Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

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!