Speaking Your Brand With Carol Cox | Women Entrepreneurs | Public Speaking | Communications And Media | Presentations | Tedx

You're going to get so much out of this episode with 7 essential questions to ask yourself as you refresh your brand story. Whether you’re leaving a corporate job to become an entrepreneur, looking to expand your existing brand, aspiring to be a speaker or thought leader, or a corporate professional ready to transition to the next level, this conversation is for you. My guest is Elayne Fluker, who is an experienced coach to executive women and a prolific podcaster (over 700 episodes), with her podcast called Support is Sexy. Elayne is also the author of “Get Over ‘I Got It’: How to Stop Playing Superwoman, Get Support and Remember that Having It All Doesn’t Mean Doing It All Alone” – published by HarperCollins Leadership and named a Forbes Book of the Month. Elayne and I share with you how you can re-brand your brand with 7 essential questions. We explore actionable strategies for reinventing your brand in today's ever-changing landscape and discuss how we’ve both helped our clients successfully navigate thei

What if your personal story could be more than just a story — what if it could spark a movement? In this episode, I’m joined by Allison Walsh, a speaker, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate who has done just that. From her beginnings as Miss Florida to building a platform that empowers women and advocates for mental health, Allison has used her voice to create a ripple effect far beyond herself.  Tune in as we explore how you, too, can transform your story into a powerful movement that inspires and creates real change. Allison and I talk about: How being open and authentic with her story, despite her initial hesitancy, allowed her to connect deeply and create a movement around mental health awareness, proving that your story can be a catalyst for change Leveraging speaking opportunities, from local events to major conferences, to amplify your message and inspire others to take action The importance of being clear on your “why” and how that clarity helps you speak with passion and purpose, inspiring othe

We recently (August 2024) hosted a 90-minute in-person workshop on personal branding for ATHENA NextGen alumni in Orlando, Florida.  It was a lot of fun and the women who attended loved seeing how all their threads connect in their personal brand. We also had them define their brand voice using our Brand Voice Canvas framework and create their personal brand action plan using our Pillars of Your Personal Brand  framework. Along with this workshop we facilitated, we’ve done 9 client VIP Days (!) in the past month, so things have been a bit busy.   Hence, a “best of” episode for the podcast this week. :-) This episode originally aired on October 2, 2023, and it’s as relevant as ever. In the age of more & more content (whether human- or AI-created), your personal brand matters more than ever. Potential clients and event organizers can easily find lots of experts in what you do. What you want them to realize is what sets you apart and why they should pick you. That’s where your personal brand and thought lead

As a speaker, writing a book gives you additional authority and credibility.  Event organizers love speakers who have books because it shows that the speaker understands their material. But, how do you know what's a good idea for an entire book? On the flip side, if you're an author and public speaking isn't something you're jumping up and down to do, how can you build your platform to include speaking, even if you're an introvert? My guest is my book coach Tiffany Hawk, who is a published author and who runs the Breakthrough Book Proposal Program. Tiffany and I talk about: Her journey from reluctant to charismatic speaker as a result of attending our in-person retreat What makes a good idea for a book Why you shouldn’t write the book that you can write in your sleep How authors can build their platform, particularly around speaking, even if you’re an introvert (like us!) How speakers can build authority for their book proposal to attract agents and publishers A sneak peek of the online workshop this fall an

The Democratic National Convention is being held in Chicago this week and many Americans will be re-introduced to V.P. Kamala Harris when she delivers her speech on Thursday night. I have a background in local Democratic politics and have always been a strong supporter of women running for office. Earlier this summer, we held in-person workshops for women who are running in the Central Florida area where we helped them with their public speaking and storytelling. It was a lot of fun and it showed me once again how powerful someone’s personal story is! In this episode, I’m joined by two of those women, Jennifer Adams, who’s running for U.S. Congress in Florida’s District 7, and Sarah Henry, who’s running for Florida State House in District 38. We talk about: Why they decided to run for office and the importance of asking women to run What it's like being a female candidate and having a public voice and presence Their stump speeches and how they tailor them based on the audience The surge of support and enthus

If you're a high-performing woman who works in corporate and you’ve struggled to use your voice in an impactful way, this conversation is for you! Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz sits down with Laura Camacho, PhD, an executive communications strategist and host of the Speak Up podcast. Diane and Laura dive into the realities of climbing the corporate ladder and the common pitfalls that hold many back, particularly women.  Drawing from personal experiences and years of coaching, Laura shares actionable insights on overcoming self-sabotage, enhancing visibility, and effectively using your voice in the workplace.  Whether you're an introvert, ambivert, or simply looking to refine your communication skills, you'll find valuable strategies to help you advance your career. Diane and Laura talk about: The importance of self-promotion and how to do it without sounding arrogant Why acknowledging and leveraging your unique background and experiences can set you apart Practical tips for speaking up in meetings and e

This is going to be a fun episode and hopefully get you thinking differently about the presentations and talks you give, whether you’re speaking to audiences of 20, 50, 100, 500, or more. What does it mean to "break the fourth wall" and should you do that as a speaker? The fourth wall is the imaginary wall at the front of the stage that separates the fictional world (the performance) from real life (the audience). When you attend a play or a movie, you're an outsider watching the characters live their lives; they don't know you exist. However, I've noticed more and more that live performances and even movies are breaking the fourth wall. What does this have to do with you as a speaker? That’s what we’re going to talk about, including specific things you can do to break the fourth wall with your audience to be a more impactful and memorable speaker.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/404/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ E

I’m thrilled to be joined by Maria Flynn, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and now the founder and CEO of Ambiologix, a consulting and training company that helps entrepreneurs advance their innovation, grow their potential, and build their businesses. Maria’s journey from the CEO of Orbis Biosciences, which had a successful acquisition, to becoming an Amazon bestselling author and keynote speaker, is nothing short of inspiring.  We delve into her innovative framework on maximizing T.I.M.E. to make opportunities happen and the delicate balance between patience and urgency.  Maria shares her practical tips on attracting speaking engagements, including paid ones, and the strategies that helped her launch her book successfully. Key Takeaways: Maximizing Time: Learn about Maria’s framework on balancing urgency and patience, and how these concepts apply to entrepreneurial success. Visual Storytelling: Discover the engaging visuals Maria uses in her presentations to illustrate the spectrum of urgency and p

If your ideas feel a bit - or a lot - messy and muddy, you’re far from alone. This is the #1 challenge I hear from women we work with. We're too close to our own ideas so we're not sure what our audiences will be interested in. We feel self-doubt or resistance that causes analysis paralysis. We try to put too much information into our talks (hello, expert trap!). This is why we are your idea whisperers. In this episode, I share: Why it’s hard to get clarity on our own ideas Why you need a clear throughline that’s a palm tree and not an oak tree The biggest reason why all of your ideas feel overwhelming Specific things you can do to get clarity The purpose of resistance and vulnerability in your idea formation    Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/402/  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/  Attend our 1-day Speaking for Impact in-person workshop in Orlan

If you want to get more speaking engagements, this episode is packed with specific strategies you can use, no matter where you’re at in your speaking journey. Our guest is Cindy Rowe, a professional speaker, owner of a marketing company, and a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy. Cindy has been on fire with her speaking for the past two years, so we invited her back on the podcast to share how she’s been getting momentum on the speaking circuit. Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz and Cindy talk about: How Cindy transitioned from speaking on marketing to becoming a sought-after speaker on kindness Specific strategies Cindy uses to secure a steady stream of speaking engagements The power of Google Alerts and LinkedIn for uncovering speaking opportunities The importance of connecting with other speakers to expand your network and find speaking gigs Tailoring one signature talk to fit different audiences and event themes How Cindy leverages her speaking engagements to book more gigs, including some already li

Are you an introvert? If so, do you wonder if you are at a disadvantage as a speaker? There’s a common misperception that most speakers are extroverts. But, from my admittedly very unscientific survey, many speakers I know are introverts. We think that as introverts we won’t be as engaging or charismatic or energetic. Perhaps we’ve seen speakers we admire and we assume they’re extroverts. I’m an introvert and I grew up quite shy, yet I found that public speaking was a great way for me to connect with other people. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: Why we became public speakers even though we’re introverts and we were shy as kids What being an introvert teaches you The strengths you have as an introvert as a speaker Why speaking feels like a better fit than social media for many introverts Our tips for attending and speaking at conferences as an introvert We’re wrapping up the podcast series we’ve been around executive speaking. This is the 400th episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast! Than

We’re continuing our new podcast series on Executive Speaking! This episode is full of inspiration and practical insights if you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills, embrace transformation, and make meaningful connections.  Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the importance of showing up. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your career, her wisdom will resonate and empower you to take bold steps towards your own greatness. Dr. Crumpton-Young is an award-winning engineer, academic leader, and transformational coach. From her impressive journey as the first African American woman to earn a PhD in engineering at Texas A&M University to her pivotal role as a university president, Lesia shares her profound insights on leadership, transformation, and the power of showing up. Tune in to discover: The power of showing up, exemplified by how I met Lesia (you’ll love this story) The essential qualities of a transformational leader a

We’re continuing our new podcast series around Executive Speaking! Today we’re diving into storytelling for leaders, especially in a business, corporate, or academic environment. We’ve been led to believe that stories aren’t appropriate in “professional” business or academic environments. But, that’s when stories can be the most impactful! This episode is truly value-packed with actionable insights to elevate your leadership and executive presence through the art of storytelling, as I’m joined by Diane Diaz and Joy Spencer, two of our speaking coaches. Whether you're preparing for a corporate presentation, a keynote, or a TEDx talk, this episode provides the tools you need to captivate your audience and drive action. We talk about: Why storytelling is not just an add-on but a core component of effective leadership communication How leaders can build trust and credibility by being vulnerable and authentic in their storytelling Using structured frameworks like Public Narrative and Challenge-Choice-Outcome to c

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

Are you ready to elevate your speaking game and attract lucrative speaking engagements? Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, sits down with one of our clients, Cherlette McCullough, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to delve into the keys to crafting a compelling signature talk that not only resonates with audiences but also leads to paid speaking opportunities. Key Highlights: Cherlette’s Journey: Discover how Cherlette transitioned from community speaking to landing high-paying gigs by refining her presentations and focusing on impactful delivery. Signature Talk Breakdown: Learn the components of Cherlette’s successful signature talk, “From Selfie to Self-Reflection,” and how her engaging approach and relatable content captivated her audience. Audience Engagement Tips: Get inspired by Cherlette’s innovative strategies to involve the audience, making her talks memorable and actionable. Visibility and Media Appearances: Understand the importance of visibility in the speaking world and how Cherlette l

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: http

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 wi

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

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.speak

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/d