Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

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]