Building your LeaderBrand - Personal Branding, Social Media Marketing, Sales, Leadership & Expert Business for the Modern Entrepreneur

Let’s face it - even the most confident among us have felt that stomach-churning fear before speaking in public. Whether it’s a podcast interview, a presentation, or even just pitching an idea in a meeting, that “oh no, what if I mess up?” feeling is universal. But here’s the good news: overcoming that fear doesn’t just make you a better speaker - it positions you for bigger opportunities, from landing clients to building authority in your industry. In this episode, I’m joined by Nausheen Chen, a public speaking coach, to share how you can turn those nerves into impact and amplify your message with confidence.Three Key Takeaways:🔹 Less is More: Trying to say too much can dilute your message. Focus on being selective with what you share and create a flowing, interactive conversation with your audience.🔹 Intentional Energy Matters: It’s not about mimicking Tony Robbins or going over the top—it’s about amplifying your natural self. Use your voice, energy, and body language to connect authentically.🔹 Maximise Every Opportunity: Speaking isn’t just about the moment on stage or screen. Learn how to prepare strategically, network effectively, and follow up thoughtfully to turn visibility into meaningful results.Take Action Based on Nausheen’s Final Tips: Here’s a simple three-step process to start improving your speaking skills today:Record Yourself: Grab your phone, record a one-minute clip of yourself speaking on a topic you know well, and watch it back. (Yes, it’s cringe-worthy, but so is most of life—embrace it!) Separate yourself from the performance to identify areas for growth.Leverage AI Tools: Use platforms like Yoodli to analyze your recording. Get data on your pace, filler words, and eye contact to pinpoint specific improvements.Iterate and Improve: Re-record with one focus in mind - like slowing your pace or using fewer fillers. This iterative process builds confidence and control over your delivery.Breaking through the fear of speaking doesn’t just make you better at talking—it opens doors. Whether it’s commanding a room, winning over clients, or positioning yourself as a thought leader, the ability to communicate effectively is a superpower. So, let’s get started—because the world is waiting to hear what you have to say.Nausheen's website : https://www.speaking.coach/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

Today's discussion with Mike Morrison is indispensable for anyone eager to scale their influence and create sustainable revenue streams through membership models. Whether you're an emerging consultant feeling oversubscribed or a seasoned expert exploring new revenue avenues, understanding when and how to transition into a membership model can be transformative.🎯 Key Discussions:Building Before Monetizing: Mike emphasizes the critical importance of establishing a strong foundation of followers before jumping into monetization through memberships. He advises on harnessing tools like podcasting and content creation to build a personal brand and audience who are genuinely aligned with your expertise.Signals for Scaling: If you're turning away more clients than you can accept or noticing repeated demands for similar advice, it might be time to explore memberships. Mike provides insights on recognizing these signals and using them to transition effectively.Purpose-Driven Memberships: Mike highlights the necessity of identifying the genuine needs and problems of your audience before deciding on a membership model. Not every problem can or should be solved through memberships; form must follow function.🔑 Actionable Takeaways:Audience Development: Before seeking monetization, evaluate your audience size. A minimum of 300 engaged followers should provide a good base to begin exploring membership options.Recognize Demand: Pay attention to patterns in client requests. If you're oversubscribed or finding commonalities in client needs, it might be time to think bigger about how to serve more effectively.Start Small and Specialize: Consider initially offering targeted free consultations or assessments that align with your area of expertise, which can also double as content for your brand. This helps solidify your reputation and gather valuable feedback.More about Mike : https://www.membershipgeeks.com/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

In today's episode, I spoke with Andy Storch, an author, keynote speaker, consultant, and trainer who helps professionals in large companies own their careers and prepare for the future. As someone who transitioned from corporate consulting to entrepreneurship, Andy shares his journey of building multiple successful ventures including his book "Own Your Career, Own Your Life," his speaking business, and the Talent Development Think Tank conference and community.This conversation couldn't come at a better time for you, my audience of consultants, coaches, and experts building your businesses. As AI tools make certain aspects of our work more automated, Andy highlights why human connections and personal branding are becoming even more valuable currencies in today's marketplace.Three Key Takeaways You Can Apply Today:✅ Commit to consistent sales activities - The most successful consultants maintain regular sales efforts regardless of how busy they get with client work. Set up a simple system to reach out, follow up, and stay in regular contact with prospects, understanding that in the corporate world, sales cycles often take 3-6 months.✅ Build around your strengths - Take time to identify what you excel at and enjoy, then structure your business to leverage those strengths. Andy learned to focus on his speaking and facilitation talents while delegating project management tasks that didn't align with his skills.✅ Use tools to stay organized - Implement systems like Notion to keep your contacts, sales activities, and communications organized in one searchable place. Consider hiring a virtual assistant to handle lower-value tasks so you can focus on high-value activities like sales and client delivery.Andy's Three Steps for Future Success:🔑 Invest in continuous learning - Never feel like you've got it all figured out. Adopt a beginner's mindset and continuously seek ways to improve your skills and knowledge. The days of getting a degree and working in that field for 40 years are over - we need to be learning all the time.🔑 Build your network - Nothing is more impactful for career and business growth than building relationships with different types of people. As technology automates more tasks, human-to-human connections become increasingly valuable. Challenge yourself to connect with at least two new people each week.🔑 Build your personal brand - Be intentional about your reputation by asking: "What do I want to be known for?" Then regularly check if you're acting in alignment with that desired reputation. Use this to guide both your business decisions and the content you create.Remember, in Andy's words: "As the world becomes more automated and technology is doing more and more things, it's going to be those human-to-human connections that become more and more valuable."Find out more about Andy Storch : https://andystorch.com/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

In this episode, I sit down with my good friends Alex Curtis and Pete Everitt to explore how we're each using AI tools in our businesses. While many people are still figuring out what to do with these powerful new tools, we share practical examples that you can implement right away.AI isn't about replacing people but empowering good people to work more efficiently. For entrepreneurs, consultants, and service providers, these tools can dramatically improve how you serve clients and grow your business.🔧 Key AI Applications We DiscussedEmail Management: Using ChatGPT to rewrite emotional responses into professional, direct messages that get resultsContent Creation & Repurposing: Leveraging tools like Claude AI, CapCut, and Descript to create and repurpose content efficientlyClient Service Enhancement: Setting up automations with Fathom for meeting recordings, transcriptions, and AI summaries to provide elevated serviceLead Generation: Creating smart workflows with Zapier that process podcast guests through AI to build targeted networksData Analysis: Using AI to process large datasets for SEO planning, client onboarding, and marketing decisions💡 Actionable TakeawaysSet up an AI workflow to process your emotional communications - When you receive frustrating emails or messages, use ChatGPT or Claude to transform your initial heated response into something professional and effective. Try the "Word Jenga" technique to make your messages clear and concise.Create a system for meeting follow-up - Use tools like Fathom to record and transcribe client meetings, then connect it with Zapier and Notion to organize your commitments and follow-ups. This dramatically improves client service and helps you stay on top of promises.Automate your content repurposing - Instead of manually editing content for different platforms, use AI tools like CapCut or Descript to automatically extract clips from longer videos or podcasts. Turn one piece of content into many with minimal additional effort to maximize your visibility.Remember - the goal isn't to use AI to avoid building your personal brand or being visible. The real power comes from using these tools to amplify your expertise, reach more people, and deliver better results for your clients by working smarter, not har----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Anita Henderson, known as "The Author's Midwife," who coaches entrepreneurs and C-suite executives to write, publish, and leverage books as powerful marketing tools.As business owners, we often hear about writing a book but struggle with actually completing one. Whether it's feeling overwhelmed by the process or battling imposter syndrome, many of us keep our book ideas tucked away for years. Anita shared how her clients typically spend 9-12 months crafting their books—far from the "write a book in a weekend" myth—and how a well-crafted book can generate leads and opportunities for years to come.What I found most valuable was Anita's approach to entrepreneurship through her own book, "Becoming the Minimalist Entrepreneur." Her philosophy of clarifying, simplifying, and focusing your business resonated deeply with my observations from hundreds of podcast interviews—true success rarely comes from complexity.🔑 Key Takeaways:1 - Clarify, simplify, and focus your business approach. We often complicate our businesses unnecessarily. Instead of trying to do everything, get crystal clear on what you do, who you serve, and how you serve them. When you do something twice, it's part of a process—document it and refine it.2 - Learn to work inside your comfort zone first. Rather than constantly pushing beyond your comfort zone, perfect your processes and systems within it. Create consistency in how you deliver your services before expanding outward. This creates a solid foundation for sustainable growth.3 - Make yourself strategically unavailable. Block time away from client calls to think, create, and recharge. Anita blocks one day each week, one week each month, and the last two months of each year—creating both mental space and increased demand for her services.If you're considering writing a book to enhance your leadership brand, remember that nobody else has your unique stories and perspective. Your experiences and insights matter, and the right book can open doors for years to come.About AnitaEntrepreneurship wasn’t Anita’s goals list early in her career. She wanted the professional title, the corner office with the window, the assistant right outside her door, the fat paycheck, the expense account, and all the other benefits of corporate success. She got all that, then got burned out. When an unexpected opportunity landed in her lap, she jumped at it. Entrepreneurship called out to her loud and clear. That was more than twenty-five years ago. Since then, she has started two companies (one a partnership), written nine books, and dipped her toe back into corporate a few times before finally retiring from the 9-to-5 more than a decade ago. Anita has also hosted a radio show, an internet TV program, and a podcast. Known as The Author’s Midwife, she now enjoys guiding C-suite execs and seasoned entrepreneurs to write, publish, and leverage their books to position themselves as authorities. As an author coach and book publishing strategist, she shares the secrets to writing and publishing a bestselling and award-worthy book through her Write Your Life Author Coaching Program. She is the author of Becoming the Minimalist Entrepreneur: Lessons Learned From My Journey to Work Less, Earn More, and Play More. Her greatest joy as a business owner is learning from her mistakes and failures. There have been many, which means she’s learned a lot. But the growth and rewards have been instrumental in making her the leader and the minimalist entrepreneur she is today.Anita's Website : https://writeyourlife.net/Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

As leaders and creators in today's digital landscape, we're all facing the same challenging question: How do we stand out when AI can create endless streams of content? In this episode, I speak with marketing legend Mark Schaefer about his groundbreaking new book "Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World."If you've ever felt the pressure to be visible online but worried about "adding to the noise," this conversation is essential listening. Mark reveals why being merely competent isn't enough anymore and shares a practical framework for becoming the signal that rises above the noise.Mark brings 40+ years of marketing wisdom to this discussion, having written 11 books including the one that transformed my own business journey. We explore how personal branding serves as career insurance in an AI world and why making genuine human connections will be your ultimate competitive advantage.🔑 Key TakeawaysCompetency doesn't create conversations - In an AI world where perfect intelligence is becoming abundant and nearly free, being merely competent puts you at risk. To thrive, you must find ways to ignite uniquely human "fireworks" that create emotional connections your audience wants to talk about.Break the "pandemic of dull" - Every industry has institutionalized boringness through fear, tradition, or perceived risk. Identify where you can thoughtfully break taboos or challenge norms "for good reason" to create content that matters. Remember: audacity doesn't have to be loud or expensive - it just has to make a difference.Build a fear-free environment - Whether leading a team or running your own business, systematically dismantle the fear that prevents bold ideas. Start with small experiments that build credibility, then leverage those wins to create more audacious work. Today's digital tools make testing bold ideas cheaper and less risky than ever before.I'm recommending Mark's book "Audacious" as essential reading for anyone building a personal brand or expert business. It's filled with examples from creative geniuses who've found ways to rise above the noise while staying true to their authentic selves.Remember: "The most human company wins." In every touchpoint with your audience, look for opportunities to show your face, heart, smile, passion, and compassion.🚀 Three Action Steps from MarkInvest in your personal brand - Working on your personal brand is like investing in an insurance policy for your career. It's your only sustainable competitive advantage. When you're known and your competitors aren't, more doors open, more calls get returned, and more opportunities come your way.Remember: "The most human company wins" - In every customer touchpoint, look for ways to make it more human. Show your face, heart, smile, passion, and compassion in every interaction - from text messages to complaints, from sales meetings to your website. This is especially crucial in the age of AI.Explore "Audacious" - As Mark shared, this book provides a framework to help you transcend the noise. It collects wisdom from some of the world's greatest creative minds on how humans can thrive in an AI marketing world. The book even features an interactive QR code cover that changes each time you scan it!Find Mark at BusinessesGrow.com where you can explore his blog, podcast, and his new book ----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

Many of us know we should be more active on LinkedIn, but the thought of putting ourselves out there can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I talk with LinkedIn strategist Nicole Osborne about creating content that connects with potential clients rather than just collecting likes from peers.Nicole shares her framework for creating balanced content and explains why visibility doesn't have to mean perfection. We explore how to shift from random posting to strategic content that helps potential clients get to know, like, and trust you – even if they never engage with your posts.🎯 Key Takeaways:Review your last 10 posts and make engagement easier by asking simple questions that don't require vulnerability from your audience. Instead of "What's your biggest challenge?" try "Which of these tips resonates most?"Focus your content on potential clients rather than impressing peers. Your posts should speak to the person who was on your last sales call or is considering working with you, not other experts in your field.Share genuine glimpses behind the scenes of your work. The processes and meetings you take for granted can help prospects understand what it's like to work with you and build trust before they reach out.✨ Three Actions You Can Take Today:Audit your last 10 posts – How easy did you make it for people to engage? Look for ways to simplify your questions and reduce friction in the engagement process.Review who your content is really for – Are you writing for peers or potential clients? Check if your posts speak to the actual challenges and aspirations of your target audience rather than showcasing expertise to colleagues.Add more behind-the-scenes content – Share authentic glimpses of your work processes, team meetings, or business activities that help people understand what it's like to work with you.Links:Nicole's free content inspiration guide: wunderstars.com/content-inspiration----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

In this episode, I dive deep into a refreshing conversation about productivity with Grace Marshall, a Productivity Ninja, speaker, and author of multiple books including "Struggle: The Surprising Truth, Beauty, and Opportunity Hidden in Life's Shittier Moments."If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your to-do list or questioned whether you're being "productive enough," this episode will change how you think about productivity. Grace shares her journey from being naturally disorganised to becoming an award-winning speaker and productivity expert, showing that our perceived weaknesses can become our greatest strengths.🎯 Key Takeaways:Productivity isn't just about getting things done - it's about making space for what matters. Sometimes the work that feels like struggle (the thinking, the wrestling, the figuring things out) is actually your most important work.Success looks different in different seasons. What worked for you a year ago might not be what you need today. Give yourself permission to redefine what productivity means for your current phase.Fear can masquerade as productivity - whether through perfectionism, overworking, or staying "busy" with safe tasks to avoid the challenging ones. Learning to recognize these patterns helps you make better choices.🔨 Actionable Steps:1 - Apply the "Three Shifts Model" when facing challenges:Recognise the shift (acknowledge what's happening)What is this shift? (approach with curiosity)Holy shift (look for the revelation or learning)2 - When feeling irritated, remember that "irritants are catalysts" - they often lead to innovation and growth if we lean into them rather than avoid them.3 - Review your current productivity patterns to identify if "high-functioning fear" is driving your actions through fight (overworking), flight (strategic avoidance), freeze (productive procrastination), or fawn (excessive people-pleasing) responses.Connect with Grace at gracemarshall.com where you can grab sample chapters of her books and sign up for her newsletter for regular doses of work-life encouragement.----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

If you've been creating video content without seeing results, or hesitating to start because you're unsure where to begin, this episode is for you. I talk with Ben Amos, author of "Engage: The Definitive Guide to Video Strategy for Business" about transforming your approach to video marketing from aimless content creation to strategic growth driver.Video is no longer optional for business growth - it's the most powerful way to build trust and connect with audiences worldwide. But creating random videos without a framework is like cooking without a recipe. Ben breaks down his proven 7-element strategy that turns video from a confusing expense into a reliable business asset.🎯 Key Takeaways:Start with OpusClip: Record yourself naturally sharing expertise, then use OpusClip's AI to find compelling segments and add captions. This gives you multiple pieces of content from one recording session.Implement tiered distribution: Structure your content strategy like a pyramid - primary platform (e.g. YouTube) at top, secondary platforms with minimal edits, lead-in teasers driving to main content, and supporting non-video channels amplifying reach.Focus on serving one person: Stop worrying about others in your space. If you can help someone right in front of you, create content for them. Your unique perspective matters.📚 Resources Mentioned:Engage: The Definitive Guide to Video Strategy for Business (Available on Amazon)Free chapter: engagevideomarketing.com/freechapterOpusClip for video repurposingConnect with Ben:LinkedIn: Ben AmosInstagram: @engage_benWebsite: engagevideomarketing.com----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

If you're running a business but struggling to turn your expertise into profit, this episode is for you. Dr. Brenda Hector shares how systematic, proven approaches can transform your business results - even if you think your industry or situation is "different."In this conversation with ActionCOACH franchisee Dr. Brenda Hector, we explore the power of following tested business systems rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. She breaks down why many business owners remain stuck despite having great skills in their field.Three key takeaways:🔄 Find and follow proven systems - Successful businesses aren't built on constant innovation, but on implementing what's already known to work. Look for established frameworks and processes instead of starting from scratch.👥 Get accountability - Just like having a gym buddy makes you more likely to work out, having someone to answer to dramatically increases your chances of following through on business improvements. Consider finding a coach, mentor or accountability group.🎯 Set clear goals - Without a specific destination in mind, you'll struggle to say no to distractions and measure progress. Take time to define exactly what success looks like for your business this year.Want to assess where your business stands? Take Dr. Hector's business assessment at [link in show notes] to identify your key areas for improvement.About BrendaDr. Brenda Hector helps business owners turn expertise into profit as an ActionCOACH franchisee based in Aberdeen, Scotland. With over six years of experience transforming businesses across industries, she specializes in implementing proven systems for sustainable growth. She hosts the Scale Her Up podcast, championing women in business, and guarantees her clients increased profits through ActionCOACH's tested methodology.https://brendahector.actioncoach.co.uk/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.