal to have fears come up: fear of criticism, rejection, ostracism (we're human, after all). But, the rewards are well worth it!   In this episode, you’ll learn: The differences between being a business owner, a marketer, and a thought leader Why it’s hard to speak up and say what we want to say - and techniques to change this 5 questions to ask yourself to find your voice 3 things you can do now to start putting it into practice Examples to inspire you   This episode is the audio from the recent webinar we did. Watch the video recording with the slides at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/syb-find-your-voice. This episode is the second in our podcast series on “Finding Your Voice.”   Need help to find your voice and put together a powerful message? Work with us to create your signature talk, which you can use for presentations, webinars, workshops, marketing materials, and more. Get the details and pricing and apply online at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching/.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our top speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/180 View the video of our webinar at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/syb-find-your-voice. Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D. Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 179: The Deep Truths You and Your Brand Need to Say with Rebeca Arbona [Finding Your Voice Series]

When my guest said this during our conversation, we both stopped to write it down because it was so good: “You can’t attract the like-minded to you if you don’t speak your mind.”   Boom. Mic drop.   This is an incredible conversation, one you’re likely to listen to more than once. Why do some brands resonate more than others? How can you connect with your audience in a deeper way? How do you find what your deeper truth is?   My guest is Rebeca Arbona, who is an expert in helping companies develop their brand voice and strategy. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 3 layers of truths in your brand The key ingredient you need to add to why you do what you do (you’ll hear me stumble into this) How our values connect to our deeper truths Why sharing your deep truths makes you feel more fulfilled Why we don’t share our deep truths How saying what’s scary can actually be safer What does it mean to “be authentic” Examples of brands that get this Identifying your passion and the lens through which you see the world This episode is the first in our new podcast series on “Finding Your Voice.” Want more? Register for our free webinar “You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice” at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/.  About My Guest: Rebeca Arbona lives to help brands communicate the truths at their core so they can leap from tall buildings and crush their villains. She’s always been a word geek and, as a kid, read the dictionary for fun, but she somehow ended up with a career in Brand Strategy. So when Rebeca realized that naming combines her love of words with her talent for brand strategy, it was like a radioactive spider bite that unleashed her superpower. She’s now a Strategic Namer and New Brand Creator, crafting breakthrough names and distinctive brands that help her client’s businesses fly. Follow Rebeca’s #tellthetruths weekly video series on LinkedIn to catch her atomic blue hair and insightful, quirky takes on the strategy of naming, brand strategy, and why the truth matters to brands that want to be super.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/179  Rebeca’s website: https://www.brandtrue.com/  Register for our free webinar “You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice” at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/.    Sign up for our free #ChoosingWomensVoices challenge at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge.  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Rebeca Arbona (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecaarbona/ Rebeca’s article on Nike = https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/opposite-love-isnt-hate-rebeca-arbona/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox

This is not your typical conversation or approach to negotiations. I came across my guest, Alexandra (Alex) Carter, on another podcast where she was talking about her new book called “Ask for More: Ten Questions to Negotiate Anything.” Alex is a Director of the Mediation Clinic at Columbia Law School, where she is also an award-winning professor, and a world-renowned negotiation trainer for the United Nations. She speaks and appears on TV and in the media regularly. Intrigued, I purchased her book, figuring it would be the standard negotiation questions you’d expect about understanding what the other person wants, finding common ground, knowing your walkaway point, etc. Oh, it’s so much more than that! At its core, Alex’s book is about understanding and negotiating with yourself as well as being willing to hear no, which is incredibly insightful and powerful. In this episode, we talk about: The difference between needs and demands An example of needs vs. demands when asking to be paid as a speaker How Alex approached and negotiated with event organizers when her in-person speaking engagements were canceled because of the coronavirus The *key* question Alex asked when some event organizers were reluctant Another important question to use when negotiating Why Alex decided to offer free webinars and the results she got, including how it impacted her paid speaking How men and women negotiate differently Register for our new webinar "You Say You Want to be a Thought Leader: What That Really Means & How to Find Your Voice" at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/.   About My Guest: Alexandra (Alex) Carter is Director of the Mediation Clinic at Columbia Law School, where she is also an award-winning professor, and a world-renowned negotiation trainer for the United Nations. She also serves as Executive Director of Stand Up Girls, helping tween girls develop relationships for greater self-esteem and resilience.  She has appeared on CBS This Morning, MSNBC’s LIVE Weekend and Hardball, Marketplace, and in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Alex is the author of ASK FOR MORE: Ten Questions to Negotiate Anything (Simon & Schuster; May 5, 2020). She lives in Maplewood, New Jersey, with her husband and daughter.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/178  Alex’s website: https://alexcarterasks.com Alex’s book “ASK FOR MORE: Ten Questions to Negotiate Anything”: https://alexcarterasks.com/book/ Forbes article “How Carol Cox is Helping Women Speakers Get Paid What They Deserve” by Janice Gassam: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2019/12/01/how-carol-cox-is-helping-women-speakers-get-paid-what-they-deserve/#1f5c3921533f  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Alexandra Carter (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrabcarter/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 128: The 4 Visibility Mindset Shifts You Must Make with Eleanor Beaton [Confidence Series] Episode 132: 7 Reasons Why You Aren’t Getting Paid to Speak Episode 161: Mindset and Negotiation Strategies for Speakers with Latesha Byrd [Mindset Series] Carol Cox on Eleanor Beaton’s podcast episode 369: Scale Your Message 

We’ve been hearing and seeing a lot over the past few weeks about anti-racism education and the need for white people (like me) to learn about how deep systemic racism is embedded throughout our society and the actions we can take to combat racism and anti-Blackness. This is a very different conversation about racism. My guest is April Harter, who is a therapist and licensed clinical social worker and the founder of the Racism Recovery Center. April has what I call a radically different approach to understanding racism. She looks at it from a behavioral/psychological/personal level. What she has found is that racism is rooted in childhood trauma/abuse/neglect and narcissism. This is not exclusive to people who join white supremacist organizations like the KKK.  This is all of us who are white. As I discovered from this conversation, I tend to be very cerebral and intellectual (from my academic background and my personality). I thus intellectualize my understanding of racism (which really is a defense mechanism) - and is not a substitute for the personal work I need to do. As April says, activism is not a substitute or solution for dealing with our personal racism. I invite you to listen to this conversation with an open mind and an open heart. In this episode, April and I talk about: The two types of racism: institutional (history and the law) and personal (behavioral and psychological) The trauma, narcissism, and codependency behind racism (which results in hyper-vigilance and defensiveness) The performative allyship that we see on social media - and the connection to perfectionism, shame, and inauthenticity 95-98% of white people *haven’t* done their personal psychological racism work (which results in denial) Most white people don’t recognize the emotional neglect or abuse they experienced growing up (including perfectionism and over-achievement) White women saviorism and the connection to codependency in a patriarchal society Take action and do the work from a place of LOVE, not saviorism The stages of change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse Activism and learning about racism tend to be a way to bypass the personal healing journey About My Guest: April Harter, LCSW is a former medical social worker, where she provided counseling to her patients and their family members to help them cope with the trauma of medical emergencies in the state of Texas. She later moved to Colorado and started her private practice to serve QTPOC patients with a history of racial trauma. After having worked with QTPOC, she decided to help prevent racism in society by working with white clients as a coach using the Racist Signature Theory. Finally, she opened up the Racism Recovery Center to offer psychotherapy to white people in interracial families. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/177  April’s website: http://www.racismrecoverycenter.com/  April’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racismrecoverycenter/ April’s “Racism Recovery Podcast”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/racism-recovery-podcast/id1507043474    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 167: Creating a Sense of Belonging with Your Audience with Traci Baxley, Ed.D. Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 176: Handling Triggers, Reactions, and Emotions in Ourselves and Others with Lara Currie

We’re all feeling a lot of emotions and seeing reactions and triggers in ourselves and others. Whether we’re having one-on-one conversations with family and friends, interacting on social media, watching the news, or even speaking to audiences, how can we better understand how to recognize triggers in ourselves and others and handle them better? My guest is Lara Currie, who specializes in helping her clients, primarily women in high-stress fields, handle difficult conversations and difficult people. In this episode, Lara and I talk about: The 4 triggers people can have The secret gifts of emotions Mask emotions and what they’re masking The importance of self-awareness Strategies for handling a difficult person in your audience when you’re speaking (whether in-person or on a webinar) About My Guest: Lara Currie is passionate about uncovering dysfunctional communication patterns, combating manipulative tactics, while empowering women business owners in high-stress fields to communicate confidently. She is a podcaster, speaker & trainer, and the author of Difficult Happens; How Triggers, Boundaries, & Emotions Impact YOU every day. With 29 plus years of experience in high-conflict positions, she has a unique and intuitive understanding of why people act - and react - the way they do.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/176 Lara’s website: https://difficulthappens.com/ Lara’s video series on “The Secret Gift in Every Emotion”: https://difficulthappens.com/secret-gift-in-every-emotion/ Lara’s podcast “Difficult Happens”: https://difficulthappens.com/podcast-page/ Book “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gathering-How-Meet-Matters-ebook/dp/B07637KVXL/ Sign up for our free webinars at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Lara Currie (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-currie/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 54: Building a Culture of Trust with Your Team and Audience with Laura Gallaher, Ph.D. Episode 125: Handling Hard Conversations at Live Events with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics Episode 164: Mindful Leadership in Uncertain Times with Puja Madan Episode 167: Creating a Sense of Belonging with Your Audience with Traci Baxley, Ed.D. Episode 175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

This is a conversation for white women about our role and privilege in a racist and white supremacist society and the work *we* need to do. As Kamala Harris said in a recent tweet: “The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are not isolated incidents. They are the result of systematic racism that has existed for generations.” I’ve seen on social media from white women that they’re uncertain and scared about what to say.  Yes, it can feel risky to speak up, to say something, to not be silent. But, our speaking up is *nothing* compared to the risk that Black women and men face every day. It’s the very least we can do - and it’s not enough. Saying “I’m not racist” isn’t enough. As white women, there's much work for us to do to recognize how we benefit from and uphold racism - and then do something about it. 'Ally' is a verb, not a noun (as I’ve learned from Black women who do anti-racism education). In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about the work of anti-racism as white women. “Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably." - NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity - http://www.aclrc.com/antiracism-defined “Speaking Your Brand” is about more than your business and marketing message; it’s who you are and what you value - and what you explicitly tell and show to the world about what matters and what you’re willing to do. Our starting place for our own work as white women is the book “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla F. Saad. I highly recommend you purchase her book and work through it. We’re going to be doing so with our clients. As white women, we need to: Recognize our privilege - and be willing to lose it Understand that we have unconscious bias Learn the history of how integral racial hierarchy and slavery were to the U.S. constitution and our capitalist economic system - and how it continues to this day Be aware of what’s going on in the news Call out racist talk Take risks, including potentially losing revenue and opportunities Listen and learn Speak up, but not over Be more than intentional - be explicit Lift up the voices of Black women and women of color Purchase from Black-owned businesses Direct people to Black women who are doing this work Vote for candidates who advocate for marginalized groups   We welcome your questions and thoughts about this episode. You can email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined by our top speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Through women’s stories and voices, we challenge the status quo and change existing systems to benefit more people. Learn about our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Resources: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/175   Books & Articles: Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad “Recognizing And Dismantling Your Anti-Blackness” by Janice Gassam (Forbes article) “How Monique Melton Is Helping You Be An Anti-Racist” by Janice Gassam (Forbes article) “When Feminism Is White Supremacy in Heels” by Rachel Cargle White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Race by Robin DiAngelo Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America by Heather Cox Richardson Podcasts & Videos: “Shine Brighter Together” with Monique Melton: https://www.moniquemelton.com/podcast “The Opt In” with Aurora + Kelly: https://abundanceprod.com/ “Seeing White” podcast series on Scene On Radio: http://www.sceneonradio.org/tag/season-2/ “5 Tips For Being An Ally” video by Chesca Leigh = https://youtu.be/_dg86g-QlM0  Courses: Monique Melton’s Anti-racism 101 crash course Rachel Cargle’s #DoTheWork 30-Day course Andréa Ranae’s Rise Up: Visionary Business for These Times Trudi Lebron: https://www.trudilebron.com/letswork Instagram: Janice Gassam = https://www.instagram.com/janicejnice/ Layla Saad = https://www.instagram.com/laylafsaad/ Rachel Cargle = https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cargle/ Monique Melton = https://www.instagram.com/moemotivate/ Trudi Lebron = https://www.instagram.com/trudilebron/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox

Have you thought about hosting your own virtual summit? We've talked quite a bit for the past few months about the power of hosting webinars, which are typically just you talking to your audience (perhaps with a co-host). Virtual summits, on the other hand, typically bring together a group of speakers on a topic, with you as the host pre-recording the interviews with each speaker and then delivering them all on a particular day for registrants to watch.  Hosting your own virtual summit can boost your visibility and brand, build relationships with people in your industry, grow your email list, and bring in revenue. (Virtual summits is one of the 5 types of webinars we talked about on our most recent webinar. You can watch the webinar recording at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/syb-5-types-of-webinars.) My guest in this episode, Dr. Holly Tucker, decided to experiment and put together a virtual summit just a couple of weeks ago - and she did it all in less than 30 days. Holly enjoyed it so much that she’s doing one again! Holly and I talk about: Why she decided to do a virtual summit The business goals she had for the summit How she selected her speakers The logistics of putting it all together Lessons she learned for the next time About My Guest: Dr. Holly A. Tucker is a health & wellness speaker, advocating for the health of the next generation. Her background as a chiropractic physician certified in acupuncture, and a Certified Health Education Specialist,  she incorporates intentional daily nutrition into practice. More importantly, she is a mom on a journey in raising her own children. Dr. Tucker has a private practice in Memphis, TN, and also maintains Active Family Wellness, a lifestyle blog centered on whole food nutrition for the whole family.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links:   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/174   Holly’s website: https://www.activefamilytn.com/   Holly’s virtual summit: http://everydaywellnessathome.com/   Holly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/activefamilykitchen/   Virtual summit software: http://virtualsummits.com/    Get the recording of our free webinar on “5 Types of Webinars You Can Do to Grow Your Business and Visibility” at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/syb-5-types-of-webinars.   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 44: The Ins and Outs of Virtual Summits with Jaime Slutzky Episode 171: 5 Types of Webinars You Can Do to Build Your Business and Visibility with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

What happens when your entire business is in person, from meeting with clients to speaking, and the pandemic hits and that’s no longer possible? My guest is Dr. Bibi Pirayesh, who is an educational therapist in the Los Angeles area. Bibi faced this in mid-March when California closed the schools and issued their stay-at-home order. Bibi was in our Master Your Speaking program and went through our Webinar Idea to Launch program.  In this episode, Bibi and I talk about: How she came up with her webinar topic (that’s different from her signature talk) Doing a webinar for the first time (!) The initial challenges with running her business virtually Her signature talk topic around social justice, difference, and education How this idea of difference relates to societal systems and the gift that those who don’t fit the mold offer us About My Guest: Dr. Bibinaz Pirayesh is an educational therapist based in Los Angeles. Her K-12 education was spread across 3 countries, exposing her to many different curriculums and philosophies of education. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh in Neuroscience and Education. She holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University where she studied Developmental Psychology in Education with a primary focus on children’s development of mathematical thinking. Her own scholarship is concerned with the ethical and social justice implications that arise at the intersection of brain science and education. She is also Faculty at the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/173 Bibi’s website: https://www.laeducationaltherapy.com/ Join our “Webinar Idea to Launch” LIVE online program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/launch/   Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Bibi Pirayesh (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bibi-pirayesh-b771331/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 170: Taking Action and Pivoting in Your Business with Virtual Offerings with Amanda J. Hill [Coaching] Episode 171: 5 Types of Webinars You Can Do to Build Your Business and Visibility with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

Get ready to be inspired to get past perfection and throw out the script you may *think* (consciously or unconsciously) you should be using in your career, business, and life. My guest is Joy Spencer, who works as an organizational development consultant and is a certified professional coach. Joy and I worked together earlier this year on her signature talk called “Beyond Your Dream Job: A Reframe to C.R.E.A.T.E. Your Ideal Work Experience and Legacy.” Joy was planning on using her signature talk for in-person workshops for her coaching business. With in-person events not possible right now, Joy joined our Webinar Idea to Launch program in April and repurposed her signature talk into a webinar version, which she delivered for the first time a couple of weeks ago. In this episode, Joy and I talk about: Lessons from converting her signature talk into a webinar The results from her webinar What it means to throw out the script and how that showed up for her in her career Why your goal shouldn’t be productivity Joy’s upbringing in Nigeria and the impact her school plays had on her (this is a fun story!) Which comes first: clarity or action About My Guest: Joy Spencer is a coach, speaker, and organizational development consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Whether she’s working with individual contributors or senior leaders, Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy’s coaching philosophy and approach today.   She now supports leaders in sharpening the most important instrument they have for fostering change and developing teams—their own personal development and transformational growth.  Joy also specializes in coaching leaders through a dynamic process to unearth, craft, and share their defining stories.  Joy’s greatest passion, however, is to challenge experienced professionals to reframe their understanding of success away from a focus on being productive to a new commitment to being creators who continuously use their gifts to create beautiful things and experiences they can offer in service.   Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.     About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/172 Join Joy’s 30-Day-Challenge program: https://bit.ly/JuneESD30Challenge Join our “Webinar Idea to Launch” LIVE online program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/launch/   Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Joy Spencer (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer-acc-cpc-835b212/

Do you have a strategy for your webinars? Do you know whether you should make a direct sales pitch on your webinar - or use it to build brand awareness and visibility? What's the difference between presenting to your own audience vs. someone else's? Can you get paid to do webinars? Knowing why you're doing a webinar and what to expect from it can provide clarity around the content to present, give you confidence when delivering it, AND see how it fits into your overall marketing strategy. We covered these questions and more on the live webinar we did last week on the 5 Types of Webinars You Can Do to Grow Your Business and Visibility. This episode is the audio from that very fun and fast-paced webinar.  If you’d like to see the video recording with the slides, register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/.    You'll learn about: 5 types of webinars you can do to grow your business and visibility WHY and WHEN to use each one HOW to get started with each SUCCESS strategies LOTS of real-life recent examples Need help with your webinars? Join our “Webinar Idea to Launch” LIVE 4-week online program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/launch/   Here's where most people get tripped up with their webinars: They select the wrong topic They don't know how to sell their offer They don't know how much content to include They don't know how to keep the audience engaged They keep thinking of doing one but never actually do it This is exactly what we help you with, live on the group Zoom calls, you and 6-8 other women.   You're a great fit for this program if: You're a service-based woman entrepreneur (coach, consultant, strategist) at any stage in your business You want to sell a virtual offer (program, course, workshop, coaching, consulting) You want to do a webinar in the next 4-8 weeks and you have lots of questions and need guidance on how to do it right You've never done a webinar or you've done a few and you want to improve your content, delivery, and results You appreciate a community of supportive women Get all the details and sign up at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/launch/. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by one of our speaking coaches Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links:   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/171   Join our “Webinar Idea to Launch” LIVE online program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/launch/   Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 165: How to Repurpose Your In-Person Presentation into an Engaging Webinar with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 169: Leveraging Free Speaking Engagements Into Bigger Opportunities with Angela Hosking Episode 170: Taking Action and Pivoting in Your Business with Virtual Offerings with Amanda J. Hill [Coaching]

Have you been wanting to add a new offering to your business but haven’t had a chance to yet? As my guest Amanda J. Hill says in our conversation, the current crisis has accelerated her action, from *thinking* for the past year about adding a new offering to *doing* it. This episode is a case study and on-air coaching call on how to quickly pivot and take action to be of service to your clients.   About My Guest: Amanda J. Hill founded MaesAwyr in 2015 and leads airport, airspace, capital improvement, and strategic planning projects for airport sponsors, consultants, and state agencies. She’s worked successfully with, for, and at many levels within the airport development industry as a planner and program manager for more than 15 years. She's an instrument-rated private pilot and also loves scuba diving, red wine, and rescue dogs.  Amanda previously worked as the statewide aviation planner for the Georgia Department of Transportation, responsible for airport and statewide planning, capital programming, and project oversight for 95 general aviation airports.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/170 Amanda’s website: https://www.maesawyr.com/ Join our “Webinar Idea to Launch” LIVE online program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/launch/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Amanda Hill (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandajhill/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 117: Turning Your Signature Talk into a Lead Generation Webinar with Lorena Klingel [Coaching] Episode 165: How to Repurpose Your In-Person Presentation into an Engaging Webinar with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 166: Reimagining Our Businesses, Industries, and Public Speaking with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz  

A question I get asked a lot is: How can I get paid to speak? One of the best ways is to speak and present for free. (This goes for both in-person and online presentations and trainings.) Why speak for free? You build relationships with event organizers who can then recommend you or pay you to speak at future events. You get to know other speakers who recommend you for paid events. You can get video clips of you speaking to showcase your ability to deliver. You become more comfortable and confident with your material and delivery which results in you feeling more confident asking to be paid. My guest today is Angela Hosking, who is a dynamic speaker and founder of Her One Tribe.  Angela was in our Monetize Your Speaking program last year and is currently in our mastermind. In this episode, Angela and I talk about: Strategies she used to get her first free speaking engagements (that you can use too) The mindset shift Angela made How she used online summits and webinars to build her email list The opportunities that have come from the speaking she’s done, including ones she hadn’t anticipated What you can negotiate for when speaking Angela’s philosophy of taking small brave steps every day Register for our upcoming FREE webinar "5 Types of Webinars You Can Do to Grow Your Business and Visibility" at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/.   About My Guest: Angela Hosking, MBA, MSN is on a mission to help women grow and develop confidence, enhance their inherent leadership skills and inspire them to boldly achieve their personal goals.  Angela combines her 10+ years of Healthcare Executive Leadership experience with her expertise as a Women's Empowerment writer and author of “Woman on Top: Lead Like a Lady Boss” to deliver impactful workshops and motivational speeches. Angela is the owner and CEO of Her One Tribe, LLC where she hosts and coaches an online community for aspiring women to find education, inspiration and support with their fellow sisters.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/169 Angela’s website: http://heronetribe.com/ Join our “Webinar Idea to Launch” LIVE online program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/launch/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Angela Hosking (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelalhosking/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 106: Get More Speaking Opportunities with a Powerful Personal Brand with Diane Diaz Episode 131: Pitching and Negotiating for Bigger Speaking Opportunities with Maureen Taylor [Confidence Series] Episode 151: Dream Big, Speak Big: Inspiration from Women Speakers [Goals & Planning Series]

How do your values show up in your work, whether it’s interacting with clients or employees, presenting to an audience, appearing on a podcast, or creating marketing materials? My guest today is Patti Perez, the founder of a consulting firm that’s dedicated to teaching leaders and teams how to create and sustain healthy, inclusive and profitable workplace cultures. Patti has a fascinating background that has informed her career, the work she does, and the values that she embodies, including truth telling, curiosity, and radical fairness. These values are also ones that she helps organizations develop so they create better workplaces. In this episode, Patti and I talk about: Her work as a workplace sleuth Why the phrase “get to know me” became part of her message Growing up and learning to use her voice to be her own advocate The importance of allyship Where companies can improve with their communication A powerful way for Patti to open her talks About My Guest: Patti Perez is founder and CEO of PersuasionPoint, a modern-day consulting firm dedicated to teaching leaders and teams how to create and sustain healthy, inclusive and profitable workplace cultures. Patti is passionate about and committed to helping organizations realize the vision of a workplace where employees are inspired to innovate, where leaders make courageous decisions and create a sense of deep trust, and where colleagues are aligned and profoundly connected. Patti is the best-selling, award-winning author of “The Drama-Free Workplace” (Wiley 2019) and uses the concepts from her book to lead interactive, action-oriented workshops, provide consulting services, and deliver keynote addresses. Her nearly 30-year career includes working as a California employment attorney, a workplace sleuth (conducting in excess of 1200 workplace investigations), a Governor-appointed state regulator, an expert witness, an HR professional, a tech company executive and an entrepreneur.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/168 Patti’s website: http://www.persuasionpoint.com/  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Patti Perez (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/patti-perez/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 54: Building a Culture of Trust with Your Team and Audience with Dr. Laura Gallaher Episode 134: Gender Pay Gap: Talking About Uncomfortable Topics with Your Audience with Michelle Gyimah [Money Series] Episode 141: Advocating for What You Want for Yourself and Others with Nicole Tisdale [Leadership Series] Episode 156: Visibility Strategies That Get You Noticed with Janice Gassam, Ph.D.

Whether you’re presenting online or in person, to any size audience, creating a sense of belonging with your audience builds trust and contributes to their learning experience. My guest Traci Baxley, Ed.D. calls herself a “belonging advocate” and she walks her talk. In this episode, Traci and I talk about: Specific belonging practices you can use for in-person and online Why your own vulnerability is the key - and how to do this How Traci thinks about her role as a speaker How Traci gets speaking engagements Both Traci and I share stories of belonging from when we were young   About My Guest: Dr. Traci Baxley is a consultant, coach, and speaker, helping moms live intentional lives, grounded in compassion, open dialogue and social engagement for the betterment of themselves, their children, and humanity. Traci has been an educator for almost 30 years with degrees in child development, literacy and curriculum & instruction. Her work is in the areas of belonging, diversity and inclusion, anti-bias curriculum and racial identity. As a belonging advocate and mother of 5 biracial children (one child with ADHD, one diagnosed with anxiety and another who battles depression) Traci has navigated the space of parenting and applies her professional knowledge and personal experiences in her heart-centered coaching approach to support moms on their parenting journey. She is the creator of Social Justice Parenting™, a parenting philosophy that moves families from fear-based parenting to parenting from a place of radical love, for themselves, their children, and humanity. She also uses her BELONG framework to work with transracial families, specifically white mothers raising black and biracial children, to create bicultural homes and nurture positive racial identity. Traci has been featured on numerous podcasts, facilitated workshops and given keynote talks, including a TEDx  talk on Social Justice Parenting™ where she offers her grounding ROCKS framework for all parenting: Reflection, Open-dialogue, Compassion, Kindness & Social Engagement.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/167 Traci’s website: https://tracibaxley.com/  Sign up for our free #ChoosingWomensVoices challenge: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Traci Baxley (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracibaxley/     Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 54: Building a Culture of Trust with Your Team and Audience with Dr. Laura Gallaher Episode 82: How to Create an Emotional Connection with Your Audience with Leanne Kabat [Coaching] Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

We've been hosting virtual office hours on Zoom for our clients and it's been so good to chat, commiserate about the situation we're all in, and talk about strategies for our businesses. One of the women remarked that she appreciated coming on because none of us was in a state of fear.  Instead, we're focused on how we can meet our clients and audiences where they're at and innovate around our businesses. This pandemic and the economic fallout is going to affect the speaking and events business (it already has), which means it’s also going to affect my business, Speaking Your Brand, too. We’re all in a state of uncertainty right now about our businesses, our industries, our communities, the economy, plus the health crisis itself. We can get tunnel vision - and when that happens it gets hard to see beyond either what you’ve always done or what’s possible. I’m an optimist by nature, with a strong dash of realism and practicality, so I know whatever changes happen, it will be ok. Join me and Diane Diaz for an honest and real conversation about: What we learned from our improv class and how we’re all improving right now How the pandemic will impact Speaking Your Brand’s business, offerings, marketing, and sales The future of public speaking and events Reimagining our business and industry, even society and government Exercises for how you can reimagine your business and industry How we can innovate with online events to make them more useful and interesting The revenue model around webinars and virtual events (can you charge for webinars?) About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined by our top speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/166 Watch our free webinar “How to Repurpose Your In-Person Presentation into an Engaging Webinar” at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/ Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz    Article mentioned: “Amid Coronavirus Fears, Startups Rethink the Virtual Conference”   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 164: Mindful Leadership in Uncertain Times with Puja Madan Episode 165: How to Repurpose Your In-Person Presentation into an Engaging Webinar with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

Have you attended a boring or poorly done webinar?  Tune into this episode to hear webinar audience engagement in action! This episode is the audio from a live webinar we did last week.  If you’d like to see the video recording with the slides, register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/.  With many of us having speaking engagements and in-person workshops postponed or canceled because of Covid-19, offering webinars or virtual workshops can be an excellent way to provide value to your audience. You don’t have to start from scratch when creating your webinar content. Instead, repurpose your in-person presentation.  However, there are several important differences between in-person and virtual presentations..   In this episode, you’ll learn about: Selecting your webinar topic Structuring your webinar Avoiding content overload Keeping your audience engaged What to put on your slides and how many to have Tech and prep We’ve done nearly a thousand online webinars and virtual events over the past 10+ years.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by one of our speaking coaches Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/165 Join our “Webinar Idea to Launch” LIVE online program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/launch/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk with Carol Cox Episode 117: [Coaching] Turning Your Signature Talk into a Lead Generation Webinar with Lorena Klingel

I don’t know about you, but for the past week, I’ve been checking the NYT website and my Twitter feed WAY too many times a day, as we all struggle to understand what the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) will have on us, our families, our businesses, and our communities. My friend Puja Madan, who is an expert on mindful leadership for entrepreneurs and business executives, has been sharing really helpful posts and videos on LinkedIn. I invited Puja for an impromptu conversation we recorded a few days ago to talk about: The two brains we have and deciding which will dominate As leaders, being mindful of and reducing emotional contagion and herd mentality As a speaker, specific strategies you can use when events you’re speaking at have been canceled or postponed How you can use this time for curiosity and creativity and being careful not to feel like you have to be especially “productive” or “efficient” Register for Our Free Webinar: How to Repurpose Your In-Person Presentation into an Engaging Webinar or Virtual Workshop With many of us having speaking engagements and in-person workshops postponed, offering webinars or virtual workshops can be an excellent way to provide value to your audience. You don’t have to start from scratch when creating your webinar content. Instead, repurpose your in-person presentation.  However, there are several important differences between in-person and virtual presentations. Join us on our free live webinar where you’ll learn about: Selecting your webinar topic Structuring your webinar Avoiding content overload Keeping your audience engaged What to put on your slides and how many to have Tech and prep We’ll answer your questions too!   Register to join us live or get the recording at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/webinar/. About My Guest: Puja Madan is the founder of The Mindfulness Map and an award-winning leadership coach and consultant. Her signature framework is designed to improve business performance and wellbeing at fast-growth companies using mindfulness, data and behavior analysis. Originally from India, Puja brings over 15 years of experience in business leadership and mindfulness to spark the full potential of leaders and organizations. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Thrive Global and MindBodyGreen.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/164 Puja’s website: https://www.mindfulnessmap.com/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Puja Madan (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/pujamadan/ Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Join our Master Your Speaking program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 7: Finding Your Unique Message to Stand Out with Puja Madan [Coaching]

As I’ve worked with nearly 200 women over the past few years, I’ve seen how the same things trip us up, as well as what liberates us as women - our voices and our stories.  Have you ever attended an event, heard a speaker, and thought, “I could give just as good as, if not a better, presentation. Why am I not up there?” Have you ever shied away from submitting to speak at a conference or pitching yourself for a paid workshop because you don’t feel like you’re expert enough? Lack of confidence, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, the critical inner voice can all prevent us from putting ourselves out there or from talking about what we really want to talk about. I’ve been a self-proclaimed feminist since high school and have Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in women’s history and gender studies. Yet, until recently, I haven’t seen how feminism applies to how we show up as speakers. In this episode, I’m sharing the beginnings of a feminist framework I’m developing around public speaking. Being a feminist speaker has nothing to do with your content - you don’t have to be talking about feminist theory or only to women. It’s about truly finding our voices as women that have been buried under the scripts we think we’re supposed to act from - and making room for the voices that haven’t had opportunities to be heard. It’s about relationship and connection, equality and liberation. Listen in to hear 3 ways you can start adopting a feminist approach to your speaking now. I’ll do a future episode where I dig more into the feminist framework I’m developing, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/163 Sign up for our free 7-day challenge #ChoosingWomensVoices at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Join our Master Your Speaking program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.    Resources Mentioned: Book co-authored by Carol Gilligan: “Darkness Now Visible: Patriarchy's Resurgence and Feminist Resistance” Emma Gonzalez’s March for Our Lives speech: https://youtu.be/u46HzTGVQhg  Article on political scientist Rachel Bitecofer: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/02/06/rachel-bitecofer-profile-election-forecasting-new-theory-108944 Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally Episode 127: Developing Confidence in Public Speaking Episode 162: Why We’re #ChoosingWomensVoices – and You Should Too with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz  

I was listening to a well-known, very popular male podcaster a few months ago and he put me over the edge when he said something like this (I'm paraphrasing): "Some people tell me I should have more diverse guests - women and people of color - but I don't think that should be a criteria for who I invite. I want the best person on a given topic no matter their gender or race." And at that moment, I hit stop, unsubscribed, and deleted his show from my podcast app. 🤯​  (You'll hear who it was and more in this episode.) I do have to thank him for partly inspiring the #ChoosingWomensVoices challenge we're running this month to raise our awareness of the voices we listen to (and read), from podcasts and books to movies, tv, and news to our specific industry. How many are women? Is there diversity within those women's voices? Are there women podcasters/authors/experts you can find to augment (or replace) the male voices? You may be wondering: why does it matter if the content I listen to or read is from a woman or a man? That’s what we’re talking about on the podcast as well as during the challenge. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: What’s just as important as visibility is our actual voices as women and what we’re saying: “If you can see it *and* hear it, you can be it.” Although there are more women in higher-profile positions than ever, we're still hitting that glass ceiling. Why is that? There are many factors, but one is literally the voices we hear. The history of women being shamed, ridiculed, threatened, even harmed and killed for speaking up. This continues even today: GamerGate, harassment on social media, women in politics. Women’s actual voices are criticized as being shrill, nagging, whining, too angry, too emotional or not emotional enough. The positive impact that collective women’s voices can have, as we've seen in movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and #TimesUp.  What we can do about it by being more intentional with the voices we choose. Unsilencing ourselves and developing the confidence to do so. Join the Challenge! To sign up for our #ChoosingWomensVoices challenge, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. During the challenge, you'll receive an email prompt each day for 7 days with a short activity, along with recommendations. We'll also be asking you to share the women's voices you've found during the challenge. You can start the challenge any time - we’ll be repeating the 7 days each week in March. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by Diane Diaz, one of our speaking coaches. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/162 Sign up for our 7-day challenge #ChoosingWomensVoices at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Connect on social media: LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/carolmorgancox  Twitter = https://www.twitter.com/carolmorgancox  Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 94: Speaking and Showing Up Powerfully as Women Episode 97: Thinking Bigger: I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter  

Join me for an insightful conversation with my guest Latesha Byrd, a speaker, podcaster, and the founder of Byrd Career Consulting, a consulting agency that provides professional and executive career coaching.  Latesha and I talk about: Figuring out what you want to be known for The identity shift that Latesha went through when she left one career to go into an entirely different field Why and how Latesha re-birthed her own brand and what the results have been Mindset strategies we can use to put ourselves out there: “Marry the process, not the outcome” Really good tips on how Latesha diversifies her social media content How Latesha gets speaking engagements and how she handles requests for free speaking Pricing and negotiating your speaking fees Join Our Challenge! Women's voices should carry equal weight, authority, and expertise. Join us in the #ChoosingWomensVoices 7-day challenge to bring awareness to and expand who we listen to, from podcasts and books to news, movies, and more. Sign up for free at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. About My Guest: As a career designer, speaker and consultant, Latesha Byrd - Founder and CEO of Byrd Career Consulting, is on a mission to help millennial professionals turn their dreams into careers that will allow them to live life on their own terms. Her work is centered at the intersection of career empowerment and life visioning. She founded Byrd Career Consulting, a consulting agency that provides resume makeovers, LinkedIn makeovers, interview coaching and executive career coaching. She partners with professional organizations, nonprofits, universities and corporations to deliver keynotes and workshops centered around people engagement and upward mobility, and provides coaching, with a range of clients including Black Enterprise, United Negro College Fund, Wake Forest University and the Urban League. She’s also an Adjunct Faculty at the North Carolina A&T State University, and a Certified Life and Career Coach. She also hosts a weekly career advice podcast with Living Corporate, The Link Up With Latesha.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/161 Latesha’s website: https://www.lateshabyrd.com/ Living Corporate, a podcast for black and brown professionals at work. Sign up for our 7-day challenge #ChoosingWomensVoices at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777.   Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Latesha Byrd (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lateshabyrd/ Connect on Twitter: Carol Cox = https://www.twitter.com/carolmorgancox Latesha Byrd (guest) = https://www.twitter.com/latesha_byrd Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 105: Tips for Speakers: From Negotiating Your Fee to Opening Your Talk Episode 132: 7 Reasons Why You Aren't Getting Paid to Speak

How would you like a bucket of leads at your business doorstep every day? Sounds great, right? Well, maybe not. This conversation with sales expert Reena Philpot is going to revolutionize the way you look at sales. I’ve gotten to know Reena over the past 2 years, and we worked together a few months ago to create her signature talk. The sales insights and approaches she shared with me while we created her talk were so profound that I started using them myself - and have seen the results. In this episode, Reena and I talk about: Why more leads coming to you is *not* the answer Why and how Reena hand selects 90% of her clients The power of truly identifying the need a prospect has - Reena shares a great story about her dad The difference between marketing and sales Common sales mindset issues and how to shift them for higher sales Feeling good about the sales process Join Our Challenge! Women's voices should carry equal weight, authority, and expertise. Join us in the #ChoosingWomensVoices 7-day challenge to bring awareness to and expand who we listen to, from podcasts and books to news, movies, and more. Sign up for free at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge/.   About My Guest: Reena Philpot is a sales coach with 25 years of experience in sales. She and her husband own and operate a successful office equipment dealership in Kentucky that they started in their garage 17 years ago. Reena enjoys working with others helping them become successful and confident with their sales process. She believes it’s better to pick your clients when possible rather than waiting on them to come to you.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/160  Reena’s website: https://reenaphilpot.com/ Sign up for our 7-day challenge #ChoosingWomensVoices at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777.   Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Reena Philpot (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/reena-philpot/ Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 133: Authentic Selling at Your Speaking Engagements with Nikki Rausch [Money Series]  

How do you know when you’re ready for the next big thing, to make a change? Do you feel that you need to learn more, become more of an expert? Or are you the type of person who’s willing to learn while leaping? I’m joined by my friend and incredible coach Stephanie Harter, who’s made a few leaps herself over the years. We talk about what prompted her career changes, whether she felt ready, and what mindset strategies helped her and could help you. Stephanie has great energy, so you’ll be inspired by this conversation! Women's voices should carry equal weight, authority, and expertise. Join us in the #ChoosingWomensVoices 7-day challenge to bring awareness to and expand who we listen to, from podcasts and books to news, movies, and more. Sign up for free at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge/.   About My Guest: Stephanie Harter is the co-instructor of the online Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certificate course, award-winning author of the book The Skinny On Eating Like You Give a Damn, and the host of the popular Eating Like You Give a Damn podcast where she interviews experts, innovators, and celebrities about the global movement towards a plant-based future.  As a vegan visionary and certified coach, Stephanie works with vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based coaches and wellness professionals to set the foundation to their online practice, earn a full-time income while living a freedom-based lifestyle, and make a big impact in the world for people, animals and our planet.  Stephanie is also a sought-after speaker on vegan leadership and business development for health coaches. You’ll likely find her raising everyone’s energy at a personal growth event, helping out at a farm animal sanctuary, or kickboxing at her local gym in St. Petersburg, FL.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/159/ Stephanie’s website: https://www.eatinglikeyougiveadamn.com/. Stephanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatinglikeyougiveadamn/ Listen to Stephanie’s podcast “Eating Like You Give a Damn” https://www.eatinglikeyougiveadamn.com/ Carol’s interview on Stephanie’s podcast: http://eatinglikeyougiveadamn.buzzsprout.com/377237/1632292-12-speaking-tips-for-epic-vegan-outreach-carol-cox Sign up for our 7-day challenge #ChoosingWomensVoices at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/challenge or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin. 

Public speaking can certainly bring about nerves and uncertainty, whether you’re a new speaker or you’ve been speaking a while and want to try something new on stage or with a larger audience. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: The improv class we’re taking and what we’ve learned so far that can help you Our own personal experiences of feeling uncertain about new experiences How Diane is approaching hiking part of the Appalachian Trail next year (bears, oh my!) How I’m approaching writing my book proposal and book this year (self-doubt, for sure!) How some of our clients have approached dealing with uncertainty and fear The benefits of uncertainty - that’s where growth comes from   Interestingly, the week we recorded this episode, I had received an email newsletter from Leo Babauta of Zen Habits about uncertainty.  Here’s what he wrote: “The first mindset shift to consider is that uncertainty is not bad, or something to be avoided. It’s a natural part of doing anything meaningful. In fact, feeling uncertainty is a great sign that you’re doing something challenging and meaningful. “The second mindset shift is to see an uncertain path as a practice opportunity. It’s not something to run from, but a place to stay, so that we can grow, learn, and create.” Embrace trying new things and having new experiences, both on stage and off.   What’s something new you want to do this year? Let me know on LinkedIn!   Speaking of LinkedIn, have you purchased our LinkedIn for Speakers masterclass yet? Users are loving it! Here’s a recent review: “For months, I have moved the ‘learn to leverage LinkedIn’ task from one month to the next. Finding a class with the content, expertise and price point to fit my needs was a challenge. Finally success - I found Diane! She did a wonderful job focusing on the how's and why's of each topic. Her modules were well-organized to build upon one another and just the right length to absorb and apply the material. Because of the LinkedIn Masterclass, I am ready to leverage the platform to build my brand and grow my business. I could not be more pleased.” Get instant access to the online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our top speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/158 Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Book Writing Resources Mentioned: The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book by Cynthia Morris Book Proposal Academy with Joelle Hahn Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 71: Using Humor in Your Talks Will Get You More Speaking Gigs with Kathy Klotz-Guest Episode 127: Developing Confidence in Public Speaking [Confidence Series] Episode 129: From Fear of Speaking to Keynote Speaker in 2 Years with Dr. Charmaine Gregory [Confidence Series] Episode 131: Pitching and Negotiating for Bigger Speaking Opportunities with Maureen Taylor [Confidence Series]

I’m sharing 7 books and 4 podcast series that have impacted me personally and professionally because they’ve made me think about being a speaker (and an entrepreneur) in a different way. You won’t find these books or podcasts in the business or marketing section. They’re also not about public speaking tips. Instead, they can add depth and dimension to you as a speaker, so you’re more captivating, engaging, and memorable. I’ve listed the names of the books and podcasts below.  To hear what I’ve learned from them as a speaker, listen in. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read any of these books or listened to these podcasts. Let me know on LinkedIn!   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/157 Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Casey Gromer (client) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseygromer/ Books Mentioned: "The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism" by Olivia Fox Cabane "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters" by Priya Parker "The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life" by Lynne Twist "Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men" by Caroline Criado Perez "Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done" by Laura Vanderkam "The Awakened Woman: A Guide for Remembering & Igniting Your Sacred Dreams" by Dr. Tererai Trent "The Signature of All Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert   Podcasts Mentioned: The Jungle Prince 1619 The Dream Ordinary Equality

What does “being visible” mean? It means being seen and being in public view.  As entrepreneurs, we want to be seen, so people know what we do and how we can help them. Visibility strategies, including being a panelist and speaker, posting on LinkedIn, and writing for publications, is what my guest Janice Gassam has successfully done over the past few years (even as an introvert - and we talk about this). From graduating with her Ph.D. in Applied Organizational Psychology to becoming a sought-after speaker and a Senior Contributing Writer to Forbes, Janice has quickly elevated her visibility. But, “visible” also means something that’s apparent or obvious (from dictionary.com). It seems obvious that companies should improve diversity among their employees - and many are working towards this. But, they have blindspots and tend to be reactive rather than proactive, particularly when it comes to inclusion, leadership, and retention. Janice works with companies on diversity, inclusion, and equity, so we talk about this important topic too.  About My Guest: Janice Gassam, Ph.D. is a consultant, who created BWG Business Solutions, LLC, to help organizations create environments that are equitable for all employees. Janice facilitates workshops, delivers keynote speeches and “Awareness Talks” to spark important dialogue and develop strategies for more workplace inclusion. She is the host of the Diversity Dinner Dialogue in New York City, which is a free workshop on diversity, equity, and inclusion-related issues that companies and individuals are facing. She is a senior contributing writer for Forbes and a contributing writer for Fast Company. Janice is a TEDx speaker, having delivered a talk on emotional intelligence. Janice has a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and she is a professor of Business Management.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/156 Forbes article: “How Carol Cox Is Helping Women Speakers Get Paid What They Deserve”   Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin/in/dianediaz Janice Gassam = https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicegassamphd/ Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Join our Master Your Speaking program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 84: Less Is More: Developing Your Visibility Strategy with Wendy Zanders [Coaching] Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally Episode 102: Getting Local Media and Publicity to Expand Your Visibility with Amanda Berlin Episode 126: Gain Skills and Visibility By Serving on a Board with Shireen Motara

Public speaking has undoubtedly been one of the key factors in building 3 different businesses over the last 18 years. You’ll hear the lessons and mistakes I learned, so you can use speaking effectively and strategically as part of your overall marketing strategy, whether you’re newer in your business or years in. Why does public speaking work so well as an entrepreneur? Being a speaker gives you instant credibility and authority. Putting your message out there gives you invaluable feedback (real-time market research). It generates leads and clients and fast tracks the sales process. It grows your network and the number of people who know what you do. If you’d like to make speaking and visibility a focus this year, we’d love to work with you in our Master Your Speaking program. It’s a combination of one-on-one individual coaching where you work with us to create your signature talk in a Virtual VIP Day plus you get bi-weekly group calls for 3 months as you learn how to position, promote, and market yourself to get better speaking engagements, including paid ones. We’re accepting applications now for the few spots we have left. (This is a small program - max 12 women.) To learn more about Master Your Speaking and apply today (no credit card required), go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and leaders create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/155 ENROLLMENT IS CLOSING SOON! Apply for our Master Your Speaking coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin/in/dianediaz    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk Episode 132: 7 Reasons Why You Aren’t Getting Paid to Speak Episode 136: How to Use the Feedback Form for Higher Quality Lead Generation [Money Series] Episode 145: You Need to Create a Framework [Frameworks Series]

What trends are on the horizon that you can capitalize on to get better speaking engagements and to get better results from them? How can you improve your presentations so the audience raves about you and you get invited to do more (including paid speaking)? How can you be memorable as a speaker? In this episode, you’ll learn 3 trends you can apply to your presentation content and delivery that can make the difference between a so-so speaking engagement and one that makes an impact. After having worked with over 150 clients during the past 4 years to create their presentations, workshops and keynotes, attended and spoken at many conferences and events, and talked to event organizers, I’m keenly attuned to what sets apart good speakers from great ones - those who’ve mastered speaking as a communication medium. What I mean by trends are not fads or cliches or gimmicks.  Trends are like currents or waves of energy that move through our society and affect everything from business and the economy to popular culture and media as well as our politics. As speakers and leaders, our talks have more of an impact if our audiences can see the bigger picture of what’s affecting them and the world around them. Curious what these 3 big trends are? Listen in! Are you ready to master your speaking? Our next Master Your Speaking program starts in mid-January and enrollment is open right now. You get to work one-on-one with us to create your signature talk PLUS you get 3 months of group coaching to learn how to position, promote, and market yourself to get better speaking engagements, including paid ones, and even your dream one. To learn more about the program and enroll today, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  If you have questions and want to make sure it’s the right fit, schedule a call with us. There’s a button to do so on that same page or email hello@speakingyourbrand.com.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/154 ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Join our Master Your Speaking coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin/in/dianediaz  Maureen Taylor (client - The Photo Detective) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/photodetective/ Marie Fiebach (client) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariefiebach/ Teresa McCloy (client - executive coach) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresamccloy/ Laura Gallaher (client - TEDx talk) = https://youtu.be/RUxT8wuDsG Danielle Medrano (client - cognitive performance coach) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-medrano/   Book “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker.   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 101: Public Speaking Trends for 2019 Episode 145: You Need to Create a Framework

Do you feel like you have too much content in your presentations? Too many good things you can share with your audiences and you’re not sure how to select what to include? Most of us feel this way - and it’s our job as speakers to identify the most essential elements and convey them in a way the audience can understand and apply. One way to do this is to thread a story throughout your talk, where the people (could be you, a client, or someone else) in the story, the situation they’re in, the challenges they face, and how they overcome them becomes the lessons the audience learns. In this on-air coaching call, my guest Amber Hawley and I do exactly this as we go through her signature talk. We identify a client story Amber can use and then play with the timeline to keep it interesting. Amber recently graduated from our Master Your Speaking program. Our next Master Your Speaking program starts in mid-January and enrollment is open right now. You get to work one-on-one with us to create your signature talk PLUS you get 3 months of group coaching to learn how to position, promote, and market yourself to get better speaking engagements, including paid ones, and even your dream one. To learn more about the program and enroll today, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  If you have questions and want to make sure it’s the right fit, schedule a call with us. There’s a button to do so on that same page or email hello@speakingyourbrand.com.  About My Guest: Amber Hawley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of a group private practice. Amber is also co-host of the My Biz Bestie Podcast, Founder of CouplesFix, which provides relationship support to high achieving couples, and is a speaker. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/153 Connect with Amber: http://www.amberhawley.com  Listen to Amber’s podcasts “Couples Fix” and “My Biz Bestie.” ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Join our Master Your Speaking coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 82: How to Create an Emotional Connection with Your Audience with Leanne Kabat [Coaching] Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories [Storytelling Series] Episode 139: Selecting the Best Stories to Include in Your Signature Talk with Marie Fiebach [Storytelling Series]

This is a secret bonus episode - my podcast editor doesn’t know about it, neither does my assistant (shhh!). I had originally planned to do a “year in review” episode, but as early December became mid-December and the holidays were upon us, I got busy and decided to skip it. But, I’ve found myself enjoying listening to other podcasters talk about their year and what worked for them.  So, here’s my review of what worked this past year, what didn’t, and what’s coming in 2020. I cover the business, the podcast, visibility, social media, sales approaches, and personal experiences. At the end, I sum everything up into 3 big lessons, including my biggest lesson, which was a surprise for me. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2020!   Our next Master Your Speaking program starts in mid-January and enrollment is open right now. You get to work one-on-one with us to create your signature talk PLUS you get 3 months of group coaching to learn how to position, promote, and market yourself to get better speaking engagements, including paid ones, and even your dream one. To learn more about the program and enroll, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  If you have questions and want to make sure it’s the right fit, schedule a call with us. There’s a button to do so on that same page or email hello@speakingyourbrand.com.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Join our Master Your Speaking coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Get our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin.  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin/in/dianediaz  Reena Philpot (client - sales professional) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/reena-philpot/   Want to improve your podcast or need an editor? I highly recommend our editor, Tim Wohlberg. Check him out at https://podcastperformancecoach.com/.    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk Episode 149: A Different Way of Setting and Achieving Your Speaking Goals

Remember the VH1 series from the late 1990s called “Where are they now?”  The show would look back at artists, bands, and actors (mostly from the 1980s) and see what happened to them. It was captivating television because we’re curious to see what happens to people, especially famous people, after they’ve had their big success. My guests today, Teresa McCloy and Anne Torrez, aren’t 80s pop stars and they're not famous (yet!), but they have been on this podcast previously in on-air coaching calls. Both Teresa and Anne also recently graduated from our Master Your Speaking online coaching program. I figured it would be a great opportunity to catch up with them to see what they’ve been doing since we last heard from them and what goals they have for the new year. Do you have doing more speaking - and making revenue from it - as one of your goals for 2020? Our next Master Your Speaking program starts in mid-January and enrollment is open right now. You get to work one-on-one with us to create your signature talk PLUS you get 3 months of group coaching to learn how to position, promote, and market yourself to get better speaking engagements, including paid ones, and even your dream one. To learn more about the program and enroll today, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  If you have questions and want to make sure it’s the right fit, schedule a call with us. There’s a button to do so on that same page or email hello@speakingyourbrand.com.    About My Guests:  Teresa McCloy is the creator of the REALIFE ProcessTM, a Certified Leadership & Business Coach, Accredited Enneagram Professional, Podcaster, and Keynote Speaker. Teresa partners with her clients as a coach, consultant, and professional speaker to FORGET being productive and do what truly matters. Teresa is the host of the podcast “The Enneagram in your REALIFE.” Anne Torrez was hooked for the long haul after completing her first triathlon as a way to improve her health. Today, Anne coaches runners, cyclists and triathletes all over the country to become the best athletes they can be, by creating individualized training programs that focus on consistent improvement and steady progress. Anne speaks to groups about how to make changes, both in ourselves and in the culture of sport, in order to impact future of women in the world.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/152 Connect with Teresa: https://teresamccloy.com/. Listen to Teresa’s podcast “The Enneagram in your REALIFE.” Connect with Anne: http://triityourway.com/ and http://annetorrez.com/. ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Join our Master Your Speaking online coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 80: Connecting Your Why with What Makes Your Approach Unique with Anne Torrez [Coaching] Episode 112: Deciding On Your Signature Talk Topic with Teresa McCloy [Coaching]

What stage do you dream to be standing on, looking out at the audience, sharing your message? What kind of speaker do you want to be? This month on the podcast, we’re talking about goals and planning, so I thought it would be fun to bring on some women entrepreneurs and have them share with us what their big speaking dreams are. Hopefully, they will inspire you as much as they’ve inspired me. Appearing in order in this episode: Angela Hosking is the owner and CEO of Her One Tribe and author of the book “Woman on Top: Lead Like a Lady Boss.” Brenda Reiss is a Forgiveness Coach and CEO of Brenda Reiss Coaching.  Tanea Smith is an Inspirational Speaker & Transition Expert for women who are transitioning from welfare to work. She’s also the founder of She’s Got Papers, a witty & empowering stationery collection. Amanda J. Hill is the founder of MaesAwyr, LLC, which provides communities, aviation businesses, and consultants with airport and airspace planning, program management, and funding expertise. Isabel Varela is an eco-friendly fashion designer, environmental activist and sustainability advocate. Tori Boats is a business strategy and peak performance expert who helps high-achieving leaders to become visionary business leaders while experiencing more joy, ease, and freedom. All of these women have worked with us here at Speaking Your Brand and five out of the six just graduated from our online coaching program. Our next Master Your Speaking program starts in mid-January and enrollment is open right now. You get to work one-on-one with us to create your signature talk PLUS you get 3 months of group coaching to learn how to position, promote, and market yourself to get better speaking engagements, including paid ones, and even your dream one. To learn more about the program and enroll today, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  If you have questions and want to make sure it’s the right fit, schedule a call with us. There’s a button to do so on that same page or email hello@speakingyourbrand.com.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/151 ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Join our Master Your Speaking online coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 149: A Different Way of Setting and Achieving Your Speaking Goal [Goals & Planning Series]

Do you have being a guest on podcasts as one of your goals for 2020? It’s a fantastic way to reach new audiences, build relationships with podcast hosts, and hone your message. But, there’s definitely a *right* way and a *wrong* way to pitch podcast hosts. As a podcaster, I get email pitches every day. And I delete 99% of them. The few I’ve kept have been from my guest on this episode, Angie Trueblood. Why are her pitches so effective? That’s what we talk about, along with how to be a great guest. You’ll learn: The benefits of being a guest on podcasts How to find relevant shows How to be a great guest Strategies for lead generation when you’re a guest Do’s and Don'ts of pitching - this also applies to pitching for speaking engagements Tips for your first time being a guest This episode is part of our series on Goals & Planning. ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Join our Master Your Speaking coaching program that begins in mid-January: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery/. You get the best of one-on-one work with us on your signature talk (Virtual VIP Day) + a 3-month online group coaching program so you learn how to position, market, and promote yourself as a paid speaker. About My Guest: As a podcast visibility expert who fiercely believes in the power of women stepping more fully into their gifts, Angie Trueblood knows that the only 'perfect pitch' is the one that leads with value and focuses on building a genuine connection. Whether she is teaching entrepreneurs how to pitch themselves or working behind the scenes to secure opportunities for others, Angie leverages her super-connector powers to grow businesses and build long-lasting relationships. Angie is the host of the Go Pitch Yourself podcast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/150 Connect with Angie on her website at https://www.angietrueblood.com/. Listen to Angie’s podcast “Go Pitch Yourself”: https://www.angietrueblood.com/podcast/. Join our Master Your Speaking coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 149: A Different Way of Setting and Achieving Your Speaking Goal [Goals & Planning Series]

Before you ask yourself *what* goals you want to achieve as a speaker, ask yourself *who* do you want to *be* as a speaker and then what do you need to do to become that? Taking on that identity is what will make the goals real to you. This has been so helpful to me because traditional goal setting has never worked that well. I’d make a goal, like guesting on 2 podcasts a month or doing 1 speaking engagement a month. But, I never felt truly motivated to keep pursuing them. I’d give a bit of an effort and then it would fizzle out. Until I read a book earlier this year about a different way of setting and achieving goals: WHO you want to be comes first. Then, the goals and habits follow. In this episode, you’ll learn a different way of setting goals: First, we go through specific questions to reflect on the speaking and visibility you did this year (Diane shares hers) Visualizing the big picture of what you want with a journaling exercise Stepping back and thinking about WHO you want to become as a speaker Identifying what you’ll need to do to make that happen, using a handy acronym S.E.A.M. we came up with   → Download the prompts we go through and the S.E.A.M. acronym in the free PDF guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/149 This episode is the first in our new series on Goals & Planning.   ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Join our Master Your Speaking coaching program that begins in mid-January: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery/. You get the best of one-on-one work with us on your signature talk (Virtual VIP Day) + a 3-month online group coaching program so you learn how to position, market, and promote yourself as a paid speaker. Spots are limited to 10-12 women, so secure your spot today at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery/.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our top speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Download the FREE PDF guide for this episode at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/149 Join our Master Your Speaking program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Get instant access to our LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin  Brainy Business podcast episode 70 on goals = https://thebrainybusiness.com/podcast/70-how-to-set-achieve-exceed-brainy-goals/ Book: “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 72: How to Speak Strategically for Better Business Results Episode 118: Push Past Your Speaking Plateau

Ideas that come from innovation and creativity seem like they come out of nowhere, a flash of inspiration that hits you all of a sudden. This can certainly happen, but in a business, innovation and creativity can - and should - be harnessed regularly to understand your customers, create new products, and find new market opportunities. My guest is Sura Al-Naimi, who is a former Disney Global Innovation Officer at their internal think tank and now has her own company that helps startups and Fortune 100 organizations, including Hyperloop, Facebook, and Kaiser Permanente. In her workshops and consulting, Sura helps teams get out of silos and risk-averse behavior to find a common language, toolkit, and mindset to unlock their creativity to solve problems. And she does so using a framework. Sura and I talk about: Why we (individually and in teams) get stuck creatively The innovation framework Sura uses with her clients How having this framework helps get buy-in from various stakeholders in the sales process Key mindsets that help in creative sessions How to set up a creative session   This episode is part of our series on Frameworks, episodes 145-148. Need help creating your framework? Work with us in a 90-minute strategy session or create both your signature framework and signature talk in a Virtual VIP Day.    NEW! We’ve created a LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass so you can leverage the power of LinkedIn to land speaking gigs, build your brand, and grow your business. In this video masterclass, you’ll learn the 3 C’s:  Copy = Write copy for your LinkedIn profile that optimizes your profile for search and gets you found by your ideal clients Content = Create and share content on the LinkedIn platform that enhances your profile and brand, positions you as a thought leader in your industry, and gets your LinkedIn presence in front of more of your ideal audience Connections = Mine the data on the LinkedIn platform to grow your network, nurture your connections, and build your know, like, trust factor   SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME DISCOUNT FOR PODCAST LISTENERS: Get 50% off the masterclass by using the coupon code “podcast” at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin. Available for a limited time.   About My Guest: Since 2001, Sura Al-Naimi has been in the world of innovation and creativity. She is a former Disney Global Innovation Officer at their internal think tank, B2B tech and luxury jewelry entrepreneur, and challenger strategist at the What If Innovation Group, Synectics and EatBigFish. Sura has bridged the worlds of startups and Fortune 100 organizations. Disney, Hyperloop, Facebook, Chick-Fil-A, Levis, Kaiser Permanente, Barilla to name a few. She is the co-founder and Chief Co-Creation Officer of WeOverMe, an innovation network, founder of HiHelloSura, and an adjunct at Ray Kurzweil and Peter Diamandis Singularity University.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/148 Connect with Sura on her website at https://www.hihellosura.com/. Book recommendation “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters” by Priya Parker. Download our free Strategic Speaking Guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for our Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session to create your framework at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Connect with Carol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox/. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 145: You Need to Create a Framework [Frameworks Series]

We’re continuing our series on Frameworks with a deep dive into how my guest and her business partner created their framework, from idea to testing with clients to writing a book. My guest is Danya Shea, who is the co-founder of FervorWorks, a think tank that helps companies achieve exponential growth and scalability. How do they help companies do this? With what they call Radical Customer Empathy. What is Radical Customer Empathy? You’ll learn about it in this episode, as well as how Shea has successfully used their framework to attract different types of clients, from software start-ups to mid-tier consumer goods companies.  Shea and I talk about: What Radical Customer Empathy is (you can use this in your business too) Examples of 3 different stages of companies with which Shea has used her framework How having a replicable, scalable, and predictable framework has been beneficial to the growth of her company, including in the sales process and for attracting speaking opportunities How she came up with and tested the framework, including their Ideal Customer Journey   This episode is part of our series on Frameworks, episodes 145-148. Need help creating your framework? Work with us in a 90-minute strategy session or create both your signature framework and signature talk in a Virtual VIP Day.  NEW! We’ve created a LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass so you can leverage the power of LinkedIn to land speaking gigs, build your brand, and grow your business. In this video masterclass, you’ll learn the 3 C’s:  Copy = Write copy for your LinkedIn profile that optimizes your profile for search and gets you found by your ideal clients Content = Create and share content on the LinkedIn platform that enhances your profile and brand, positions you as a thought leader in your industry, and gets your LinkedIn presence in front of more of your ideal audience Connections = Mine the data on the LinkedIn platform to grow your network, nurture your connections, and build your know, like, trust factor   SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME DISCOUNT FOR PODCAST LISTENERS: Get 50% off the masterclass by using the coupon code “podcast” at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin. Available for a limited time.   About My Guest: Danya Shea is co-founder of FervorWorks and is your on-call market-acquisition strategist and technologist. As an advocate and activist, she stays on top of rapidly changing trends in consumer behavior and expectations. Keeping objectives in full-view, she insists data be meaningful and clear to support rapid decision-making. Shea’s leadership and teaching on empathy in business and modern business design has earned her recognition by the Orlando Business Journal as one of twelve 2016 Economic Game Changers, Women Who Means Business and a 2015 Top 40 Under 40.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/147 Connect with Shea on her website at https://www.fervorworks.com/. Get Shea’s book “Radical Customer Empathy” at https://www.fervorworks.com/book. Download our free Strategic Speaking Guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for our Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session to find your framework at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Connect with me on LinkedIn. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 16: Connecting through Empathy and Storytelling with Karen Millsap Episode 28: Aligning Your Mission with What Your Customers Want with Bruce Friedrich of the Good Food Institute Episode 145: You Need to Create a Framework [Frameworks Series]

In last week’s episode, you learned why having a framework in your business and for your presentations and workshops is incredibly powerful and the many ways you can use it.  In today’s episode, you’ll hear an on-air coaching call where I help my guest find her framework. My guest is Cha’Lea Stafford, who is the founder to a non-traditional leadership development firm that partners with purpose-driven organizations to engage the leadership of their workforce and connect their work to their world. Cha’Lea’s been facilitating workshops for her clients using her leadership development approach, but hadn’t yet codified it into a framework. You’ll hear the questions I ask Cha’Lea, that you can ask yourself, to extract the process she uses to get results. We then turn that process into an acronym, so it’s easy for her and her audiences to remember. What do we end up with for the acronym? Listen in to find out.  This episode is part of our series on Frameworks, episodes 145-148. Need help creating your framework? Work with us in a 90-minute strategy session or create both your signature framework and signature talk in a Virtual VIP Day.    NEW! We’ve created a LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass so you can leverage the power of LinkedIn to land speaking gigs, build your brand, and grow your business.   In this video masterclass, you’ll learn the 3 C’s:  Copy = Write copy for your LinkedIn profile that optimizes your profile for search and gets you found by your ideal clients Content = Create and share content on the LinkedIn platform that enhances your profile and brand, positions you as a thought leader in your industry, and gets your LinkedIn presence in front of more of your ideal audience Connections = Mine the data on the LinkedIn platform to grow your network, nurture your connections, and build your know, like, trust factor SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME DISCOUNT FOR PODCAST LISTENERS: Get 50% off the masterclass by using the coupon code “podcast” at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin. Available for a limited time.   About My Guest: Cha'Lea Stafford is the host of a leadership podcast called Flipping the Script Leadership Behind the Scenes, a soon to be author and the CEO and founder to a non-traditional leadership development firm that partners with purpose-driven organizations to engage the leadership of their workforce and connect their work to their world. Cha'Lea is an ex-corporate executive who has over a decade of leadership experience successfully leading high performing sales teams across the nation. She is no stranger to what it means to lead the complexities of your success through fear, failure, and adversity. By challenging some of the darkest moments of her life, she broke the barriers of adversity, climbed the corporate ladder, and launched into entrepreneurship. Cha'Lea is on a mission to create diverse leadership strategies for ALL.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/146  Connect with Cha’Lea on her website at https://www.goflipthescript.com/. Listen to Cha’Lea’s podcast “Flipping the Script Leadership Behind the Scenes.” Download our free Strategic Speaking Guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for our Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session to find your framework at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Connect with me on LinkedIn. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 67: Integrating What You Do in Your Business into Your Presentation with Melissa Bennett [Coaching] Episode 79: How to Develop the Shape of Your Framework for Your Presentations with Coryne Forest [Coaching] Episode 145: You Need to Create a Framework [Frameworks Series]

When you hear “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs,” does a shape come to mind? How about “sales funnel?” These are both examples of frameworks. Having a framework is a tremendous asset for your business - you can use it for sales conversations, on your website and marketing materials, and of course for your presentations. Frameworks help us to organize information, visualize a process, and remember it. A framework can be represented by a visual shape (triangle, circle, roadmap), an acronym (e.g., I.D.E.A.L. story ingredients - see episode 137), or an alliteration (such as 3 C’s or 3 S’s). In this episode, you’ll learn: What a framework is The multiple benefits of having one How to create yours The many places you can use your framework Lots and lots of examples   This episode is the first in our new series on Frameworks. Need help creating your framework? Work with us in a 90-minute strategy session or create both your signature framework and signature talk in a Virtual VIP Day.    NEW! We’ve created a LinkedIn for Speakers online masterclass so you can leverage the power of LinkedIn to land speaking gigs, build your brand, and grow your business.   In this video masterclass, you’ll learn the 3 C’s:  Copy = Write copy for your LinkedIn profile that optimizes your profile for search and gets you found by your ideal clients Content = Create and share content on the LinkedIn platform that enhances your profile and brand, positions you as a thought leader in your industry, and gets your LinkedIn presence in front of more of your ideal audience Connections = Mine the data on the LinkedIn platform to grow your network, nurture your connections, and build your know, like, trust factor   SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME DISCOUNT FOR PODCAST LISTENERS: Get 50% off the masterclass by using the coupon code “podcast” at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/linkedin. Available for a limited time.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. In this episode, Carol is joined by one of our speaking coaches, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/145 Download our free Strategic Speaking Guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for our Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session to find your framework at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create both your signature talk and framework. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox/  Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/    Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content with Carol Cox Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 79: How to Develop the Shape of Your Framework for Your Presentations with Coryne Forest [Coaching] Episode 106: Get More Speaking Opportunities with a Powerful Personal Brand with Diane Diaz

We’re continuing our podcast series on Leadership: what does it mean to be a leader for your audience, your clients, your community, and yourself. In this episode, I share key lessons I’ve learned, including around a recent business decision. To me, being a leader means helping others navigate change, to move from initial resistance and discomfort to understanding, acceptance, and enthusiasm to take new action.  As humans, we tend to resist change out of self-protection (fear of the unknown) and desire to keep the status quo (“don’t fix what’s not broken”). At times, this serves us well. However, progress, innovation, and success require change. And it’s leaders like you who make it happen. Listen in for strategies you can use to be a more impactful speaker and leader. This episode is part of our podcast series on Leadership, episodes 141-145.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/144 Connect with us on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox/  Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Company page = https://www.linkedin.com/company/speakingyourbrand/  Download our free Strategic Speaking Guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for our Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 46: We All Need a Wingwoman with Mia Scharphie Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 118: Push Past Your Speaking Plateau

We all have blindspots.  As leaders, entrepreneurs, and speakers, we should want to find out what they are and then work to minimize or improve in those areas. How do you know what your blindspots are?  My guest is Rhonda Peterson, who works with business owners and executive teams on leadership and delegation, to help them bridge the gap between the leader they currently are and the leader they want to be.  In this episode, Rhonda and I talk about: Where business owners and leaders should be focusing their time and attention The difference between managing time and managing energy How to uncover your blindspots 2 key questions to ask yourself The benefits of deadlines and constraints for getting things done   This episode is part of our podcast series on Leadership, episodes 141-145. About My Guest: Rhonda Peterson, ACC guides financial services leaders and entrepreneurs to lean into their Return on Energy (ROE) to increase their ROI, both professionally and personally. This opens space for their highest priorities. Rhonda spent her corporate career in Consumer Affairs and Marketing, working for Fortune 500 companies, including Borden Foods, International Paper, and Abbott Labs.  She describes herself as moving from marketing products to marketing people as she transitioned from consumer product brands into coaching leaders on developing their personal brand for marketplace impact through executive coaching. Along with coaching individual clients, Rhonda is an engaging speaker and an accomplished facilitator. Her audiences and clients love her high energy, her sense of humor, and ability to connect to their struggles while helping them grow. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/143 Connect with Rhonda on her website at https://rhondapeterson.com/ and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondapetersoncoach/. Books mentioned: The E-Myth Revisited Flow The Big Leap Deep Work   Download our free Strategic Speaking Guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for our Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Connect with Carol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox/. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 111: Make More Time for Speaking and Visibility with Clockwork Principles with Adrienne Dorison Episode 112: Deciding On Your Signature Talk Topic with Teresa McCloy [Coaching]  

As we continue our series on Leadership, how can you position your brand, both as a speaker and as an entrepreneur, for growth? When you’re seen as a leader in your industry, you’re going to attract premium clients and speaking engagements. My guest is Lisa Princic, who was my first business coach in 2015 and who helps business owners develop their business models and value proposition. In this episode, Lisa and I talk about: What it means to have a strong personal brand The difference between marketing and positioning Most people *think* they have a marketing problem, but really they have a positioning problem 3 ways to figure out your positioning The impact of having a signature offering on your business growth About My Guest: Lisa Princic helps impact-driven business owners dive deep into their unique value and business models to build sustainable $1million brands. She helps them simplify their offers, focus their brand with bolder messaging and strengthen their marketing systems. Lisa is a trained business strategist and marketing mentor who eases business owners from successful chaos to strategic flow to create more success and fulfillment. Lisa is also the host of the Message & Mastery podcast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/142 Connect with Lisa on her website at https://lisaprincic.com/. Listen to Lisa’s podcast “Mastery & Message” (I was on in episode 4). Listen to “Leveraging Your Special Sauce with Carol Cox” on the What Works podcast episode 236 hosted by Tara McMullin. (Tara was on the SYB podcast in episode 122: A Fresh Approach to Social Media Engagement.) Listen to “Scale Your Message with Carol Cox” on the Fierce Feminine Leadership podcast episode 369 hosted by Eleanor Beaton. (Eleanor was on the SYB podcast in episode 128: The 4 Visibility Mindset Shifts You Must Make.) Download our free Strategic Speaking Guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for our Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 12: Defining Your Value Proposition for Marketing with More Heart and Less Hustle with Lisa Princic Episode 102: Getting Local Media and Publicity to Expand Your Visibility with Amanda Berlin Episode 106: Get More Speaking Opportunities with a Powerful Personal Brand with Diane Diaz Episode 131: Pitching and Negotiating for Bigger Speaking Opportunities with Maureen Taylor [Confidence Series]

We’re kicking off a new podcast series on Leadership: what does it mean to be a leader for your audience, your clients, your community, and yourself. You’re going to love the stories and strategies that my guest, Nicole Tisdale, shares. Her story of literally running down a Congressman to ask him for a job is incredible - and shows the power of an “elevator pitch” (or, in this case, the Capitol Hill subway pitch). I had to ask Nicole where she got the confidence to go after what she wants - and you’ll hear what she answers. Nicole first contacted me earlier this year after listening to episode 98 with Dr. Nicole Rochester and her work that she’s doing to improve the doctor-patient-caregiver relationship. Nicole said she wanted to shout through the podcast during that episode to tell Dr. Nicole what she could do to get policies enacted, something most of us never think about doing. We also talk about women in politics, how Nicole approaches her speaking engagements, and why she decided to write a book. Nicole has a fascinating and impressive background: she worked on Capitol Hill for 10 years as a high-ranking staffer, with a focus on issues related to national security.  Nicole recently started her own company to help organizations and individuals learn how to advocate for themselves, whether it’s in Congress, your state legislature, or local city council. About My Guest: Nicole Tisdale, principal of Advocacy Blueprints, works with individuals and organizations who are eager to accelerate policy issues, increase advocacy efforts, and create changes in their organizations and communities. Nicole’s passion is making government accessible to all. During her ten-year tenure on the US House Committee on Homeland Security, Nicole developed a strong proficiency in handling congressional investigations of the Executive Branch and the private sector by mastering congressional process and procedure.  Serving as the former Director of Intelligence and Counterterrorism and the Director of Outreach and Coalitions for members and staff, she helped to advance the Committee’s outreach efforts by creating strategic partnerships between the private sector and the Committee in an effort to harness support for legislation and oversight for national security efforts. Her book, “Right To Petition: A Practical Guide to Creating Change in Government with Political Advocacy Tools and Tips,” is already a political reference bestseller and has received numerous excellent reviews, as the first of its kind.  Nicole received both her Juris Doctorate (’09) and Bachelors of Art (’06) from the University of Mississippi.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/141 Connect with Nicole on her websites at https://nicoletisdale.com/ and https://advocacyblueprints.com/.  Nicole’s book “Right To Petition: A Practical Guide to Creating Change in Government with Political Advocacy Tools and Tips.” Download our free Strategic Speaking Guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for the Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D. [Coaching] Episode 114: Building Your Thought Leadership Platform with Lisa Zawrotny [Coaching] Episode 125: Handling Hard Conversations at Live Events with Sarah & Beth of Pantsuit Politics

What can we learn from political speeches to apply to our own presentations? Quite a bit! For this episode, we watched speeches given by former First Lady Michelle Obama, Senator and Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (known as AOC). I’m joined by one of our speaking coaches Diane Diaz as we talk about the similarities and differences in their speeches, including: Understanding who their real audience is Using certain stories and historical references to relate to their audience The impact of visual imagery when telling a story Repetition of key phrases The change in tone and content between Michelle Obama’s 2008 and 2016 DNC speeches - and why The role authenticity plays Stereotypes that women leaders have to overcome The generational differences we see with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s speaking style   This episode is part of our Storytelling series, episodes 137-140.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. In this episode, Carol is joined by one of our speaking coaches, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Speeches: Michelle Obama's 2008 DNC speech Michelle Obama's 2016 DNC speech Elizabeth Warren's Sept. 2019 campaign speech Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speeches Greta Thunberg’s speech at the United Nations Climate Summit 2019 Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/140 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 33-777. Get on the interest list for the Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 94: Speaking and Showing Up Powerfully as Women with Molly Baker McPherson Episode 125: Handling Hard Conversations at Live Events with Sarah & Beth of Pantsuit Politics Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories [Storytelling Series]

We're continuing our series on storytelling with this on-air coaching call episode about what stories you should select to include in your signature talk, whether it's a business presentation, a conference session, or, in this case, a keynote. My guest is Marie Fiebach, who is a speaker and a regular contributor on her local TV station. Marie is part of our Master Your Speaking online group coaching program and she’s been working on her keynote talk. I invited her to come on the podcast to share with us how she selected the main story that was going to be the thread throughout her talk, as well as some of the other stories that she chose, including ones that showcase her credibility and her experience. This is a fun episode! We cover a lot, from call backs that comedians like Whitney Cummings use, to adding props and funny memes, to incorporating music and songs in your talks.   This episode is part of our Storytelling series, episodes 137-140.   About My Guest: Marie Fiebach has been working with non-profits for more than 20 years. Through her work in strategic planning and fundraising leadership, she has helped many organizations break through the status quo and achieve goals once thought to be impossible. Marie has helped organizations plan and execute fundraisers with revenues in excess of $100,000, developed a food program for at-risk teens, designed and executed a process for recruiting and hiring a new executive director, and so much more. She currently sits on two local non-profit boards and is a weekly guest on KAKE TV's Good Morning Kansas. She lives, works, and volunteers in Wichita, Kansas. When she is not helping others dream bigger you may find her pursuing her passion for helping busy families at FeedYourFamilyTonight.com.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/139 Connect with Marie on her websites: https://mariefiebach.com/ and https://feedyourfamilytonight.com/.  Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the interest list for the Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 81: Be a Better Speaker – Top Takeaways from Watching Presenters at Podcast Movement Episode 118: Push Past Your Speaking Plateau Episode 119: Deconstructing a Keynote: Writing, Preparation, and Delivery Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories [Storytelling Series]  

If you're sharing something personal in a presentation or a talk, you know that you should make it a story and include stories in your presentations in general. What about if you're presenting on topics that are more data-driven or research-based? You should definitely include stories as well. My guest in this episode is Karen Corbin, PhD, RD, who's a scientist herself and has a company with a great name called Geeks That Speak® to inspire and empower scientists to become powerful storytellers. Incorporating storytelling into their presentations is crucial, whether they’re presenting at conferences to peers or to the general public.  Stories can help spark curiosity, give context to facts and data, and make the information being presented more memorable. You don’t have to be a scientist to learn a lot in this episode. What Karen and I talk about applies to any topic. This episode is part of our Storytelling series, episodes 137-140.   About My Guest: Karen D. Corbin, PhD, RD is the Owner and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak® and an Investigator at the AdventHealth Orlando Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes. She is an expert in human nutrition and metabolism. Her scientific career is devoted to finding new approaches to prevent and treat diseases like diabetes and fatty liver disease. She is also an expert is scientific storytelling. After spending years traversing the worlds of healthcare and science, she realized that a fundamental gap exists for translating ideas into solutions: the common inability of scientists and other “geeks” to deliver information in a way that is impactful, relevant and inspires action. This led Dr. Corbin to an important conviction: by helping scientists translate complex scientific information in a way that is accessible to a broad range of audiences, she could help advance the innovation that will solve many of society’s most pressing problems So, she created the movement “Geeks That Speak®” to inspire and empower scientists to become powerful storytellers.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/138 Connect with Karen on her website at https://www.geeksthatspeak.com/.  New York Times article: “N.I.H. Head Calls for End to All-Male Panels of Scientists.” Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content with Carol Cox Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 76: Why the Stories We Tell Matter with Leena Nasser of The Chopra Institute Episode 113: Storytelling Isn’t Enough – Your Content Needs to be E.P.I.C.

We’ve all heard to use stories in our presentations. Stories make our content more interesting and memorable for the audience and can aid in learning. What I’ve seen is that we’re good at providing a *summary* of the story. But, what we’re not doing is *telling* a story. What’s the difference? 5 key ingredients that will spice up your stories. How do you go about telling a good story? Make it an I.D.E.A.L. story. You know I love acronyms and alliterations, so I came up with the acronym I.D.E.A.L. In this episode, we go through each letter - each ingredient - for a great story.   → Download the free PDF with the I.D.E.A.L. story ingredients at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/137.     This episode is the first of our new series on Storytelling, episodes 137-140.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes and free PDF at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/137   Book “Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction” by Jack Hart.   Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999.   Join our Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.    Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy.   Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.    Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox.   Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content with Carol Cox Episode 76: Why the Stories We Tell Matter with Leena Nasser of The Chopra Institute Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D. Episode 113: Storytelling Isn’t Enough – Your Content Needs to be E.P.I.C. Episode 119: Deconstructing a Keynote: Writing, Preparation, and Delivery

How can you increase leads and sales at your presentations? By asking for them! Having a feedback form that the audience fills out is one of the best ways to generate leads, especially if you don’t feel comfortable making a hard sales pitch in your presentation or if the place you’re speaking at forbids “selling from the stage.” Since I first started talking about the feedback form on this podcast in 2017, I get asked regularly which episode someone can listen to specifically about it. I haven’t had one specific episode - until now. In this episode, I describe what the feedback form is, what’s included on it, and how to use it. And then you’ll hear from six women in the Speaking Your Brand community who have used the feedback form at their presentations and the results they’ve received. Be sure to listen until the end - I have a bonus tip that you won’t want to miss. This episode is part of our Money series, episodes 132-136. If you’re ready to position yourself as a paid speaker as well as generate more leads from your speaking engagements, join our Monetize Your Speaking online group coaching program. This is a 3-month online, hands-on program that will help you find/refine your unique topic, create your speaking page, packages and fees, optimize your LinkedIn profile, improve your current presentation to make it more sales-driven, and position yourself as a premium speaker.   Appearing in order in this episode: Janna Lundquist is founder of Janna Lundquist Consulting and is known as the Team Whisperer.  Karen Wilson is a clinical neuropsychologist, founder of ChildNEXUS.com, and owner of West LA Neuropsychology, PC. Annette Adamska is your Small Business Stage Manager. Lorena Klingel is founder of Learn to Flourish. Lorena was on in episode 117: Turning Your Signature Talk into a Lead Generation Webinar. Kathy McEwan is a certified professional organizer and owner of a home organizing company called Second Set of Hands. She’s host of the podcast Organize for Success. Pam Andrews is founder of The Scholarship Shark and host of the podcast of the same name. Pam was on in episode 48: Strategies to Get Visible. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/136 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Join our Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 48: Strategy Session to Get Visible with Pam Andrews [Coaching] Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 74: Increase Conversions at Your Speaking Engagements [Coaching] Episode 110: Making the Most of Speaking at Trade Shows and Conferences with Sue Monhait Episode 117: Turning Your Signature Talk into a Lead Generation Webinar with Lorena Klingel [Coaching]  

For the past few episodes, we’ve talked about how you can monetize your speaking, whether it’s by getting paid a fee or generating leads and sales. Have you thought about putting on your own live, in-person event as another way to monetize your speaking and business? Notice that the title of this episode is “profits” (plural). That’s because, as you’ll hear, there are multiple benefits for you of putting on a live event. My guest is Anna Seewald, who has built a community from her own podcast and Facebook group. She decided at the end of 2018 that she was going to put on a live event in 2019. In this episode, Anna and I talk about: Why she decided to host an in-person, one-day event The reality of breaking even on the event itself The profits you can make that are more than the money How Anna decided on her ticket prices Anna paid her speakers (yay!) Where most of her ticket sales came from - and the surprising role social media played Revenue streams from the event besides ticket sales Lessons learned for next time, including you being the keynote speaker   This episode is part of our Money series, episodes 132-136. If you’re ready to position yourself as a paid speaker as well as generate more leads from your speaking engagements, join our Monetize Your Speaking online group coaching program. This is a 3-month online, hands-on program that will help you find/refine your unique topic, create your speaking page, packages and fees, optimize your LinkedIn profile, improve your current presentation to make it more sales-driven, and position yourself as a premium speaker.   About My Guest:  Anna Seewald, M.Ed is a Parent Educator, Keynote Speaker, Author and Host of The Authentic Parenting Podcast. With background in psychology and education, having worked with children for 18 years, today she helps conscious moms and dads to become calm and connected to themselves and their children through trauma-informed education. She believes in helping children by helping parents. She has a private practice that specializes in parent education, where she provides one-on-one parent coaching, parenting, court ordered, and co-parenting classes.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/135 Connect with Anna on her website: http://www.authenticparenting.com. Listen to Anna’s podcast “Authentic Parenting”. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Join our Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 52: Producing Live Events to Showcase Your Business & Brand with Renee Warmack Episode 69: What Event Organizers Look for in Speakers with Erin Smith Episode 90: Hosting Your Own Workshop or Retreat with Blair Thielemier Episode 109: How to Put On a Winning Workshop with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz

How can you approach an uncomfortable or difficult topic with your audience, so that they open up and you can facilitate a productive conversation, learning, and action taking? For many companies, the gender pay gap is one of those issues that they want to be seen as making progress on, yet having real conversations around it, that lead to action, can be challenging. This is the situation that my guest, Michelle Gyimah, finds herself in regularly. Michelle lives in the U.K. and works with companies to improve the pay and leadership gap between men and women. Michelle faced this issue herself when she went back to work after having children and what she found was frustrating: resistance by companies to part-time and remote work for women at her skill level who should be paid equitably but aren’t. In this episode, Michelle and I talk about: The gender pay gap is more than money The way the world of work is structured is putting up barriers Michelle’s personal story How Michelle gets people at all levels of a company to open up and have these difficult conversations about the gender pay and leadership gap The solutions are found when you come to the table The kind of company culture that’s open to this The workshop activities Michelle uses Bringing people’s objections out into the open (this is for any topic you speak on) Women speakers not getting paid, especially ones like Michelle who speak on the gender pay gap {rant}   This episode is part of our Money series, episodes 132-136. If you’re ready to position yourself as a paid speaker as well as generate more leads from your speaking engagements, join our Monetize Your Speaking online group coaching program. This is a 3-month online, hands-on program that will help you find/refine your unique topic, create your speaking page, packages and fees, optimize your LinkedIn profile, improve your current presentation to make it more sales-driven, and position yourself as a premium speaker.   About My Guest: Michelle Gyimah is the Director of Equality Pays, a gender equality consultancy dedicated to closing workplace pay gaps. In addition to working with employers, Michelle is also a passionate advocate for enabling women to get equal pay and close their pay gaps. She does this by supporting their equal pay investigations and teaching women workplace negotiation skills to allow them to get more of what they want. Michelle has over 10 years’ experience of working at the Equality and Human Rights Commission and holds a Masters in Human Rights from The University of Manchester. Michelle is a regular contributor to numerous national business magazines, international conferences and lives in Manchester, UK. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/134 Connect with Michelle on her website: http://www.equalitypays.co.uk  Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellegyimah/  Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Join the Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 54: Building a Culture of Trust with Your Team and Audience with Dr. Laura Gallaher Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 125: Handling Hard Conversations at Live Events with Sarah & Beth of Pantsuit Politics Episode 126: Gain Skills and Visibility By Serving on a Board with Shireen Motara Episode 131: Pitching and Negotiating for Bigger Speaking Opportunities with Maureen Taylor [Confidence Series]

When we’re doing unpaid speaking engagements, the expectation is that, because it’s free, we can use it for building brand awareness and for lead generation. However, many conferences and groups explicitly forbid “selling from the stage.” I’ve never liked that phrase because it conjures up images of a pitchman on stage hawking their wares like on an infomercial. It’s a turn off to the audience and for many of us speakers it feels awkward and inauthentic. But, there IS a way to sell who you are and what you do in your presentations authentically and by providing value to your audience. My guest is Nikki Rausch, who is my sales coach and who last appeared on the podcast in episode 34 in September 2017. In this episode, Nikki and I talk about: How to sell from the stage in an authentic and genuine way How to prime people in the audience to want more Why you should pre-frame your offer at the beginning of your presentation Planting seeds throughout your presentation by telling stories Transitioning to your offer and how to determine what price point the offer should be for that audience What to do after your presentation is over to get consult calls scheduled right then and there Nikki’s Selling Staircase framework (5 steps) Negotiating your speaking fees This is the second episode in our new podcast series on Money, episodes 132-136. Nikki was a guest speaker in our Master Your Speaking group coaching program and the women were blown away by her feedback to them. If you’re ready to position yourself as a paid speaker as well as generate more leads from your speaking engagements, join our Monetize Your Speaking online group coaching program. This is a 3-month online, hands-on program that will help you find/refine your unique topic, create your speaking page, packages and fees, optimize your LinkedIn profile, improve your current presentation to make it more sales-driven, and position yourself as a premium speaker. About My Guest:  Founder and CEO of “Sales Maven”, an organization dedicated to authentic selling, Nikki Rausch has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of “selling”.   With 25+ years of experience selling to such prestigious organizations as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, and NASA, Nikki shattered sales records in many industries, receiving multiple “top producer” awards along the way. Today, entrepreneurs and small business owners from a wide range of disciplines hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically, without being pushy or “salesy.” An engaging and sought-after speaker, she shares the secrets of her sales success through illuminating keynote addresses and business-changing workshops. Her robust Sales Maven Society ignites game-changing outcomes for clients.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/133 Connect with Nikki on her website at https://yoursalesmaven.com.  Get Nikki’s free ebook gift “Closing the Sale” at https://www.yoursalesmaven.com/ebook.  Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Join the Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 34: Relationship Selling with Nikki Rausch Episode 59: Why You Shouldn’t Sell from the Stage – and What to Do Instead with Carol Cox Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework  Episode 74: Increase Conversions at Your Speaking Engagements with April Caldwell [Coaching] Episode 96: Booking Corporate Workshops from Local Speaking Gigs with Louise Brogan [Coaching]

As we gain more experience as speakers and build our platforms, many of us want to get paid to speak. But, we don't know where to start - or we're asking to be paid and hearing "it's not in our budget." In this episode, I’m joined by one of our speaking coaches Diane Diaz to talk about 7 reasons why you aren’t getting paid to speak - and what to do to change it. A few of the reasons may seem obvious (not knowing to ask to be paid in the first place), but some of them may surprise you and be ones you haven’t considered. If you’re ready to position yourself as a paid speaker as well as generate more leads from your speaking engagements, get on the interest list for our upcoming Monetize Your Speaking online group coaching program. This is a 3-month online, hands-on program that will help you find/refine your unique topic, create your speaking page, packages and fees, optimize your LinkedIn profile, improve your current presentation to make it more sales-driven, and position yourself as a premium speaker. This is the first episode in our new series on Money. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. In this episode, Carol is joined by one of our speaking coaches, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our one-on-one and group coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/132 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the interest list for the Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework  Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 106: Get More Speaking Opportunities with a Powerful Personal Brand with Diane Diaz Episode 123: The Key Elements You Need to Get Paid Speaking Engagements with Li Hayes Episode 131: Pitching and Negotiating for Bigger Speaking Opportunities with Maureen Taylor [Coaching]

Have you held back from pitching yourself for bigger speaking engagements? Or have you not raised your speaking fees even after you’ve been speaking for a while? Or have you not asked to be paid at all? Just like in our businesses, we need to develop confidence in the value, expertise, and experience we provide as speakers at an event. And sometimes having an outside perspective, like a coach, can be the push you need. My guest is Maureen Taylor, known as The Photo Detective. Maureen has been a speaker for years and has appeared on national TV programs like The View and The Today Show. As a member of our Master Your Speaking group coaching program, Maureen has been encouraged by me and the other women in the group to go after bigger speaking opportunities and to raise her fees. In this on-air coaching call, Maureen and I talk about: How nerves can appear even when you’ve been speaking for years (and oftentimes it’s because of a certain type of audience) What to do when you’re hit with a bundle of nerves to gain your confidence back The energy you have as a speaker and the energy and personality of the audience How to handle hecklers in the audience Negotiating your speaker fees Pitching yourself, including what to write in the introductory email Strategies to make it easier to promote yourself   Whether you’ve been speaking for years or have started more recently, you’ll learn a lot from this episode. This episode is part of our Confidence Series, episodes 127-131. About My Guest: Maureen Taylor is a frequent keynote speaker on photo identification, photograph preservation, and family history at historical and genealogical societies, museums, conferences, libraries, and other organizations across the U.S., London and Canada.  She’s the author of several books and hundreds of articles and her television appearances include The View and The Today Show (where she researched and presented a complete family tree for host Meredith Vieira).  She’s been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Better Homes and Gardens, The Boston Globe, Martha Stewart Living, Germany’s top newspaper Der Spiegel, American Spirit, and The New York Times. Maureen was recently a spokesperson and photograph expert for MyHeritage.com, an internationally known family history website and also writes guidebooks, scholarly articles and online columns for such media as Smithsonian.com.  About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/131 Connect with Maureen on her website at https://maureentaylor.com/. Listen to Maureen’s podcast “The Photo Detective.” Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the interest list for the Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 46: We All Need a Wingwoman with Mia Scharphie Episode 72: How to Speak Strategically for Better Business Results Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 127: Developing Confidence in Public Speaking

We all know that non-verbal communication can be as important as our words, whether we're talking with a person one-on-one or speaking in front of an audience. Did you know that our body movement - our kinetic energy - is something different from what we traditionally think of regarding body language and it has an impact too? My guest is Ritu Chander, the founder of The Next Move LLC, which is a decision-making consultancy. In this episode, Ritu and I talk about: How she became interested in body movement The history of movement analysis The subconscious behaviors we do How our body movement reflects our cognitive processing and how we make decisions The difference between looking at body language and kinetic energy As speakers, how our body movement can impact the audience subconsciously Why it’s important to change up our body movement, gestures, and voice when we’re speaking Why we want to come across as approachable and warm - and what to do if we feel like that’s not our natural personality This episode is part of our Confidence Series, episodes 127 through 131.   About My Guest: Ritu Chander is the Founder of The Next Move LLC, with offices in Chicago, Illinois. The Next Move is a leading decision-making consultancy in the United States. Ritu is passionate about the transformative results that occur as her clients break through the roadblocks of their ingrained decision-making patterns. Ritu employs an analytical technique of correlating subconscious behaviors to cognitive strengths and weaknesses, a technique scientifically proven as 99% accurate.  Ritu expands her services to speaker training, jury selection, witness preparation, mediation and more, integrating her expertise in cognitive patterns with Laban Movement Analysis for thorough mind-body integrated analysis and coaching. Ritu’s international client base reaches entrepreneurs, politicians, scientists, physicians, corporate leaders, teams and attorneys. As a leading expert in her field, she is an engaging speaker and trainer and is passionate about sharing her knowledge to maximize the potential of her clients. Ritu is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and previously was Adjunct Faculty in the graduate school at Columbia College Chicago in the MPA Certification Program. Along with her training and expertise in decision-making studies, Ritu has a background in genetics, molecular biology and a career in intellectual property, with her own patent firm specializing in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/130 Connect with Ritu on her website at http://www.thenextmovellc.com.  Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the interest list for the Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 49: This Surprising Element Will Make You a Better Speaker Episode 66: Mastering Your Speaking Style and Stage Presence

If you have a fear of public speaking, this episode is for you. If you’re confident when speaking but have a fear in a different area of your life, this episode is for you. My guest’s story of how she went from a self-described fear of public speaking to being an in-demand paid keynote speaker in just 2 years is incredibly inspiring.  Charmaine Gregory, M.D. is an emergency room doctor and speaks to professional groups about burnout. You’ll hear: How Charmaine’s fearlessness and love of the stage as a child transformed into fear How the fear of speaking presented itself when she had to do it Why she decided to conquer this fear What she did first Her journey to becoming a speaker Strategies she used and still uses today to feel more confident and comfortable when speaking   Charmaine is a member of our Master Your Speaking group coaching program. Want to know when enrollment opens again? Sign up for the interest list at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.    → Download the free checklist to prepare for your next speaking engagement at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/129.    This episode is part of our Confidence Series, episodes 127 through 131. About My Guest: Charmaine Gregory, M.D. has served countless patients and taught resident doctors and medical students for 13 years as Clinical Faculty at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor in Michigan, following Emergency Medicine Residency training at Duke University Medical Center. She has been honored as a nominee for the Golden Apple teaching award by the resident doctors she teaches several years in a row. She is an active member of the Clinical Practice Committee for the Emergency Medicine Physician Group, PC. She serves as a Peer Coach providing feedback on communication techniques for Emergency providers and facilitates talks with healthcare providers about burnout, wellness, and work-life balance/integration. Most recently, Dr. Gregory has had the honor of being a contributing author of the books, The Chronicles of Women in White Coats and Thinking About Quitting Medicine Volume 2 and Doctoring Better. Dr. Gregory faces her fear of public speaking by speaking publicly on topics of burnout, wellness, fitness, work life integration, and night shift life. Outside of medicine, Charmaine’s passion to pursue wellness and work-life balance led to the establishment of the virtual greatness and wellness coaching company Fervently Fit with Charmaine, LLC. Wellness coaching and health content sharing serve as an extension of clinical service by focusing on preventative methods for health and wellness maintenance. She is also a trained Physician Coach, helping colleagues find meaning and direction when most needed. She is the host of the Women in White Coats and Fearless Freedom with Dr. G podcasts. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/129 Connect with Charmaine on her website at https://www.ferventlyfitwithcharmaine.com/. Listen to Charmaine’s podcast “Fearless Freedom with Dr. G.” Book: “The Chronicles of Women in White Coats” Book: “Alter Ego” by Todd Herman Download the free checklist to prepare for your next speaking engagement at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/129.  Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the interest list for the Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 66: Mastering Your Speaking Style and Stage Presence Episode 118: Push Past Your Speaking Plateau Episode 119: Deconstructing a Keynote: Writing, Preparation, and Delivery Episode 127: Developing Confidence in Public Speaking

This conversation is one I’ll be listening to again, especially the end (!). Is there something that has held you back from being more visible, whether it’s sharing a powerful message or standing on a stage in front of an audience? You’re far from alone. As women, we’ve grown up with societal and cultural messages (some subtle and subconscious, others not) that can influence us to keep quiet, not share our strong opinions, or even feel fearful of being seen. My guest is Eleanor Beaton, a women’s leadership mentor and founder of Fierce Feminine Leadership, an organization and a podcast of the same name. This is a powerful and enlightening conversation on the mindset shifts and strategies we can use to be willing to be seen and heard - and why as women it’s so important for us to do so. Eleanor and I talk about: The mixed messages she received growing up about being bold Her work as a journalist and the distance that provided by not having to have an opinion on the story being covered In contrast, my work as a political commentator on TV and having to share my opinions Eleanor’s story of being interviewed for the first time and feeling like it was life and death Why sharing a deeper message feels so vulnerable The 4 mindset shifts Eleanor recommends We both share practical strategies we use to deal with criticism from strangers The importance of living life vividly so you have rich material to work with as a speaker Embodying your message as a speaker, like musicians and performers do This episode is part of our Confidence Series, episodes 127 through 131. About My Guest: Eleanor Beaton is a women’s leadership mentor and founder of Fierce Feminine Leadership, an organization that helps ambitious women develop the confidence, presence, political savvy and influence they need to smash the glass ceiling and take their seats at the tables where the big deals and big decisions are made. Eleanor is also an award-winning journalist and host of the Fierce Feminine Leadership podcast. She has served as Chair of the Visiting Women's Executive Exchange Program at the Yale School of Management. She currently sits on the boards of Innovacorp and Invest Nova Scotia. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/128 Eleanor’s website: https://eleanorbeaton.com/ Listen to Eleanor’s podcast Fierce Feminine Leadership: http://www.eleanorbeatonpodcast.com/ Connect with Eleanor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorbeaton/ Connect with Carol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the interest list for the Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details and apply online at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.  Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 40: Why Women Need to Speak Up and Roar with Sophia Eng Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 94: Speaking and Showing Up Powerfully as Women with Molly Baker McPherson Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 118: Push Past Your Speaking Plateau

Starting with this episode, the next 5 episodes will be related to confidence: from putting yourself out there to pitch for speaking gigs, to conquering a fear of public speaking, to standing on stage and delivering your talks with presence and poise. This episode kicks off this series by talking about what confidence is, my own ups and downs with confidence, and specific strategies you can use to increase your confidence. Although power posing is great (I recommend it!), we’re going deeper than that - much deeper to discuss: Why we lack confidence in the first place Why confidence is attractive What we gain by being confident More importantly, what our audience gains from our confidence How we can develop confidence Examples from my own experience and from some of our clients About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/127 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the interest list for the Master Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Resources Mentioned: Book “Alter Ego” by Todd Herman Book “City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert Vanity Fair article on Star Wars Article on Digital Influencers Nancy Ganzekaufer My FB Live with Nancy (lots of public speaking tips!) Alyx Gardner, HouseMacros.com  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 66:Mastering Your Speaking Style and Stage Presence with Carol Cox Episode 94: Speaking and Showing Up Powerfully as Women with Molly Baker McPherson Episode 101: Public Speaking Trends for 2019 Episode 108: NLP Can Make You a Better Speaker with Candice Czaplak Episode 118: Push Past Your Speaking Plateau

Serving on a corporate or non-profit board is an excellent opportunity for you to gain skills and visibility and broaden your network. Plus, representation matters: not only to the performance of the companies and organizations who have more women on their boards, but to women who see other women on boards and can then imagine it for themselves (“If you can see it, you can be it”). I’ve served on several boards over the years and the relationships I’ve made have been such an important part of building Speaking Your Brand. My guest is Shireen Motara, who consults with companies and agencies like the United Nations on gender equality and women’s rights, including board diversity. This is a deep conversation about: How Shireen became interested in gender equality at a young age Why companies benefit from having more women on their boards Why there are so few women on boards What it looks like to serve on a board How to let organizations know you’re interested The skills you gain by serving on a board Download the free PDF guide “What You Need to Know to be Board Ready”: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dfq02mxqoeq8fnl/Woman%20Board%20Leader_Shireen%20Motara_eBook_2019.pdf?dl=0 About My Guest: Shireen Motara is deeply passionate about the potential of Women, Entrepreneurs and Africa, and has a lifelong commitment to social change. For over two decades, Shireen has been working and volunteering for social justice. She’s held roles in management, coaching, executive leadership and consulting in South Africa, SADC and the United Kingdom. She volunteers her time to serve as a non-executive director on various boards and as a mentor to entrepreneurs. Her background qualifications include coaching, law, HR and business administration. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/126 Shireen’s website: https://taratransform.com/ Download the free PDF guide “What You Need to Know to be Board Ready”: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dfq02mxqoeq8fnl/Woman%20Board%20Leader_Shireen%20Motara_eBook_2019.pdf?dl=0 Connect with Shireen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireenmotara/ Connect with Carol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox/ Authors/books mentioned: bell hooks Toni Morrison Maya Angelou Dr. Tererai Trent Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men Catalyst research on women on boards: https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-on-corporate-boards/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details and apply online at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap: Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 94: Speaking and Showing Up Powerfully as Women with Molly Baker McPherson Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter

You may not be talking about politics at your speaking engagements, but you may be discussing issues that are controversial or where people have a distinct point of view. Or, you may get a question from an audience member that throws you off. How can you handle hard conversations, whether it’s at events, panels, media interviews, or even with your family and friends? Joining me in this episode are Sarah Stewart (from the left) and Beth Silvers (from the right) of the Pantsuit Politics podcast. Along with their strategies for handling hard conversations, we get into why companies don’t seem to value training on these “soft skills” as much as they should, why they tend to bucket it as a “women’s issue”, and how we can position these topics differently. About My Guests: On the Pantsuit Politics podcast, two friends on opposite sides of the aisle have real conversations about politics and policy. Sarah Stewart Holland (from the left) has always loved politics, although her political opinions have changed drastically over the years. As the creator and cohost of Pantsuit Politics, she has turned that passion into a career. When she's not opining about policy or the latest political firestorm from behind the mic, Sarah is raising her three young song with her husband in her hometown of Paducah, KY, where she served on the Paducah City Commission. Before turning to the mic, Sarah wrote about parenting and politics on her blog bluegrass redhead. Her writing has also been published on the Atlantic, Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, and BlogHer. Beth Silvers (from the right) owns and operates Checking In with Beth Silvers, a life and business coaching practice. Drawing on her eleven years of experience with a large midwestern law firm as an attorney and human resources executive, Beth helps individuals clarify and realize their goals. She has been recognized as one of Ohio’s Most Powerful and Influential Women by the Ohio Diversity Council, a Human Resources GameChanger by Workforce Magazine, and one of Cincinnati’s Forty Under 40 business leaders. A graduate of Leadership Northern Kentucky, Beth lives in Union with her husband, two daughters, and miniature schnauzer. She loves people, politics, poetry, and watermelon. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/125 Listen to the Pantsuit Politics podcast: http://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 94: Speaking and Showing Up Powerfully as Women with Molly Baker McPherson Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 123: The Key Elements You Need to Get Paid Speaking Engagements with Li Hayes

Have you ever been asked to give an important talk or presentation with a very short time frame? You knew that saying “yes” would be beneficial, but then you had to scramble to put it together, which meant pushing aside your other work, stressing about it, and creating a presentation that wasn’t as good as it could have been? What if, instead, you’re prepared when great speaking opportunities present themselves? My guest today is Karen Briscoe, the author of several books, highly successful in real estate, and an action taker. In this episode, Karen and I talk about: Why she decided it was time to create her signature talk Her inspiring story of being turned down for a speaking engagement - and then getting the opportunity again How she took her signature talk and turned it into a book (and found the time to do so!) Her writing routine Flipping the pyramid to achieve your goals The importance of goals and milestones in your life   This episode is sponsored by Modern Traction, a web development and content marketing company. We used Modern Traction to design our new website for https://www.speakingyourbrand.com and we are beyond thrilled with the impact and ROI we’ve already received less than a month in. Melanie Richards, the founder of Modern Traction, was on the podcast in episode 121 sharing what a powerful marketing and sales tool your website can be, especially to position yourself as a premium and paid speaker. Learn more about how they can help you with a website refresh, a complete overhaul, or done-for-you content marketing at https://www.moderntraction.com and schedule a consult call. I can’t recommend Mel and her team enough. About My Guest: Karen Briscoe has been on a heroine's journey from being too busy and overwhelmed to love the life she has, much less to make time to create and co-create the life of her dreams. In her real estate career, she experienced several major obstacles: her business partner passed away in September 2008, the same month as the financial markets crashed. That crisis was the beginning of the great recession. For the next 5 years, she set about to re-build the business with her new business partner. By my mid-50's she had achieved a high level of success in her profession, ranking in the top 250 agents WSJ list. In her personal life, she enjoys good health for her age, a happy marriage, and 2 healthy, well-established kids. She still felt as though there was something more that was hers to do. And yet there never seemed to be enough time or money. Busy had become a competitive arena, a badge of honor. What she found is the only one truly stopping her was her. How she "flipped" time to focus on meaningful activities and work. If she can do it, you can too! Karen's book, FLIP TIME: LOVE LIFE is based on this heroine's journey. Her books are available on Amazon and in bulk on the 5 Minute Success website. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/124 Karen’s website and podcast: http://www.5minutesuccess.com/ Karen’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Flip-Time-Love-Life-Heroines/dp/1936961423/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Apply for a Virtual VIP Day to create your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D. Episode 114: Building Your Thought Leadership Platform with Lisa Zawrotny [Coaching] Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk

You’re going to love this episode, so much so that you may want to listen to it more than once. It’s packed with what you need in order to get paid speaking engagements. There are 5 key elements that event planners look for in speakers they hire. In this episode, you’ll learn what these key elements are and how to position yourself as a paid speaker. My guest is Li Hayes, who is a speaker manager and also facilitates speakers’ exchange groups. Li has been on both sides: helping event planners find speakers and helping speakers get paid gigs, so she knows exactly what speakers need - and what they’re lacking that’s preventing them from getting paid engagements. Li and I talk about: “Famous is relative” Finding your inner dominatrix (well, *you* don’t have to find your inner dominatrix, but this is a great example of an interesting topic) Why there are very few women keynote speakers who make more than $10,000 How to promote yourself as a premium speaker The importance of video clips The difference between a PR person, a speaker manager, an agent, and a bureau Tips for speaking for lead generation Speaker fees and how much associations tend to pay Tips for negotiating your fees   This episode is sponsored by Modern Traction, a web development and content marketing company. We used Modern Traction to design our new website for https://www.speakingyourbrand.com and we are beyond thrilled with the impact and ROI we’ve already received less than a month in. Melanie Richards, the founder of Modern Traction, was on the podcast in episode 121 sharing what a powerful marketing and sales tool your website can be, especially to position yourself as a premium and paid speaker. Learn more about how they can help you with a website refresh, a complete overhaul, or done-for-you content marketing at https://www.moderntraction.com and schedule a consult call. I can’t recommend Mel and her team enough. About My Guest: Li Hayes is a professional Speaker Liaison who facilitates the business communications and contracts between top quality business speakers and great events. Prior to founding GoLeeward, the un-agency for business speakers, she spent over 15 years in Human Resources on the other side of the speaker industry – planning conferences and business meetings first in the service and hospitality industries and then in Big Dia/Pharma. Li planned national conferences, as well as leadership retreats, and employee training events utilizing professional speakers, consultants and agencies. She has worked with speaker bureaus and directly with speakers and learned the ins and outs of hiring speakers, from the client’s point of view. She proudly supports a small stable of top business speakers and helps clients create successful, engaging events. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/123 Li’s website: https://goleeward.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Need help identifying your topic and audience? Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 59: Why You Shouldn’t Sell from the Stage – and What to Do Instead Episode 60: Finding Your Presentation’s Spine & Why It Absolutely Needs One with Joanna Sapir [Coaching] Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 69: What Event Organizers Look for in Speakers with Erin Smith Episode 71: Using Humor in Your Talks Will Get You More Speaking Gigs with Kathy Klotz-Guest  

Have you heard the term “call and response”? When I hear the phrase, I think of preachers, especially in black churches, who use it to engage their parishioners and uplevel the energy in the room. As speakers, we can use call and response to heighten energy and emotion with our audiences and get them to participate more in the experience. (See episode 113 on E.P.I.C. content for some examples.) But, have you thought about using this idea of “call and response” on social media? I certainly hadn’t until I saw a post by my guest, Tara McMullin, in her What Works online community that I’m a member of. Here’s what’s interesting about Tara’s idea: We assume we’re creating the “call” with our social media posts and content. However, what if our posts are the response to the question that’s already in the minds of our audience. Our goal is to seek out the call from our audience and respond to it, not the other way around. Mind-shifting, isn’t it? In this episode, Tara and I talk about: The business model of her What Works community and how it evolved from what she had before How this idea of call and response is influencing what Tara is doing on social media The impact, engagement, and results Tara has seen with this fresh approach, especially on Instagram As a marketer, we need to think of what the questions (calls) our audiences/prospective clients have What I’m currently doing on social media How Tara approaches the content she creates for speaking engagements   I was curious about where the phrase "call and response" originated, so I did some searching: “Call and response is deeply embedded into African-American musical traditions including blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, soul, and hip-hop. The phrasing is a musical conversation—a statement made by a musician or group musicians is answered by a response. Call and response comes from Sub-Saharan African cultures and developed in America through slave work songs and field hollers, spirituals, and blues.” (Source: https://stevetres.com/2016/01/5-types-of-call-and-response-phrases/)   This episode is sponsored by Modern Traction, a web development and content marketing company. We used Modern Traction to design our new website for https://www.speakingyourbrand.com and we are beyond thrilled with the impact and ROI we’ve already received less than a month in. Melanie Richards, the founder of Modern Traction, was on the podcast last week in episode 121 sharing what a powerful marketing and sales tool your website can be, especially to position yourself as a premium and paid speaker. Learn more about how they can help you with a website refresh, a complete overhaul, or done-for-you content marketing at https://www.moderntraction.com and schedule a consult call. I can’t recommend Mel and her team enough. About My Guest: Tara McMullin is a podcaster, writer, and small business community leader. With over a decade of experience helping thousands of small business owners grow their businesses, she’s on a mission to change the dialogue about what’s really working from hype to candid conversation. She’s the host of the What Works podcast, a top small business podcast that’s been recommended by Forbes and Entrepreneur, as well as the founder of The What Works Network, a community hub for small business owners. She’s also a bestselling Money & Life instructor on CreativeLive. Her work has been featured on Fast Company, Inc, Daily Worth, and The Huffington Post. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/122 Explore the What Works network and podcast: https://explorewhatworks.com/ Follow Tara on Instagram: @Tara_McMullin Carol on the What Works podcast episode 185 on networking: https://cocommercial.co/networking/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email hello@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 89: Building a Community from Your Podcast with Debbie Gonzales [Coaching] Episode 101: Public Speaking Trends for 2019 Episode 106: Get More Speaking Opportunities with a Powerful Personal Brand with Diane Diaz Episode 113: Storytelling Isn’t Enough – Your Content Needs to be E.P.I.C. Episode 121: Designing Your Website So It Speaks Your Brand with Melanie (Mel) Richards

How does your website impact your speaking opportunities and the fees you can charge? More than you may think. If you want to be seen as an authority in your field and charge premium rates, as both a speaker and an entrepreneur, your branding needs to reflect that. This includes your website, your marketing materials, your graphics, and your content. This may be controversial, but I’m going to say it: DIY is not your BFF. When you come to a place in your speaking and business when you need to level up, you need to bring in experts to help you. As a speaker, if you want to get paid gigs and bigger stages, how you present yourself online and in your materials needs to reflect your value and build trust with event organizers. You think doing things yourself is saving you money, but it’s really not. It’s costing you money: lost time, lost productivity, and actual lost revenue from prospective clients who don’t convert. I came to this point about a year ago and I’ve been seeking out experts since then: hiring a high-level VA, a professional podcast editor, a sales coach, another speaking coach to work with our clients, most recently a website designer/developer, and soon a marketing strategist. My guest today is Melanie (Mel) Richards, the founder of Modern Traction, a web development and content marketing company. I hired Mel earlier this year to design and build the new website for https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. This was a big decision for me. My previous two businesses had been web development companies, so I had always created my own websites. But, that was no longer my identity or my business. And it was no longer a good use of my time - I needed the expert guidance and skillset that Mel and her team provided. Whether you know you need a new look for your brand and website, are happy with what you currently have, or perhaps just need a refresh, you’ll hear tips you can use to position yourself as a premium speaker. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Mel got interested in design (and what a 4-ton printing press has to do with it) What elements make a great website that works for you How your website can be your most powerful marketing and sales tool Where to start when working on your website (this may surprise you) What to look for when hiring a designer What the impact has been on my business since launching the new site How we decided on the branding for the new website (this can help you with yours too) About My Guest: Having debuted her career in web design and development in 1999, Melanie (Mel) Richards is a highly experienced and award-winning art director and digital strategist. She’s sought out for her knowledge on branding, design, UX, conversion strategies and the technologies that make it all possible. Her dedication to helping her clients get more traction with their business drives her to create solutions that meet her client’s objectives and expectations so they see a healthy ROI after working with her. In her spare time, Melanie can be found reading non-fiction, hosting a lively dinner with friends, or pushing her boundaries through adventure sports. Living in the small mountain town of Squamish, B.C., the outdoors offer her an endless playground where she enjoys kiteboarding, mountain biking and skiing with friends and family. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/121 Visit Mel’s website: https://moderntraction.com/ Schedule a consult call with Mel: https://moderntraction.com/chat/ Download the free guide for getting great professional photos: https://www.moderntraction.com/speakingyourbrand Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations - Developing Your Own Framework Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk

A question I get a lot is: What content should I include in my lead generation presentations? How much information do I share? To figure this out, start with these two questions: #1 = What are you selling (your program, service, product)? This will help you to determine what content will best align with your offer. #2: Who is your ideal client and what do they need to know to make a decision / take action? This is what my guest today, Layne Booth, and I did during our recent VIP Day to create her signature talk. Layne is brilliant at numbers and data analysis - and her clients love her for that. However, we decided to go in a slightly different direction for her signature talk. The content we ended up with may surprise you. You’ll hear us talk about the process that led us to this, as well as the different ways Layne is using her signature talk to get her message out and attract her ideal clients. About My Guest: Layne’s business, The Project Booth, focuses on the inventory and ordering mayhem that becomes a struggle for many product-based businesses. Layne grew up as a math nerd, graduated college with two engineering degrees and went straight into manufacturing. She spent over a decade in the supply chain world. But as her family started to grow, she was ready for more flexibility. She started The Project Booth to help businesses confidently plan their sales and inventory and maximize their bottom line. It results in the owner’s clarity, confidence, and of course, cash flow! Layne makes the numbers in your business “show you the money”. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/120 Visit Layne’s website: https://www.theprojectbooth.com/ Connect in Layne’s Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984665971752657/ Watch Layne’s masterclass for product-based entrepreneurs: http://www.bit.ly/profitceo Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 72: How to Speak Strategically for Better Business Results Episode 80: Connecting Your Why with What Makes Your Approach Unique with Anne Torrez [Coaching] Episode 93: Turning Your Framework into a Course with Jessica Korthuis Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk Episode 117: Turning Your Signature Talk into a Lead Generation Webinar with Lorena Klingel [Coaching]

In the last episode, I talked about pushing past your speaking plateau - what happens when we get to a certain point in our skillset, it’s a comfortable place, but we’re no longer progressing or challenging ourselves, and I shared some ways you can get past your plateau. That’s where my guest today, Diane Diaz, was in her speaking journey. You may recognize Diane - she’s been on the podcast a couple times this year and she’s one of the speaking coaches here at Speaking Your Brand. Diane does quite a bit of speaking for her business, The Brand Teacher - about once a month for the past few years, mostly to build brand awareness and for lead generation. She’s gotten really good at - audiences love her presentations and she gets clients from them. And then Diane was asked to give the luncheon keynote at a women’s conference here in Orlando where we both live. Like most of us would be, she was both excited and nervous about it - and she knew saying yes was going to help propel her to the next level in her speaking journey, which is what we talk about in today’s episode. You’ll hear how we decided on the content for her keynote, how she practiced and prepared for it, including handling the roller coaster of emotions leading up to it, and how it went. Pushing past your speaking plateau and going after bigger opportunities and bigger stages, like keynotes, is why I created our new Master Your Speaking online group coaching program. The program starts May 16, 2019, and applications are currently open. The program combines 1:1 coaching and expert guidance from both me and Diane, group calls, peer feedback and support, and accountability. We will challenge you and gently push you out of your comfort zone so you can become a Master Speaker. You’ll work on creating or refining your signature talk and adding layers to it - emotion, humor, video and audio clips, audience experience, and stories with visual scenes and dialogue. You’ll create your speaker promotional materials so you can position and market yourself as a speaker to get those bigger opportunities, including paid ones. You can get all the details and apply online today at www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. Diane’s speaking highlights: https://youtu.be/hASGMpco62A About My Guest: Diane Diaz is founder of The Brand Teacher. As a personal brand strategist, LinkedIn strategist, CultureTalk Certified Partner in using Archetypes in personal branding, and a Certified Speaking Coach with Speaking Your Brand, she uses her two decades of combined branding, marketing, and teaching experience to teach professionals and entrepreneurs how to define and build personal brands that attract their dream jobs or clients so they can build careers or businesses they love. Diane also leads workshops with companies and organizations on personal brand strategy, Archetypes in personal branding, and LinkedIn strategy for building personal and business brands that stand out and get noticed. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching and training programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/119 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Apply for our new “Master Your Speaking” online group program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 55: Should You Give an Instructional or an Inspirational Talk Episode 66: Mastering Your Speaking Style and Stage Presence Episode 81: Be a Better Speaker – Top Takeaways from Watching Presenters at Podcast Movement Episode 106: Get More Speaking Opportunities with a Powerful Personal Brand with Diane Diaz Episode 118: Push Past Your Speaking Plateau

In today’s episode, we’re talking about hitting a plateau, why it happens, the danger of staying there, and how to get past one. I’m going to be sharing some of my own experiences plus giving you specific strategies you can use. The definition of plateau is to reach a state or level of little or no growth or decline, especially to stop increasing or progressing; remain at a stable level of achievement; level off (from Dictionary.com). Notice the word “achievement”. Just because you’re at a plateau doesn’t mean you’re not a good speaker - or entrepreneur or writer or podcaster. You’re achieving - getting speaking engagements, getting good feedback. But, you’re not getting the same results you used to for the same effort. You’re at a place where there’s little to no growth, you’re no longer progressing, you’ve hit a point that you’re not going beyond. It’s ok to be here for a little while - sometimes we need to coast a little on our achievements, take a breather. But, not for too long because we can lose momentum and motivation, get stagnant, and not achieve what IS possible for us. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why we plateau and get stuck Times when I’ve reached a plateau Strategies you can use to get past your plateau to uplevel your skillset and mindset What I believe is necessary for us to shift to get past a plateau How are we making sure that we’re continuously improving so that we can reach those bigger stages, increase our speaker fees, and having a bigger impact on our audiences? We need feedback, accountability, guidance, and some pushing outside of our comfort zones, which is what you’ll get in our new “Master Your Speaking” Online Group Program. This will be a combination of group coaching + mastermind, taking place on Zoom video and in a private online community, so you can join us no matter where you live. By the end of the program experience, you'll have the speaking elements in place that will fuel the growth of your business and lead you to bigger opportunities. Get all the details and apply online at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/118 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Apply for our new “Master Your Speaking” online group program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 63: Five Mistakes You’re Making in Your Presentations that Turn Off Your Audiences Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 97: Thinking Bigger – I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 108: NLP Can Make You a Better Speaker with Candice Czaplak Episode 113: Storytelling Isn’t Enough – Your Content Needs to be E.P.I.C.  

How can you take the presentation you do in person and convert it to a webinar for lead generation, particularly if you’re selling a program or course? Much of the content from your presentation can be easily repurposed for a webinar, but there are some considerations and constraints when you have attendees online vs. in person. Hosting a webinar before giving your presentation in person is also a great way to practice and get comfortable with the content and get feedback from a real audience. In this episode, my guest Lorena Klingel of Learn to Flourish and I talk about how we approached repurposing her signature talk into a webinar to promote her online program, Video Fundamentals. You’ll learn: Why we started with her offer when deciding on the content for her signature talk How and why we chose the opening of her presentation The changes we made for the webinar version The results Lorena got from the webinar she recently did   Our signature talks don’t live in a vacuum. We’re out there speaking and learning, but then who are we sharing those questions and lessons with? How are we making sure that we’re continuously improving so that we can reach those bigger stages, increase our speaker fees, and having a bigger impact on our audiences? We need feedback, accountability, guidance, and some pushing outside of our comfort zones, which is what you’ll get in our new “Master Your Speaking” Online Group Program. This will be a combination of group coaching + mastermind, taking place on Zoom video and in a private online community, so you can join us no matter where you live. By the end of the program experience, you'll have the speaking elements in place that will fuel the growth of your business and lead you to bigger opportunities. I’m still working out all the details, but the program will start in May 2019. Get on the interest list to be the first to know when applications open at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. About My Guest: Learn to Flourish was born from Lorena’s desire to share her enthusiasm for creating online courses that actually TEACH – a skill that she’s mastered after more than 20 years of experience in corporate learning. Now, Learn to Flourish is a team of eLearning and tech experts dedicated to taking your message to your audience in a way that is effective, engaging, innovative, and ultimately, successful. About Lorena: When Lorena is not helping her clients create beautiful and engaging online courses and communication videos, she can also be found hitting the slopes, hiking the trails, finding her next favorite hand-pottered mug, or mothering her three girls. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links for Our Guest Lorena Klingel: Lorena’s website: https://www.learntoflourish.com Connect with Lorena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorena-klingel-2876ba10/ Get the Heart-Head-Hands Framework Microlearning Tutorial: https://www.learntoflourish.com/creating-videos-takes-your-heart-head-and-hands/ Watch Lorena’s Webinar Recording: https://www.learntoflourish.com/create-your-own-marketing-videos-webinar-replay/ Register for Video Fundamentals: https://www.learntoflourish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Video-Fundamentals.pdf   Links for Speaking Your Brand: Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the “Master Your Speaking” online group program interest list to be the first to know when applications open at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 37: What to Include In Your Webinar with Samantha Agostino [Coaching] Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 93: Turning Your Framework into a Course with Jessica Korthuis Episode 112: Deciding On Your Signature Talk Topic with Teresa McCloy [Coaching] Episode 116: 16 Ways You Can Use Your Signature Talk

When we think of a signature talk, we naturally think of standing in front of a group of people delivering our talk. Did you know that there are many more ways - 16 at least! - that you can use your signature talk? Why can you use it in all these ways? The work of creating your signature talk becomes the foundation on which everything else stands. A signature talk is what you want to be known for, your area of expertise, and the insights you want to share. Your talk reflects your beliefs and values, what you do or believe that’s different or that others aren’t seeing, as well as the way you work, your methodology, process, approach. Not only do you have your presentation ready to go, but in the process you’ve identified and articulated your core message. You now have Clarity + Conviction + Confidence in your message. If you want expert help to create your signature talk that you’ll be able to use for multiple purposes, check out our coaching packages at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching. The framework I’ve developed that we use when we work with you takes classic 3-act story structure and the hero’s journey and infuses it with savvy marketing and sales techniques, so your signature talk is more than a presentation - it’s your core message: who you are, who you help, what they need, how you help them, and why it matters - both to you and to your audience/potential clients. Our signature talks don’t live in a vacuum. We’re out there speaking and learning, but then who are we sharing those questions and lessons with? How are we making sure that we’re continuously improving so that we can reach those bigger stages, increase our speaker fees, and having a bigger impact on our audiences? We need feedback, accountability, guidance, and some pushing outside of our comfort zones, which is what you’ll get in our new “Master Your Speaking” Online Group Program. This will be a combination of group coaching + mastermind, taking place on Zoom video and in a private online community, so you can join us no matter where you live. By the end of the program experience, you'll have the speaking elements in place that will fuel the growth of your business and lead you to bigger opportunities. I’m still working out all the details, but the program will start in May 2019. Get on the interest list to be the first to know when applications open at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/116 → Get the FREE Strategic Speaking Guide and Visibility Framework at www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review!   People Mentioned: 1. Maelisa Hall - QA Prep: https://www.qaprep.com/ 2.Blair Thielemier:  Episode 90: Hosting Your Own Workshop or Retreat with Blair Thielemier 3. Teresa McCloy: https://teresamccloy.com/ Episode 112: Deciding On Your Signature Talk Topic with Teresa McCloy [Coaching] 4. Lisa Zawrotny: https://positivelyproductive.com/ Episode 114: Building Your Thought Leadership Platform with Lisa Zawrotny [Coaching] 5. Sue Monhait: http://giftbizunwrapped.com/ Episode 110: Making the Most of Speaking at Trade Shows and Conferences with Sue Monhait 6. Sheri Gazitt - Teenwise Seattle: https://www.teenwiseseattle.com/ 7. Lorena Klingel: http://lorenaklingel.com/ 8. Karen Corbin - Geeks that Speak: https://www.geeksthatspeak.com/ 9. Amber De La Garza: https://amberdelagarza.com/ Episode 43: How Speaking Can Grow (or Derail) Your Business with Amber De La Garza 10. Brenda Reiss - Forgiveness Coach: https://brendareisscoaching.com/ 11. Karey Northington - Northington Fitness and Nutrition: https://www.northingtonfitnessandnutrition.com/ 12. Maureen Taylor - The Photo Detective: https://maureentaylor.com/ 13. Karen Briscoe - Five Minute Success / Flip Time" http://www.5minutesuccess.com/flip-time-love-life/ 14. William Hung - Professional Speaker / Champion by Choice: https://www.willhung.com/speaking/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 25: Why You Need a Signature Talk for Your Business Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 65: Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book with Julie Broad Episode 72: How to Speak Strategically for Better Business Results Episode 73: Using Podcasts to Connect with Your Ideal Clients with Nicole Holland

What happens when lots of good things start happening to you and your business, as more people and organizations are recognizing you as a rising star in your industry? You may be tempted to back off your visibility, thinking the organic growth will continue. However, an even better strategy is to accelerate your visibility and go after bigger opportunities: TV, major publications, speaking at high-profile events. My guest, Wendy Glaister, talks about why she decided to hire a PR firm to help her grow her visibility through TV appearances, speaking engagements, magazine features, Instagram takeovers, and more. We also talk about why Wendy reached out to me a few months ago to help her create a talk. However, the talk wasn’t one about interior design (that one’s next), rather it’s related to a cause very close to Wendy that she wants to help other women with, which you’ll hear about in our conversation. → Get on the interest list for our brand new “Master Your Speaking” online group coaching + mastermind program, starting in mid-May 2019: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. About My Guest: Typically, the world of luxury interior design is associated with major urban centers and far off vacation destinations, but regional ASID President, interior designer and sought-after speaker, Wendy Glaister has thought fully carved her own niche and fostered a deep connection to California’s agriculturally rich Central Valley. Born and raised among sweeping farmlands and working ranches, Wendy understands families’ need for beautiful, quality design with practical functionality. Her design work is strikingly diverse, ranging from quintessential farmhouse to sleek contemporary honoring each client’s unique design aesthetic. Along with her many public and TV appearances, Wendy is a passionate champion to those suffering from domestic violence. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/115 Visit Wendy’s website at https://wendyglaisterinteriors.com/. Connect with Wendy on Instagram @wendydesign Wendy on “Good Day Sacramento” TV talking about wellness in design trends and showcasing a client’s home decorated for the holidays. LuAnn Niagara’s podcast “A Well-Designed Business”: Carol was on episodes 140 and 307 Wendy was on episode 386   Forgiveness Coach Brenda Reiss: https://brendareisscoaching.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Get on the interest list for our brand new “Master Your Speaking” online group program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 11: Creating and Preparing for a Keynote Presentation with LuAnn Nigara [Coaching] Episode 13: How to Get Local and National Media Coverage for Your Business with Christina Nicholson Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap: Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence Episode 76: Why the Stories We Tell Matter with Leena Nasser of The Chopra Institute Episode 102: Getting Local Media and Publicity to Expand Your Visibility with Amanda Berlin

What are the elements of being a thought leader? What does it mean to be a thought leader? How can you build your thought leadership platform? As a speaker, you are seen as a leader, an authority, an expert in your space, which is why many of us want to speak to share our big idea to larger audiences. In this episode, my guest Lisa Zawrotny and I talk about how she’s going to be putting herself out there with her new message and signature talk, including in speaking engagements, workshops, webinars, a book, and potentially a TEDx talk. Lisa is a holistic productivity coach, so you’ll also hear Lisa’s unique perspective, framework, and approach to decluttering and organization.   → Get the FREE Strategic Speaking Guide and Visibility Framework to help you start building your thought leadership platform at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategic-speaking/. About My Guest: Lisa Zawrotny created Positively Productive Systems after a deeply overwhelming time in her life juggling multiple roles as a caregiver for her Mom (who had Alzheimer’s) as well as wife, mother (to kids & cats) and as a business owner. After being trapped in her own clutter and chaos, she took back her health and sanity through a combination of renewed self-care, personal development, and a customized combination of organizing and productivity approaches. The process was so healing for her and her family, she knew immediately she wanted to guide others in the same way. As a holistic productivity coach certified in time management and life coaching, Lisa helps constantly multi-tasking, chronically overwhelmed clients embrace simplicity and find success by decluttering their lives (inside & out) and designing systems and habits that honor their personalities and values. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes and free Strategic Speaking Guide and Visibility Framework at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/114 Visit Lisa’s website at https://positivelyproductive.com/. Connect with Lisa on Facebook and Instagram. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 25: Why You Need a Signature Talk for Your Business Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap: Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence Episode 50: The 3 C’s of Visibility: What It Takes to Get Known Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 65: Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book with Julie Broad Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally Episode 93: Turning Your Framework into a Course with Jessica Korthuis

I gave this presentation on E.P.I.C. content 4 times to 4 different groups in a recent 2-week period. Whew! In this episode, you'll hear the presentation itself as well as why I decided to include certain things, like video and music clips. Why this topic? Business storytelling has been all the rage for the past few years: we’ve been told to share stories in our presentations, on our websites, and on social media about our companies, our customers, and our team members. But, for the most part, these stories have fallen flat and no longer have the novelty they once did. A bunch of random stories included here and there or sharing your personal bio or your business origin story isn’t enough. Too much content that’s created, whether presentations, videos, podcasts, articles, or social media, is uninspired, undifferentiated, and unmemorable. How can you attract and retain your audience? How can you avoid getting into - or get out of - a rut of routine, unoriginal, and tired content? Your content and your presentations need to be E.P.I.C. In this episode, you’ll learn what E.P.I.C. stands for, how to use it for your content and presentations, and the transformation you’ll see for yourself and those you serve. → Download the free PDF with the E.P.I.C. Content Model at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/113. → Need help creating your E.P.I.C. presentation? Schedule a free consultation call to learn how we can work together.   Clips Mentioned in the Presentation: Nike “Dream Crazier” Ad Bohemian Rhapsody movie and song Tammy Lally's TEDx talk on Money Shame Simon Sinek’s TEDx talk on Start with Why Switched on Pop podcast episode 91 We Will Rock You song   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes and free PDF guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/113 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 54: Building a Culture of Trust with Your Team and Audience with Dr. Laura Gallaher Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 82: [Coaching] How to Create an Emotional Connection with Your Audience with Leanne Kabat Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 97: Thinking Bigger: I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 101: Public Speaking Trends for 2019

If you have multiple aspects of your business or of the work you do with your clients, it can be challenging to figure out what’s the best topic and content to use for your signature talk. Should you just pick one? Should you have two different signature talks? Should you try to combine them? The answer could be yes to any of those three questions - it depends on your goals, your audience, and your offer. In this episode, my guest is Teresa McCloy, who was facing this question when we first spoke a few months ago. We did a Virtual VIP Day together to create her signature talk and decided to select a topic that would have the most use for the types of groups she’ll be speaking to. You’ll hear why we selected the topic we did (Time Blocking for Productivity), working backwards from her offer and the kinds of clients she works with. You’ll also learn how Teresa is using the signature talk we created in other ways, including Facebook Live videos, her website content, and a recent challenge she ran to promote her online course. About My Guest: Teresa McCloy is the creator of the REALIFE ProcessTM, a Certified Leadership & Business Coach, Accredited Enneagram Professional, Podcaster, and Keynote Speaker. Teresa partners with her clients as a coach, consultant, and professional speaker to FORGET being productive and do what truly matters. As a recovering workaholic who was addicted to all the latest apps, software, and best-selling books on productivity, Teresa is passionate about helping entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders assess their habits and execute a REALIFETM Process to take their everyday, ordinary life to something extraordinary in their REALIFETM, REALWORKTM & REALSELFTM. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/112 Visit Teresa’s website at https://teresamccloy.com/ Listen to Teresa’s podcast “The Enneagram in your REALIFE”. Connect with Teresa on her Facebook page. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 25: Why You Need a Signature Talk for Your Business Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 74: Increase Conversions at Your Speaking Engagements with April Caldwell [Coaching] Episode 75: Finding the Right Presentation Content for Your Business with Regina Byrne [Coaching] Episode 111: Make More Time for Speaking and Visibility with Clockwork Principles with Adrienne Dorison

I’m obsessed with the book “Clockwork” by Mike Michalowicz (who also wrote “Profit First”). I read it the first weekend it came out last fall and it has revolutionized the way I look at my business. When a mutual colleague offered to connect me with Adrienne Dorison, the co-founder of Run Like Clockwork™, I jumped at the chance to have her on the podcast. As an entrepreneur, one of your most important roles is being the face and voice of your business, which means speaking at conferences and events, being a guest on podcasts and in other people’s groups, and appearing in the media. However, I see this a lot with colleagues and clients: When they started their business, they had time for speaking and visibility. Then, as as they approach years 2, 3, 4 in their business, they are incredibly busy doing the work as their sales grow (those visibility seeds they planted in the beginning are paying off!). The problem is that now they’re neck deep in the business so they don’t have much time for speaking and visibility, which means they’re losing out on this proven marketing channel. In this episode, you’ll learn about: Designing your business with operational efficiency How you as the business owner are oftentimes the bottleneck Specific tips on how to hand off work to others → this will give you more time for speaking and visibility Giving team members ownership for decision making How to do a time analysis so you can see where you’re spending your time and how to improve it The kinds of speaking engagements Adrienne does   About My Guest: Adrienne Dorison is the Co-Founder of Run Like Clockwork™ alongside of author + speaker, Mike Michalowicz. Run Like Clockwork equips CEO's to design a business + team that can run itself. Adrienne has helped hundreds of business leaders + teams — from Fortune 500 corporations to fast-growth startups — to expand their profit margins, cut their costs + take an unplugged vacation. She's personally passionate about baking in generosity into business models, + believes when we earn more money, we can give more. Adrienne lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband + their 2 dogs. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/111 Learn about Run Like Clockwork’s resources and programs at https://www.runlikeclockwork.com/. Purchase the book “Clockwork” (I can’t recommend it highly enough!). Get the free time tracking spreadsheet Adrienne mentioned. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 43: How Speaking Can Grow (or Derail) Your Business with Amber De La Garza Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 72: How to Speak Strategically for Better Business Results Episode 79: How to Develop the Shape of Your Framework for Your Presentations with Coryne Forest [Coaching]  

When you speak at a conference or trade show, have you thought about how you can invite the audience to continue the conversation with you after your session? In this episode, my guest Sue Monhait shares strategies she uses when she speaks at trade shows - and she’s done it a lot! Sue has two different kinds of businesses: one is product-based called The Ribbon Print Company (she sells ribbon printers, software, and ribbon itself - the kind you see on gift packages) and the other is an online program, Makers MBA. Sue is delightful and you’ll hear her experience come out as we talk about how she makes the most of speaking at trade shows. Whether you’re a product or service business, you’ll learn: Tips for continuing the conversation with the audience after you speak Doing demos from the stage If you’ve written a book, offering book signing times The pros and cons of paying for a booth Hosting your own meetups while at a conference Sue lives in Chicago and I was recently there for a business retreat with 7 other women business owners, including Sue. We booked an extra day at the AirBnB we rented and did a VIP Day in person to create Sue’s new signature talk, so you’ll hear a bit about that experience at the end of the episode. Interested in a Virtual VIP Day to create your signature talk? Schedule a free consult call. About My Guest: Sue Monhait is a business owner, podcast host, speaker, educator and bestselling author for the community she’s lovingly named, “Gifters-Bakers-Crafters-Makers” – people who create beautiful and/or delicious products that they want to share with the world. Sue has been working in both the retail and online spaces for over 25 years. After spending time in corporate sales/marketing, working with literally hundreds of boutique shops and larger brands, she went on to open two profitable multi-six-figure businesses of her own. The Ribbon Print Company offers custom ribbon printing systems, supplies and training so businesses can provide product personalization right in their store or craft studio. Gift Biz Unwrapped is a weekly podcast, online training and a membership community for women who have a hobby or creative passion. Sue teaches them, step by step, how to turn their hobby into a profitable business. Her book, “Maker To Master: Find and Fix What’s Not Working in Your Small Business” is available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle and Audible formats. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/110 Visit Sue’s website at http://giftbizunwrapped.com/. Listen to Sue’s podcast “Gift Biz Unwrapped.” Listen to my episode #200 on Sue’s podcast. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 59: Why You Shouldn’t Sell from the Stage – and What to Do Instead Episode 65: Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book with Julie Broad Episode 66: Mastering Your Speaking Style and Stage Presence Episode 69: What Event Organizers Look for in Speakers with Erin Smith  

This episode is jam-packed with what you need to know to put on your own paid workshop. I recently co-hosted a workshop on Personal Branding and Visibility with Diane Diaz, founder of The Brand Teacher and a Speaking Your Brand coach. From deciding on the topic and price to selling seats to determining the agenda, we lay it all out for you, so you can successfully put on your own paid workshop. We talk about: Deciding on the topic and content based on who your ideal clients are and your offer Determining the best pricing for the workshop Partnering with a local business for the venue Selling: What works - and what doesn’t work - when selling workshops Why we chose to do a 1/2-day (not full day) workshop and have it in the morning The results we got   → Download the FREE “How to Put on a Winning Workshop” PDF guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/109. Need help with your workshop topic, offer, price, sales strategy, or content? Sign up for a strategy session.   About My Guest: Diane Diaz is Founder & CEO of The Brand Teacher. As a personal brand strategist, LinkedIn strategist, CultureTalk Certified Partner in using Archetypes in personal branding, and a Certified Speaking Coach with Speaking Your Brand, she uses her two decades of combined branding, marketing, and teaching experience to teach professionals and entrepreneurs how to define and build personal brands that attract their dream jobs or clients so they can build careers or businesses they love. Diane also leads workshops with companies and organizations on personal brand strategy, Archetypes in personal branding, and LinkedIn strategy for building personal and business brands that stand out and get noticed. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/109 Download the FREE “How to Put on a Winning Workshop” PDF guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/109. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Our EventBrite page for the workshop we did: https://visibilitymasterclass.eventbrite.com (click on “View Details” in the upper right of the page to see it). Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 74: Increase Conversions at Your Speaking Engagements with April Caldwell [Coaching] Episode 83: Collaborating to Expand Your Reach with Baily Hancock Episode 90: Hosting Your Own Workshop or Retreat with Blair Thielemier Episode 106: Get More Speaking Opportunities with a Powerful Personal Brand with Diane Diaz

You want to feel more confident and prepared for your speaking engagements, especially if it’s an important one like the first time delivering your signature talk or a big keynote or a TEDx talk. But, oftentimes, our minds and thoughts get in our own way. I first heard about NLP a few years ago in a sales context but didn’t know much about it. Then, I had a pre-chat with my guest, Candice Czaplak, a few months ago when I was on her podcast and she mentioned she uses NLP with her clients to help them achieve their goals. My ears perked up and I immediately saw how this could be helpful for you as a speaker. In this episode, Candice shares with us specific techniques we can use to feel more confident and to prepare ourselves for being on stage or in any situation where we want to perform our best. We talk about: What NLP is Perceptual positions and how to use them (this was really interesting) How we can pre-frame the outcome we want Identifying resources (could be others or ourselves) and creating a circle of excellence that we can bring with us Envisioning potential obstacles and how to do it so it sets us up for ultimate success (and not putting us into a worry spiral)   Have you ever tried NLP techniques? Any of the ones that Candice and I talk about appeal to you? Let us know in the Speaking Your Brand community. You can join for free by going to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. About My Guest: Candice Czaplak is an NLP Master Practitioner, expert in personality and emotional intelligence, serial entrepreneur, mom, wife, podcast influencer, intuitive, coach, speaker, consultant, teacher and success catalyst. She has two bachelor’s degrees with highest distinction, graduate work in both Counseling and Business Administration, too many certifications to mention and over 25 years of experience. Candice is living her purpose and found her place of positive impact as the Founder and CEO “Chief Epiphany Officer” at Thriverz.com. The mission of Thriverz.com is to connect, inspire and equip growth focused individuals and organizations so they can prosper, profit and more fully thrive by living The Thrive Formula™ and leveraging the power of their unique Personal Genius™. Candice is proud to be a former military spouse, and even more proud to have made giving back to children and families (especially military and veteran) part of her business mission.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/108 Visit Candice’s website and schedule a complimentary consultation call at http://thriverz.com/ Listen to Candice’s podcast “Thriverz”. I was on episode 3 of Candice’s podcast. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 66: Mastering Your Speaking Style and Stage Presence Episode 76: Why the Stories We Tell Matter with Leena Nasser of The Chopra Institute Episode 107: Make Your Presentations More Brain-Friendly Using Behavioral Economics with Melina Palmer  

I love this line from my guest: “Our brains are lazy.” That includes your audience’s brains (no offense). Knowing this, how can you make your presentations more brain-friendly, engaging, and persuasive? In this episode, Melina Palmer, who has a Master’s degree in Behavioral Economics, shares with us how we can use behavioral economics principles to be better speakers. Melina breaks it down for us in simple and straightforward strategies we can use right away. We talk about: What happens when our brains get overwhelmed Why 3 choices are better than more if we want people to buy How much our subconscious brains are doing compared to our conscious (I was surprised by this) How to create high points in your presentations to keep the audience engaged The importance of repetition and reciprocity How many calls to action to have Making the audience feel smart and the dopamine hit that produces Melina’s wardrobe malfunction at her first important speaking engagement (you will laugh with us!)   About My Guest: Why do people say one thing and do another? What really drives behavior? How does the brain actually work – and how can we best communicate with it? What does that mean for companies? Melina Palmer, host of The Brainy Business podcast, has dedicated her career to seeking answers to these questions for herself and her clients. Melina uses behavioral economics to help companies and entrepreneurs understand the psychology of why people buy, unlocking the secrets of small changes that make a big difference. The result is messaging, branding, advertisements, pricing and products that are more “brain friendly” (meaning more leads, conversions, and revenue). About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/107 Visit Melina’s website and download her free e-book at http://thebrainybusiness.com/. Listen to Melina’s podcast “The Brainy Business” at http://thebrainybusiness.com/podcast/. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 63: Five Mistakes You’re Making in Your Presentations that Turn Off Your Audiences Episode 71: Using Humor in Your Talks Will Get You More Speaking Gigs with Kathy Klotz-Guest Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 101: Public Speaking Trends for 2019

We hear the term “personal brand” a lot, but do we know exactly what it means and how to use our personal brand to get more speaking opportunities? Imagine getting requests from organizers to speak at their conferences and events without you having to pitch them and, even better, getting paid speaking engagements. That’s what having a powerful personal brand can do for you. My guest in this episode, Diane Diaz, has experienced exactly that that as she’s built her personal brand both online and offline. We talk about: What a personal brand is Ways to figure out what your personal brand is (i.e. how do others see you) How Diane has positioned herself as an expert and as a speaker over the past two years and the results she’s seen Specific strategies you can use to create a powerful personal brand (we even come up with an alliteration of 3 S’s!) Doing webinars for other people’s online communities   Be sure to also check out the Facebook Live video replay that Diane and I recently did on Leveraging LinkedIn for Speakers. Plus, I have an exciting announcement that you’ll hear in this episode! About My Guest: Diane Diaz is the founder of The Brand Teacher and a self-described brand geek. She uses her two decades of combined branding, marketing, and teaching experience to teach professionals and entrepreneurs how to define and build personal brands that will attract their dream jobs or clients so they can build careers or businesses they love. Diane also teaches branding classes at Full Sail University. Diane has spoken on the topic of personal branding to organizations including NAWBO Orlando, International Coaching Federation, FemCity Orlando, Florida Trucking Association, Public Allies, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, Women in Automotive, Indian American Chamber of Commerce, and Commercial Real Estate Women Orlando. She’s also been interviewed on numerous podcasts on the topic of personal branding.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/106 Check out Diane’s website at http://www.thebrandteacher.com. Watch the Facebook Live video replay on “Leveraging LinkedIn for Speakers.” Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 2: Taking Your Speaking to the Next Level with Diane Diaz [Coaching] Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 72: How to Speak Strategically for Better Business Results Episode 83: Collaborating to Expand Your Reach with Baily Hancock

Get ready for a whirlwind conversation on all things speaking! I guarantee you will learn something you didn’t know before. For instance, do you have a walk-on song? Don’t know what a walk-on song and why you need one? Definitely listen in to hear Mia’s and how to choose a good one. If you do have one, let us know in the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group. (Join for free at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join.) Want to hear what mine is? I share in the group the week this episode airs. My guest is Mia Voss, who is a speaker, emcee, and brand ambassador, and we have a lot of fun - and we get real about things like gender pay parity for speakers - during this interview. We talk about: How Mia seems like an unlikely speaker because of what happened to her in her 20s The work Mia does as an emcee and panel moderator Getting paid to speak The pay disparity between male and female speakers Asking and negotiating with event organizers on your pay What to do when you’re asked to be on a panel or speak at an event and there’s no diversity The importance of having a walk-on song What to wear when speaking How NOT to start your talk Ways to get the audience to tag you on social media About My Guest: Brand Ambassador, Spokesperson, Social Storyteller, Speaker, Expert Interviewer; Mia connects brands and businesses to their most powerful buying market: Women. She's currently working with brands such as Collette Travel, Lexus, Toyota, BMW and more. Her engaging & energized style showcases businesses with authentic & engaging social content. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/105 Visit Mia’s website at https://miaonthego.com. Connect with Mia on Instagram and Twitter @miavossonthego. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 63: Five Mistakes You’re Making in Your Presentations that Turn Off Your Audiences Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 70: Aligning Your Wardrobe with Your Brand with Jennifer Mackey-Mary Episode 71: Using Humor in Your Talks Will Get You More Speaking Gigs with Kathy Klotz-Guest Episode 101: Public Speaking Trends for 2019 Episode 102: Getting Local Media and Publicity to Expand Your Visibility with Amanda Berlin

You may have a twinkling of an idea for your topic for your signature talk, keynote, or TEDx talk, but perhaps you’re not sure where to go from there. How can you take your idea, expand upon it, and make it your own? In this on-air coaching call, you’ll hear the key questions I ask my clients to help find their core message, including the one question that tends to be the most useful. My guest, Nettye Johnson, a certified health educator and coach, sent me a lovely email after I posted in the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group asking for on-air coaching call guests. (A great reason to join the group and check in every few days! Not a member? It’s free. Go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join or text SPEAKING to 444-999.) She wrote to me: “The idea I want to share goes against the popular position that we are all the same, and should be considered and treated equally. When we try not to see differences in people we actually hinder progress because differences beg for understanding and equitable action - not equal action. “The root of this is a short 5-minute talk I did shortly after the Alton Sterling killing in my town 2 years ago. I was at a speaker training session about to have my prepared talk on faith-based fitness (my professional niche) coached in a small group. My heart was so heavy, that morning I went with my heart and instead spoke on race relations to a group of white women - trying to get us all to see the different people and perspectives of this divisive issue, and how leaning into differences can help. A video of it is at https://youtu.be/C-HGr8UDvWs.” I watched the video and was impressed by Nettye’s passion, poise, presence, and empathy, so I invited her to come on the podcast to talk about this idea of “the value of labels” or “one size doesn’t and can’t fit all” and how that can be turned into a signature talk or TEDx talk. In this on-air coaching call, you’ll hear the questions I ask and how, through digging deeper and reflecting back, we get to the root of her idea - and from there the seed of the talk can grow. You’ll also hear the key question I ask my clients to help get to the root of their core message, which I encourage you to ask yourself and journal about or, even better, talk to someone about There’s tremendous value in hearing your ideas spoken out loud, which is why coaching can be so powerful. Need a coach to help you make your idea your own and turn it into a signature talk, keynote, or TEDx talk? That’s what we love to do! Review our coaching packages and schedule a consultation call with us at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact. About My Guest: Nettye Johnson is a wife, mom, author, speaker, trainer, certified health educator and health coach. Wholeheartedly believing apart from God we can do nothing, Nettye combined health education and coaching knowledge with 25 years of Christian education study and experience and founded Nettye Johnson Faith and Fitness Services LLC, (NJFFS), that provides curated holistic solutions that help women find balance and live well.    Nettye began her career in technology as a software engineer for Eastman Kodak. Career changes to IT Training for Jacobs Engineering and Corporate Training for Weight Watchers International, shifted her focus from programs to people, and helped Nettye find her voice and passion in speaking and teaching. During her decade tenure with the nation’s leading weight loss company, Nettye’s work in training, business development, and operations management on local, state and national levels impacted thousands. In this work, she was struck by the decline of health, wellness, and wholeness in our nation, moved by African-American health disparities and focused to develop and deliver holistic education, resources and support to effectively address this problem. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/104 Visit Nettye Johnson’s website at http://nettyejohnson.com/. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 55: Should You Give an Instructional or an Inspirational Talk Episode 80: [Coaching] Connecting Your Why with What Makes Your Approach Unique with Anne Torrez Episode 95: Finding Your Idea Worth Sharing with Lori DiGuardi Episode 98: [Coaching] Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D.  

If one of your goals is to become a keynote speaker, this on-air coaching call will help you identify the stepping stones to get you there. My guest in this episode, Laura Gallaher, was on the podcast about a year ago (episode 54), talking about how to build trust with your teams and audience, based on a powerful workshop experience I had had with her. Laura and I have worked together on her signature talk and, more recently, on her TEDx talk for TEDxOrlando (here's the intro). Now, Laura wants to know how she can become a keynote speaker, including a paid one, as well as how she can find other speaking engagements where her ideal clients would be in the audience. In this on-air coaching call, you’ll hear us talk about: What Laura and her company do Who her ideal clients are and where she can find them The types of speaking engagements that are the size and format for the work she does and that will generate the most interest in hiring her company How Laura can start positioning herself to be a keynote speaker Whether Laura should niche down even more (you may be surprised at my response) Speaking topics that could be good ones for conferences Laura wants to attend How to title her talks And more. About My Guest: Dr. Laura Gallaher is an Organizational Psychologist, Executive Coach, and Licensed Human Element Practitioner. She began her career at NASA Kennedy Space Center. After the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded upon re-entry in 2003, killing everybody aboard, Kennedy Space Center hired Laura and a team of organizational psychologists to change the cultural influences that were deemed to play a role in the tragedy. She worked for 8 years with NASA to positively influence culture, develop leadership capacity, and improve organizational performance at Kennedy Space Center. She was also hired to help manage the change associated with radical changes in the performance management process and philosophy at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Laura’s company, Gallaher Edge, works with executives who want an edge over their competition by looking inward, and pushing past the edge of their comfort zone in order to increase their awareness, alignment, and accountability. She helps executive teams have conversations they didn’t even know they needed to have. Organizations are just people. Gallaher Edge helps executives learn what it takes to be more profitable by truly putting people first. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/103 Visit Laura Gallaher’s website and download her free guide at http://www.gallaheredge.com. Join Laura’s membership program at https://gallaheredge.com/join/. Listen to Laura’s podcast “Expand Your Edge”. Laura's TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/RUxT8wuDsG4 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 8: [Coaching] Topics Worthy of a Keynote with Danielle Liss Episode 11: Creating and Preparing for a Keynote Presentation with LuAnn Nigara Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap: Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence Episode 50: The 3 C’s of Visibility: What It Takes to Get Known Episode 54: Building a Culture of Trust with Your Team and Audience with Dr. Laura Gallaher Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees

You’re speaking, you’re podcasting, you’re creating videos to increase your visibility. Have you thought about expanding your visibility strategy to include “traditional” media like TV, radio, and magazines? Appearing on TV and radio as a political analyst over the past 12 years has been a vital part of building my personal brand and visibility, not only in my local market (Orlando) but also using those clips on my website and social media to build credibility. Seeing yourself on TV with your name on the lower third of the screen can be a thrill - and it’s something that can position you as an expert in a way that online videos you create yourself can’t. Our mission at Speaking Your Brand is to get more women in positions of influence and power - and that includes more representation of women (that means you!) in the media, especially TV and magazines. What’s the best way to get started? What are local TV, radio, and publications looking for in your pitches? How can you connect with producers, reporters, and writers? In this episode, publicity expert Amanda Berlin gives us concrete strategies we can use to: Take our speaking topics and turn them into media topics Write pitches that get noticed, including the headline and tease Emphasize the local angle Identify visuals that would enhance our media segments Connect with producers, reporters, and writers, including the best ways to contact them Get a feature in a magazine Contribute our own articles to publications About My Guest: After more than a decade in the New York City public relations world, Amanda Berlin now uses her pitch powers for good. She helps entrepreneurs step into their presence, create a story that inspires others, and spread their message in the media. Amanda has created a library of template guides and trainings and works one on one with clients to guide them to strategic storytelling and media relations based on her 12 years of experience guiding strategy for major brands in the corporate world. Amanda and her clients have been featured in all types of media - from Business Insider to Entrepreneur on Fire and from WNYW Fox 5 to Bustle.com. She's the host of The Empowered Publicity Podcast and loves arming soul-powered business owners with the ideas and skill-set they need to go from hidden industry gem to recognizable trusted expert. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/102 Visit Amanda Berlin’s website at http://www.amandaberlin.com. Listen to Amanda’s podcast “Empowered Publicity”. Take Amanda’s Publicity Personality Quiz. Twitter thread from Bloomberg reporter about intentionally seeking more women’s voices for their media coverage. Personal Brand & Visibility Masterclass in Orlando, Florida, on February 7, 2019, hosted by Carol Cox and Diane Diaz. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 13: How to Get Local and National Media Coverage for Your Business with Christina Nicholson Episode 42: [Coaching] Content Ideas and Strategies to Start a Movement with Marnie Clark Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap - Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence Episode 48: [Coaching] Strategies to Get Visible with Pam Andrews  

What trends are on the horizon that you can capitalize on to get better speaking engagements and to get better results from them? What are conferences and events looking for in their speakers and the topics they select? How can you improve your presentations and workshops so the audience raves about you and you get invited to do more (including paid speaking)? After having worked with over 100 clients during the past couple of years to create their presentations, workshops and keynotes, attended and spoken at many conferences and events, and talked to event organizers, I’ve noticed several key areas that too many speakers (and thus events) are missing, but that you can incorporate to set yourself apart. In this episode, you’ll learn 3 trends you can apply to your presentation content and delivery that can make the difference between a so-so speaking engagement and one that makes an impact. Hint: One of them has to do with candy (even better, the zero-calorie kind!). The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and executives create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/101 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 47: Creating Better Audience Engagement and Learning with Amy Lang Episode 50: The 3 C’s of Visibility - What It Takes to Get Known Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations - Developing Your Own Framework Episode 63: Five Mistakes You’re Making in Your Presentations that Turn Off Your Audiences Episode 64: [Coaching] Show, Don’t Just Tell, Your Audience How You’re Different with Kimberley O’Brien Episode 69: What Event Organizers Look for in Speakers with Erin Smith Episode 81: Be a Better Speaker – Top Takeaways from Watching Presenters at Podcast Movement  

When I launched this podcast in February 2017, I committed to myself that I was going to do it for one year. No matter what, I was going to make the time to release a weekly episode (and there were weeks when I was up until midnight getting the podcast done for the next morning’s release!). We’re now at episode 100 (woohoo!) and in a couple of months, the podcast will be 2 years old. My tendency is to breeze past this milestone. After all, it’s just one more episode. That’s my Type-A personality: going from achievement to achievement and not taking the time to reflect and celebrate. It’s like when we run off the stage after we’ve finished our talk instead of receiving the applause and celebrating (ahem, yes, I’ve done this in the past). Now, you don’t need to applaud me for episode 100. Rather, I want to thank you and tell you how grateful I am that you listen to the podcast, share it on social media, let your friends and colleagues know about it, and post in the Speaking Your Brand community. (Not a member? Join today for free.) In the Facebook group, I asked which were your favorite episodes. There were a few that many of you said, like episode 61 on frameworks and episode 82 (and others) on using feedback forms at your speaking engagements to collect leads. There was also a few that came up more than once - and I saw a pattern. So, this episode is *not* a collection of clips from past episodes. Rather, I’m highlighting which episodes were your favorites - based on your responses and download numbers - and WHY I think they are. The WHY is what you can apply to your own speaking engagements, whether you’re standing on a stage, facilitating a workshop, or being interviewed on or hosting a podcast. Curious to hear what these are? Listen in. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/100 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox.   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 3: How I Created My Podfest Presentation [Training] Episode 25: Why You Need a Signature Talk for Your Business Episode 35: How to Rock a Panel as a Moderator and Panelist with Natalie Eckdahl Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap: Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence Episode 55: Should You Give an Instructional or an Inspirational Talk with Carol Cox Episode 59: Why You Shouldn’t Sell from the Stage – and What to Do Instead with Carol Cox Episode 60: Finding Your Presentation's Spine & Why It Absolutely Needs One with Joanna Sapir Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 79: How to Develop the Shape of Your Framework for Your Presentations with Coryne Forest Episode 81: Be a Better Speaker - Top Takeaways from Watching Presenters at Podcast Movement Episode 82: How to Create an Emotional Connection with Your Audience with Leanne Kabat Episode 84: Less Is More: Developing Your Visibility Strategy with Wendy Zanders Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power

You’ve heard their on-air coaching calls - and now you get to hear what they’ve been up to since their coaching call. You know that I love leaving my guests and clients with action items and homework. As a speaking coach, I want you to take what we do together and get results, so you can gain more confidence, get better results from speaking, and someday soon stand on your dream stage and deliver the message you know will have an impact. Putting yourself out there isn’t easy and doing an on-air coaching call isn’t either! A huge thank you and congratulations to these women for sharing their updates with us. See if you can spot the themes - I’ll pull them together in the outro, along with some action items for you (of course!). Say hello to these women and let us know what your visibility goals are in the free Speaking Your Brand community. Appearing in order in this episode: Jodi Flynn is founder of Women Taking the Lead and host of the “Women Taking the Lead” podcast. Jodi was on episode 26: Specific Strategies to Improve Your Presentations. Dr. Carmen Landrau is a cardiologist and sought-after speaker. Carmen was on episode 29: Networking the Right Way to Find Speaking Opportunities. Pam Andrews is founder of The Scholarship Shark and host of “The Scholarship Shark” podcast. Pam was on in episode 48: Strategy Session to Get Visible. Kimberly O’Brien is founder of Quirky Kid and host of the “Impressive” podcast for parents. Kimberley was on in episode 64: Show, Don’t Just Tell, Your Audience How You’re Different. April Caldwell is a Money Coach and Financial Planner. April was on in episode 74: Increase Conversions at Your Speaking Engagements. Anne Torrez is founder of Tri It Your Way, coaching for athletes. Anne was on in episode 80: Connecting Your Why with What Makes Your Approach Unique. Wendy Zanders is a professional home organizer and founder of Functional Organizing with Wendy. Wendy was on in episode 84: Less Is More: Developing Your Visibility Strategy. Stacey Ogden is founder of Side Hustle Moms and host of the “Side Hustle Moms” podcast. Stacey was on in episode 86: How to Generate Leads From Your Podcast. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/99 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 26: Specific Strategies to Improve Your Presentations Episode 29: Networking the Right Way to Find Speaking Opportunities Episode 48: Strategy Session to Get Visible Episode 64: Show, Don’t Just Tell, Your Audience How You’re Different Episode 74: Increase Conversions at Your Speaking Engagements Episode 80: Connecting Your Why with What Makes Your Approach Unique Episode 84: Less Is More: Developing Your Visibility Strategy Episode 86: How to Generate Leads From Your Podcast

You may have had an experience, a situation, a life event that caused you to change how you looked at the world or led to a new understanding of how something is wrong and needs to be changed. Your personal story can have a powerful impact on an audience. But, for it to spark a movement, to cause others to change, to cause systems to change, you need to expand your personal story into a universal message. This is especially true for TEDx talks and keynotes. I had posted in the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group about a month ago looking for some willing participants to do on-air coaching calls. (Not a member? Join for free.) My guest today, Dr. Nicole Rochester, sent me an email with her idea for a TEDx talk and I loved it. Nicole is a physician (pediatrician by training) who left clinical medicine a year ago to launch a health advocacy and consulting company. You’ll hear in this episode what prompted her to start her company and how that has led to her idea for a TEDx talk. It was a pleasure talking with Nicole and you’ll hear the process we went through to take her personal story and expand it into a universal message. We come up with a really clear spine for her talk - and a single word that serves as a powerful metaphor for the change she wants to see and how it can happen. About My Guest: Dr. Nicole T. Rochester is a board-certified pediatrician, Clinical Assistant Professor, and the CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, an innovative company that helps aging individuals, those with chronic illnesses, and their family caregivers navigate the healthcare system through education, empowerment, advocacy, speaking, and consulting. While helping to care for her late father, who had multiple chronic illnesses including dementia, Dr. Rochester witnessed the disjointed healthcare system from the other side of the stethoscope and gained invaluable insight into the plight of patients and their caregivers. On many occasions, it was only because of her medical expertise that her father received the care he needed and deserved. She realizes that most patients and families do not have access to this “inside knowledge” and has made it her personal mission to make this information widely available. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/98 Visit Nicole’s website at http://www.yourgpsdoc.com/. Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your TEDx talk or signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 24: What It Takes to Do a TEDx Talk with Tammy Lally Episode 56: How to Become a TEDx Speaker with Tamsen Webster Episode 60: [Coaching] Finding Your Presentation's Spine and Why It Absolutely Needs One with Joanna Sapir Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally

Whew, this episode was much harder than I had anticipated. You’ve heard me coach my clients and members of the Speaking Your Brand community on this podcast. On-air coaching calls are some of the most popular episodes because we go deep and you get to hear what it’s like to be in a coaching session. After hearing Geraldine Carter be interviewed by Jodi Flynn on Geraldine’s podcast (flipping roles), I had the bright idea to have Geraldine interview me. (Both of these amazing women have been on this podcast: Geraldine in episode 36 and Jodi in episode 26.) Except I decided to go beyond a standard interview and asked Geraldine to coach me on “thinking bigger” for myself and for Speaking Your Brand (the name of her podcast is “She Thinks Big” and Geraldine is great at drawing that out of her guests and clients). Well, little did I know that by the end of the conversation, I would feel so incredibly raw and vulnerable. (I have a new-found appreciation for those of you who do on-air coaching calls!) It took a lot for me to record and release episode 92, where I deconstructed my TEDx talk from 2016 and talked about, for the first time, how I had messed it up. Now, you’ll hear in this episode: Your “why” may become clear after you start doing something Why it matters when women aren’t visible and don’t have a seat at the table What I see in the women I’ve had as clients - you may not recognize this about yourself either Where I get stuck when “thinking bigger” (you may do this too) How Geraldine gently nudges me out of my default process-driven mind and into my heart - and the a-ha moments that come from this Questions you can ask yourself to think bigger The clarity that happens when we go deep and have a guide/coach to help us   If you're in need of a business coach to help you think bigger about your business and plan strategically, I highly recommend scheduling a consult call with Geraldine: https://focusedbizcoaching.com/ Of course, if you're in need of a speaking coach to help you create your signature talk and achieve your speaking goals, schedule a call with me: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact    About My Guest: Geraldine Carter coaches courageous changemakers who are ready take their business to the next level. From co-founding Climate Ride in 2008 and scaling the socially-conscious company to a seven figure budget, to biking across southeast Asia on her own, to coaching entrepreneurs on how to achieve their own lofty goals, Geraldine loves finding practical, efficient solutions to seemingly complex challenges. After directly experiencing the value of outside perspective and mentorship, Geraldine has been sharing her 10+ years of business experience and mindfulness training, helping clients cut right to the core of any problem to design effective solutions. An ICF accredited Associate Certified Coach, Geraldine takes pride in challenging herself and her clients to reach higher and find bolder ways forward. Geraldine is also the host of the She Thinks Big podcast. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/97 Learn more on Geraldine’s website. Listen to Geraldine’s podcast She Thinks Big, especially episode 6 with Jodi Flynn interviewing Geraldine. Join Geraldine’s Facebook group. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 26: Specific Strategies to Improve Your Presentations with Jodi Flynn [Coaching] Episode 36: Creating a Business for Change with Geraldine Carter Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk - Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 94: Speaking and Showing Up Powerfully as Women with Molly Baker McPherson

How can you increase the likelihood that free speaking engagements you do lead to companies hiring you do workshops for them? In this episode, my guest Louise Brogan, a social media expert and trainer, and I talk about: The topics her corporate clients want training on The topics she speaks about when she gives free presentations at local groups The importance of having a system/framework in your presentations Using the feedback form at your presentations for lead generation How Louise gets paid workshops Creating a database of organizations and companies to pitch to The importance of following up with leads and tips for doing so   Download the free PDF with the feedback form template you can use at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/96.   About My Guest: Louise Brogan is the owner of Social Bee NI - a consulting and training company helping businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals to raise their profile through online marketing. The aim of Social Bee is to explain how to do things online in a simple, straightforward way. Louise has been working with small businesses and professionals for over five years. In 2017, Louise was listed in the Small Business Saturday Top 100 Small Businesses in the UK, and in March 2018, Louise was listed as one of the Top 50 Small Business Advisors in the UK by Enterprise Nation. Louise is also N.Ireland’s only accredited Facebook and Instagram trainer.    The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes and free PDF download at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/96 Check out Louise’s website at http://www.socialbeeni.com/. Listen to Louise’s podcast “Social Bee.” Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 34: Relationship Selling with Nikki Rausch Episode 38: Hosting Local Workshops to Reach Your Ideal Clients with Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations - Developing Your Own Framework Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees

If you have doing a TEDx talk on your list, you’ll need a TED-worthy idea, an “idea worth spreading.” How do you know if you have a *really good* idea for a speech, one that’s going to make an impact, whether it’s for TEDx or a keynote? In this episode, my guest Lori DiGuardi, a TEDx and professional speaker, and I discuss: What makes a great talk How an “idea” is different from a “topic” How Lori came up with her TEDx idea Why people are chosen and aren’t chosen as TEDx speakers Questions to ask yourself as you work through your idea How to handle nerves when giving an important talk, including what happened to Lori during dress rehearsal (you’ve already heard my story of TEDx nerves in episode 92) And more.   About My Guest: Lori DiGuardi is a visionary leader. She is a TEDx and professional speaker, and a TEDx and certified life coach. Courageous women hire Lori to reconnect and give voice to their inner-truth. The foundation of her work is based on a life of poverty and abuse as a child and young woman, to becoming an international empowerment leader for over 22 years. Her audiences have included business professionals, educators, students, entrepreneurs, dignitaries and royalty. She was awarded an MS in Leadership, a Black Belt in Karate, and Service Above Self for her humanitarian work in Uganda. She is author of Anger 101: The Healthy Approach to Being a Bitch. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/95 Speaking Your Brand Facebook page and Facebook Live show Check out Lori’s website: https://www.loridiguardi.com/ Free PDF guide: https://www.loridiguardi.com/tedx/ Watch Lori’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/2rhYlDKO_2U Subscribe to Lori’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/LeadWithPersonalPower/ Marianne Williamson’s speech at the Washington Cathedral: https://youtu.be/e7ZV0REbpkQ Book recommendation: “Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger” by Rebecca Traister Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your TEDx talk or signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 24: What It Takes to Do a TEDx Talk with Tammy Lally Episode 56: How to Become a TEDx Speaker with Tamsen Webster Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk - Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power

When my guest Molly McPherson introduced herself in the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group and said one of her topics is helping women speak powerfully, I knew I had to have her on the podcast. Molly McPherson is a PR professional and speaker, with a focus on communicating in the digital age and crisis communication, helping her clients protect their reputations with proactive plans and messaging. In this episode, Molly and I talk about specific strategies we can use as women to come across more powerfully, whether it’s in person or in how we write. We also talk about the Kavanaugh hearings and the contrast between how Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh showed up and what that indicates about the emotional range women in public are expected and permitted to have vs. what men can do and what that means going forward. About My Guest: Molly Baker McPherson is an accredited PR professional with 20 years of experience in corporate and cooperative crisis communications and social media. She served as Director of Communications for the Cruise Line International Association, helped launch FEMA’s first social media program and worked in post-Hurricane Katrina’s FEMA Office of External Affairs. Molly speaks regularly about best practices for communicating in the digital age and crisis communication, helping clients protect their reputations with proactive plans and messaging. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/94 Connect with Molly on her website at https://mollymcpherson.com/. Check out Molly’s free PDF at https://www.mollymcpherson.com/speakingyourbrand. Listen to Molly’s new podcast “Communicate with Confidence”.   Book recommendation: “Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger” by Rebecca Traister Emma Gonzalez speech at March for Our Lives rally Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999.   Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 20: Perfectionism, the Good Girl, and the Gremlins that Hold Us Back with Regena Garrepy Episode 40: Why Women Need to Speak Up and Roar with Sophia Eng Episode 46: We All Need a Wingwoman with Mia Scharphie Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk - Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power

One of the most popular episodes of this podcast is episode 61 on developing your own framework. I’ve heard from so many of you - in the FB group and via email - that it got you thinking of creating your own framework for your business and your presentations. Having a framework differentiates yourself from others in your field, it makes it easier for your audience and clients to understand what you do, and you’re creating intellectual property. In today’s episode, my guest Jessica Korthuis and I talk about how she developed a framework to use with her one-on-one clients and then saw how it could be turned into an online course so more people could benefit from it - and she can add another revenue stream to her business. In this episode, we get into the details of how Jessica is using her framework, how she’s set up her online course, the beta program she’s running, how she initially tested the idea to see if there was enough interest, and more. Really practical ideas you can use! About My Guest: Jessica Korthuis is the founder of Sohuis (sō-house) and creator of the Sohuis framework, an open-source communications framework that uniquely combines a variety of modern business design tools with tried-and-true marketing methods to help companies nail their value propositions, build brand authority, and communicate seamlessly across platforms. She is a dynamic marketing and communications professional with a particular focus on brand strategy and value proposition design, and she has extensive experience working with design teams, technologists, senior-level leadership and founding partners. Jessica has worked alongside many influential brands including Red Bull, TedxWomen, Girls Who Code, Florida Institute of Technology, the International Business Innovation Association, and Stanford University. She is a lover of social enterprise, promoter of women in business, a proud "mompreneur.” The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Highlights: Why Jessica wanted to develop a framework and how she went about doing it What happened that Jessica decided to turn her framework into an online course How she has set up the course Why she started with a beta program How she initially tested interest in the course Which social media platform she has found to be most effective for marketing the course Tools and platforms Jessica uses Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/93 Check out Jessica’s website at http://sohuis.com/ and her online course at http://sohuis.com/startupblueprint/. Slide deck software: https://www.beautiful.ai/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Need to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content with Carol Cox Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 67: Integrating What You Do in Your Business into Your Presentation with Melissa Bennett [Coaching] Episode 79: How to Develop the Shape of Your Framework for Your Presentations with Coryne Forest [Coaching]

Two years ago, right before the November 2016 U.S. presidential election, I gave a talk at a small, local TEDxWomen chapter. Until now, I’ve never shared it publicly (beyond the audience that was there). Why? There are several reasons, which you’ll hear about in this episode. It was the most challenging speaking experience I’ve ever had. Not because of the format or the short length (8 minutes), but because of the topic I chose to talk about and the pressure I put on myself. The talk was called “It’s About Time We Really Talk About Women and Power” (the theme of the event was “It’s About Time”). As a society, why are we so ambivalent and uncomfortable about women in power? My TEDx talk examined our deep-rooted fears about women striving for powerful positions, our myths through the ages about powerful women, and how this came to a head in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In this episode: You’ll hear me give the talk (as I originally wrote it - I was tempted to update it with what’s gone on during the past 2 years, but decided to keep it as is) You’ll learn how I wrote the talk as I deconstruct the structure, pacing, specific elements, and the opening and closing You’ll hear why it was the most challenging talk I’ve given, what I learned, and how you can apply these lessons to your own speaking journey I’d love to hear your thoughts: Have you had a challenging speaking experience? What is your biggest fear? How have you overcome it? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or share in the free Speaking Your Brand community - you can get access at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/92 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your TEDx talk or signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 3: How I Created My Podfest Presentation Episode 24: What It Takes to Do a TEDx Talk with Tammy Lally Episode 40: Why Women Need to Speak Up and Roar with Sophia Eng Episode 56: How to Become a TEDx Speaker with Tamsen Webster Episode 81: Be a Better Speaker: Top Takeaways from Watching Presenters at Podcast Movement Episode 91: Visibility Works: From Local Speaking to TED.com to a Book with Tammy Lally

How does a visibility strategy actually work? What does it look like to grow your business and your personal brand through speaking? What are the steps you can take? This episode is truly a case study in what happens when you show up consistently and put yourself out there with courage and conviction. Over the course of the past couple of years, my guest and client Tammy Lally went from speaking for free at local groups and the library to sharing her message on a TEDx stage to the national TED organization posting her talk on the TED.com home page (which is huge - it has over a million views now!) to writing a book that she recently published. The results? Knowing that her message is reaching more people, an influx of clients, and new opportunities for collaboration and bigger, paid speaking engagements. If you know people can benefit from your message and content but you’re feeling uncertain as to what to do next, tap into your local community for both visibility and support. Tammy and I talk about how she did that and you’ll get ideas you can use too. Do you need help figuring out your visibility steps to achieve your speaking and business goals? Sign up for a strategy session. If you want to give a TEDx talk and need help putting together the idea to apply to speak or if you’ve already been selected and need to create the talk itself, my team is here for you. We help you find your one core idea that’s an idea worth spreading and then we work with you to create the talk, word by word, line by line. It’s an intense process but incredibly rewarding, as you’ll hear Tammy talk about in this episode. Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com to learn more. Right now, I’m coaching several of the speakers for the TEDxOrlando event that’s at the end of October 2018. We’re busily editing and finalizing the scripts (8 minutes is not a lot of time so we really have to stay on the core idea). It’s a lot of fun for me, not so sure for the speakers right now, but I know they’ll have fun once they’re done. :-) About My Guest: Tammy Lally is a Certified Money Coach, TED speaker, and author of “Money Detox.” She helps others master their finances by first conquering their emotions around money, then by creating a comprehensive financial plan. Tammy has over 17 years of experience in the financial industry and 27 years of study in psychology, addiction, recovery, and spirituality. Tammy brings a distinctive blend of financial industry experience, psychological knowledge, and spiritual consciousness to her work. She offers a compassionate approach to money and money shame, which is truly powerful in helping her clients achieve transformative outcomes. Tammy created her signature "Money Detox" process, a seven-step journey that allows anyone to achieve financial freedom and joy. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/91 Visit Tammy’s website at TammyLally.com. Check out Tammy's book "Money Detox" on Amazon. Watch Tammy's TEDx talk. Check out Amber De La Garza’s entrepreneur’s success program at http://www.theproductivityspecialist.com/stop. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Visibility Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your TEDx talk or signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 24: What It Takes to Do a TEDx Talk with Tammy Lally Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap: Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence Episode 50: The 3 C’s of Visibility: What It Takes to Get Known Episode 56: How to Become a TEDx Speaker with Tamsen Webster Episode 83: Collaborating to Expand Your Reach with Baily Hancock Episode 43: How Speaking Can Grow (or Derail) Your Business with Amber De La Garza

Speaking at someone else’s event is great, but hosting your own workshop or retreat can be even better. You get to control the content and you’re center stage as the host and presenter. But, there’s also a lot that goes into planning a successful workshop or retreat that’s a full day or even two days. My guest, Blair Green Thielemier, recently hosted her first one-day retreat (combination workshop and mastermind) at a hotel venue in Nashville. Blair shares with us: Why she decided to have an in-person event when the rest of her (very successful) business has been entirely online How far in advance she started planning The marketing and sales strategies she used Why she selected that particular city and hotel How she planned the content Getting sponsors Lessons learned What she’s planning for her next retreat About My Guest: Blair Green Thielemier, PharmD is an independent consultant pharmacist living in Arkansas with her husband and two children. Her latest project is hosting and producing pharmacy’s first virtual conference, the Elevate Pharmacy Virtual Summit in partnership with the NCPA Innovation Center.  She is the founder of Pharmapreneur Academy, an online e-Course and Membership Community where she guides hundreds of pharmacist-entrepreneurs through the process and barriers of building advanced clinical services. She is the author of How to Build a Pharmacy Consulting Business and facilitates in-person Business Planning Workshops and Mastermind Retreats for female Pharmapreneurs across the country. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/90 Visit Blair’s website at https://www.btpharmacyconsulting.com/. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review! Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 38: Hosting Local Workshops to Reach Your Ideal Clients with Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez Episode 44: The Ins and Outs of Virtual Summits with Jaime Slutzky Episode 52: Producing Live Events to Showcase Your Business & Brand with Renee Warmack

“My dream is bigger than my fear.” Have you ever felt like that? My guest today, Debbie Gonzales, heard that from a guest she interviewed on her brand new podcast and she said it’s what pushed her forward to launch. In this on-air coaching call, Debbie asks me questions about launching her podcast, including: Creating a community of listeners The magic number for a Facebook group Tips for working with a podcast editor/team Imposter syndrome How I felt when I published my first episode Promotion strategy when launching And more If you are thinking of or in the midst of launching a podcast, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode as well as episode 87 on Launching a Podcast: What’s Important and What’s Not. About My Guest: Debbie Gonzales is a career educator, curriculum consultant, former school administrator and adjunct professor, and once served as a SCBWI RA for the Austin Chapter. Deb currently devotes her time to writing middle grade novels, crafting teacher guides for new releases and hosting The Debcast, a podcast celebrating the tenacity of the female athlete and authors who have written about them. She's the author of the forthcoming non-fiction picture book Girls with Guts: The Road to Breaking Barriers and Bashing Records (Charlesbridge, 2019). Deb earned her MFA in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/89 Go to www.debbiegonzales.com and/or www.guidesbydeb.com to keep up with Deb and her many projects. Listen to Debbie’s new podcast “The Deb Cast: Books, Buzz, and Girls with Guts”. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 85: Pivoting Your Business Model by Asking ‘What Do You Really Want’ with Katie Krimitsos Episode 86: [Coaching] How to Generate Leads From Your Podcast with Stacey Ogden Episode 87: Launching a Podcast: What’s Important and What’s Not  

If you’re a speaker, you should be doing live broadcasts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. But…. I hear you say in your head, I don’t like to see myself on video … I don’t have time … I don’t know what to say. These are all things I’ve said to myself. Even though I’ve been on TV dozens of times, have hosted over a hundred webinars over the years, and speak in person often, I’ve shied away from doing live broadcasting. However, as media consumption is changing and people are spending more and more time on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, we have to go where our audience wants us. My guest today is Jenny Melrose, a live broadcasting expert who helps influencers pitch brands and monetize their content. In this episode, we focus on why you should be doing live broadcasts and easy ways for you to start (dip the toe in!). Jenny’s coaches me on what I should be with live broadcasting, so listen to the episode to hear what I’ve decided to do. We also talk about Jenny’s visibility strategy and what she’s learned from speaking at conferences this year as far as her preferred format and style. Get Jenny’s live broadcasting cheat sheet at https://jennymelrose.com/live. My challenge to you: Come into the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group (it’s free) and do a very short live video, sharing with us what you took away from this episode or you can just introduce yourself and tell us what you do. The SYB Facebook group is a safe, welcoming, and supportive space for you to press “Go Live.” You can get access by going to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999.   About My Guest: Jenny Melrose is a former reading specialist who “retired” from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. Through her unique pitching system, her lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family, became regularly sought out by nationally recognized brands such as Neutrogena, Smuckers, Glad, Costco, Stanley Steamer, Sara Lee and many more. Now, she’s made it her mission to use her teaching skills and extensive experience as a successful influencer to share her strategies with thousands of other entrepreneurs via her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs and her website, JennyMelrose.com. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   =====================  I’m thrilled that this episode is being sponsored by Book Launchers. I met Julie Broad, the founder, at a conference earlier this year, attended her session on Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book, and invited her on this podcast in episode 65. Julie’s experience and expertise were so evident in that conversation that many of you listeners reached out to her because you’re working on your signature talk and you also want to write a book - they go hand in hand very nicely! But it can feel very overwhelming - you’re not sure where to start much less how to organize it to make it an effective marketing tool for you and then how to market it. That’s where Julie’s company Book Launchers comes in. Book Launchers has an incredible, hands-on workshop coming up November 1-3, 2018, in the Los Angeles area. They have people flying in to attend, so you don’t have to be local. Before you even walk into the room, Book Launchers will help you position your book so it's going to stand out in the marketplace. On site, you'll create your outline (or refine it), plan your book marketing in detail, and brainstorm key elements like chapter titles and book titles. Getting those things right will matter a lot for your book marketing … and tying it into your signature talk. You'll work directly with an Emmy nominated writer, a book marketing specialist who took her last client to the WSJ Bestsellers list, and a brilliant social media strategist who wrote the very first book on Twitter. Plus, before you leave, you'll have created a clear step by step plan (with dates!) to take you from writing to book launch. And, you'll spend eight uninterrupted hours writing! You’ll write more in a weekend than many people write in months! At their last writers retreat many of the attendees wrote more than 10,000 words (that’s almost one third of a book), improved their book idea, and created a plan with dates to launch and market their book!   I invite you to check out the details at https://booklaunchers.com/carol You can use the code “Carol” to receive $100 off the single pay option.   =====================     Highlights: The benefits of doing Facebook Live (more reasons than you think) What platforms to do live broadcasting on The difference between Instagram video and IGTV The recommended length for live videos Why you need to have a consistent date and time Broadcasting to your Facebook page vs. group How to get engagement from viewers What you get out of doing live broadcasting as a speaker Jenny’s visibility strategy   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/88 Get Jenny’s live broadcasting cheat sheet at https://jennymelrose.com/live Visit Jenny’s website at https://jennymelrose.com/ Follow Jenny on Instagram @jenny_melrose Listen to Jenny’s podcast “Influencer Entrepreneurs” “Like” the Speaking Your Brand Facebook page for Facebook Live videos Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Links and Related Podcast Episodes Mentioned: BeLive.tv Episode 53: What It’s Like to be an Influencer with Jeanette Johnson Episode 81: Be a Better Speaker: Top Takeaways from Watching Presenters at Podcast Movement

Have you been thinking of launching your own podcast? It’s been a game-changer for my business and personal brand - and it can be for yours too. But, it can seem overwhelming and daunting: What to do first, then next, what equipment and software do you need, much less thinking about the format and interviewing guests, and so on. In this episode, you’ll learn what’s important - and what’s not - when launching your podcast. I’ll also share with you the #1 reason for podcasting success. This is from a presentation I gave recently to the Orlando Podcasters Meetup group, so you’ll also see how I use my story structure framework when creating my own presentations. See if you can spot the different elements. No need to take notes - you can download the slides, including specifics of the tools and equipment you need to get started, at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/87. Need help identifying your podcast niche, audience, core message, and/or format? Launch with clarity and confidence. Sign up for a 90-minute strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/podcast-strategy-session/. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   ***************  I’m thrilled that this episode is being sponsored by Book Launchers. I met Julie Broad, the founder, at a conference earlier this year, attended her session on Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book, and invited her on this podcast in episode 65. Julie’s experience and expertise were so evident in that conversation that many of you listeners reached out to her because you’re working on your signature talk and you also want to write a book - they go hand in hand very nicely! But it can feel very overwhelming - you’re not sure where to start much less how to organize it to make it an effective marketing tool for you and then how to market it. That’s where Julie’s company Book Launchers comes in. Book Launchers has an incredible, hands-on workshop coming up November 1-3, 2018, in the Los Angeles area. They have people flying in to attend, so you don’t have to be local. Before you even walk into the room, Book Launchers will help you position your book so it's going to stand out in the marketplace. On site, you'll create your outline (or refine it), plan your book marketing in detail, and brainstorm key elements like chapter titles and book titles. Getting those things right will matter a lot for your book marketing … and tying it into your signature talk. You'll work directly with an Emmy nominated writer, a book marketing specialist who took her last client to the WSJ Bestsellers list, and a brilliant social media strategist who wrote the very first book on Twitter. Plus, before you leave, you'll have created a clear step by step plan (with dates!) to take you from writing to book launch. And, you'll spend eight uninterrupted hours writing! You’ll write more in a weekend than many people write in months! At their last writers retreat many of the attendees wrote more than 10,000 words (that’s almost one third of a book), improved their book idea, and created a plan with dates to launch and market their book!   I invite you to check out the details at https://booklaunchers.com/carol You can use the code “Carol” to receive $100 off the single pay option. ***************    Links: Download the FREE PDF for this episode at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/87. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Podcast Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/podcast-strategy-session/. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Links and Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 65: Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book with Julie Broad Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 59: Why You Shouldn't Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead Episode 85: Pivoting Your Business Model by Asking ‘What Do You Really Want’ with Katie Krimitsos

Do you have a podcast - or video series or blog - but aren’t getting leads from it as you had expected? You know your content is good - you’re getting listeners and viewers and readers - but, when it comes to making money as a result of that content, it’s crickets (and an empty inbox). What can you do? This is the question my guest today, Stacey Ogden of Busy Mom Collective, had. In this on-air coaching call, you’ll hear as we dissect what’s going on with her podcast (if you don’t have a podcast, you can apply it to the content you’re creating). We come up with specific strategies she - and you - can use to generate leads, including: what to do on her podcast to talk about what she does what kinds of calls to action to include and how many where to promote her podcast what to do when people sign up for her email list.   One thing Stacey told me is that she doesn’t want her podcast to come off as a sales pitch. And, I totally get it. I did an entire episode on why you shouldn’t sell from the stage - and what to do instead (episode 59). The same premise applies to your podcast and other content. If you need help strategizing your podcast, video series, or messaging in general, you can book a strategy session. Strategy sessions are great for specific questions or challenges you have. We dig deep and you walk away with a concrete action plan, much like you’ll hear here with Stacey.   This episode is the second in a 4-part series related to podcasting. If you host a podcast or have a thought about it, this series will help you get better results. If you don’t have any plans for a podcast, still listen! The strategies we talk about can be applied in other areas too.   About My Guest: Stacey Ogden is the founder and owner of the Busy Mom Collective. Through her podcast of the same name, and working one-on-one with clients, she helps working moms and mompreneurs master their schedules, own their time, and conquer their out of control to-do lists. She lives in western Connecticut with her husband, 7 year old daughter, and German Shepherd puppy where she teaches middle school music and runs a local chapter of Business Among Moms. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: Having a focused niche for your podcast The kinds of episodes you can do on your podcast (guest interviews, coaching calls, solo episodes) Why you should do on-air coaching calls on your podcast The calls to action Stacey currently has on her podcast and what she could change them to Should you should have only *one* call to action or is it ok to have multiple ones? How Stacey is using her Facebook page Specific strategies to get more leads from the podcast What to do when someone joins your email list Where to place your calls to action within your podcast How to connect your call to action to your on-air coaching call   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/86 Stacey’s website: https://busymomcollective.com/ Check out Stacey’s podcast “The Busy Mom Collective” Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 59: Why You Shouldn't Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead Episode 34: Relationship Selling with Nikki Rausch Nikki Rausch on Stacey’s podcast episode 29

When’s the last time you asked yourself: “What do I *really* want? What’s right for me *right now*?” And then what happens if the business you’ve been building is not quite the right answer. You can either ignore the answer and try to go down the same road, bumping into obstacles along the way. Or, you can pivot your business model to better align with your mission, your lifestyle, and opportunities you see. This is what my guest Katie Krimitsos, founder of Biz Women Rock, recently did. She has built a very successful business (and podcast) coaching women entrepreneurs one-on-one, in masterminds, and at small retreats. But, then something happened earlier this year that caused Katie to realize she needed to make some changes. The result? A pretty big pivot in her business model from niche to mass. In this episode, we talk about: What happened and why Katie decided to make this shift Her new business model of a podcast network and how that aligns with her mission and lifestyle The benefits of having a podcast network vs. a single podcast The specific phases Katie has laid out for marketing and revenue How the change from niche/one-on-one marketing to relying on the masses/volume is both scary and exciting How imposter syndrome shows up and what Katie does to combat it   Katie is very open and real and you’ll learn a lot from our conversation about honoring our multi-dimensional selves. This episode is the first in a 4-part series related to podcasting. If you host a podcast or have a thought about it, this series will help you get better results. If you don’t have any plans for a podcast, still listen! The strategies we talk about can be applied in other areas too.   About My Guest: Katie Krimitsos, founder of Biz Women Rock!, is a passionate community builder who empowers women to succeed in business. She’s the host of the Biz Women Rock podcast as well as the new Meditation for Women podcast, the first in the Meditation for Women podcast network.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/85 Visit Katie’s website at http://bizwomenrock.com/ Listen to Katie’s podcast Biz Women Rock Listen to Katie’s new podcast Meditation for Women Carol on the Biz Women Rock Podcast (April 23, 2018): http://bizwomenrock.com/amplify-message-signature-talk-carol-cox-speaking-brand/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

There are many, many ways you can get visibility for yourself and your business: Speaking to local groups Presenting at conferences Being a member or officer of a local organization Guesting on podcasts or hosting your own podcast Doing Facebook Live and YouTube videos Hosting webinars Being active in Facebook groups and other online communities   But, you can’t do all of these at the same time. You have to choose which are the best ones based on where you’re at in your business, where your target audience is, and what’s going to be the most effective. (Listen to Episode 45 on Your Visibility Roadmap: Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence for more.) In this on-air coaching call, I help my client Wendy Zanders, a professional home organizer, decide where she should focus her visibility efforts. Our conclusion: Less is more. We also talk about the importance of having email opt-ins for tracking purposes, but why selling one-on-one services via email marketing doesn’t usually work and what to do instead once they’ve signed up for your list. I’d love to hear from you! What’s been working for your visibility strategy? Share in the *free* Speaking Your Brand Facebook group. Join by going to  https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. About My Guest: Wendy Zanders is Professional Home Organizer based in Maryland and the Founder of Functional Organizing with Wendy. Drawing upon her 17+ years as a Unit Supply Specialist and Unit Armorer in the United State Army and experiences as an Executive Assistant, Project Manager, and mother, Wendy has honed her organizational abilities and reclaimed her passion to help others by providing professional home organizing services to help professional moms, particularly those with ADD or depression, with their decluttering efforts, by involving the entire family. Wendy wants to give you time back so you can collect memories and not things. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/84 Visit Wendy’s website: https://www.functionalorganizingwithwendy.com/ Connect with Wendy on her Facebook page and Facebook group. Book recommendation: “The Prosperous Coach”. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Join our Monetize Your Speaking group coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/group.  Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Create your signature talk or TEDx talk. Get all the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 39: Using Personal Stories to Connect with Your Audience with Lisa Woodruff Episode 48: [Coaching] Strategies to Get Visible with Pam Andrews Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap: Build Your Business, Brand, and Influence Episode 50: The 3 C's of Visibility: What It Takes to Get Known

How can you expand your network and reach new people? Collaborating with others who share a similar mission, vibe, and audience can be one of the best ways to do that. But, how do you actually collaborate in a pre-planned way? What does that look like (webinars, FB Live, workshops, podcasts, etc.)? What does each person gain and, just as importantly, what does each person’s audience gain? My guest today is Baily Hancock, a Collaboration Consultant who teaches people how to collaborate with their community to achieve their goals. In this episode, Baily and I talk about: Tips for attending networking events, even if you’re an introvert Specific strategies and examples you can use to identify partners and reach out to them How to improve the likelihood that a potential partner will say “yes” Ideas for doing promotional partnerships that benefit both of you AND both of your communities The pros and cons (mostly cons) of being an affiliate for others The 20 speaking gigs Baily has done this year - why she does them and what she gets out of them   You’ll love Baily’s obvious passion and energy for collaboration and you’ll learn exactly what to do to get started. Your homework is to identify someone in your network you can collaborate with and reach out to them to get the conversation started.   I met Baily through a mutual friend, Mia Scharphie, who introduced us (the power of collaboration!). Mia was on the podcast in episode 46 (We All Need a Wingwoman), which is an excellent companion episode to this one. About My Guest: Baily Hancock is a Collaboration Consultant who teaches people how to collaborate with their community to achieve their goals, whether that's making a career change or growing their business.  A natural-born connector, Baily has spent her career growing and nurturing her network and finding ways to collaborate along the way. She works with entrepreneurs to help them amplify their company's reach and influence with partnerships, and with professionals to help them find happiness and fulfillment in their careers. A self-described, "Type-A with a dash of woo", Baily is equal parts strategic and supportive. Whether you're coming to her in need of direction in your career or you're looking for ways to make more revenue in your business, she's got your back. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/83 Get the free Partnership Outreach Email Template. Connect with Baily on her website, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out Baily’s program at http://www.expertiseforexposure.com/ Listen to Baily’s podcast "The Baily Hancock Show". Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Episodes and People Mentioned: Episode 46: We All Need a Wingwoman with Mia Scharphie Episode 34: Relationship Selling with Nikki Rausch Nikki Rausch’s blog/email newsletter as a great example of using stories Calendly.com for scheduling calls

How can you create an emotional connection with your audience? Even if you *think* you have a topic that doesn’t lend itself to creating an emotional connection, there are ways you can pull your audience in. Creating an emotional connection: Engages the audience and keeps them interested Builds trust with you and with each other by being vulnerable and relatable Helps them to remember what you’re teaching Gives them a way to apply what you’re sharing to themselves   In this on-air coaching call, my guest Leanne Kabat and I brainstorm about how she can create an emotional connection with her audience in her presentations. We also talk about: What happened in 2006 when Leanne was given 5 years to live Why Leanne needs to evolve her current business model to include speaking How Leanne can use her new book at speaking engagements Creating a story bank Leanne’s “a-ha” moment during our conversation Speaking packages and how to structure and price them A must-have: Why you should provide your audience with a worksheet and feedback form   → Get the free PDF download that has the story structure framework, sample workbook and feedback form I share with Leanne that she - and you - can use in your presentations. About My Guest: Leanne Kabat is the CEO and Main Mama at MamaConnects and the award-winning conference for moms called MamaCon. Each year, MamaCon celebrates the journey of motherhood by offering community, inspiration and education at events around the Pacific Northwest. A strong community is a lifeline for women raising children and balancing the complexity of life, which Leanne knows too well as she faced a medical diagnosis that gave her five years to live in 2006. Through events and her podcast called MamaConnects, Leanne nurtures a strong and vibrant community of women who support each other as they stand strong, rise up and take on life’s challenges together. Leanne’s forthcoming book is called “The 5 Seasons of Connection for Parents.”   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: Why and how to create an emotional connection with your audience What happened in 2006 when Leanne was given 5 years to live Why Leanne needs to evolve her current business model to include speaking How Leanne can use her new book at speaking engagements Creating a story bank Leanne’s “a-ha” moment during our conversation Speaking packages and how to structure and price them A must-have: Why you provide your audience with a worksheet and feedback form   Links: Show notes and free PDF download at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/82 Leanne’s website: http://www.mamaconnects.com/ Leanne’s podcast “MamaConnects”. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Podcasts and Episodes Mentioned: Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 81: Be a Better Speaker: Top Takeaways from Watching Presenters at Podcast Movement Podfest podcasting conference in Orlando Katie Krimitsos’ podcast Biz Women Rock My episode on the Biz Women Rock podcast: Amplify Your Message with Your Signature Talk

What separates a great speaker from a so-so one and how can you be a great one? I recently attended a 3-day conference (Podcast Movement) and took notes during the keynotes and breakout sessions on what the speakers did well and what could have been better, so you can take these tips and apply them to your own presentations. Although it was a conference for podcasters, this episode is not about podcasting - it’s about how you can be a better speaker and presenter. (But, if you are a podcaster, it will help with that too!) You’ll learn: Top takeaways from watching presenters at Podcast Movement that you can apply to your own presentations What the best speakers had in common What Pat Flynn did in his opening keynote The worst session I attended - what went wrong and how it could have been better The best sessions I attended - and what the speakers did well How a panel was structured as a 3-person presentation: Did it work? What Terry Gross of NPR’s Fresh Air did in her closing keynote that was incredibly brave   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/81 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Podcasts, People, and Episodes Mentioned: Amber De La Garza’s Productivity Straight Talk podcast episode 63 Amber De La Garza on this podcast episode 43 Elyse Tager and Maureen Berry Jenny Melrose Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees Episode 69: What Event Organizers Look for in Speakers with Erin Smith Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 59: Why You Shouldn't Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead You can get the Feedback Form template in the download on this episode Episode 65: Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book with Julie Broad Episode 71: Using Humor in Your Talks Will Get You More Speaking Gigs with Kathy Klotz-Guest Episode 55: Should You Give an Instructional or an Inspirational Talk?

Do you know what makes your approach and process unique? As a speaker and entrepreneur - whether you’re a coach, consultant, strategist, trainer, therapist, or other type of business owner - your methodology and philosophy are important components of what you do. In this on-air coaching call, I help my guest Anne Torrez find what makes her coaching approach unique, so she can better articulate her brand message, whether she’s speaking to a group, being interviewed on a podcast, or talking with a prospective client. We go deep to dig out what’s important to Anne and to find her why, which carries over into the work she does with her clients and why her clients like working with her. You’ll hear us brainstorm to come up with Anne’s brand statement: “I help [target audience] do [this] so they can [get these results].” As you listen, think about your why and what your brand statement could be. Need help clarifying your message and brand statement? Book a strategy session with me at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy.   About My Guest: After completing her first triathlon as a way to improve her health, Coach Anne Torrez was hooked for the long haul. Finding a sport she was passionate about changed not only Anne’s physical health, but also drastically improved her mental and emotional outlook. Today, Anne helps runners, cyclists and triathletes all over the country to become the best athletes they can be, by creating individualized training programs that focus on consistent improvement and steady progress. Anne loves working with both beginners to help them enter the racing world confidently, as well as with experienced athletes who want to achieve the next level of competitive performance. As a wife, mom of two young kids, athlete and business owner, Anne understands how to juggle serious training with a busy lifestyle and works with each athlete to create an individualized program that will bring success in the context of real life. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/80 Anne’s website = https://www.triityourway.com/ Connect with Anne on Instagram @triityourway and Facebook and Facebook group. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Episodes and Podcasts Mentioned: Anne Torrez on the BizChix podcast Diane Diaz on this podcast in episode 2: Taking Your Speaking to the Next Level Amber De La Garza’s Productivity Straight Talk podcast Amber was also on this podcast in episode 43: How Speaking Can Grow or Derail Your Business 5 AM Miracle Podcast

In this on-air coaching call, you’ll hear how my guest Coryne Forest and I create the visual shape of her framework to use in her presentations. In episode 61, you learned how developing your own framework can be a game changer for not only your presentations but also your business. Many listeners have told me how impactful that episode was for them. They’ve even shared sketches of their frameworks in the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group (get access at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join). In this episode, you are truly a fly on the wall as you’ll hear Coryne and I brainstorm what her framework should look like (a circle, triangle, rectangle, etc.) based on how she helps her coaching clients. We come up with a really unique shape that at a glance shows the key elements and outcomes. Want to know what her framework ends up looking like? Listen until the end! Need help developing your framework? This is part of what we work on together when creating your signature talk. Get the details, sign up, or schedule a free consult call with me at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching.   About My Guest: Coryne Forest is the Deputy Director for Organization Development for an Army R&D Center and the owner of Forest Leadership Solutions. She is a writer, speaker, workshop facilitator and coach for women with STEM careers. With over 30 years of tech and leadership experience, Coryne’s vision is to change the technical landscape the technical landscape so that there are more women in senior leadership positions that are rockin’ it in all aspects of their life. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/79 Coryne’s website = https://coryneforest.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other episodes mentioned: Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework

What is it like to travel around the world, from Europe to China, to speak - and get paid for it? My guest is Annie Mori, a licensed pediatric occupational therapist and founder of playSense, based in California. Annie is paid to travel internationally several times a year to conduct trainings and workshops and to be a keynote speaker at conferences. In this episode, Annie and I talk about: How she became an international speaker How she negotiates contracts with conferences and organizations Challenges with speaking to an international audience, including language and cultural differences What happens when things don’t go as planned How she balances travel, business, and family Her tips for becoming a paid speaker   About My Guest: As a licensed pediatric occupational therapist and founder of playSense, Dr. Annie Mori has led individual and group sessions in a variety of settings including clinics, preschools, schools (K – 12th grade), homes and in the community. In 2000, she earned her Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. She further pursued advanced training in sensory integration, which she uses to guide her therapeutic approach and treatment planning. When not treating children and adolescents, Annie lectures, nationally and internationally, on topics related to theory and application of sensory integration.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/78 Annie’s website = https://www.playsensekids.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other episodes mentioned: Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees

In this on-air coaching call, you’ll hear how to distinguish and balance the WHAT, the WHY, and the HOW of what you teach related to your business and your offer. My guest is Libby Rothschild, a registered dietitian who helps other registered dietitians build their businesses and use social media, especially Instagram, effectively. With her partner, Libby offers an online course and masterminds. We talk about how she can tweak the content of her presentation to focus on the WHAT and WHY so that people in the audience are interested in taking her course or mastermind for the HOW. We also brainstorm audience engagement activities, whether the audience is 60-70 people to audiences of 300-500. About My Guest: Libby Rothschild, MS, RD, CDN, is a social media influencer and academic content creator. Libby creates an authentic and highly engaging dialogue on social media reaching more than 12 thousand individuals, mainly registered dietitians and nutrition students, as well as creates content for health-care settings and corporate wellness institutions. She monetizes her brand by coaching, speaking and creating online courses which are approved for Continuing Education. Libby co-created an online course and she co-facilitates a regular mastermind with a focus on Instagram. Libby received her Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition at New York University and Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Hunter College.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/77 Libby’s websites = https://www.libbyrothschild.com/ and https://www.nutritionmasterminds.com/. Connect with Libby on Instagram: @nutrition_business Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 59: Why You Shouldn't Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead You can get the Feedback Form template in the download on this episode

I’ve talked before about how sharing stories in your talks helps the audience to better understand and remember what you’re teaching. In this episode, we’re going deeper into why stories matter - not just for our presentations, but for understanding ourselves, our place in the world, and our identity - who gets included and who is excluded in the stories we hear and the stories we tell. My guest is Leena Nasser, who is Executive Director of The Chopra Institute in NYC. Leena Nasser specializes in the intersection of neuroscience, cognitive psychology and education. She explores the question of how experiential storytelling, told orally, or spatially impacts the mind-brain connection, identity and behavior. I met Leena this past March when I was in NYC. We hit it off immediately - Leena is incredibly smart and passionate and I knew I had to invite her on the podcast to share some of the research she’s done, including when she was in graduate school at Harvard. About My Guest: Leena Nasser specializes in the intersection of neuroscience, cognitive psychology and education. She explores the question of how experiential storytelling, told orally, or spatially impacts the mind-brain connection, identity and behavior. She is the Executive Director of The Chopra Institute, a global social enterprise aiming to build the next wave of preventative health care. Prior to this role, Leena served as one of two experts in the education sector of the global consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Leena has a graduate degree in Mind Brain and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her research explored how the design of informal and formal learning spaces contribute to sense of identity and residual mind brain lifelong impact. Leena was specifically investigating the power of stories—told explicitly through words, or implicitly through orchestrated spaces--on the brain and behavior. Leena remains currently involved in this research, specifically looking at less represented communities and the impact of empowering identity stories on performance, societal contribution and health and wellbeing. Leena is fluent in Arabic and English and was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, while spending much of her time in Syria. Leena now lives in New York City.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/76 The Chopra Foundation Check out Debbie Gonzalez and her upcoming book “Girls with Guts: The Road to Breaking Barriers and Bashing Records”. Carol Cox on the BizChix podcast #323: How to Create a High End Offer/VIP Day. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Do you feel like everything’s already been said about your topic and that your audience has heard it all before? Let me assure you that sharing your own experiences, knowledge, and examples*will* set you apart. The key is to have a unique angle and to align your presentation content with what you do in your business. In this on-air coaching call, you’ll hear how my guest Regina Byrne and I find what she should center her presentation around. Hands-on audience engagement activities end up being a big part of it, precisely so that the audience can get a sense of what it’s like for Regina to come to their organizations and provide them with training and coaching. For your presentations, think about how you can involve the audience more and how your content leads to what you offer. Need help? Let’s work together. About My Guest: Regina Byrne is a leadership coach with a background in Human Services Management and the development of person-centered services. Having operated at Director level, Regina is a well-established professional with in-depth experience in strategic leadership, organisational change, and business development. She is a qualified coach, NLP practitioner and holds qualifications in Social Sciences, Management and Conflict resolution. Over her career, Regina has learned (often the hard way) that the key to success at work is clear, honest, open communication, what she calls real conversations, and she loves sharing those principles and practices in talks, workshops, team and individual coaching, to help create wonderful workplaces where people thrive, are valued and do great work.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/75 Check out Regina’s website at https://www.reginabyrnecoaching.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 48: [Coaching] Strategies to Get Visible with Pam Andrews of the Scholarship Shark Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 59: Why You Shouldn't Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead You can get the Feedback Form template in the download on this page

In this on-air coaching call, you’ll learn how you can shift the content and flow of your presentations to increase conversions (leads, clients, and referrals) at your speaking engagements. My guest is April Caldwell, who helps professional women manage their money and achieve their financial goals. April hosts a monthly in-person event for women and also speaks at other groups, but isn’t getting the leads and clients that she knows she can. We talk about: How to make the audience feel comfortable and build trust when dealing with a vulnerable topic like money The importance of including client stories and successes Integrating April’s process/framework into her presentation Using the story structure framework to outline the flow of her presentation Being sure to give the audience next steps they can do How to get more people to fill out the feedback form   About My Guest: April Caldwell is passionate about helping women manage their money. Personally, she saw the impact money had on the women in her life. She knows first hand what it is like to have been affluent and then to have lost everything due to poor financial planning. April rebuilt her finances through education and financial literacy which she now uses to help others to reach financial freedom. She has successfully built a community, the Trail Blazers network. Every month 40-50 women gather and April teaches them a financial concept to take and implement. April received an MBA from Franklin University and has over 20 years experience in the financial industry. April is an Army Veteran who served during Operation Enduring Freedom and a Jacksonville native.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/74 Check out April’s book and website at https://aprilcaldwell.me. Connect with April on Instagram @TrailblazersRise and Twitter @AprilCaldwellFL. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy.   Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other episodes mentioned: Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 59: Why You Shouldn't Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead You can get the Feedback Form template in the download on this page

Being a guest on podcasts is great for brand awareness, credibility building, networking, and lead generation. How can you pitch podcasters the right way so they want to have you on their show? In this episode, I talk with Nicole Holland of Interviews That Convert on: what to do and, just as importantly, what *not* to do in your podcast pitches how to turn listeners into leads specific tips on how to be a good podcast guest Here’s an example of a landing page I create for each podcast I’m a guest on, so I can track opt-ins and leads for that particular podcast: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bizchix/   About My Guest: Nicole Holland is the lady behind the scenes at Interviews That Convert where she supports business owners and CEOs in making a greater impact in the world through Podcast Guesting for exponential growth. Nicole inspires entrepreneurs worldwide with her very popular podcast, The Business Building Rockstars Show and launched a fantastic new podcast in February, Get Guest Ready, that teaches you how to be the best podcast guest ever.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: What *not* to do in your podcast pitches The right way to pitch a podcaster How to get on a podcaster’s radar Permission-based pitching Questions to ask yourself before pitching Why being on a big podcast isn’t necessarily going to give you what you want The importance of being part of a podcaster’s community Converting listeners to leads Specific tips on how to be a good podcast guest   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/73 Check out Nicole’s website at https://interviewsthatconvert.com/ Connect with Nicole on Twitter: @niczthename Listen to Nicole’s podcasts: The Business Building Rockstars Show and Get Guest Ready Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 62: Tired of Asking? A Better Way to Get Referrals with Stacey Brown Randall

Speaking in front of the right audiences with the right message can position you as an expert in your field, showcase your business, build relationships, and lead to clients and referrals. Have you been getting the results you want from the speaking engagements you’ve been doing? What you need is a clear and intentional speaking strategy and a powerful signature talk. Consider: Are you speaking in front of the right audiences? Are you talking in the right settings based on your natural and preferred communication style? Are you sharing the right information based on the audience’s prior knowledge and worldview related to your topic? Are you presenting the right offer for that audience? What you’ll learn on this episode: Why you need a clear and intentional speaking strategy that aligns with your business goals – and the dangers of not having one How to identify the best speaking engagements - and which to say no to How to select the best topics to speak on that drives interest in what you do = leads, clients, referrals You’ll hear success stories of other women speakers and how they’ve used speaking strategically to grow their business. → Download the free Speaking Strategy PDF workbook for this episode at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/72. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: Why you need a clear and intentional speaking strategy that aligns with your business goals – and the dangers of not having one How to identify the best speaking engagements - and which to say no to How to select the best topics to speak on that drives interest in what you do = leads, clients, referrals Success stories of other women speakers and how they’ve used speaking strategically to grow their business   Links: Show notes and free PDF workbook at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/72 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 24: What It Takes to Do a TEDx Talk with Tammy Lally Episode 35: How to Rock a Panel as a Moderator and Panelist with Natalie Eckdahl of BizChix Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 59: Why You Shouldn't Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead You can get the Feedback Form template in the download on this episode Episode 50: The 3 C's of Visibility: What It Takes to Get Known Anna Seewald of Authentic Parenting

You’ll notice that the title of this episode is in the definitive: using humor in your talks *will* get you more speaking engagements. I don’t mean you have to add a stand-up comedy routine to your presentations (leave that for the comedians!). Rather, as my guest Kathy Klotz-Guest and I talk about in this episode, using humor and improv techniques: Makes you more relatable to your audience Allows you to be present and in the moment Provides for a richer learning experience for the audience The results? You’re more confident and comfortable on stage. The audience enjoys it (great reviews!). Event organizers are more likely to ask you back and refer you to others. You’re more likely to get paid speaking engagements. Kathy and I have a fun, and at times deep, conversation about what practicing improv means not only for your presentations but also for your business and life, as well as what it’s going to take to get women speakers at parity with men (in numbers and in pay). About My Guest: Kathy Klotz-Guest is a keynote speaker, author, workshop leader, and improv comedian. With an MBA and MA, she has 20 years in communication and innovation strategy and storytelling on business and comedy stages in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her career is a story of using play as creative fuel. How does your culture focus on making people’s lives better?  It can run like an improv group with a collaborative “yes and” mentality. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. I’m thrilled that this episode is being sponsored by Book Launchers. I met Julie Broad, the founder, at a conference earlier this year, attended her session on Writing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Book, and invited her on this podcast (episode 65). Julie’s experience and expertise were so evident in that conversation that many of you listeners reached out to her because you’re working on your signature talk and you also want to write a book - they go hand in hand very nicely! But it can feel very overwhelming - you’re not sure where to start much less how to organize it to make it an effective marketing tool for you and then how to market it. That’s where Julie’s company Book Launchers comes in. Book Launchers has a hands-on workshop coming up June 21-23 in the Los Angeles area. They have people flying in to attend, so you don’t have to be local. Before you even walk into the room, Book Launchers will help you position your book so it's going to stand out in the marketplace. On site, you'll create your outline (or refine it), plan your book marketing in detail, and brainstorm key elements like chapter titles and book titles. Getting those things right will matter a lot for your book marketing … and tying it into your signature talk. You'll work directly with an Emmy nominated writer, a book marketing specialist who took her last client to the WSJ Bestsellers list, and a brilliant social media strategist who wrote the very first book on Twitter. Plus, before you leave, you'll have created a clear step by step plan (with dates!) to walk you step by step from writing to book launch. And, you'll spend eight uninterrupted hours writing! You’ll write more in a weekend than many people write in months! I invite you to check out the details at https://booklaunchers.com/carol You can use the code “Carol” to receive $100 off the single pay option. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/71 Check out Kathy’s website and speaker videos at https://www.keepingithuman.com/ Connect with Kathy on Twitter @KathyKlotzGuest My appearance on Kathy’s show SHEnanigans: When brands get political Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 66: Mastering Your Speaking Style and Stage Presence Episode 68: Getting Paid to Speak and Negotiating Speaker Fees

How can your wardrobe align with and reflect your brand and make you feel confident, so that you attract your ideal clients, whether you’re speaking, on video, or at a networking event? My guest is wardrobe stylist Jennifer Mackey-Mary, founder of Apple + Pear Wardrobe. We talk about what you should wear on stage and how you can use your business branding to decide what to wear, including whether or not to wear your brand colors. Jennifer uses two words that are crucial for dressing to attract your ideal clients (and I love that they both start with “A” :-). What do you like to wear when you speak? I’d love to see a photo - share in the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group. Not a member? It’s free - go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999 to get access. About My Guest:  Jennifer Mackey-Mary, founder Apple + Pear Wardrobe, is a wardrobe stylist who has a knack for helping entrepreneurs elevate their personal brand by curating a wardrobe that aligns with the personality and energy of their business. She has dressed thousands of women over the last 17 years, has held leadership positions with Chico's, South Moon Under, and Gap Maternity. Jennifer has worked with both business owners and high-level executives to help dress them in a way that reflects the level of success they are aiming to achieve, with pretty incredible results. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: What you should and shouldn’t wear on stage How you can use your business branding to decide what to wear Whether or not to wear your brand colors Two words that are crucial for dressing to attract your ideal clients How to curate a good wardrobe What your shoes say about you   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/70 Connect with Jennifer on her website at http://appleandpearwardrobe.com/ Get Jennifer’s free style guide at http://bit.ly/bossbabestyle Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Do you have your eye on a conference or event that you really want to speak at? How can you get selected? My guest today is Erin Smith, who runs the annual Entrepreneur Summit in Dallas, Texas. We go behind-the-scenes into how event organizers select speakers, who they choose to pay and why, and what *not* to do as a speaker. Erin shares what to include in your speaker submissions to get noticed and how to negotiate your speaker fee. This conversation was very eye-opening for me and you’ll walk away with a new understanding of how to get selected to speak. About My Guest: Erin Smith is the founder of The Starters Club, a place for entrepreneurs and new business owners to get on their feet and start making sales. Erin runs the annual Entrepreneur Summit in Dallas, Texas, and is the host of the Epic Live Events podcast. Erin has successfully run and sold two businesses and bought and sold real estate all across the country. She also loves dogs and has rescued a number of them. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: What running an event has done for Erin and her business What to do - and what *not* to do - as a speaker for an event What to include in your speaker submissions How to get invited to be a speaker How to get paid to speak and how to negotiate your fee   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/69 Check out Erin’s upcoming summit in Dallas on June 18-19, 2018: https://www.esummitevents.com/ Erin’s business The Starters Club: https://www.thestartersclub.com/ Erin’s podcast Epic Live Events: https://www.epicliveevents.co/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework or sizzle reel? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 59: Why You Shouldn’t Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Episode 61: Developing Your Own Framework

How can you get your first paid speaking engagement? How do you figure out what to charge and how to negotiate? In this episode, you’ll hear from 7 women entrepreneurs and speakers who share how they got their first paid speaking engagement. I also share how I got my first paid gig for Speaking Your Brand and how I got paid to be a political analyst on TV news. There are lots of great reasons to speak for free and I speak for free several times a year for: Brand awareness Credibility builder Lead generation Networking In-kind exchange (ticket to conference) Practice Enjoyment   However, it also feels really great to be paid to speak - plus it’s nice to have direct revenue for your time and effort. As you listen to each speaker, see if you can spot the commonalities in their stories. I’ll share at the end what I see as the top takeaways. You can connect with the women featured here in the free Speaking Your Brand community. You can get access by going to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Guests Featured: Diane Diaz of The Brand Teacher Tara Lynn Foster Kate Ahl of Simple Pin Media Jan Bowen Lara Currie Jill Allison Bryan Dr. Carmen Landrau   Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 45: Your Visibility Roadmap Episode 50: The 3 C's of Visibility: What It Takes to Get Known Episode 2: [Coaching} Taking Your Speaking to the Next Level with Diane Diaz Episode 14: [Coaching] Shifting Your Presentation from Practical to Inspirational with Tara Lynn Foster Episode 19: How Publishing a Book Impacts Your Speaking Opportunities with Jan Bowen Episode 28: [Coaching] Networking the Right Way to Find Speaking Opportunities with Carmen Landrau   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/68 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

If you’ve been giving a presentation but you feel like what you do in your business isn’t well integrated into it and you aren’t getting the leads, clients, and referrals that you know you could, it’s time to stop giving that version and create one that gets you results. In this on-air coaching call, I help my guest Melissa Bennett re-work her presentation to make it more impactful for her audience and for her business. If you’ve listened to episode 57 on my story structure framework, you’ll see it put into action here. There’s a way of integrating what you do through your experiences, client stories, and framework that’s much more effective than “selling from the stage” and you’ll hear how we do that with Melissa’s content. About My Guest: Melissa Bennett is a writer, artist, seeker, and coach. She lives at The Watershed Farm just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her two young, energetic, wide-eyed, adventuresome boys (+ another on the way!) & life partner on this incredible journey, her husband David. Alongside her wise herd of equine partners, Melissa supports & empowers women just like YOU to move through fear and live a life of confidence, courage, & creative expression. Melissa also carries this wisdom of the Horse and healing powers of the Earth into her online offerings, which includes a women's circle with highly personalized monthly gift boxes, ritual kits, group and private coaching, and spiritual guidance to women who are dedicated to showing up for themselves, owning their power, and playing bigger in their own lives and in their communities. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: How Melissa can open her presentation to create connection and trust with her audience Understanding the obstacles or objections your audience may have Finding your a-ha moment and teasing it at the beginning of your talk to keep your audience interested Melissa explains her framework (You can see Melissa’s sketch of her framework in the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/speakingyourbrand/permalink/1769876323079328/. Not a member? Go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join to get access.) The importance of adding your stories and client examples into your presentations Include the transformation that happens as a result of people working with you What to do if no one in the audience wants to share Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/67 Connect with Melissa on her website and get her free gifts at http://thewatershedfarm.com/freegifts   Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Ready to improve your presentation or create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Other episodes mentioned: Episode 57: How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content - Includes the free Story Structure Framework you can download Episode 59: Why You Shouldn’t Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead Episode 61: A Game Changer for Your Business and Presentations: Developing Your Own Framework Episode 60: Finding Your Presentation's Spine and Why It Absolutely Needs One - Includes the free Feedback Form PDF you can download

I can remember talks I’ve given, especially ones on stages in front of large audiences, where it felt like an out of body experience. I gave my talk, it went really well, but it was a complete blur, like tunnel vision. It all happened so fast and I felt like I was observing myself rather than being truly present and a part of it. Now, when I do a presentation, I’m in my comfort zone. I feel confident about my material and my stage presence. That’s what I want for you too, which is what I’m sharing with you in this episode: specific techniques and strategies you can use when preparing for and delivering your talk, including what to do the day-of and on stage. I also share a few personal stories of how I conquered my nerves and what happened to me in a dress rehearsal and why I’m really glad there weren't cell phone cameras back then. Remember: Your audience doesn’t want you to be perfect; they want you to be present. Download the free PDF with checklists for preparation, day-of, and delivery at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/66. NEW! You can now listen to the Speaking Your Brand podcast directly on Amazon’s Echo / Alexa smart speakers. All you have to do is say: “Alexa, enable skill Speaking Your Brand.” After you’ve enabled the skill, you can then play the podcast any time by saying, “Alexa, play Speaking Your Brand.” The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: What information to ask the event organizer ahead of time What to wear and why How to practice What to do the day of when you arrive How to reduce your nerves Using your body, voice, and movement effectively Feeding off the energy of the audience What to do at the end of your presentation   Links: Download the free PDF with checklists for preparation, day-of, and delivery at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/66. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session to work on your speaking delivery and stage presence at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   Other episodes and people mentioned: Episode 57: Why You Shouldn’t Sell from the Stage - and What to Do Instead Episode 41: Behind the Scenes of My Presentation at BizChix Live Episode 26: On-air coaching call with Jodi Flynn Jodi Flynn’s podcast Women Taking the Lead Amy Cuddy’s TED talk on power posing

Have you thought about writing a book, but you’re not  sure what’s involved or even if it’s worth it? My guest today, Julie Broad of Book Launchers, answers the questions you have about the process of writing, publishing, and promoting a book. You’ll hear towards the end of the episode what’s the best way to promote and sell your book - and it’s not social media. We talk about: The advantages of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing The typical timeline of writing, publishing, and promoting a book How having a book helps you as a speaker How having a signature talk can become the backbone of your book Why social media is *not* the way you’ll sell books - and what is What you need to start doing now, even if you’re not planning on writing a book for months or even a year or more from now   About My Guest: Julie Broad is the Founder of Book Launchers, which helps busy entrepreneurs and professionals build their brand and boost their business by writing, publishing, and selling a top quality book. Julie is an Amazon Overall #1 Best Selling Author, an International Book Award Winner, and recipient of the Beverly Hills Book Award for Best Sales book. As an entrepreneur and successful real estate investor she was also awarded the Top 20 under 40 Award. In 2017, she also became a new Mom and moved from Vancouver Island, Canada to Los Angeles, California. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: The advantages of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing The typical timeline of writing, publishing, and promoting a book The importance of pre-orders How having a book helps you as a speaker The emotional part of writing a book and getting back edits How having a signature talk can become the backbone of your book Why social media is *not* the way you’ll sell books - and what is What you need to start doing now, even if you’re not planning on writing a book for months or even a year or more from now What it really takes to write a book   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/65 Connect with Julie on her website at https://booklaunchers.com/ Get the free ebook at https://booklaunchers.com/sellbooks Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Speaking at groups and conferences is one of the best ways to create awareness about what you do and how you help your clients. The key is to show, through the examples and main points you include in your presentations, how what you do is different from others. In prior episodes, I’ve talked about how to do this without “selling from the stage” (episode 59), using story structure to create compelling content (episode 57), and developing your own framework (episode 61). Now, in this on-air coaching call, listen in as I coach entrepreneur Kimberley O’Brien on how she can show, not just tell, her audience how her approach is different and why her clients choose her. You’ll hear how we take Kimberley’s presentation outline and make it more impactful and effective for both her audience and for her business, and strategies Kimberley can use to select  speaking engagements and make the most of the ones she says “yes” to. Do you have an existing presentation that’s working, but you know it could be better to get you more leads and referrals? Book a Persuasive Presentation Package at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/persuasive-presentation-package/. About My Guest: Kimberley O'Brien is one of Australia’s most trusted and renowned Child Psychologist with a knack for solving problems from the child’s perspective. With twelve years experience working around Australia and internationally, Kimberley is now Principal Psychologist at the Quirky Kid Clinic in Woollahra (Sydney) offering consultations, training, resources and immediate intervention ideas for parents, professionals and the media sector. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/64 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Do you have an existing presentation that’s working, but you know it could be better to get you more leads and referrals? Book a Persuasive Presentation Package at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/persuasive-presentation-package/. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

What opportunities are you missing out on because you don’t have a signature talk? In this episode, I share why having a signature talk is critical for your business and your personal brand, including examples of what makes a great signature talk (and how it’s different from a training). With a signature talk, you become the go-to expert and thought leader for your topic and industry. You establish your personal brand and business reputation. You’re ready to accept speaking opportunities when they come your way, because you’re always prepared with a presentation that you can tweak and repurpose based on the particular audience, event, venue, and length of time. When you sincerely and authentically empower others, they’ll want to share and refer you to others, and they will come to you to buy your product or service when they need help. Having a signature talk, a presentation that you are comfortable with, that provides value to those in the audience, that you get better at each time you give it, will give you the confidence to get out there and share your message. Highlights: What a signature talk is and what it isn't Why you need a signature talk for your business and your personal brand How to figure out what your signature talk topic is The difference between a training and a signature talk Taking your personal story and universalizing it Getting booked and paid to speak Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/25 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or click here to schedule a call. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Have you been to conferences and events and, during sessions, you see lots of people in the audience on their phones? And not using their phones to take notes, but to do other things because they’re not engaged with the speaker. How can you keep your audience interested and off their phones? In this episode, I share 5 mistakes I see speakers make that turn off their audiences - and specific techniques you can use instead to keep your audience engaged and learning. This applies no matter the audience size - whether 10 people, 100, 500, 1000, or more. Download the free PDF for this episode that has the 5 mistakes: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/63 I invite you to schedule a free discovery call with me so we can chat about working together to create your signature talk and framework. Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com or go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact to schedule a call. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes and free PDF download at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/63. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Episodes mentioned: Episode 60 On-Air Coaching Call on simplifying your presentation content Episode 61 on Developing Your Own Framework

Ever since I started my first business over 15 years ago, I was told to make it a habit to ask for referrals: from my current clients, past clients, and network. I never did make it a habit, but in all three of the businesses I’ve started, including Speaking Your Brand, referrals have been a key component of getting new clients. My guest today, Stacey Brown Randall, believes we should *not* ask for referrals. Instead, she advocates a better way. Listen in as Stacey and I talk about why she believes this, the system she teaches her clients for getting referrals (without asking!), and as speakers, how we can approach getting referrals for speaking engagements. About My Guest: Stacey Brown Randall’s online programs and live coaching provide a blueprint to follow to take control of your referrals, your client experience, and your business.  Stacey is a contrarian when it comes to typical referral advice and believes the best way to unleash a referral explosion is to do it WITHOUT asking for referrals. Stacey is a three-time entrepreneur, author of Generating Business Referrals…Without Asking (Fall 2018 release date), certified productivity and time efficiency coach, and has a background in sales and marketing. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: Stacey’s approach to referrals and what she teaches her clients The importance of client experience lifecycle As speakers, how we can approach getting referrals for other speaking engagements The impact Stacey’s weekly Facebook Live video show has had on her business   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/62 Connect with Stacey on her Facebook page for her weekly show at https://www.facebook.com/StaceyBrownRandall/, her Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/referralswithoutasking/, and on her website at http://growthbyreferrals.com/ . Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Episodes mentioned: Episode 50 on the 3 C's of Visibility Episode 34 on Relationship Selling with Nikki Rausch

Developing your own framework can be a game changer for your business and presentations. It differentiates yourself from others in your field, it makes it easier for your audience and clients to understand what you do, and you’re creating intellectual property. What is a framework, why do you need one,  and how can you find yours? It’s not an internal system or process; it’s how you work with your clients to get them results. Listen to this episode to learn how to identify your framework and how to use it in your presentations. To see framework examples, visit the show notes page at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/61. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: What a framework is, including examples you’ll recognize What kinds of businesses a framework is good for How having a framework for your business and presentations can increase sales How to identify your framework How to use your framework in your presentations The #1 thing your framework needs to convey   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/61 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Ready to create your signature talk and framework? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Do you feel like you have so much you want to share in your presentations that you’re not sure what to keep, what to exclude, and how to streamline it? Or, are you afraid that you’re giving away too much valuable information? In this on-air coaching call, I help business strategist Joanna Sapir simplify her presentation content, so that it’s more useful for her audience AND gets her better results for her business. Your presentation needs a spine, a clear focus that you can hang all of your points and examples onto. Otherwise, your audience can get confused and overwhelmed, leaving them less likely to want to buy from you. Your presentation content - the spine - should reflect your unique approach and how you work with your clients. Listen in to this coaching call as I dig into who Joanna’s clients are, what they need the most help with, and the a-ha moment when we identify her presentation’s spine. Joanna is an expert at what she does and has a deep background in sales, so you’ll not only hear how we pinpoint exactly what she can center her presentation content around, but you’ll also get some sales tips you can use. We’re doing something a little different with this coaching call episode. You’ll hear me pop in from time to time to point out key things you can do for your own presentations, so let me know what you think of this format. About My Guest: Joanna Sapir has been a teacher and coach her whole life from the classroom to the gym floor and now to small businesses across the world as a Business Strategist and Coach. After founding, growing, and then selling a fitness and health coaching business, she shifted her focus to helping other service-providers - like consultants, coaches, and health/wellness professionals -  with the structure, support and actionable steps to build successful and sustainable businesses. She is a competitive Olympic-style Weightlifter, the mother of two redheaded teenagers, and lives in a co-housing community in Northern California.   → Get the free PDF download with the sample feedback form you can use in your speaking engagements at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/60.   Do you need help with your presentations and speaking questions? Sign up for a strategy session - it’s all focus, no fluff. As a client said to me, “I’ve done more in one session with you than I have by myself in the past year.” That’s how powerful it is to work out your ideas with someone else.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in your communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/60 Connect with Joanna at http://joannasapir.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Instagram and Twitter: @CarolMorganCox. Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Episode 59: Have you heard the phrase “sell from the stage”? The idea is that you pitch your programs and products to the audience at the end of your presentations. If you’ve been doing speaking engagements, you know it takes time, effort, energy, and sometimes money (especially when travel is involved), so it’s understandable that you want to get a return from it. However, when preparing your presentations and delivering them to your audience, “selling from the stage” is the wrong approach - and I’m going to explain why in this episode. Many of my clients tell me that they don’t want to come across as salesy. It can feel especially icky if you’re not comfortable doing it and the audience can tell, so it’s not going to work that well. You’ll end up feeling awkward, your audience will feel awkward, and you’ll lose the opportunity to create a real connection. On the other end of the spectrum, clients come to me who are scared of selling and end up including nothing in their presentations about what they do and how the audience can work with them, missing out on opportunities to get clients and referrals. How can you find a happy medium between the awkward pitch and not selling at all? In this episode, I’m sharing with you 5 things you can and should do in your presentations to get leads, clients, and referrals. → Get the free PDF that includes the key points and examples from this episode at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/59.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs and workshops at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.   Highlights: What the phrase “sell from the stage” means Why I believe it’s the wrong approach - any many event and conference organizers feel the same way Finding the happy medium between the awkward pitch and not selling at all in your presentations 5 key things you can and should do in your presentations to get leads, clients, and referrals.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/59 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!   People and episodes mentioned: Episode 57 on How to Use Simple Story Structure to Create Compelling Content Diane Diaz of The Brand Teacher was on episode 2 Natalie Eckdahl of BizChix was on episode 35 Geraldine Carter of Focused Business Coaching was on episode 36 Dr. Carmen Landrau was on episode 29 Pamela Cox of Pamela Cox Wellness

How can you reach your highest potential in speaking and in your business? What does it take to be the best you can be? For many years, I felt that I had to learn and master anything I came across in my businesses, from coding and SEO to marketing and PR to graphic design, accounting, and contracts. Each of these areas are specialized and require not only certain skills but also constant upkeep. Sounds pretty crazy, right? But, I know many of you are trying to do this all as well. The downside is that this is costing us - and in more ways than you may think. In this episode, my guest Belinda Brown, an executive and leadership coach, shares how she helps her clients, many of whom are executives at large companies, reach their potential as individuals, as teams, and as an organization. We take the three key areas Belinda focuses on - Uniqueness, Potential, and Equity - and apply it to you as a speaker and entrepreneur. About My Guest: Belinda Brown brings extensive experience across multiple industries to her work in executive and leadership coaching. Her passion lies in empowering women and diverse leaders to BE who they are wherever they are so corporate cultures can shift and embrace feminine  leadership and diversity development as powerful skills. She also consults with companies in the areas of organizational development, talent development and diversity management. Prior to her coaching and consulting work, Belinda spent over 15 years in roles in management and leadership roles European and American multinational organizations such as Carrefour, Renault, Brambles and Walt Disney Worldwide.   Highlights: Why Belinda decided she needed to create a signature talk for her business and why the VIP Day was a perfect fit for her personality The challenges Belinda sees that entrepreneurs face, especially in today’s social media world The pitfalls of focusing on trying to improve your weaknesses Assessments you can take to identify your strengths and unique traits Every person in a team and organization has a different potential level, but self-limitations often hold us back What happens when we try to use someone else’s speaking style If you would rate yourself as a 7 now for potential, what would it take to get to a 10: identify your goals, amplify your unique traits, be intentional, invest in improving your skills The difference between equity and equality - and why one is better than the other How you can get started today identifying your strengths and unique traits   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/58 Learn more about Belinda at http://www.belindamjbrown.com Connect with Belinda on LinkedIn and Twitter Belinda’s podcast “Planting the Seeds for Change” Assessments you can take to identify your strengths and unique traits (some are free and some have a fee): Fascination Advantage Gallup’s StrengthsFinder Kolbe DISC Trimetrix Energy Leadership Reach 360   Diane Diaz of The Brand Teacher (personal branding services and assessments) Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Why use story structure? Simple: It’s what makes us human. You want to make sure the content you’re sharing is compelling, keeps your audience interested to the end, and invites them to take action, whether you’re hosting a podcast, being interviewed on one, or giving a presentation. Our brains are hard-wired to understand and respond to story structure. Think about the fairy tales you read as a kid and your favorite books and movies. Like a good movie or book, the content we create should have a beginning, middle, and end that takes the audience from the setup of the situation with tension (Act I) to the big idea/angle/process/solution (Act II) and finally to the resolution, reward, and next steps (Act III). The framework I’ve created and describe in this episode is based on classic 3-act story structure and the hero’s journey but - this is key - applied in a business and marketing context, so that your audience understands what’s in it for them and the transformation you can help them achieve. You can use this framework when: Outlining solo podcast episodes Interviewing guests Knowing which stories to share when you’re being interviewed Speaking at groups, conferences, and workshops   → Get the free PDF of the story structure framework at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/57.   This episode also marks my 1-year anniversary podcasting! I’ve enjoyed it tremendously, greatly appreciate all of you listeners, and am excited to continue to provide you with interesting and relevant content to help you on your speaking journey.   Highlights: A straightforward step-by-step framework on how to use 3-Act story structure in your presentations, podcast episodes, and interviews How to select the best kinds of stories to share and to ask your guests How to tell stories in a way that advance the content and the points you’re making Understanding why it’s crucial to realize and convey that you are not the hero of the story How to create a story bank   Links: Show notes and PDF at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/57 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

If you’ve been wanting to do a TEDx talk, this episode is perfect for you. My guest Tamsen Webster and I talk about everything TEDx, including what are the 3 key elements that make a great TEDx talk and how to know if you have a TED-worthy idea (“an idea worth spreading”). Tamsen was the Executive Producer of one of the oldest and one of the largest locally organized TED talk events in the world, so she shares how she found speakers and what she looked for in TEDx applications (this may surprise you!). You definitely don’t have to be a professional speaker to be selected for TEDx, but you do need to have authority and passion. About My Guest: Tamsen Webster is an acclaimed keynote speaker, “idea whisperer,” and message strategist. She combined 20 years in marketing, 13 years as a Weight Watchers leader, and four years as Executive Producer of one of the oldest and one of the largest locally organized TED talk events in the world into a simple structure for understanding, talking about, and creating lasting change. As a result, she is an in-demand consultant on finding the ideas that move people to action. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox.   Highlights: The 3 key elements of a great TEDx talk Examples of universalizing your personal story How to know if you have a TED-worthy idea What TEDx organizers look for in applications How some TEDx organizers find speakers Why you should not do a TEDx talk as a business booster or marketing effort How to rehearse and the pros and cons of memorizing your talk   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/56 Visit Tamsen’s website at http://tamsenwebster.com/ Tammy Lally on What It Takes to Do a TEDx Talk - Episode 24 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Visibility Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible. Ready to create your signature talk or TEDx talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Should you give an instructional or an inspirational talk? You probably think I’m going to say that the answer is “It depends,” but I’m not. I think the real question behind this question is you want to know what kind of content to present to the audience. You’re not sure if they want to learn specific strategies and tactics and how-to’s (instructional) or if they want what we would call a motivational speaker (inspirational). You want to make sure the audience is happy and has their expectations met, and, yes, you need to provide relevant content that’s valuable to them. But, I also want the speaking engagement to have an ROI for you - to clearly connect to your business so that the audience understands what you do, who you do it for, and how you help them get specific results. In this episode, I share what many speakers and workshop facilitators are missing and how you can integrate this critical piece into your presentations. I also explain 6 types of presentations and what goes into each one. → Get the free PDF with the step-by-step presentation guide with the overview of the 6 types of presentations at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/55.   The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox.  Links: Show notes and free PDF guide at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/55 Clients mentioned: Pamela Cox of https://pamelacoxwellness.com/ Janna Lundquist of https://www.jannalundquist.com/   Geraldine Carter of https://focusedbizcoaching.com/ Other episodes mentioned: Episode 50 on The 3 C's of Visibility: What It Takes to Get Known Episode 30 on How to Become a Sought-After, Stand-Out Speaker Episode 25 on Why You Need a Signature Talk for Your Business Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com and we’ll set up a time to chat. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

When you’re in a group dynamic, whether it’s during a presentation or at work with your team, how can you build real and deep trust and connection? It may seem like this could take days, weeks, or even months or years. But, during a recent workshop I attended that was facilitated by today’s guest, I personally experienced a profound sense of connection with a group of strangers in a matter of 20 minutes. A connection deeper than one I’ve felt with people I’ve known for years. How did this happen? My guest Dr. Laura Gallaher is on the podcast to talk about radical communication and the transformational change in people and culture that emerges from it. The specific techniques we discuss are ones you can use in one-on-one conversations, when you’re facilitating workshops, and with your team. About My Guest: Dr. Laura Gallaher is an Organizational Psychologist, Executive Coach, and Licensed Human Element Practitioner. Laura’s company, Gallaher Edge, works with executives who want an edge over their competition by looking inward, and pushing past the edge of their comfort zone in order to increase their awareness, alignment, and accountability. She helps executive teams have conversations they didn’t even know they needed to have. Organizations are just people. Gallaher Edge helps executives learn what it takes to be more profitable by truly putting people first. She began her career at NASA Kennedy Space Center. After the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded upon re-entry in 2003, killing everybody aboard, Kennedy Space Center hired Laura and a team of organizational psychologists to change the cultural influences that were deemed to play a role in the tragedy. She worked for 8 years with NASA to positively influence culture, develop leadership capacity, and improve organizational performance at Kennedy Space Center. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox.  Highlights: The three ways we are destroying trust in the workplace How choosing to be more open and honest with yourself will allow you to be more open and honest with your peers How to recognize defense mechanisms and what to do instead in order to facilitate a productive conversation Why creating a culture of psychological safety allows for stronger teams Why feedback is critical among teams to produce higher quality products and catch potential mistakes The importance of self accountability and why it is a choice we make The beautiful thing that happens when you are vulnerable How to apply these techniques at your next speaking engagement or workshop to create trust and connection with your audience   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/54 Visit Laura’s website at http://www.gallaheredge.com/ Laura’s podcast “Unlock Your Potential” Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

What is it like to have over 1.25 million visits to your blog every year and over 250,000 followers on social media? My guest is well-known fashion blogger Jeanette Johnson, who started her blog way back in 2010, before influencer marketing was a thing. Since then, her business and brand have skyrocketed and Jeanette has done lots for visibility: blogging, social media, TV, speaking, and now a book. In this episode, we talk about the shifts in influencer marketing, how Jeanette makes decisions about what brands to work with, and what brands look for when partnering with someone. Jeanette shares the online bullying she experienced in the first few years of her blog and how she dealt with it (it’s crazy to me how mean-spirited people can be!). We also get into a discussion about the downsides of “fast fashion” and what good alternatives are if you want to make more conscious buying decisions while still enjoying clothes and fashion. About My Guest: Jeanette Johnson is the creator of J's Everyday Fashion, a budget-friendly, down-to-earth style blog that encourages women to have fun with fashion! With more than one million readers annually, Johnson’s blog is the winner of ShopStyle's Best Everyday Style in 2016, and Sunshine Awards Orlando's Blog of the Year in 2013 and 2015. She regularly appears on national morning show Daytime and speaks at blogging conferences and events. She continues her quest to help women find freedom with both their inner and outer beauty with her new book “J’s Everyday Fashion & Faith: Personal Style with Purpose” (Waterfall Press), which was recently profiled by InStyle Magazine. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox.   Highlights: How important authenticity is in order to be viewed as a leader in your industry How our reputations become aligned with the brands and companies we choose to partner with How being consistent with your social media posting creates trust with your audience Why your blog is your portfolio and why it’s important to update it consistently to show you are committed and will deliver on promises you makes with brands or companies The importance of video on Facebook and where to start if you aren’t ready to dive in with Facebook Live Tips on what to wear for your presentations and speaking engagements   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/53 Visit Jeanette’s website at https://jseverydayfashion.com Jeanette’s blog post on “Is This The Next Big Trend? Why Fast Fashion And Fair Trade Are Not Your Only Choices” Follow Jeanette on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Visibility Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Have you thought about creating and hosting your own in-person event, whether it’s a monthly meetup, a panel discussion related to your industry, or a full conference? Or, if you’ve hosted your own event, but felt like your business and personal brand didn’t get as much exposure as you would have liked (probably because you were busy running around taking care of everything!), you’ll learn what to do instead. My guest, Renee Warmack, and I talk about how to create an event that’s a win-win-win for everyone involved: the content provides value to the audience, the panelists/speakers are showcased, AND your message and brand come through too. Renee is an expert at putting on live events, so we talk about coming up with a topic/theme, how to select good panelists and speakers, the structure/agenda of the event, and how to end the event strong (really important!). Renee also shares with us her 4-step process for making big changes in your life. About My Guest: Renee Warmack, MPA, is a producer, speaker and coach who creates positive change in the world through inspirational movies and events; motivational talks; and helping others claim their power and capture their dreams. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox.    Highlights: How women can take action and claim their power Strategies to produce live events and weave your services into that event Why it’s important to prepare your speakers and how to communicate expectations Best practices for vetting your speakers The importance of connecting with your audience in person to supplement social spaces like Facebook groups   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/52 Visit Renee’s website at http://reneewarmackproductions.com/. Listen to podcast episodes 45 and 50 on getting visibility for your business and brand. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Visibility Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

There’s been a dramatic shift in online marketing in the past 1-2 years. What used to work doesn’t work anymore, or at least not the same way it did. My guest Sandi Eveleth, a digital marketing strategist, and I share strategies you can use now including: how to market to cold audiences vs. warm ones; the #1 reason to do Facebook Live videos (it’s probably not what you think); the new Facebook Local (move over, Yelp!); and more. During our conversation, we hit upon what I believe is THE key to successful marketing nowadays. It’s something you can easily do in your videos, podcasts, interviews, webinars, blogs, and presentations. No fancy tech, no fancy graphics, no fancy lighting required. Curious what it is? Listen in. :-) Sandi and I also talk about ways you can practice your presentation and why you absolutely should before giving it “for real.” About My Guest: Dr. Sandi Eveleth is an Optometrist, Eye Care Practice Consultant, and Digital Marketing Strategist. She loves helping eye care professionals grow their practices using the latest digital marketing and business development strategies. Sandi has been practicing Optometry for over 27 years in just about every setting possible — from owning a thriving private practice for more than 15 years to working inside corporate practices and working for Ophthalmologists. She holds a Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry, where she was the Valedictorian, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College. In 2009, Sandi also founded KISS your Web, LLC (KISS stands for Keeping Internet Solutions Simple) as a web design and digital marketing firm. Sandi is also a WP Elevation Certified Digital Business Consultant. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox.    Highlights: How to utilize webinars as a way to practice new material you will be presenting at a speaking engagement Best practices for your webinar, and why Zoom is a great platform for hosting your webinars How to gear your marketing to cold, warm, and hot audiences The importance of installing the Facebook pixel on your website Why Facebook Live is the most important thing you can be doing on the platform right now and information on the brand new Facebook Local The two things you need to be thinking about now when marketing and speaking   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/51 If you would like to work with Sandi or if you know any eye care professionals that would like to increase their revenues, here is her special offer for listeners: http://www.drsandieveleth.com/specialoffer Connect with Sandi on Twitter @SandiEveleth Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Visibility Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

What does it take to get known? How can you become the “go to” person for what you do? You know you need to be more visible in order to grow your business and network and to achieve your goals. But, there’s a lot of noise out there: not only competition, but things competing for people’s attention AND people not being clear about what exactly you do, who you do it for, and the outcomes you get for them. What you need are the 3 C’s of Visibility: Consistency, Courage, and Community (plus a bonus 4th C). I share with you the ways to be consistent for it to make an impact; why being an advocate and standing up can get you known (but why it’s scary to do so); and why having support can make all the difference, including places we need to show up where we might not be right now (hand raised). I do get on a bit of a soap box about why, as a society, we need you as a woman to be more visible and why you’re not the only one who benefits when you do. At the end of the episode, I share with you the key visibility areas for me that significantly grew my revenue last year. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode and where you’re going to focus in 2018! Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. I encourage you to also listen to episode 45, where I go over four different visibility roadmaps you can use, depending on what stage your business is in, to identify where you should focus your time and efforts. The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox.     Highlights: Why you need visibility for your business 3 C’s of Visibility = Consistency, Courage, Community 3 ways you need to be consistent Examples from my own business about the impact of consistency Why putting yourself out there and speaking up feels so vulnerable The physiological effects of vulnerability The ancestral memory we as women have of vulnerability Why we need more women in positions of power and leadership What those around you get from you being visible Having allies and advocates The 4th bonus C The key visibility areas for me that significantly grew my revenue last year   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/50 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Visibility Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible. Ready to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Other episodes mentioned: Your Visibility Roadmap (episode 45) Strategies to Get Visible (on-air coaching call) with Pam Andrews (episode 48) What It Takes to Do a TEDx Talk with Tammy Lally (episode 24) Why Women Need to Speak Up and Roar with Sophia Eng (episode 40) Natalie Eckdahl of Biz Chix (episode 35) Why We All Need a Wingwoman with Mia Scharphie (episode 46)

There’s something you can do as a speaker to connect with your audience and have an impact on them that goes beyond your content or the activities you have them do. It’s one of the four essential elements (fire, water, air, and earth), which is why I used the word “element” in the title. It’s your breath. The most powerful speakers in the world know how to use their breath, resonance, tone, and pauses to create a moving experience for their listeners. You can do the same. More than simply helping to calm your nerves or speak more clearly (which it definitely does as well!), using your breath properly and intentionally can connect you on a deeper level with your audience and make your words more powerful and impactful. My guest Janice Rous is an expert on the breath and the body. In this episode, she shares specific techniques you can use on the stage and in preparation to tune your breath and your body. We also talk about why we’re often reluctant to have silence in our conversations and presentations, but why it’s crucial for our listeners. About My Guest: Janice Stieber Rous has been dancing since she was five and attended the Martha Graham School until the age of 21. She graduated from the American Center of the Alexander Technique in 1981 and has been teaching classes in Stough Breathing Coordination, Yoga and the Alexander Technique in New York City, Orlando, Florida, Ireland and Israel ever since. She is a Sarah Lawrence College graduate and has a master’s degree from Bank St. College in museum leadership, education and administration. Janice created Body Dialogue because she was in search of a practice to integrate all of her different studies, thereby effectively combining Alexander Technique, breathing and yoga.   Highlights: The importance of breath, tone, resonance, vibration, and grounding the body How to let your breath guide the voice so your words are powerful and impactful How pauses and silences are necessary so your audience see you as the authority on your topic Techniques to invite your audience into your speech The importance of physical and vocal warmups before a speaking engagement The importance of oxygen for our thinking   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/49 Check out Janice’s website, workshops, and retreats at http://bodydialogues.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Interested in a VIP Day to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

How can you get more visibility for your business? In this on-air coaching call, my guest Pam Andrews and I discuss specific things she can do, from obvious ones like speaking to groups and going on podcasts to some less obvious ones that may be a good fit for you too. You’ll learn the questions to ask yourself to determine where you should focus your time and energy. Interestingly, we discover during our conversation that the customers who purchase Pam’s books are most likely not the same people who would purchase her services - they are two very different types of customers. You may have the same thing in your business and not realize it. I encourage you to go back and listen to episode 45, where I go over four different visibility roadmaps you can use, depending on what stage your business is in. About My Guest: Pam Andrews is a College Admissions Coach and Scholarship Strategist.  Pam helps high school students get into their dream college and secure scholarships that will pay for it. Pam is known for helping her son win over $700,000 in scholarship money that pays for his undergraduate and graduate school. More importantly, she has helped her clients win over $1,000,000 in scholarships.  Because of her success, Pam is often asked, “How do you do it?” To answer this question she launched, The Scholarship Shark, a coaching company that offers parents and students a roadmap to maximizing their efforts to getting into college as well as finding and winning scholarship money. If you’d like to schedule a visibility strategy session with me to create your own personalized visibility roadmap and plan, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible.   Highlights: The two different types of customers Pam has and how this will influence the visibility areas to focus on What Pam has been doing so far for visibility and the results she’s seen Specific strategies - both online and offline - you can use to build awareness for what you do The power of teaming up with complementary service providers How often you should do public speaking and podcast interviews How to put your visibility roadmap into action   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/48 Check out Pam’s website, books, and board game at https://www.thescholarshipshark.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Sign up for a Visibility Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible. Interested in a VIP Day to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

As a speaker, you’re only one-half of the equation. The other half is your audience. Particularly when you’re doing workshops and breakout sessions with smaller groups, you want to make sure that the audience is engaged, interested, and learning. My guest Amy Lang is an experienced speaker and workshop facilitator and she shares with us strategies she uses, from stories and humor to flipcharts and breathing breaks, to engage adult learners. We also talk about how to manage introverted and extroverted workshop participants, how Amy got her first speaking gigs when she was starting her business, and our mutual love for alliteration and acronyms. This is a very lively conversation that I know you’ll enjoy! About My Guest: A nationally-known sexuality educator, speaker and author, Amy Lang helps both parents and professionals who work with kids discover talking about sexuality, bodies and safety doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. Her engaging, humorous and inspiring style shows adults how to turn conversations and situations they dread into something they can handle like a pro. Her clients include the US Air Force Youth and Family Services programs, Boys & Girls Clubs and thousands of parents around the world. Amy holds an MA in Applied Behavioral Science and her focus was in adult education and group facilitation. She decided to combine her love of sex talking and her love of working with adults and started Birds & Bees & Kids in 2006.   Highlights: Getting referrals from current and previous clients, and how important they are to grow your business How to get your first speaking gigs Keeping your presentation content fresh Specific strategies for connecting with and engaging introverts AND extroverts in your audience How to connect to your audience with real stories, humor, and wacky teaching styles Holding space for your audience and being their guide The importance of tweaking your content to different audiences so they are engaged and actively learning   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/47 Check out Amy’s website at http://birdsandbeesandkids.com/ Amy’s Facebook Group Birds and Bees and Kids Find Amy’s book Dating Smarts on Amazon Interested in working together to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

As women, we walk a tightrope between needing to advocate for ourselves, yet not wanting to come across as braggarts or overly promotional (yes, it’s that pesky double bind). How can we make sure we’re getting the visibility and opportunities we deserve for the amazing work I know we’re all doing? We need a wingwoman (or two or three)! In this episode, my guest Mia Scharphie shares what she has named “the wingwoman effect” and how as women entrepreneurs and professionals we can use it to advocate for others, foster collaboration, and gain more visibility. We talk about the difference between having a mentor and a sponsor, creating a recommendation circle, and a better approach to networking events. We also need your input! During our conversation, we talk about how we all need to have a coach, a cheerleader, and a challenger in our lives. Mia came up with an idea for a fourth archetype and we need a good “C” name for it! (I love alliteration.) After you listen, pop into the Speaking Your Brand Facebook group and share with us your ideas. About My Guest: Mia Scharphie is a creative agent of change, a do-er and big-picture thinker. She founded Build Yourself to help women in creative fields move past the obstacles that hold them back in the workplace, and to make those workplaces better places for their women’s often underutilized talent. Mia is a trained facilitator and has worked on women’s advocacy for over fifteen years. She’s run a research effort on women in social impact design for the Harvard Business School, is a founding member of the Equity Roundtable at the Boston Society of Architects, and was named as one of Impact Design Hub’s Social Impact Design 40 under 40. She has spoken extensively across the country including at the Association of Community Designers, and A Better World by Design, as well as the University of Pennsylvania and UT Austin. Mia received degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and Brown University. Her writings on issues of equity in design have been published in the Christian Science Monitor and GOOD.   Highlights: How succeeding in school and the workplace are different, and what actions to take to make yourself memorable Why hearing ‘no’ is sometimes a really good thing to hear How people pleasing and needing approval hinder us from reaching our goals The difference between having a mentor and a sponsor How to start building your visibility today and why you shouldn’t wait to do it The importance of collaboration over competition What it means to have and to be a wingwoman How to take advantage of the opportunities you have to be creative and stand out   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/46 Get Mia’s free brainstorming guide to help you create more unique content: http://www.buildyourselfworkshop.com/speakingyourbrand Visit Mia’s website at http://buildyourselfworkshop.com/ and http://buildyourselfworkshop.com/double-vision-coming-soon/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ or text the word SPEAKING to 444-999. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

This episode is a mini-training to help you create your visibility roadmap and identify the areas you should focus on to build your business, brand, and influence. They’re not the same for everyone. I’m going to share with you 4 different roadmaps depending on where you’re at in your business and what your goals are. Whether you want to do more public speaking, give a keynote, do a TEDx talk, create your own workshops or events, launch a podcast or video show or virtual summit, appear on TV, write a book, serve in a leadership position in a community or industry organization, or run for office, you need to identify the stepping stones to get you from where you are to where you want to be. Get the free PDF download of the visibility roadmaps and additional resources at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/45. You’ll also hear about a recent tough decision I had to make about a visibility opportunity. I had to keep in mind what was going to grow my business vs. potentially derail it.   Highlights: Visualizing where you want to be and what you want to do, whether it’s a keynote, TEDx talk, launching a podcast, hosting a live event, writing a book, going on TV, even running for office What visibility gets you and your business Identifying the stepping stones to get you from where you are to where you want to be. Questions to consider when deciding what areas to focus on for visibility The 4 Visibility Roadmaps - depending on what stage you’re at in your business and what your goals are   Links: Get the show notes and free PDF download of the visibility roadmaps at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/45 Sign up for a Visibility Strategy Session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/getvisible Interested in a VIP Day to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Virtual summits can raise your visibility: whether you’re being interviewed on one or hosting your own. Being a part of a virtual summit can introduce you to a new audience. Hosting your own virtual summit can help you grow your email list, network, and revenue. My guest Jaime Slutzky is an expert on creating virtual summits - from the tech integration to strategizing on content and marketing for the summit. She may have even convinced me to do my own in 2018! In this episode, we talk about the reasons to participate on a virtual summit, what you should know as a participant and the questions to ask the host, and whether you should host your own. About My Guest: Jaime Slutzky was born a techie. She knew by the age of 7 that she wanted to spend her life working on computers. She obtained her Bachelor's in Computer Science, spent over a decade in corporate IT and then she started a WordPress freelancing business. Jaime is now the Principal at Virtual Summit TECH, a virtual summit production company. She and her team perform all the behind-the-scenes tech wizardry to deliver their clients content to their audience.   Highlights: What exactly a virtual summit is, and how it can grow your business and connect you with other industry leaders How participating in or hosting your own virtual summit can help you become an influencer in your field. How long it takes to create a virtual summit and the three main components of one Questions to ask yourself if you’re thinking of hosting your own virtual summit How to make sure you’re getting the most out of the summit as an interviewee   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/44 Register for Jaime’s Biz BFF Summit: https://thebizbffsummit.com/ Learn about Jamie’s services at https://virtualsummittech.com/ Strong Jewish Women’s Summit hosted by Edie Berg: http://thestrongjewishwomenssummit.com/ . Edie was on the Speaking Your Brand podcast in episode 5. Elevate Pharmacy Summit hosted by Blair Thielemier: https://elevatepharmacysummit.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Get ready for a fun and lively conversation! We get into the nitty-gritty of speaking in this episode: how to make sure that the speaking opportunities you say yes to are helping you reach  your goals and grow your business vs. derailing you. My guest Amber De La Garza is a productivity specialist, so we also talk about productivity tips for us as speakers and entrepreneurs. I even ask her to help me with a productivity struggle - and you’ll be surprised by her recommendation (I was!). Amber shares with us what the National Speakers Association does and how it has helped her in her speaking journey. We also talk about what it takes to get paid big money for keynotes - and why you may not want to go down that path. About My Guest: Amber De La Garza is The Productivity Specialist! Amber is a sought-after coach, trainer, speaker, writer, and the host of the Productivity Straight Talk podcast. She helps entrepreneurs take consistent, massive, focused action in business and equips them with the specific techniques needed to reduce stress, increase profits, make more time for what matters most, and achieve their vision of success. Highlights: How you can reach your business goals without being a keynote speaker (and why it may even be better) How being involved with her local chapter of the National Speakers Association has helped Amber on her speaking journey Why content isn’t received the same way in all audiences and how important it is to know your audience The difference between organization and productivity How to create a calendar that supports natural energy flows for ultimate productivity The right way to network at networking events to create opportunities (like being a podcast guest) Productivity tips, and why it’s ok to say no   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/43 Amber’s website: http://www.theproductivityspecialist.com Amber’s podcast: Productivity Straight Talk Amber’s Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductivityStraightTalk/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

What kind of content should you create when you want to start a movement (or launch a product)? In this on-air coaching call, I help my guest Marnie Clark with ideas and strategies to generate awareness and interest in a movement she’s starting around premium, hand-crafted non-alcoholic cocktails. Marnie’s been frustrated that when she goes to restaurants or out with friends, she’s stuck ordering water or frozen slushy drinks. She wants a beautiful, delicious cocktail, minus the alcohol. We talk about what kinds of videos to create, who to target, and how she can incorporate her story into her content. About My Guest: Marnie Clark is a business owner who has played an integral role for the past 27-years in the multi-million-dollar construction company that she has helped build alongside her husband. Marnie is also the founder of Marnie Rae, a lifestyle brand that spotlights handcrafted, soft cocktails. Nestled near Hood Canal in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Marnie loves to enjoy the outdoors - hiking, running, paddle-boarding and boating. Traveling and family are high on her list but you can’t leave off the Seahawks or coffee! Being sober has led Marnie to explore a new passion and she is excited to share this with others. Marnie is recognized as a founder of the Dine and Dream Dinner and a past producer of The Inspired You Event. Highlights: How Marnie found her niche and is filling a void for her audience How sharing your story is important because that’s what your audience will relate to How large the market is for handcrafted non-alcoholic beverages The importance of visual imagery when creating our content and user generated content How working with local restaurants and TV channels can help spark a movement Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/42 Marnie’s website Connect with Marnie on Instagram @MarnieRaeC My interview on the Food Blogger Pro podcast #106 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a presentation I recently gave at BizChix Live, a 3-day conference for women entrepreneurs. The title was “Your Visibility Roadmap: Growing Your Business, Brand, and Influence.” I talk about how I created the presentation itself, an overview of the content, how I prepared, and the feedback and results I got. You’ll hear about the nightmare I had 2 nights before I was to speak (and what I learned from it!). You’ll also hear the feedback I received from one of the attendees that stopped me in my tracks - something you need to hear too. In a future episode, I’ll go over the visibility roadmaps from this presentation, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast and share with a friend!   Highlights: How I got this speaking opportunity How I decided on the content for my talk and what to include in it The process I went through to create my talk (that you can use too) Slide designs How I prepared Getting to know the audience beforehand The importance of feeling comfortable in the venue Customizing the presentation for the audience The feedback and results I received   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/41 Interested in a VIP Day to create your signature talk? Email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com. BizChix podcast My webinar on How to Become a Sought-After, Stand-Out Speaker at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/training Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Have you ever felt scared to say or publish something, but you knew you had to do it? That’s what my guest Sophia Eng did a few months ago when she wrote and published “Hear Us Roar: A Manifesto for Women and Minorities in Startup, Tech, and Business Communities.” She knew that if she wanted other women to speak up, she had to do it herself. Sophia is a Growth Advisor and Founder of Women in Growth, a community dedicated to empowering women to grow businesses. She has been the driving force behind the revenue and user growth at Autodesk, Workday, and now InVision, as well as her own consulting agency using buyer psychology as the backbone of her strategies and insights. Sophia champions female and minority inclusion in Silicon Valley, as one of the leaders of Women Supporting Women. Sophia has a special focus on empowering female entrepreneurs, as well as pushing the agenda for more in-depth studies on the unique psychology of female consumers. In this episode, we talk about how men and women buy differently; what growth hacking is and how we can use it to grow our businesses; the need for more women to speak up in companies and on stages; finding allies; and much more. Highlights: How you should be targeting men and women customers differently The importance of split testing your landing pages and Facebook ads for men and women Tips for using growth hacking strategies, no matter what kind of business you have How community is a key element of growth hacking and word of mouth is the best marketing Finding allies to support you The importance of speaking up, even if it’s frightening, in order to start a conversation that will elicit change   Links: Sophia’s website Join Sophia’s Facebook group “Women in Growth” Connect with Sophia on Twitter Sophia’s article “Hear Us Roar: A Manifesto for Women and Minorities in Startup, Tech, and Business Communities” InVisionApp.com Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

What kinds of personal stories should you share in a business context? How personal is too personal when sharing stories publicly? How do you get past the fear that creeps up when you’re about to share something? My guest Lisa Woodruff, founder of Organize 365, and I talk about how and why she shares personal stories on her podcast and blog and how that has impacted her business growth. We also get into how Lisa got visibility for her business early on and what she’s doing now with podcasting, blogging, speaking, and social media. About My Guest: Lisa Woodruff is a home organization expert, productivity specialist and author of The Mindset of Organization, Take Back Your House One Phase at a Time, & How ADHD Affects Home Organization. Lisa believes organization is not a skill you are born with. It is a skill that is developed over time and changes with each season of life.  Lisa has helped thousands of women reclaim their homes and finally get organized with her practical tips, encouragement and humor through her blog and podcast at Organize365.com.   Highlights: Why Lisa started her business Organize 365 in 2012 How Lisa uses personal stories in her business, blog, and podcast to connect with her audience How Lisa handles the fear of sharing personal stories How Lisa got visibility for her business early on and what she’s doing now with podcasting, blogging, speaking, and social media   Links: Lisa’s website Organize365.com Lisa’s podcast Organize 365 Connect with Lisa on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Creating and hosting your own local workshops can be a great way to add a revenue stream to your business and reach prospective clients who get to know you as an expert and then want to work with your further. My guest is social media strategist Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez, who has built a good part of her business through local workshops, partnering with the chamber of commerce and SBA in her town. We talk about how Valentina markets her workshops, how far in advance to advertise them, tips for effectively targeting Facebook ads, and using Twitter to connect with influencers and podcasters. One of the workshops that Valentina offers is on social media for introverts. As an introvert and someone who doesn’t like to post a lot on social media, that really piqued my interest, so I have Valentina share some of her strategies with us. About My Guest: Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez, MBA, founded Beyond Engagement: Social Media Solutions in January 2012 and hasn’t slowed down since. She has a passion for assisting small businesses grow their engagement levels with customers online with social media marketing. Valentina regularly speaks to business groups, associations, and organizations on using social media effectively.   Highlights: How to use Twitter and Instagram to connect with influencers and thought leaders in your field How long your workshop should be Importance of identifying your target market audience for workshops and Facebook ads How much to spend on Facebook ads and when to start promoting your event How local workshops can lead to higher paying on-site consultations Importance of doing old school things like sending thank you cards, birthday cards, and presents to clients - keeps you in the front of their mind Always be engaging with your current clients because most of your new clients will come from them   Links: Valentina’s website = http://beyond-engagement.com/ Connect with Valentina on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

We’re back with an on-air coaching call! Webinars are an excellent way to increase awareness of who you are, what you do, and how you help people, plus they’re a lot of fun (at least I think so!). In this episode, I help professional makeup artist Samantha Agostino with the content of her webinar. We review her past webinar and how to improve it to make a stronger connection with her audience and get them interested in her program. We talk about getting clear on your goal as well as the audience’s goal, how to structure your webinar content by focusing on 3 (yes, only 3!) main points and keeping them simple to understand, the power of sharing your personal stories and experiences as well as client examples, tips for engaging attendees, and how many slides to use. About My Guest: Samantha Agostino is a professional makeup artist for high-end bridal and event clients. Samantha’s work has graced numerous covers such as IAN and NJ Bride and been featured by top publications including Grace Ormonde, Carats & Cake and The Knot. A celebrated bridal fashion specialist – she recently collaborated with international luxury wedding planner Jean-Charles Vaneck and Ellie Youseff Couture for The Villa Casa Casuarina in Miami – Samantha also regularly leads beauty teams for NY Fashion Week, where her work has been highlighted on WWD and Vogue Brazil pages. In addition, Samantha mentors and coaches other makeup artists who are building their businesses. Highlights: Getting clear on your goal - and your audience’s goal - for the webinar Understanding the obstacles that are preventing your audience/target market from achieving their goal and how you help them How to structure your webinar content Why you should only have 3 main points and keep them simple, especially on a webinar The power of sharing your personal stories and experiences and client examples Tips for engaging your audience throughout the webinar How many slides you may have for a webinar vs an in-person presentation How much text to include on your slides   Links: Learn more on Samantha’s website Connect with Samantha on Instagram Free PDF of my presentation framework you can use for your webinars Watch my recent webinar or listen to episode 30 which is the audio from the webinar Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Business can be a vehicle for social impact and positive change. But, oftentimes, entrepreneurs who see themselves as changemakers can get tripped up with money blocks, trusting their idea, and figuring out how to turn their idea into tangible growth. That’s where my guest Geraldine Carter comes in. As co-founder of Climate Ride, she grew the organization from an idea to a seven-figure budget and she now coaches changemaking entrepreneurs. She was even mentioned (by name!) by Seth Godin in one of his TED talks. In this episode, Geraldine and I discuss her background and early adventures traveling the world, the impetus for creating Climate Ride, the struggles she sees changemaking entrepreneurs go through, and much more. About My Guest: Geraldine Carter coaches courageous changemakers who are ready take their business to the next level. From co-founding Climate Ride in 2008 and scaling the socially-conscious company to a seven figure budget, to biking across southeast Asia on her own, to coaching entrepreneurs on how to achieve their own lofty goals, Geraldine loves finding practical, efficient solutions to seemingly complex challenges. After directly experiencing the value of outside perspective and mentorship, Geraldine has been sharing her 10+ years of business experience and mindfulness training, helping clients cut right to the core of any problem to design effective solutions. An ICF accredited Associate Certified Coach, Geraldine takes pride in challenging herself and her clients to reach higher and find bolder ways forward. Highlights: Geraldine’s travels around the world Trusting your idea as a pioneer Needing a map to point you in the right direction for your business The money blocks many socially-minded entrepreneurs face and what to do about it Links: Learn more on Geraldine’s website Free PDF for listeners Connect with Geraldine on Facebook and LinkedIn Seth Godin TED talk “The tribes we lead” Book “The Soul of Money” Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Moderating a panel, or being on one, can be a great way to increase your visibility at an event or conference. People in the audience see you as an expert and you get to know and network with the other panelists. But, as the moderator if you’re not careful, panels can quickly become unruly or go off on tangents or end up with one person dominating the conversation. My guest Natalie Eckdahl has moderated several high-profile panels over the past year, including at Social Media Marketing World and Podcast Movement. Along the way, she’s learned strategies and lessons that she shares in this episode. We also talk about her decision to create her own live event, coming up in mid-October in Southern California, as she saw how much she connected with others at conferences she was attending. About My Guest: Natalie Eckdahl is a Business Strategist and High Performance Coach, who helps high-achieving women entrepreneurs across industries and time zones build, grow, and scale their business while avoiding overwhelm. She’s the Founder of the BizChix Community and Podcast, and has been recognized as “One of the Top Women in Business to Listen to.” She has also been featured in Inc, Fast Company, Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.   Highlights: How Natalie got to be a panel moderator How to select good panelists How to steer the conversation How to get panelists to bond with each other beforehand Checking out the room beforehand and how panelists should sit Introducing panelists Why attending conferences has become key to increasing Natalie's visibility Why host your own live event   Links: Natalie’s website and podcast Biz Chix Biz Chix Live event Connect with Natalie on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter My recent episode on the Biz Chix Podcast #278 High-quality royalty-free music at premiumbeat.com Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

How do you approach selling, whether it’s your product/service or yourself for speaking engagements? Do you schedule time and make it a priority or do you tend to procrastinate on it because you don’t like “sales” and you’re not sure what to do or say? In this mini-training, my guest Nikki Rausch, founder of the Sales Maven, walks us through how to do the sales process, from prospecting to closing, in a way that feels good for both you and the other person and builds a relationship, not a transaction. We talk about what to say so you can get to the next step with a prospect, why you need to take the lead, and why you should offer clients several options for your product or service (you’ll hear why this works so well!). About My Guest: Sales Maven founder and bestselling author, Nikki Rausch, is an award-winning sales executive with 23+ years of sales experience selling to organizations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, Hewlett Packard, Seattle Public Schools, & NASA. By combining her sales experience with her master certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Nikki teaches simple, yet powerful techniques anyone can use. Entrepreneurs hire Nikki to learn how to sell in an authentic way without being pushy so they build relationships and close more deals. Her two books, Six-Word Lessons on Influencing with Grace: 100 Lessons to Genuinely Connect with Colleagues, Friends, Family, and Lovers and Buying Signals, How To Spot The Green Light & Increase Your Sales are both available on Amazon. Highlights: Why many of us don’t like selling A better way of looking at selling Prospecting and setting up the first call Phone vs video vs in-person Getting to the next step with the prospect Ways to close without feeling icky Why you need to take the lead in the sales process   Links: Sign up for Nikki’s newsletter (it’s one of my favorites) at http://yoursalesmaven.com/sales-resources/ Connect with Nikki on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Ah, interns. The promise of inexpensive (or even free) labor as you’re growing your business, especially when you’re in that hard point between having too much work to do yourself but not having extra revenue to hire someone. But, there’s a catch. Interns come with responsibilities for you as the business owner (as well as legal regulations). My guest Isabella Johnston is known as the “intern whisperer.” She has trained dozens of interns in her company and is now getting ready to release a software program that will make it easier for businesses to find interns and for interns to find opportunities. What should you look for in an intern? What are realistic expectations? What do you as the business owner need to have in place before you’re ready for an intern? Isabella and I talk all about this and more in this podcast episode. About My Guest: Isabella Johnston owns Pivot Business Consulting where she consults in process innovation and improvement, onboarding, and servant leadership. She facilitates workshops and training in leadership, team building and 360 communication. She is called the intern whisperer because of the customized intern programs that help businesses and nonprofits bridge their process gaps.  She is the creator of Intern Pursuit, a software program that is an end-to-end recruitment and management program to help business owners manage the intern process with ease. Highlights: Paid vs unpaid interns What you need to have as a business owner before you bring on an intern What you can realistically expect interns to be able to do Your role as a mentor The differences between an intern and a virtual assistant (VA)   Links: Isabella’s website = https://www.pivotbusinessconsulting.com/ Intern Pursuit software platform = http://www.internpursuit.com Connect with Isabella on LinkedIn and Twitter Isabella’s articles on LinkedIn Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Your signature talk needs to be useful, interesting, and relatable to your audience - and it needs to be original and uniquely yours. In this on-air coaching call, my client Adrienne Borgersen and I discuss how we found her angle for her signature talk topic and we go over key parts of her presentation storyboard. We also talk the groups Adrienne should reach out to for speaking engagements based on who her target clients are. Adrienne shares fantastic style and shopping tips and the importance of making conscious choices when we buy. About My Guest: Adrienne Borgersen is a 25 year veteran of the music industry, a Fashion Institute of Technology certified Image Consultant and a Main Street Vegan Academy Master Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator. Wanting to help people thrive no matter what their lifestyle, Adrienne uses her vast experience in marketing A-list recording artists around the world, along with her FIT training, to coach and educate clients on creating their personal style and personal brand. As a vegan, she wanted to find a way to incorporate her awareness of the plight of animals in the fashion industry, into her work. She began to speak and write about the issues and the solutions, to encourage people to consider compassionate and cruelty-free choices. She is also the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the online magazine La Fashionista Compassionista. Highlights: What an image consultant does Why Adrienne decided to create a magazine Finding your signature talk topic and angle or hook Integrating your personal story and experience into your presentation How your image ties to your identity and authenticity Adrienne’s style and shopping tips Making conscious choices about what we buy The groups Adrienne should reach out to for speaking engagements based on who her target clients are   Links: Adrienne’s website = http://itfactorimage.nyc/ La Fashionista Compassionista magazine = http://lafcnyc.com/ Connect with Adrienne on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Creating your signature talk can lead to clarity and better results not only for your presentations but for your business model, product offers, marketing messaging, and speaking strategy. In this on-air coaching call, I talk with my client C S Wurzberger about how our work together to create her signature talk (using my storyboard method) helped her narrow her niche, design her business model, and align her product offerings with what she is most passionate about: empowering kids who love animals to create real-world projects that make a difference and teach them valuable skills. About My Guest: C S Wurzberger, The Green Up Girl is a Podcaster, Green Movement Marketing Advisor, Sustainability Consultant with 25 years of experience and extensive training in helping animal/nature organizations showcase their green initiatives and conservation efforts for the world to see, experience, and unite. C S focuses on today’s strategies and tools to help youth map out a smart, actionable plan for saving species and improving our world. Her specialty is to help youth take charge of the “overwhelm” and manage effective campaigns. Plus, she provides organizations with engaging sessions that keep attendees coming back for more.   Highlights: How your signature talk and business model are connected Narrowing your niche and product offer Using your signature talk outline for email sequences and sales conversations Creating your dream list of where you want to speak Strategies for connecting with event and conference organizers   Links: Connect with C S on her website at http://thegreenupgirl.com/ Learn about the Green Up Kids Academy at http://www.greenupkids.org Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Here’s the problem I see with many of the presentations and workshops I attend: Too much impersonal information and data, not enough personal stories and connection. Or, to put it even more simply: Too much Wikipedia, not enough people. In this episode, I share examples of how you can create presentations that are personal and memorable for your audience and how, by having a signature talk, you create consistency with your message. I pulled the audio from the online training I recently did because I got such great feedback from the women who attended. I talk about the 3 C’s of Stand-Out Speaking: Consistency: Having a signature message and talk that you become known for Connection: Making your talk personal and memorable for your audience Context: Using story structure and the hero's journey so your presentation is relevant and relatable Use the examples and strategies I share to make your presentations more impactful and get the results you're looking for.   Links: Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Ready to create your signature talk? Get the details on my online group program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/ Replay of my online training: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/stand-out-speaker My episode on the Biz Chix episode #278: http://www.bizchix.com/278 Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Are you spending time going to networking events and not feeling like you’re getting enough out of them? There’s a way to approach networking that can get you better results and save you time. In this on-air coaching episode, my guest Dr. Carmen Landrau and I strategize ways she can network more effectively, from which groups to attend to who to say yes to for coffee or lunch (and how to politely get out of the ones you don’t want to say yes to!). We also talk about Carmen’s background as a medical doctor and how she learned to navigate a very male-dominated industry and now speaks to professional women to help them know their worth and ask for what they want. About My Guest: Carmen W. Landrau, MD is a board certified physician who specializes in cardiology and is a professional keynote speaker who uses her experience navigating a male-dominated and hierarchical career to empower other women to obtain better life balance by sharing techniques that help them understand how to best use their skills, get support and manage their time efficiently.  Dr. Landrau completed her medical training at Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico, followed by a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston. Dr. Landrau has been featured in H Texas Magazine, recognized among Houston's Top Doctors, and is a contributor to online journals. Highlights: The challenges women who grow up in patriarchal cultures face The importance of strong female role models Networking strategies to save time and find speaking opportunities Creating your own local group for women business owners Finding conferences to speak at and tips for speaking proposals And much more! Links: Carmen’s website = http://www.drlandrau.com Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter Puja Madan’s Spark event series for women business leaders Episode 7 with Puja Madan on time and productivity Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Ready to create your signature talk? Get the details on my online group program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/ Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

As mission-driven entrepreneurs, we’re passionate and certain about the changes we’d like to see to make the world a better place. But, what happens if the people you want to reach aren’t as convinced as you are? You have a couple of options: You can work really hard to educate your market, to convince them that what you’re offering is what they need, to get them to change their behavior in favor of what you’re proposing. (Spoiler: this rarely works and you’ll spend a lot of time and money on it.) Or, you can give them what they want and shift your mission to align with that. This is the point my guest Bruce Friedrich arrived at a few years ago, which we talk about in this episode. This is also the point I see some of my clients at, as they struggle with communicating their message in a way that appeals to their potential customers where they’re at in their journey. In this episode, Bruce and I also talk about the current state of food tech, what entices investors to invest in companies (market opportunity vs. values), the importance of in-person speaking and connections to reach your audience, and what happened to Bruce at age 12 that set him on his career path. About my guest: Bruce Friedrich is Executive Director of the Good Food Institute, which works with scientists, investors, and entrepreneurs to make groundbreaking good food (clean meat and plant-based meat) a reality. Bruce graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown Law and Phi Beta Kappa from Grinnell College and also holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the London School of Economics. Bruce is a popular speaker on college campuses and has delivered presentations on food innovation at most of the nation's top universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT. Bruce has co-authored two books, including the forthcoming Clean Protein: The Revolution That Will Reshape Your Body, Boost Your Energy - and Save Our Planet with New York Times bestselling author Kathy Freston, contributed chapters to five books, and authored seven law review articles.   Highlights: Educating the market (demand-side) vs. giving your customers what they want (supply-side) The current state of food tech (“nerds over cattle,” as Eric Schmidt of Google/Alphabet says) What moves investors to invest (finances/market opportunity vs. values/impact) What Good Food Institute does and how quickly it’s growing The importance of in-person speaking and connections to reach your audience What happened to Bruce at age 12 that set him on his career path The risks and rewards of standing for something   Links: Good Food Institute = http://www.gfi.org/ Follow Bruce on Twitter @BruceGFriedrich Connect with Bruce on LinkedIn Good Food Institute on Facebook and Twitter Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods Cowspiracy documentary UN Report: Livestock’s Long Shadow Influence book by Robert Cialdini Clean Protein: The Revolution that Will Reshape Your Body, Boost Your Energy?and Save Our Planet book by Bruce Friedrich and Kathy Freston Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Ready to create your signature talk? Sign up to get notified when my online group program opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/ Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

How important are values to your company’s brand and culture? For Flipboard, a social news magazine that launched as one of the first breakout iPad apps in 2010 and now has over 100 million monthly active users, it’s been central to their decision making and their success. In this interview, I talk with Marci McCue, who heads up the company’s communications and content strategy, about the process she and Flipboard use to identify their values and embed them into the company culture (a very straightforward process that you can use, no matter the size of your company), the importance of civic engagement, and the power of stories. Marci also shares how she prepares for speaking engagements and the vision curve she uses in her presentations to help brands assess where they’re at with their customers. Did I also mention that she has hosted President Obama, Al Gore, and Steve Jobs, either at her home or at Flipboard headquarters? How cool is that!?! This conversation will leave you excited and inspired to be engaged, to make decisions that align with your values, and to share the stories that matter. As Marci says, “The decisions you make tell the world who you are.” About My Guest: As a member of Flipboard’s founding team, Marci McCue has led the company’s communications and content strategy since the company launched in 2010 with the mission to be the world’s best social magazine, simplifying the way people discover and share stories around any passion. She is responsible for turning Flipboard (now with over 100 million monthly active users) into a globally recognized brand with accolades and awards from leading organizations and publications around the world. Highlights: What it was like to host President Obama at her house in 2013 The process Marci and Flipboard use to identify their values and embed them into the company culture How to live your values in your company Marci and Flipboard believe that “great stories will move our world forward” The importance of civic engagement Steve Jobs and Al Gore coming to Flipboard HQ to talk about the impact of technology as they were building their product Content curation, fake news, the filter bubble, and the need to blend human editors with algorithms What Marci’s passion has been since she was young and how it shows up in what she does today How Marci prepares for her speaking engagements The vision curve Marci uses in her presentations to help brands assess where they’re at with their customers And much more! Links: Flipboard = https://flipboard.com/ Follow Marci on Twitter @marpmc Download the free PDF to help you with your presentations: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/27 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Ready to create your signature talk? Sign up to get notified when my online group program opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/ Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

We’re back with a coaching episode, so you can take the strategies we talk about and apply them to your own presentations. My guest Jodi Flynn of Women Taking the Lead and I go over an upcoming presentation she has, including why your presentation should only have 3 key points (less is more!), how to poll the audience so you can tailor your content and examples, how to transition between points, and rituals to help you before and after you go on stage. Jodi is already an accomplished speaker and podcaster, and with this presentation she’s melding her core message for type A entrepreneurial women (hand raised!) with a podcasting topic for a more general audience. Listen in to see how she’s going about doing that. About My Guest: Jodi Flynn is the Founder of Women Taking the Lead, a podcast and community of ambitious entrepreneurial women who want to go BIG. She works with Type-A women who are already successful but have not yet achieved the level of success they want to achieve. Jodi helps her clients to see how extraordinary they are and then set priorities, get organized, in action so they can achieve their biggest goals with ease. She became an Amazon bestselling author with the release of her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. Highlights: How Jodi used her coaching system for type A entrepreneurial women for the content of her book and her presentations Finding the right audience How to test your ideas The virtuous circle of podcasting, book writing, and speaking to grow your business The importance of having a specific niche and one core message Why your presentation should only have 3 key points (less is more!) Engaging and polling the audience so you can tailor your content and examples Transitions between points in your presentation Rituals before and after going on stage Integrating your offer into your presentation (without “selling from the stage”) Links: Connect with Jodi on her website and podcast “Women Taking the Lead” at https://womentakingthelead.com My interview on Jodi’s podcast (episode 189): https://womentakingthelead.com/carol-cox/ Jodi’s networking tips episode: https://womentakingthelead.com/networkingtips/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Ready to create your signature talk? Sign up to get notified when my online group program opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/ Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

What opportunities are you missing out on because you don’t have a signature talk? In this episode, I share why having a signature talk is critical for your business and your personal brand, including examples of what makes a great signature talk (and how it’s different from a training). With a signature talk, you become the go-to expert and thought leader for your topic and industry. You establish your personal brand and business reputation. You’re ready to accept speaking opportunities when they come your way, because you’re always prepared with a presentation that you can tweak and repurpose based on the particular audience, event, venue, and length of time. When you sincerely and authentically empower others, they’ll want to share and refer you to others, and they will come to you to buy your product or service when they need help. Having a signature talk, a presentation that you are comfortable with, that provides value to those in the audience, that you get better at each time you give it, will give you the confidence to get out there and share your message.   Highlights: What a signature talk is and what it isn't Why you need a signature talk for your business and your personal brand How to figure out what your signature talk topic is The difference between a training and a signature talk Taking your personal story and universalizing it Getting booked and paid to speak   Links: Download the free PDF guide to start creating your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/25 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Ready to create your signature talk? Sign up to get notified when my online group program opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/ Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

What does it take to do a TEDx talk? In short, a lot of work! But, as my guest and client Tammy Lally talks about in this episode, the process was tremendously rewarding and transformational. Tammy and I talk about the process we went through to create the talk, how she prepared for it, what it was like to be on the TEDx stage, what she learned about herself, how she opened the talk, and much more. About My Guest: In her work as a Certified Money Coach and Financial Planner, Tammy Lally helps couples and individuals achieve financial health and freedom. Since 2009, her ability to help clients succeed is based on her leading edge knowledge and unique approach. She assists them in digging in, questioning, and owning their money beliefs and behaviors and the impact they have on their financial, social, emotional and spiritual well-being.   Highlights: Tammy had the intention to do a TEDx talk in 2017 The importance of finding a good coach Determining what part of your story to tell Learning about yourself through the preparation process Tammy’s opening line and powerful story How your money autobiography determines your spending habits The benefits of meditation The process of preparation What it feels like to deliver a TEDx talk   Links: Tammy’s website = http://tammylally.com/ Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn and Facebook Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Interested in working together on your signature talk or TEDx talk? Visit www.speakingyourbrand.com and contact me. I would love to hear from you. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

If you’re interested in speaking at conferences and/or being a guest on podcasts, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. I met my guest Kerry Gorgone over 8 years ago and I’ve seen her influence rise, both online as she’s become the host of the MarketingProfs podcast and a contributing writer to well-known sites like Social Media Explorer and Entrepreneur.com, as well as offline through speaking and training. In this episode, Kerry and I talk about how she got started speaking, how she approaches creating her presentations and engaging the audience, what makes a great podcast guest, and much more. About my guest: Kerry Gorgone is the host of the Marketing Smarts podcast and Director of Product Strategy for Training at MarketingProfs. She trained as a lawyer and is now a speaker, educator, and contributing writer to Spin Sucks, Huffington Post, {grow} blog, Social Media Explorer, Entrepreneur.com, and more.   Highlights: Repurposing content from Q&A sessions at speaking engagements The value of meeting people in person to build relationships The process Kerry took to get speaking engagements in the beginning Tailoring your presentation for the audience The kinds of stories Kerry uses in her presentations Tips for engaging the audience What to put on your slides and what to include in handouts How showing up at conferences can lead to speaking engagements What makes a great podcast guest What to put in your podcast pitch email What Kerry sees companies doing that they shouldn’t regarding content marketing Marketing trends, including marketing automation and personalization   Links: Connect with Kerry on LinkedIn Kerry’s Twitter = @KerryGorgone Marketing Smarts podcast hosted by Kerry StitchFix Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Interested in my online group program? Sign up to be notified when it opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Community has been the most important component for me in growing Speaking Your Brand over the past two years, from online masterminds I’ve been a part of to local women’s business groups I’ve joined. In this episode, my guest Kat Mendenhall shares how community and mentors have been instrumental in helping her with her businesses. We also talk about how to turn passion into a profitable business (and what the key ingredient is). Kat is the creator of a company that makes gorgeous cruelty-free cowboy boots and she recently opened a boutique in Dallas called Mend RT vegan retail therapy. Highlights: Turning passion into a profitable business The value of taking risks Saying yes to everything The different types of mentors you should have The importance of knowing your values and standards  Links: Kat's website = http://katmendenhall.com Kat's Instagram = @KatMendenhallBoots Kat's Twitter = @KickButtVegan Main Street Vegan Academy Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Interested in my online group program? Sign up to be notified when it opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

There’s a LOT of content out there competing for your (and your customers’) limited attention, from social media updates and blog posts to podcasts and videos. Is the answer to create more content or better content? My guest today, Jay Acunzo, believes that the answer is not “more” or “better”; rather, it’s to create exceptional content. What exactly is exceptional content and how can you use your intuition to create it? Listen to the episode to find out. Jay and I also talk how Jay approaches his speaking engagements and the importance of storytelling in business and presentations.  About my guest: Jay Acunzo is an award-winning show host and keynote speaker. Working as a digital media strategist at Google convinced him that the tried-and-true often leads to stale work. As head of content at HubSpot, he developed a passion to see marketing as a craft-driven profession. Now, as the host of the audio documentary series Unthinkable, Jay spends each week telling the stories of people and companies who break from the convention to do exceptional things. Links: Jay’s website and podcast "Unthinkable" = http://unthinkable.fm/ Jay’s Twitter = @JayAcunzo Jay Acunzo on Mitch Joel's podcast Six Pixels of Separation. A Well-Designed Business podcast episode 189 with Jan Bowen and LuAnn Nigara on intuition. Article on thought leadership, sales, and content. “Deep Work” book = https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted-ebook/dp/B00X47ZVXM/   Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Interested in my online group program? Sign up to be notified when it opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!

What’s wrong with being a good girl? What does striving for perfectionism and people pleasing cost us as women in leadership? How does it affect our message and our ability to have a greater impact? In this episode, my guest Regena Garrepy shares with us her journey to reclaim her essence - and the gremlins that keep us from doing the valuable work we should be doing. We also talk about the process Regena and I used to create her new presentation and when you need to mature your message to have a greater impact. I’ve gotten to know Regena over the past year as we’ve worked together on two of her presentations and she is a truly beautiful soul. I admire and respect her tremendously and love the power of her story and her message. About my guest: Regena Garrepy is a mentor for messengers, transformational facilitator, superwoman sanity saver and leadership coach. After working with hundreds of women and leading over 30 transformational events, she mentors and empowers women to reclaim, embody and express their essence and become the red hot leader of their lives and businesses without guilt or apology. Regena leads her signature 9-month transformational program called Red Hot Visionista Sacred Circle and now leads the 10-month Leadership level.    In this episode, we talk about: Perfectionism, the archetype of the good girl, and how it affects women as leaders The sisterhood wound and why we both crave it and resist it Regena’s journey and the cost of not claiming our essence The gremlins that keep us from doing the valuable work we should be doing The process Regena and I used to create her new presentation When you need to mature your message to have a greater impact Keeping your presentation spacious and focusing on a single theme How Regena prepared for her presentation The importance of having fun on stage What the olive has to do with your message Regena’s programs and retreats and how she structures them as a hybrid of both online and in person Links: Connect with Regena on her websites and learn about her programs = http://regenagarrepy.com/ and http://byebyegoodgirlgetaway.com/ Regena’s Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/regena.garrepy Regena’s Instagram = @RegenaGarrepy Regena’s Twitter = @RegenaGarrepy Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Interested in my online group program? Sign up to be notified when it opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/.   Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!

Have you thought about writing a book to boost your personal brand, your business, or your speaking career (or probably all three!)? I know I have, which is why I got a lot out of my conversation with author, executive coach, and keynote speaker Jan Bowen. In this episode, we talk about why Jan chose to write her book "It’s Not That Complicated", how she selected her publisher, what hybrid publishing is, and whether the book has helped Jan’s speaking opportunities. We also get into a meaningful discussion about Jan’s signature talk topic and what happens when we don’t live our life purpose. As Jan says, "If we deny what we’re born to do, we just won’t thrive." I’ve gotten to know Jan over the past year and really admire her wisdom and focus and her authentic desire to spotlight the work that others do. Check out her Instagram and YouTube videos to see what I mean. Jan has been a high-level consultant and coach since 2003, leveraging her experience, skills, and knowledge to help executives and enterprises transform their businesses. As founder and principal of Strategic Solutions Services, LLC, Jan has leveraged her over 30 years of corporate and personal experience, skills, and knowledge to help leaders reach the next level of their creative aspirations. Highlights: The genesis of Jan’s book The importance of having a methodology when working with clients Process of writing her book Why Jan chose not to self-publish her book What hybrid publishing is and how it works How having a book has impacted Jan’s speaking opportunities The importance of your book being meaningful and authentic What Jan’s book is about and what her life purpose is The difference between your life purpose, vision, mission, and values Jan’s signature talk topic What happens when we don’t live our life purpose and what we can do about it Links: Connect with Jan on her website = https://janlbowen.com/ Jan’s book “It’s Not That Complicated” = https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-That-Complicated-Personalized/dp/1599326582/ Jan’s writings = https://janlbowen.com/private-musings/ Jan’s Instagram = @JLBowen13 Jan’s Twitter = @JanLBowen Advantage Media/Book Publishing = http://advantagefamily.com/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Interested in my online group program? Sign up to be notified when it opens at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/signature-talk-group-program/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!

As solopreneurs and small business owners, we often get stuck doing tasks that we really need to delegate or hire someone else to do. We tell ourselves that it only takes a few minutes, or we don’t have time to train someone, or we’ll do it later. The problem is that a bottleneck occurs (us!) that limits our business growth. As the business owner, we should be focusing on doing the activities that drive revenue.   My guest, Jamara Wilson, has a great insight into this and helps me through some of my own thinking on this topic. Jamara is CEO & President of Tuxedo Impressions LLC, a company whose mission is to help small businesses create efficiency in their daily operations to sustain growth by using technology that will support your company values and culture. In this episode, we talk about: When businesses come to Jamara (what are they facing) Symptoms vs problems in your business (this is a really key point) Resistance to change Finding the time to create processes As business owners, we need to focus on what we do that drives revenue Technology isn’t enough Hiring VA’s and other team members The software and apps Jamara uses in her own business and why she chose them   Apps we mention: Asana HubSpot CRM Zapier G-Suite/Google Apps   Links: Jamara's website = https://www.tuxedoimpressions.com/ Jamara's Instagram = @JamaraWilson Jamara's Twitter = @TrulyJamara Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!

If you’ve listened to some of my other episodes, you’ve heard me help my clients with on-air coaching calls. Now, I’m turning the tables and having someone do a strategy session on me. My guest Carolyn Delaney is the founder of OurCraft.com, which helps creatives and makers by taking care of their technology needs and digital presence through email marketing, SEO, content marketing, ecommerce, and online advertising to amplify their message, reach more of their customers, and sell more of their products. In this episode, you get a peek inside the marketing and technology I’m currently using for my business and for this podcast, and Carolyn asks me insightful questions that you should be asking yourself and gives recommendations you can use as well. Highlights: The danger of the DIY entrepreneurial movement in technology and marketing Being intentional about technology and making sure it’s the right tool for what you need Working in your zone of genius and hiring experts to work in theirs Carolyn asks me what lights me up in my business, the outcomes my clients get, and who my target audience is The technology I’m currently using for my online group program How I’m using my Facebook group, what social media platforms I use, and what SEO and online advertising I’ve done The value of testing hypotheses and assumptions in our marketing The pros and cons of automated posting to social media What is the ROI we’re getting from social media - know your goal and the results you’re getting What has been working for me to get clients Content I should add to my website for SEO How Carolyn works with her clients for their marketing and technology How you can support this podcast: Share it with a friend Leave a review on iTunes (this is how iTunes knows that people like this podcast and will show it to others when people search, plus it’s nice to know that you’re listening and enjoying the content!) Click on the Subscribe button in iTunes or Stitcher (this is also how podcasts are ranked, so this helps more people find the podcast, plus you’ll automatically see new episodes in your podcast queue) Links: Carolyn’s website = http://www.ourcraft.com Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

This idea of empathy and sharing our stories, especially our deep and vulnerable ones, has been coming up a lot for me lately, from panel discussions on politics and social media I’ve participated in to podcasts I’ve been on talking about the power of public speaking to build trust and empathy. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. I would add to that not just feelings, but their life situation and what brought them to where they are today. My guest today is Karen Millsap, the founder of The Grief Consultant, which helps organizations implement practical empathy in the workplace to strengthen engagement and improve overall performance. In this episode, we talk about: Why Karen started her company The impact of vulnerability in sharing your story What kinds of speaking engagements Karen has done and how she’s used them to build her business and network How Karen has gotten speaking engagements Her new podcast Invest Human and how she sees it aligning with her business goals What it’s like to be a woman in her field What she wants to be known for Karen also founded Well Now Global Retreats, wellness-inspired retreats to help you navigate complex or suppressed emotional baggage and also teach you how to implement simple healthy habits that will change, and can often save, your life. Karen has a book coming out soon called “Now What?”, in which Karen shares her journey of healing and personal development and gives you guidance on how to pick yourself up, grow through any hardship, and ultimately unleash the best version of yourself. Links: Karen’s website = http://www.karenmillsap.com/ Karen’s podcast Invest Human = https://www.investhuman.co/ Karen’s book = http://www.karenmillsap.com/nowwhat Sheryl Sandberg article = http://time.com/sheryl-sandberg-option-b/ Main Street Vegan podcast I was recently on = http://mainstreetvegan.net/msv-show-notes-april-19-2017-romance-vegans-speaking-cause/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

As speakers, we want to use our voices effectively, feel confident, and project confidence on stage. In this episode, professional singer and vocal coach Freya Casey shares exercises we can do to improve and warm up our voices and how to reduce stage fright and project confidence. What I love about Freya is that she helps people discover the awesomeness in their voice and that she emphasizes mindset and personality as much as physiology and technique. We talk about using the energy of the audience, the benefits of being an introvert as a performer and speaker, what to do if we think our voices are too high pitched or low pitched, and much more. About my guest: Freya Casey is a professional singer and vocal coach from Germany. She studied opera at Southern Methodist University and at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart in Germany, has performed lead roles in opera productions in the United States and Europe, and has been a performing artist on cruise ships all around the world. Freya is also a composer and songwriter and has produced music for commercials, movies, and CD productions. Besides having a very active career on stage, Freya has a passion for helping other singers find the beauty in their voice. With her tutorials on YouTube, Freya has reached tens of thousands of people and enjoys creating opportunities for ambitious singers to work with her. In her weekly podcast "Freya's Singing Tips", she gives valuable advice for anyone who wants to learn how to use their voice in a healthy way for the rest of their lives. Freya has an online course called "Conquer Your Stage Fright", which is for singers and speakers alike, anyone who presents on stage. Highlights: Freya's background as a performer and singer The benefits of being an introvert as a performer and speaker Using the energy of the audience What to do if you have a higher or lower pitched voice (can you change it?) Symptoms of vocal fatigue and what to do about it Vocal exercises to do to warm up your voice How to reduce stage fright and dry mouth The importance of projecting confidence as a speaker   Links: Connect with Freya on her website: http://www.freyas-singing-tips.com/ Freya's online course = http://freyas-singing-tips.thinkific.com/courses/conquer-your-stage-fright Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/Freya-Casey-Singer-Vocal-Coach-235591456456207 YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/foundmydestiny74 Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

If you’ve been giving presentations for awhile that are the typical 30-60 minutes in length, but you’re curious as to how to condense your idea into a speech that’s less than 10 minutes (it is possible!), you’re going to learn a lot in this episode. My guest, Tara Lynn Foster, is a leadership speaker and coach for women professionals and entrepreneurs. She spent her career in corporate America, dutifully climbing the ladder, until she realized she was on the wrong ladder. Earlier this year, Tara was invited to give a TED-style lightning talk at a conference for women entrepreneurs in Denver, so in this episode, I help Tara with putting that together. Since this call was recorded, Tara delivered her speech and I just watched the video. She did great, as I knew she would! We cover how to open and close the speech, what to cut to stay on theme with an 8-minute speech, what slides Tara should use, and how to prepare. I also go over my presentation framework and how it relates to Tara’s talk. You can download the free PDF by going to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/framework/. If you’d like to hear more episodes on creating presentations, be sure to listen to episode 11 on creating and preparing for a keynote, and episode 3, where I deconstruct a short speech I gave at a conference. Highlights: Who Tara works with and the speaking engagements she’s been doing Shifting your presentation from practical to inspirational, from trainer to thought leader How to grab the audience at the beginning Have to stay on theme and cut everything that’s not on theme, especially for short speeches How to end the speech An overview of my presentation framework and how Tara’s speech fits into it What slides Tara should have How to write the speech, memorize it, and prepare for it   Links: Connect with Tara on her website: http://www.taralynnfoster.com/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/taralynnfosterllc Instagram = @TaraLynnFoster Twitter = @TaraLynnFoster Download the free PDF of my presentation framework I describe in the podcast: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/framework/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

How can you get media coverage for your business? In this episode, you’ll learn common mistakes business owners make when pitching journalists, what to put in your pitches, how to show you’re an expert, and how the media landscape is changing. My guest is Christina Nicholson, an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience anchoring, reporting, writing, blogging, video production, editing, excelling in social media, photography, and live TV. She has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, the Huffington Post, and on CNN, WTVJ in Miami, WPTV in West Palm Beach, News 12 in New York City, and many other media outlets. Christina now has her own company called Media Maven and helps businesses with their marketing, PR, and publicity, through consulting as well as by teaching business owners how to do it themselves through her online course. Highlights: What got Christina interested in being a TV reporter and how she got started What to put in your demo reel The reasons to start small and local before looking for national media coverage How to get more comfortable talking about your business and your message Common mistakes business owners make when trying to get media coverage What to put in your pitches How to show that you are an expert How the media landscape is changing Whether it’s better for a pitch to come from the business owner or a publicist Links: Connect with Christina on her website: http://www.mediamavenandmore.com/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/mediamavenandmore/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/christinaallday/ Twitter = @ChristinaAllDay Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

How many of us wouldn't rather market and grow our businesses with heart rather than hustle? It’s exhausting trying to keep up with every new social media channel and tactic (Facebook Live! Snapchat! Instastories!), much less everything else that goes into running our businesses and working with clients. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, Lisa Princic and I talk about why "hoping for the best and hustling" is not a sustainable business strategy and what to do instead. The place to start is by defining your value proposition: the unique combination of your attributes, your values, and the outcomes you get for your clients. Listen in for some examples of good and not-so-good value propositions. Let me tell you about my guest Lisa Princic: I know Lisa because she was my business coach. I hired her back in 2015 when I was starting Speaking Your Brand and needed to make sense of and prioritize all of the ideas I had. As I tell people, you can’t do this all in your own head. Even though I teach entrepreneurship, business models, and marketing and started my first business 15 years ago, I realized I needed someone else to verbalize my thoughts to and get feedback to keep me moving forward. Lisa helped me to articulate the value I bring to my clients. Through her one-on-one coaching and group programs, Lisa helps impact-driven business owners dive deep into their truth and unique value and build a highly compelling brand around it so they can attract their best clients, create more powerful offers, and build more profit into their business models. She does this in a way that allows them to meet their growth goals with more heart than hustle. In this episode, Lisa and I talk about the importance of having a clear value proposition and a business model that works for you, so you can be intentional with your marketing to get better results.   Highlights: What exactly is a business model and how it’s different from a business plan Why having a skill set is not necessarily enough to have a business The core of a business model is the value proposition Why “hoping for the best and hustling” is not a sustainable business model Lisa’s business model evolving from exclusively one-on-one coaching to adding group programs The benefits of doing a small pilot program first Your value proposition is a combination of your personality and the outcomes you can get for people Making your outcomes tangible (buy now) combined with visionary goals (buy in) Nurture your current and past clients - see how you can serve them again Focus first on the marketing strategies that are already working for you   Links: Connect with Lisa on her website: https://lisaprincic.com/speaking-your-brand/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulstrategy/ Twitter = @LisaPrincic Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

We're going behind-the-scenes to look at what it’s really like to prepare and deliver a keynote. Keynotes are meant to be inspirational and aspirational, which is different from a standard business presentation or breakout session where you’re sharing tactical, step-by-step things that people can do. In a keynote, you want to take the audience on a journey, weaving in your own stories and experiences, and sharing with them your big idea. In this episode, I talk with one of my clients, LuAnn Nigara, and we do a debrief of the keynote she recently gave at a large industry conference. You’ll hear about the process we went through to create the speech, how LuAnn felt on stage, and LuAnn shares with us some things she would do differently. I knew she would nail her keynote - and she did! You’ll love LuAnn’s energy - she was a lot of fun to work with and to have on the show. Let me tell you about LuAnn’s background: She is an award-winning window treatment authority, host of one of the most popular podcasts for the design industry, A Well-Designed Business, and overall business dynamo. She has a multi-million-dollar window treatment business in New Jersey, which has serviced over 24,000 customers over the past 35 years. Be sure to subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. I have more training and coaching calls coming up, including on TEDx talks and pitching the media, so this way you’ll automatically get the new episodes. And share this episode with a friend, especially if you know someone who will be doing a keynote or wants to in the future. Highlights: Why LuAnn was invited to do a keynote How LuAnn prepared for the keynote, starting 3 months ahead of time until a few days before What LuAnn felt like she needed the most help How LuAnn and I worked together to create her message and keynote speech How LuAnn decided to start her keynote Lessons she learned and what she would do differently next time LuAnn’s decision to memorize her talk and how she went about doing that The importance of really knowing your transitions between sections The feedback she received after her keynote The core message from LuAnn’s keynote   Links: Connect with LuAnn on her website at http://windowworks-nj.com LuAnn’s podcast A Well-Designed Business = http://windowworks-nj.com/podcasts/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/luannnigara/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/WindowWorks_NJ   I was on LuAnn’s podcast, A Well-Designed Business, in episode 140, to celebrate her 1 year podcast anniversary: http://windowworks-nj.com/luann-nigara-2/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

If you've struggled with figuring out who your ideal target market is, what problems and needs they have, and what results you can get for them, this coaching episode is going to show you the process I use with my clients to help them identify this. We know that in our businesses and in our speeches, we can’t try to appeal to everyone, because then we appeal to no one. So, what do we do? We need to uncover our unique angle, our particular combination of experiences, expertise, approach, and worldview, and then identify the type of people who are attracted to who we are and what we stand for and who are ready and eager to hear our message and use our product or service. In this coaching call you’re about to hear, my guest Susanna Barkataki and I work on defining who exactly her target market is. Susanna is a gifted writer, speaker, educator, and yoga teacher trainer and recently founded the Ignite Yoga and Wellness Institute in Orlando, Florida. Susanna and I talk about how her approach to yoga, meditation, and mindfulness is different from others and why that’s a big attraction for the clients who come to her. If you’d like to work together on identifying your core message, unique angle, and target market, book a 90-minute strategy session with me. It’s virtually impossible for you to do this work in your own head. You really need someone to walk you through the process and to see what you can’t see for yourself. It’s not because you’re not smart and brilliant and capable - you very much are! It’s just that we’re too close to ourselves, so our unique strengths become invisible to us. I’ll help you uncover them. You can learn more about the strategy session and sign up on my website at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. I know you’re going to get a lot out of this episode, so be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review on iTunes. I really appreciate it! Highlights: The power of local events for creating community and building brand awareness Susanna’s elevator pitch for her new wellness institute We want to make sure we’re attracting the right clients to us, because we want them to be successful. I help Susanna define her target market for the institute, including selecting one of her two avatars to focus on. Why Susanna’s clients come to her and how aspiration fits in Susanna’s energy secrets (these are really good!) What does Susanna do differently from others in her field? What problems/needs are Susanna’s target clients experiencing and where are they in their journey of self development? Don’t spend your time and effort trying to convince people they need a solution to their problem. Focus on the ones who are already looking for solutions. We work on Susanna’s brand statement and her unique angle/approach/mindset   What do you think of the brand statement we came up with for Susanna? Join us in the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ and let us know!   Links: Connect with Susanna on her website at http://susannabarkataki.com/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/susanna.barkataki Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

You are going to get so much out of my conversation with Donna Cravotta, who is a social media expert and founder of Social Pivot PR. This episode is part coaching - I give Donna feedback on her presentation content and how she should position herself. And then it leads into training. Donna is so good at what she does with social media that I couldn’t help but ask her questions I have and that I knew you would benefit from. Donna gives us some fantastic tips and tools for how to use social media, as speakers and thought leaders, to build our personal brands and connect with fans and influencers - without spending a lot of time or getting distracted. Highlights: The importance of listening on social media Donna pivoting her business from a volume-based business to a handful of clients All of her new clients came from speaking engagements she did in the fall of 2016 and what had changed Audiences wanted less training and detail and more focus on story and what’s possible The framework I use for presentations My recommendations for Donna for her presentations and her unique angle What Donna sees that people are missing about social media Donna’s recommended tools for social media management Make sure your social media marketing aligns with your business objectives Having a balance between automated posts and real-time interactions Donna’s social media tips for speakers   Links: You can connect with Donna on her website at https://socialpivotpr.com/ LinkedIn = http://www.linkedin.com/in/donnacravotta Twitter = @DonnaCravotta Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/SocialPivotPR Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes! Get all of the show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/9

What kind of topics are worthy of a keynote versus a presentation you would do in a workshop or breakout session? How can you position what you offer so that clients see you as a go-to expert rather than a one-time or infrequent purchase? Both of these questions are key if you’re looking to expand your business and get paid as a speaker. My guest, Danielle Liss, is a lawyer, but don’t worry - she’s not like the attorneys you’ve met at your typical chamber of commerce or networking meeting. Instead, Danielle and her partner have been called “cool lawyers”. That’s because they understand online entrepreneurship and the new economy. In this episode, I help Danielle come up with a messaging strategy to make legal topics less boring and more appealing when she’s pitching to conferences, especially for keynotes, and to podcasts. I also put my business hat on and help Danielle think about a way she can increase her own company’s revenue by offering a new type of service to entrepreneurs who are in a growth stage. We end the episode talking about how and why to track and measure the results of your speaking. About my guest: Danielle Liss is a partner and founder of Hashtag Legal. As former Chief Marketing Officer and General Counsel of FitFluential, an influencer network concentrating on health and wellness initiatives, Danielle has intimate knowledge of the challenges facing influencer networks and social media professionals. Danielle has extensive experience creating and negotiating contracts, interpreting FTC guidelines, and creating website policies. Danielle is also an accomplished speaker and has spoken at dozens of conferences on legal issues related to bloggers and social media professionals. We talk about: How Danielle works with her clients, who include entrepreneurs, influencers, bloggers, and speakers Two key things that should be included in your contracts as a speaker How to position Danielle and her legal business so that it’s not boring or fear-based The current presentation topics Danielle speaks on The difference in content between a keynote and a workshop or breakout session The value proposition we come up with that Danielle can use to appeal to entrepreneurs as they’re growing their companies Finding the right places to pitch (whether conferences or podcasts) that have the best audience for you My recommendation that Danielle not offer prospects free strategy calls and why How and why to track and measure the results of your speaking   Links: Connect with Danielle on her website at http://hashtag-legal.com DIY legal forms at http://www.businessese.com/ LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleliss/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/hashtaglegallc Twitter = https://twitter.com/danielleliss Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

How can you set yourself apart from others in your field? What makes your approach different? We all have something that is unique to us, but it’s hard for us to see it in ourselves because we take it for granted - it’s with us all the time, after all! In this episode, I coach my guest Puja Madan to help her find her unique message to stand out, so that’s she’s attracting the right clients and creating content that reflects what’s different about her and her approach to productivity and time management. Along with hearing the questions I ask my clients (and which you should be asking yourself), you’ll get some excellent tips on how to structure your day and your week for improved productivity and creativity. Here’s a hint - as women, we need to do productivity differently from men. Let me tell you about Puja Madan: She is the creator of Wild Radiant Woman and coaches high-performing, heart-centered women entrepreneurs to help them create more time and ease in their business by teaching them a system of profitable productivity. Puja’s qualifications include an MBA, 8 years in tech startups, certification in health coaching, and 12+ years of meditation and spiritual development from India. And, as you’ll hear as we get deeper into the coaching, Puja’s approach is very unique. If you’d like to work together on identifying your core message, book a strategy session with me. We spend 90 minutes together on a call, as I pull out your experience and expertise, using a framework I created. This can then become the foundation for your signature talk or the messaging you use on your website. Learn more at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy/. I know you’re going to get a lot out of this episode, so be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review on iTunes. I really appreciate it! Highlights: Puja’s double life when she was working at a tech start during the week and going on meditation retreats on the weekends Puja’s turning point that caused her to shift her career Purpose-driven women have a lot of fuel and they don’t realize when they’re empty, which can lead to burnout Strategizing on Puja’s unique message What’s working well in Puja’s current business Productivity systems have been designed by men for men, so women oftentimes have a hard time plugging into them. Why are these systems not working for women? When people are searching for help with productivity, what’s missing from what they’re finding? What are your prospects’ “buy now” moments? What are the benefits to them starting working with you now rather than waiting? Puja’s approach to time and why she’s a bit resistant to owning it as part of her brand My recommendations for Puja and her message   What do you think of Puja’s approach and message? Join us in the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ and let us know!   Links: Connect with Puja on her website at http://wildradiantwoman.com/ Discover your productivity archetype at http://wildradiantwoman.com/assessment/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/pujamadan11 Twitter = https://twitter.com/pujamadan Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an executive, or a professional, you’re a leader, especially if you’re speaking in front of groups of people. It’s important to be aware of the diversity (or lack thereof) in our businesses and in our networks - it's good for us as people and it's good for our company's bottom line. As we sum up at the end, "It all starts with people." We cover a lot in this conversation, from imposter syndrome to what it means to be approachable as a leader to how diversity of both people and ideas impacts your workplace and your business’s bottom line. About my guest: Loren Margolis established her expertise at Columbia Business School in New York City as a leadership coach and career strategist for global leaders in Investment Banking, Management Consulting, Consumer Goods, and Technology. Loren then led executive coaching and large-scale management development programs in the healthcare sector before launching her own company, Training & Leadership Success. She is a contributor for Forbes.com and themuse.com. We talk about: The social media channel we use to connect with influencers What Loren was like as a little girl that led her to her profession The 3 pillars of career happiness Amy Cuddy’s work on body language, taking up space, and presence Imposter syndrome and “flexing” rather than “faking” til you make it How face-to-face interactions, including speaking in front of a group, builds trust What it means to be approachable as a leader How diversity of both people and ideas impacts your workplace and your business How businesses can really increase diversity and inclusion and not just pay lip service to it Why “blind” hiring and promotion is not the answer to increasing diversity Why we’ve seen a stagnation in getting more women and people of color into upper-level positions A way you can make your network more diverse With the increasing speed of technology, globalization and change, as a business you need diversity to be competitive and innovative Tips for public speaking from Loren   Links: You can connect with Loren Margolis at: LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/talentdevelopmentexpert Twitter = @LorenMargolis Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

It seems counter-intuitive, but it's true: the narrower the niche for your business (or podcast), the more successful it will be. In this episode, I talk with my guest Edie Berg about her shift in focus from strong women to strong Jewish women, some of her concerns in making this change, and why she ultimately decided to do it. We cover a lot, including: Why you need to niche down in your business Why Edie decided to shift from talking to all business women to focusing on Jewish women One of the reasons that almost kept Edie from making this shift How being open about your identity and what matters to you gives validation and permission to others How Edie’s online summit is set up and her business model for it What Edie looks for in selecting podcast guests When pitching for podcasts or speaking engagements, why what you do isn’t as important as your bigger message The angle I used to get on podcasts last fall and why it worked How Edie can pitch sponsors for her online summit My advice for creating an elevator speech   Edie Berg is the founder of The Strong Women’s Club, whose mission is to promote Jewish women’s leadership and to build a community of Jewish women who support one another, through workshops and masterminds. As she says on her website, “No politics, no judgement. Each member celebrates her Judaism in her own wonderful way.” Edie is the creator of the Strong Jewish Women’s online summit, which is The World’s Largest Online Symposium for Jewish Women, which is coming up soon. It’s entirely free to participate: 5 days, 2 live panels, over 40 interviews and practical sessions. You’ll hear stories from Jewish women leaders and learn practical and useful tools and tips to grow your business. This summit grew out of Edie’s podcast, The Strong Women’s Club, which highlights the behind-the-scenes stories of successful Jewish women. I met Edie because we’re currently in a mastermind together and I’ve been on her podcast (episode 66), before her decision to niche down from strong women to strong Jewish women, which is part of what we discuss in this episode. Links: You can connect with Edie on her website at http://www.thestrongwomensclub.com. Register for Edie’s free online summit for Jewish women = http://thestrongjewishwomenssummit.com/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Strong-Womens-Club/717444848336523 Twitter = https://twitter.com/edieberg LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/edieberg/ I was on Edie’s Strong Women’s Club podcast episode 66 = http://www.thestrongwomensclub.com/066-tv-democratic-analyst-and-speaking-mentor/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

Shelli Warren of SheConnex spent 25 years as an executive leader and trainer at a Fortune 500 company and is now a success coach helping other women launch their own encore careers as entrepreneurs. I met Shelli through the mastermind we’re currently in together and have been so impressed with her wisdom and her fierce advocacy for women. Shelli is particularly good at creating local events to connect women with each other. In this episode, Shelli and I strategize ways she can leverage podcasts as well as local speaking engagements and events to build her following and get more clients. We talk about: Shelli’s career and why she decided to leave and start her own business The differences Shelli has seen between men and women getting promoted How Shelli helps her clients see the skills they have as transferable and marketable Shelli’s focus on local clients and speaking engagements Why Shelli should branch out from speaking to all women’s groups to co-ed groups too Shelli’s two different client avatars but the common need they share (and how that impacts her presentation content) What to hand out at speaking engagements (not your business card!) How to most effectively pitch podcasters Links: You can connect with Shelli on her website at http://www.sheconnex.com. Be sure to sign up for her free SheLeads Success video series. Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/sheconnex Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/iamsheconnex/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/SheConnex Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

Go behind the scenes as I deconstruct the key elements of the presentation I recently gave at Podfest Multimedia Expo, which is a podcasting conference. I do the speech for you (it's less than 7 minutes) and then I deep dive into why I chose this topic, explain the structure I used, and describe how and why I connected the opening and closing. You'll learn about 3-act structure, the rule of 3, using humor and inspiration, and the call back. The presentation I gave is called a Pecha Kucha talk. The format for a Pecha Kucha is 20 slides x 20 seconds each (so the entire presentation is only 6 minutes and 40 seconds). The title of the presentation is "Zebras, Chameleons, and Peacocks: Speaking Your Brand in Our New Media Age." Which are you? Which should you be? (You may be surprised!) You can view the slides and get the free PDF on the show notes page at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/podfest-pecha-kucha-presentation/. Let me know if you found this episode useful and I'll do more of them in the future. Finally, I have two requests: First, if you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe to the podcast. Second, share this podcast with a friend. Do you know another entrepreneur who's looking to do more speaking for her business? Let her know about this show. Links: I coach Natalie Eckdahl on her Biz Chix podcast = http://bizchix.com/231/ Need help creating your presentation? Schedule a free call at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact/.

Diane Diaz is the founder of The Brand Teacher and a self-described brand geek. She worked in the corporate world for 15 years doing marketing and branding and now teaches branding classes at the same university where I teach, which is how I met Diane 8 years ago. Diane has been doing speaking engagements during the past year at local networking groups and is now ready to take her speaking to the next level. In this episode, Diane and I strategize about how she - and you - can do that. We talk about: How branding is different from marketing How Diane helps people understand what their brand says about them The speaking engagements Diane did in her first year in business Applying lean startup methodology to speaking The results she got and the lessons she learned What Diane is looking to do with speaking in her second year in business Finding speaking engagements that fit with her target clients Ideas for revenue streams from speaking Links: You can connect with Diane on her website at http://www.thebrandteacher.com/. Be sure to download her free personal brand workbook. Diane’s upcoming workshop = http://www.thebrandteacher.com/events Twitter = https://twitter.com/thedianediaz Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/thebrandteacher/ LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

Heather Ryan looks like an elementary school teacher, but for 14 years she served as a Special Agent with NCIS (no wonder she was so effective under cover and as an interrogator!). Now, she teaches effective safety techniques for women and offers innovative prevention education for men, from college campuses to organizations and corporations. Heather has a book called “Special Agent Mom” coming out soon, with stories from her days as an agent plus safety tips. I first met Heather in a mastermind we were in together in the fall of 2015 and we have been business BFF’s ever since. Heather worked with me to create her signature talk on safety and intuition and she was in my Stand-Out Speakers group coaching program in the fall of 2016. In this episode, Heather and I strategize ways for her to reach out to organizations, universities, and companies to hire her as an expert speaker and trainer. We talk about: The eye-opening experience that led Heather to join NCIS What it was like to be a manager in a male-dominated work environment The qualities that made her a good leader and interrogator The work Heather does now in her business My recommendations for what to include in pitch letters What works better than sending emails to get booked as a speaker Putting together speaking packages How to get momentum and buzz for you as a speaker, especially when you’re starting out Whether to contact conference organizers after submitting a speaking proposal Links: You can connect with Heather on her website at http://www.specialagentheather.me. Be sure to download her free PDF with safety tips for you and your family. Twitter = https://twitter.com/SpclAgntHeather Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/SpecialAgentHeather/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolmorgancox/. Be sure to click subscribe on the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes! Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/1/