Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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