Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

Have you ever been captivated by a speaker who seems to effortlessly command the room, inspiring everyone with their words and presence?  That’s the magic of executive presence combined with powerful public speaking. Whether you're leading a team or an organization or a workshop, whether you're presenting to 20, 200, or 2000 people, your ability to communicate your ideas clearly, get buy-in from your audience, and deliver with energy and confidence can make all the difference. But here's the thing: Executive presence doesn't simply materialize overnight. Nor is it the exclusive domain of the naturally charismatic. It's an art that can be cultivated, and one of the most powerful tools for doing so is honing your presentation and storytelling skills. In this new podcast series on executive speaking, we'll explore how you can elevate your executive presence through impactful communication. This series is perfect if you work at a company and are looking to enhance your leadership skills. If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ll also get a lot out of this series by learning how to effectively convey your vision and inspire your team and your audiences. We know that we want to see more women in positions of influence on boards, on leadership teams, in politics, and in business. Executive presence matters.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/397/  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/  Check out our trainings for companies and organizations: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/trainings/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 394: Getting Buy-In from Your Audience on Your Message: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads Episode 395: The Power of Storytelling: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads Episode 390: Impromptu Speaking: How to Prepare and Feel Confident in Any Situation Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking

Cherlette McCullough shares how refining her signature talk 'From Selfie to Self-Reflection' led to lucrative speaking opportunities. She discusses audience engagement tips, leveraging media for visibility, and the transformative impact of working with a speaking coach. Learn how a single talk landed multiple paid gigs and why thinking outside the box is crucial for speaker success.

Sharing personal stories are essential for memorable and impactful presentations.  How specific should your stories be? How do you connect your story to your overall message and framework? This is exactly what we work on with our Thought Leader Academy clients in their VIP Day to create their signature talk. You’ll hear two of our recent grads, Cindy Ojczyk and Amy Bear, deliver a 10-minute version of the signature talk they created with us, so you can see and hear them in action. We also have a roundtable discussion, led by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz, about what they’ve learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them as speakers and thought leaders.   This audio is from a live broadcast we did on May 29, 2024. You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SWwL8V8Eo.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/395/  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/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Cindy Ojczyk = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyojczyk/ Amy Bear = https://www.linkedin.com/in/abearcounselor/

The essence of persuasive communication is about getting your audience on board with your ideas.  But, it's not about throwing out facts or making logical points; it requires connecting with your audience on an emotional level, understanding their needs and concerns, and addressing them effectively.  By sharing personal stories, using relatable examples, and demonstrating genuine passion and authenticity, you create a sense of trust and rapport. This is exactly what our Thought Leader Academy grads do in their signature talks!   You’ll hear two of our recent grads, Angela Crawford and Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez, deliver a 10-minute version of the signature talk they created with us, so you can see and hear them in action. We also have a roundtable discussion about what they’ve learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them as speakers and thought leaders. Angela Crawford is a vegan transformation coach and educator. Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez is the founder of Walking Tree, which works with companies on sustainability and green tech. This audio is from a live broadcast we did on May 22, 2024. You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/UPUMGsAjRV8.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/394/  Angela’s website: https://angelacrawfordphd.com/  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/carolcox Angela Crawford (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacrawfordphd/ Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/eloisamg/

We’re finishing up our new podcast series called Speak with Confidence. When you speak at conferences and events, you want to do a great job, get great feedback from the audience, and get referrals and invitations to other speaking gigs. This is how I’ve gotten so many speaking invitations over the years - event organizers are oftentimes in the audience at events and they refer speakers to each other. What kind of speaker gets the best feedback and referrals? You may think it’s the most energetic speaker or the funniest speaker or the speaker with the best story or the speaker with the best slides. But, that’s not necessarily the case. In this episode, I share examples of speakers I’ve seen, what I’ve noticed about them, and the qualities they have in common. I want you to be the best version of YOU as a speaker. That’s what’s going to set you apart.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/393/  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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 345: Elevate Your Audience Engagement Skills with These Proven Strategies with Katie Anderson Episode 352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomen Episode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker

My goal with this current podcast series called “Speak with Confidence” is to boost your confidence by getting you to think differently about speaking, whether it’s getting comfortable with impromptu speaking (episode 390) or claiming your identity as a speaker (episode 391). I know you want to be an impactful speaker, to share your important message with your audiences, and attract clients for your business. We *think* that teaching and training is what our audiences want. This is what I thought too. But, I believe that there are trends going on around us that are changing this. We’re all swimming in information; and now with AI, we have comprehensive answers in just a few seconds. This is why I no longer advocate “Teaching from the stage”. I’m going to share in this episode what I recommend instead.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/392/  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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Article mentioned about Deborah Tannen and communication: https://www.vox.com/a/hillary-clinton-interview/the-gap-listener-leadership-quality    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking Episode 362: [Case Study] Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLucca, PhD Episode 339: Creating Compelling TED-Style Talks Based on Academic Research with Tanya Golash-Boza, PhD

There have been so many times I’ve heard clients tell me, “I’m not a speaker.” Yet they’ve delivered keynotes and been paid thousands of dollars to do so. They’re invited to speak at conferences. They’ve taught classes and workshops for years. They give presentations at work. What’s going on? Why do they resist calling themselves a speaker? Why do we hesitate to claim the identity as a speaker and thought leader? I’m struggling with this right now, except it’s not about claiming my identity as a speaker, but as a book writer. There are a few things going on, which I talk about in this episode, along with what you can do to feel more comfortable claiming this identity for yourself and the reasons to do so.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/391/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Book mentioned “Atomic Habits”: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR/    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker Page Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn Your Natural Style and Amplify It Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk

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 hard Why it matters to your development as a speaker and leader Specific things you can do to get better at impromptu speaking Some of my own impromptu speaking wins and fails!     Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/390/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking Episode 370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage Episode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker Episode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a Speaker

We're continuing the series we've been doing this month all around inspiring you to use your voice, no matter what your topic or your industry. If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that I've been really excited about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT and all of the ways AI can help us both personally and professionally. For this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Denise Musselwhite, a technology maven with a rich background in IT and a heart set on women's empowerment in tech.  Here's why you absolutely can't miss this episode: Discover Denise's Unique Journey: From growing up in her father's repair shop to becoming one of the few Latina CIOs, Denise shares her inspiring journey into the tech world, highlighting the blend of nature, nurture, and curiosity that fueled her career. AI as a Force for Good: We delve deep into the realm of Artificial Intelligence, exploring its potential as a collaborative partner in our professional lives. Denise opens up about her personal projects, including the "Kindness Beacon," and how AI can be harnessed to empower women and underrepresented professionals in technology. Leadership and the Leap into Entrepreneurship: Denise talks about her transition from a high-powered tech role to founding Tech and Thrive, sharing insights on the challenges and joys of nurturing leadership within the tech industry, especially for women. The Ethical and Inclusive Future of AI: We tackle the critical discussions surrounding AI, from ethical considerations to ensuring women's voices are integral in shaping the future of technology. Mentorship, Inclusion, and Empowerment: Denise emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the role of women in technology organizations, and how she's working to create more inclusive spaces in the tech world.   Denise's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the crucial role of women in shaping the future of tech.   Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and empowerment, and get inspired to harness AI in your professional journey.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/389/ Denise’s website: http://techandthrive.me/   AI Resources: https://techthrive.me/techai The Kindness Beacon GPT (requires a paid subscription to ChatGPT4): techthrive.me/kindness  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/carolcox Denise Musselwhite (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/musselwhited/   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 375: How to Use AI to Amplify Your Superpowers and Prepare You to Show Up Anywhere with Stacey Hines Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I.

Many conferences get hundreds of speaker submissions. How can you make yours stand out so it gets selected? Then, once you do get selected, how do you make sure you deliver an engaging presentation at the conference? That’s what I talk about with my guest Cathy McPhillips, who is Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute. Along with the virtual events they host year-round, they also host an in-person conference called MAICON, which I spoke at in 2023. I invited Cathy on the show to share with us: Her background and what brought her to the Marketing AI Institute How Cathy and the team select speakers for MAICON and their other events What they look for in speaker submissions What makes a great speaker at their events (based on audience feedback) Tips she has for the listeners who want to speak at conferences >What they’re doing at the Marketing AI Institute and you can get involved About My Guest: Cathy McPhillips is Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute, overseeing marketing, growth, and customer experience, including MAICON and AI Academy for Marketers. Previously, Cathy led marketing at Content Marketing Institute and Content Marketing World, managed community growth for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, and owned her own strategic digital marketing business. She started her career at two Cleveland advertising agencies. Cathy was an Ohio University Jerry L. Sloan Visiting Professional in Public Relations, is a Folio: Top Women in Media, and a MarTechExec Woman You Need to Know in Martech.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/388/  Marketing AI Institute: www.marketingaiinstitute.com The Artificial Intelligence Show podcast: https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/podcast-showcase  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Cathy McPhillips (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathymcphillips Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers with Sarah Soliman Episode 342: I Almost Got Stuck in the Expert Trap: How I Created My Recent Successful Conference Presentation