Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

We’re wrapping up our Booked Without Burnout series, and this one might surprise you: should you ever pay to speak?I know - it sounds backward. After all, you want to get paid for your expertise, not the other way around.But there are times when paying for a speaking slot makes strategic sense, especially if it’s tied to a sponsorship or marketing opportunity that gets you in front of your ideal clients.This is Part 4 of my 4-part series on how to land more speaking engagements. In Part 1, I shared outbound strategies: what to do when you pitch yourself. In Part 2, we talked about inbound strategies: how to set yourself up so event organizers find you. In Part 3, we looked at getting paid to speak.In this episode, I share:How to evaluate whether paying to speak is worth it for your goalsThe key questions to ask before you invest in a speaking opportunityHow to turn a sponsorship into a visibility and revenue boostPlus, I’m including an episode from my Confident Speaker podcast, my fully AI-generated show. The script, voice, and show notes are all created by AI using a custom knowledge base built from 400+ episodes of Speaking Your Brand. You’ll hear “AI Carol” and see how closely it matches my style (it’s kind of wild!).If you’ve ever wondered how you can use AI to amplify your brand voice, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what’s possible.Listen in and find out when it might be smart to pay to speak - and how to use AI to grow your visibility without burning out.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/444/ Check out my companion podcast “Confident Speaker”: https://confidentspeaker.transistor.fm/ Apply for my Automate & Amplify with AI program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai/ Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Enroll in our online Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 443: [Part 3] Booked Without Burnout: Getting Paid to SpeakEpisode 442: [Part 2] Booked Without Burnout: Speaking Invitations that Come to YouEpisode 441: [Part 1] Booked Without Burnout: A Smarter Way to Land Speaking GigsEpisode 433: Behind the Scenes of My AI-Powered Business: Real-World Use Cases JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

Visibility is valuable. But visibility plus revenue? That’s power.Speaking isn’t only about sharing what you know. It’s about owning your expertise, modeling equity, and showing what women leaders are worth on stage.So how do you go from free talks at local events… to $2,500, $5,000, even $10,000 keynotes and workshops?This is Part 3 of my 4-part series on how to land more speaking engagements. In Part 1, I shared outbound strategies: what to do when you pitch yourself. In Part 2, we talked about inbound strategies: how to set yourself up so event organizers find you. And now, it’s time to talk about getting paid to speak.Because here’s the shift: when you position yourself as a thought leader who delivers transformation, not just information, you move from being “a nice-to-have” speaker to an essential investment for event organizers.In this episode, you’ll learn:The signs that you’re ready to start charging for your talks.How to position your value in terms of audience transformation and ROI.What typical fee ranges look like across associations, conferences, and corporate.The exact question to ask organizers that opens up budget conversations.Getting paid to speak is absolutely possible - and once you start, you’ll open the door to bigger stages and bigger impact.Want help creating your signature talk, packaging your expertise, and building a strategy that leads to paid opportunities?Join our online Thought Leader Academy for step-by-step coaching and a proven process to elevate your message.Prefer in-person? Attend our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator in Orlando and walk away with your talk and action plan.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/443/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Enroll in our online Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 442: [Part 2] Booked Without Burnout: Speaking Invitations that Come to YouEpisode 441: [Part 1] Booked Without Burnout: A Smarter Way to Land Speaking GigsEpisode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in AweEpisode 373: From Free to Fee: How to Get an ROI from Speaking JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if speaking invitations just landed in your inbox - and with a speaker fee attached?The truth is, they can. In fact, many of my own paid speaking gigs (and our clients’ too) have come through inbound strategies - because we’ve intentionally set ourselves up so event organizers find us.This is Part 2 of my 4-part series on how to land more speaking engagements.In Part 1, I shared outbound strategies: what to do when you pitch yourself.In today’s episode, I’m diving into inbound strategies: how to position yourself so speaking invitations come directly to you.In this episode, you’ll learn:What your speaker page and LinkedIn profile must include so event organizers instantly see your credibility.Why being active in your local community and industry leads to referrals and repeat invitations.How delivering an amazing talk becomes your best marketing tool for stage-side referrals.Real client examples who turned one talk into many opportunities.With the right inbound strategies, you’ll build familiarity, trust, and visibility, so event organizers think of you first when they need a great speaker.Want help creating your signature talk and positioning yourself to get booked?Join our online Thought Leader Academy for step-by-step coaching and a proven process to elevate your message.Prefer in-person? Attend our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator in Orlando and walk away with your talk and action plan.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/442/ Check out my speaker page = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/carol-cox-ai/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Enroll in our online Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 441: [Part 1] Booked Without Burnout: A Smarter Way to Land Speaking GigsEpisode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in AweEpisode 401: Strategies for Getting Momentum on the Speaking CircuitEpisode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

Hey there, it's Carol, popping in for a minute! I want to make sure you know about our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator Workshop coming up on October 30th in Downtown Orlando, Florida.You’ll go from having a rough idea to building your talk using our proven Signature Talk Canvas® framework - and then practice delivering it with real-time feedback from us.And here’s the thing = you’ll create a talk that goes beyond tips and facts. I know you know how to create a slide presentation, but to achieve your goals, you need something much more than that. You need to shape a message that persuades, gets buy-in, and leaves a lasting impression.That’s exactly what you’ll do at our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator.We’ll show you how to use storytelling for resonance, how to paint a vision your audience wants to be part of, and how to step into the speaker and leader you’re ready to be.Can it really be done in a day? We guarantee it! Listen to episode 435 to hear my conversation with 3 of the women who attended our last workshop.You'll get: ✅ Your signature talk and framework mapped out, blending thought leadership, storytelling, and lead generation ✅ Personalized coaching to take your delivery from good to captivating ✅ Strategies to reduce nerves and boost your stage presence ✅ A curated speaker kit and printed workbook ✅ New connections with incredible women ✅ And professional photos of you speaking - perfect for your website and social mediaThis isn’t just one talk. It’s a message you can use everywhere: On stage, in webinars, podcast interviews, your emails, social posts, even your book or course.Whether it’s been stuck in your head or sitting in a slide deck, your talk deserves to make the impact it was meant to - and achieve your goals.If you're ready to make the shift out of the expert trap, from information to transformation, join us at the Citrus Club in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025.Spots are limited to 15 attendees, so go to speakingyourbrand.com/orlando to register today. I’d love to have you there! JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

You know speaking is one of the best ways to grow your business and your visibility.But between running your business, serving your clients, and managing everything else on your plate, finding time to pitch yourself for speaking engagements feels impossible.If you’ve ever thought:“I know I should be speaking, but I’m too busy to figure out where to start.”“Pitching myself feels overwhelming. I don’t even know what to say.”“It seems easier to just keep posting on social media, even though it’s not moving the needle.”This new 4-part series on how you can land more speaking engagements is exactly what you need.Today’s focus is on outbound activities = the steps you can take to actively pitch yourself without burning out. The next episode is on what I call inbound activities: setting yourself up so that speaking engagements come to you. Then, we'll wrap up the series with an episode on how to get paid to speak.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why scheduling a weekly Pitch Power Hour will help you stay consistent (and how to structure it).How to research speaking opportunities efficiently using tools like Google Alerts and AI.The importance of showing up in your local community and building relationships that lead to invitations.How to align pitching with your existing visibility efforts so it feels natural, not forced.The mindset shift that makes pitching less intimidating: event organizers need great speakers like you.By the end of this episode, you’ll have three specific strategies to make pitching a sustainable and even enjoyable part of your routine. And most importantly, you’ll see how consistent, strategic outreach leads to more of the right opportunities on the right stages.✨ Work with us: Want to create your signature talk, build your speaking strategy, and get booked without burnout?Join our online Thought Leader Academy for step-by-step coaching and a proven process to elevate your message.Prefer in-person? Attend our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator in Orlando and walk away with your talk and action plan.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/441/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Enroll in our online Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 401: Strategies for Getting Momentum on the Speaking CircuitEpisode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

One of the biggest benefits of creating your signature talk and framework is that you don’t just use it once; you can repurpose it over and over again.In this episode, I talk with Thought Leader Academy graduate Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez, who shares how she’s taken the signature talk and framework she developed with us and adapted it for different audiences, topics, and speaking engagements.Eloisa has spoken on everything from sustainability to operational excellence to partnerships, but at the core of each talk is her Optima Framework. By simply giving it a new lens depending on the audience, she’s able to stay consistent in her message while making it relevant to each event.You’ll hear us discuss:Why repurposing your framework saves you time and energy while reinforcing your thought leadership.How Eloisa tailored her talks to different audiences, including business leaders, engineers, and bilingual groups, without reinventing the wheel each time.The importance of preparation and asking smart questions, which helped Eloisa get referred to new speaking opportunities even before event organizers saw her present.What it looks like to niche down your message so your audience clearly understands who you serve and the value you provide.If you’ve ever felt like you need a brand-new talk for every opportunity, this conversation will show you how to work smarter, not harder - repurposing your signature talk and framework so your audiences remember you and your unique thought leadership.And if you’d like to create your own signature talk and framework that you can repurpose again and again, join us in the Thought Leader Academy. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/440/ Eloisa’s website: https://www.walkingtree.green/ 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/carolcoxEloisa Marquez-Gonzalez (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/eloisamg/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 394: Getting Buy-In from Your Audience on Your Message: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy GradsEpisode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for YouEpisode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact   JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

How do you go from giving short, tip-focused talks to inspiring audiences with a full keynote? That’s exactly the journey our guest has taken and it’s one so many of us can learn from.Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz talks with Elaine Schomburg-LaFleur, a senior project engineer who has spent over 20 years in the theme park industry, including at Disney.Elaine thought of herself as “the tip girl” - packing her presentations with lots of helpful advice. But when she was invited to give her first keynote, she realized she needed a new approach.With the help of a VIP Day and our in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop, Elaine discovered how to weave stories into her talks, connect emotionally with her audience, and step into her authentic speaking style.The result? Not only did she deliver a powerful keynote to a room of young women engineers, she also caught the “speaking bug” and has continued landing and delivering talks that inspire.What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Elaine’s transition from sharing only tips to becoming an inspiring keynote speakerHow storytelling makes even technical topics more engaging and memorableThe role of authenticity in building confidence and audience connectionWhat Elaine gained from practicing in community and receiving real-time feedbackHow she continues to grow her visibility and speaking career through LinkedIn and pitching opportunities Elaine’s story is proof that you don’t have to change who you are to be a great speaker - you just need to unlock the authentic voice that’s already within you.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/439/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Attend our next 1-day Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/  Create your signature talk with us: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Elaine Schomburg-LaFleur = https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaineschomburglafleur/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 435: From Blank Page to On Stage: What It's Like to Create and Practice a Talk in One Day  JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

Whether you've had one day that changed your life forever - or a series of events that shifted your understanding of yourself and the world - or a culmination of hard-won lessons from work and life, you have a story worth sharing.This is something I emphasize often, because so many women tell me, “I don’t really have a story. Nothing big has happened to me.”What matters isn’t the size of your story, but how you tell it and what lessons you offer your audience.In this episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast, I talk with Karen Keene, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, whose life was forever altered after surviving a violent home invasion. Karen’s journey of healing - through 26 surgeries, unimaginable loss, and the courage to rebuild - has become the foundation for a keynote talk that inspires audiences to face adversity with resilience and purpose.But this conversation isn’t only about Karen’s story. It’s about:Why your story can be just as powerful, even if you haven’t faced extreme traumaHow to uncover the universal lessons in your story that speak to anyone in your audienceThe importance of moving from “sharing what happened” to “showing what’s possible”Karen’s M.A.P. framework and how it turns inspiration into actionThe transformation that happens for you when you tell your story with intention If you’ve ever wondered whether your story is “enough” to share or how to use it to truly serve your audience, this episode will give you both the confidence and the tools to do it.This conversation originally aired as episode 337 on July 10, 2023.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/story-transformation/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/carolcoxKaren 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 SpencerEpisode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol CoxEpisode 230: Use Your Story for an Inspirational Talk with Tanea SmithEpisode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories with Carol Cox JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

Ever wish you could walk on stage and instantly connect with your audience, whether it’s a room of five people or a stadium of 50,000?In this episode, Diane Diaz and I are trying something new: a reaction video to a famous speech. And who better to kick things off than Taylor Swift’s 2022 NYU Commencement Address?You might think being a global superstar makes Taylor impossible to relate to. But what she does in this speech is exactly what you can do in your own presentations to make your audience lean in, laugh, and feel like you’re speaking directly to them.We break down three powerful speaking tips for relatability that you can start using right away:Self-deprecating humor to lower the pedestal and create connection.Knowing your audience: their stage in life, challenges, and what they want next.Bridging personal stories to universal themes so your message resonates far beyond the details of your own experience. Whether you’re delivering a keynote, leading a workshop, or speaking on a panel, these strategies will help you connect, engage, and inspire, no guitar required (unless you have one, then bring it!).Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/438/ Watch our video conversation: https://youtu.be/-Mm2_urTF40Taylor Swift Commencement Address at NYU in 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBG50aoUwlITaylor on Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast in August 2025: https://youtu.be/M2lX9XESvDE?si=r_GL2a_iNf2F_iuJ 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/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 426: Every Talk Needs Humor: Here are 5 Ways to Make Your Audience LaughEpisode 398: Storytelling for Leaders: Crafting Narratives that Inspire and Persuade JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in the "expert trap" - sharing lots of great information, but not quite connecting with your audience the way you want to? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Teri DeLucca, founder of Impact Early Education and a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, about how she made the bold leap from academic researcher and fact-based presenter to transformational speaker and sought-after thought leader. Teri has not one, but TWO PhDs (yes, you read that right!), and like many high-achieving women, she found comfort in data and research. But as she began training preschool teachers and school leaders, she realized that just presenting facts wasn’t creating the impact she truly wanted. In our conversation, Teri shares: What led her to start her own business and step into entrepreneurship The power of personal storytelling in leadership and speaking How embracing vulnerability changed everything for her and her audiences Her transformation through the Thought Leader Academy and how it impacted her signature talk Her behind-the-scenes prep for a major international keynote (and why she called me in for a VIP Day!) Why it's not only okay, but essential, to share your personal challenges as a speaker and leader   If you've ever worried that being real with your audience might hurt your credibility, you need to hear what Teri says about the moment she realized not sharing her struggles was actually holding her back. Teri’s story is proof that when you let go of perfection and speak from a place of truth, that’s when real transformation happens—for you and the people you're meant to reach. This conversation originally aired as episode 338 on July 17, 2023. Links: Show notes: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/escape-expert-trap/ Learn more about Teri’s work at ImpactEarlyEd.com. Listen to Episode 241 – The Expert Trap – to learn more about how to shift from expert to transformational speaker: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/241/ Ready to escape the expert trap and develop your own signature talk and thought leadership? Join us in the Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.