Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

Most of us have been told that if we want referrals, we should just ask for them. But, that approach can feel awkward.What if, instead of asking, you could design an experience that makes you naturally referable?That’s exactly what my guest, Stacey Brown Randall, teaches. Stacey is the author of her new book The Referable Client Experience, and she’s built a proven system to generate consistent referrals — without asking, without paying, and without gimmicky tactics.In this conversation, Stacey and I dig into:Why doing great work isn’t enough to generate referralsThe three stages of the client experience — new, active, and alumni — and what to do in each oneThe difference between “work” touch points and “relationship” touch points (and how both matter)How to stay top of mind with clients after your work together is doneWhat speakers can do to create a “referable” experience for event organizersI especially loved Stacey’s ideas for how we can nurture relationships in meaningful ways — like acknowledging that quiet voice of buyer’s remorse with empathy and care, or sending a “You survived it!” gift to an event organizer after a big conference.These kinds of thoughtful, human touches don’t just make you memorable — they make you referable.If you’ve ever wished more clients and speaking invitations came your way because people can’t stop talking about the experience you create, this episode is for you.Tune in and start designing your own referable client (or audience!) experience.About My Guest: Stacey Brown Randall is the multiple award-winning author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, author of the forthcoming book, The Referable Client Experience (October 2025) and host of the Roadmap to Referrals podcast.Stacey teaches business owners how to generate referrals naturally...without manipulating, incentivizing or even asking.She has been featured in national publications like Entrepreneur magazine, Investor Business Daily, Forbes, and more. She received her Master’s in Organizational Communication and is married with three kids.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/448/Get Stacey’s new book The Referable Client Experience: https://referableclientexperience.com/Stacey’s website: http://www.staceybrownrandall.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/ Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxStacey Brown Randall (guest) = http://www.linkedin.com/in/staceybrandall Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 62: Tired of Asking? A Better Way to Get Referrals with Stacey Brown RandallEpisode 442: [Part 2] Booked Without Burnout: Speaking Invitations that Come to You

Are you the kind of speaker who loves to have everything prepared in advance? Perhaps you even have your entire presentation scripted out nearly word for word and you have detailed notes for every slide that you rely on?Well, I have a challenge for you: getting more comfortable with impromptu speaking.As a speaker and as a leader, both impromptu and prepared speaking skills are a must.Have you ever had one of these situations happen to you:You're in a meeting or group and asked to share something on the spot. You get really nervous and feel at a loss for words.You're at a networking event where you need to concisely share with other attendees who you are, what you do, and how you help people. After you introduce yourself, you realized you left out the most important parts or it all felt like a jumble.You're leading a meeting where you need to motivate your team, but you didn't have an opportunity to prepare your message ahead of time and feel like you weren't as clear or confident as you want to be.This is why developing your impromptu speaking skills is essential. I want more women - including you! - to feel comfortable and confident commanding a room and leading teams, organizations, and companies.In this episode, I share:Why impromptu speaking is hardWhy it matters to your development as a speaker and leaderSpecific things you can do to get better at impromptu speakingSome of my own impromptu speaking wins and fails!This episode originally aired as episode 390 on April 29, 2024.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/390/ Discover 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/ Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public SpeakingEpisode 370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on StageEpisode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a SpeakerEpisode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a Speaker

In a captivating discussion with Julie Fry, founder of Your Expert Guest, listeners discover how to leverage podcast visibility for genuine connections. Julie shares her journey from in-person networking to podcast booking. She emphasizes the importance of clarity in podcast goals and cautions against over-relying on AI, promoting authentic, personalized pitches as more effective. The conversation also tackles mindset shifts to overcome imposter syndrome and why quality connections outweigh sheer quantity. Tune in for a blend of inspiration and practical tips!

Here’s what you don’t want the audience to say after you deliver your keynote: “I learned a lot.”That’s you being stuck in the expert trap. As a keynote speaker, you’re there to provide an experience for the audience; to help them see something differently about themselves or their industry or their world; and to have them believe they can do it.In this episode, I’m sharing 3 must-haves that will take your keynote from “just another talk” to a truly transformative experience for your audience.You’ll hear behind-the-scenes from a keynote I recently gave called From Invisible to Influential: How I Found My Voice and Why Yours Matters More Than Ever.Here’s what you’ll learnWhy storytelling should always be at the core of your keynote (and the story I shared that had women coming up to me afterward saying how inspired they felt).How to use the “Rule of Three” to make your keynote easy to follow, memorable, and impactful.The importance of weaving in humor and audience participation - and how I planned both into my talk so they weren’t left to chance.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear roadmap for how to design your keynote so it not only informs but truly transforms your audience.✨ Ready to create your own keynote that’s powerful, inspiring, and totally YOU? Visit https://www.speakingyourbrand.com and schedule a call.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/445/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Schedule a consultation call: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact/Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 426: Every Talk Needs Humor: Here are 5 Ways to Make Your Audience LaughEpisode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in AweEpisode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public SpeakingEpisode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact

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

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

Learn how to attract speaking invitations directly to your inbox! Discover the importance of optimizing your speaker webpage and LinkedIn profile to catch event organizers' attention. Find out how engaging with your local community can lead to valuable referrals. Exceptional talks not only impress audiences but also turn into future booking opportunities. Hear client success stories that highlight the power of inbound strategies, ensuring you’re top of mind for event planners when seeking great speakers.

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!

Discover effective outbound strategies to land speaking gigs without the burnout! Learn how to schedule a weekly Pitch Power Hour that boosts consistency. Uncover efficient research techniques using tools like Google Alerts and AI for customized proposals. Find out how local community engagement can pave the way for invitations. Plus, explore ways to align your speaking efforts with your visibility, making pitching feel natural. Get actionable steps to kickstart your outreach and build momentum in your speaking journey!

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