I have a confession to make: I’ve diluted my brand message, my brand style, and my brand voice - unintentionally, inadvertently.

I’ve been sensing this for at least a year, but I’ve kept powering through, creating new podcast episodes, sending emails, posting on LinkedIn, like the proverbial hamster on the wheel, churning out content that was good and valuable and useful - but that I knew was missing a spark.

And then a few weeks ago, after the in-person speaking workshop we held in Orlando, one of the women who attended said to me, “You know, you and Diane are really fun and funny and personable - and I hadn’t realized that until I was with you at the workshop. You come across very buttoned up on your website, but you’re not.” And she was right. 

These activities - podcast episodes, emails, LinkedIn posts - have become a bit of a compulsion and a crutch. A crutch because telling myself I have to do these things every week has let me off the hook of doing other things I want to do but that are bigger, bolder, scarier, out of my comfort zone.

I was reading the book "The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time" by Judith Shulevitz and I came across this line: "What we create becomes meaningful only once we stop creating it and start remembering why it was worth creating in the first place."

Ahhh, I thought, this is why I feel the need to pause this podcast, as much as I love the medium of podcasting and have enjoyed creating 400+ episodes over the past nearly 8 years.

So, although you won't see any new episodes in your podcast feed after this one for a while, you are welcome to scroll back and find episodes you may have missed the first time they aired or that you want to listen to again.

We are very much still in business, continuing to work with women like you to develop your thought leadership message, create your signature talk, and learn the business of speaking. Learn more at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/.

Are you feeling stuck or stagnant, bored and burnt out creating the same-old content? 

Or maybe you’re enjoying the content you’re creating and the topics you speak about, but you’ve hit a plateau. Your business isn’t growing, speaking opportunities aren’t growing, and most importantly you’re not growing.

Your business and opportunities will only grow if you’re stretching and growing yourself.

In order to do that, we have to break some rules; rules that make us feel safe, comfortable, and validated.

Now, I’m not really a rule follower, I call myself a rule-bender. This is why I’m always thinking and looking at ways to challenge the status quo.

In this episode, you’ll hear 3 rules you should consider breaking and why and how to do it.

I also have a big change, a rule I’m breaking, that I’ll share with you at the end, along with the ways you can work with us in 2025.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/423/ 

Join our email newsletter: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/ 

Enroll in our online Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our 1-day 10x Your Speaking workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/ 

Join us at our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in London in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/ 

Connect with me on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn

• Episode 421: 100x Your Speaking in a Day: Insights from Our Recent In-Person Workshop

• Episode 417: The 3 Key Elements for Your Transformational Personal Brand

• Episode 416: The Secret to Authentic Connection with Your Audiences is Your Brand Voice with Ashleigh Harvey

Have you ever attended a keynote that truly wowed you—one that stood out, engaged the audience, and provided an unforgettable experience?

Let’s face it, most keynotes do the job, but very few deliver that multidimensional magic.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Julia Korn, the founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide and a recent client. 

We worked closely together to create her new keynote, from the content to the magic touches that made it a 10 out of 10.

How did she do it? That’s what we’re diving into!

We explore:

• The step-by-step process Julia used to land her keynote slot a year in advance (hint: proactive pitching matters!).

• Why the concept of a Personal Board of Directors became the winning topic that resonated with her audience.

• How Julia and I worked together to create a keynote that went beyond content to deliver an experience, including interactive elements like a creative game show featuring Oprah, Yoda, and even Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg!

• The importance of storytelling and vulnerability, including how Julia captivated her audience with her personal story of a career demotion—and even laid flat on the stage to drive her point home.

We also discuss the work that goes into crafting a stellar keynote:

• Balancing humor, audience engagement, and actionable takeaways.

• Collaborating with AV teams to nail the technical elements.

• Hiring a videographer to capture powerful moments for future sizzle reels.

Julia shares the audience’s reactions, from laughter to tears, and how her keynote set a transformative tone for the rest of the conference.

She also provides valuable tips for speakers who want to make a lasting impact, whether they’re on a keynote stage or pitching their next big speaking opportunity.

About My Guest: Julia Korn is the founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide, an executive coaching company focused on empowering ambitious leaders to find success without sacrificing joy. Julia is a self-described recovering perfectionist. She has been named a Business Insider Most Innovative Coach and she is also a Contributor to Forbes. She has been featured on BBC World News, Fox Business News, and more. Her recent TEDx talk, Break Up With “Should” In Your Career was named a TED Editors Pick of the year. In 2024, she launched the first of its kind community just for female emerging leaders, called The Emerging Leader Collective. Her greatest creation of all, however, is her two-year-old daughter. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/422/ 

Julia’s website: https://www.theauthenticityguide.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Attend our 1-day speaking workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/ 

Check out our coaching programs: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/

Join us in London for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

• Julia Korn (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakorn/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 393: The Kind of Speakers that Get the Best Feedback and Referrals

• Episode 392: Why I No Longer "Teach from the Stage"

• Episode 345: Elevate Your Audience Engagement Skills with These Proven Strategies with Katie Anderson

Have you ever wondered how you can improve your speaking skills and truly connect with your audience?

I’m joined by Wendy McManus and Tara Lassiter, who recently attended our 1-day in-person speaking workshop in Orlando, Florida.

They share their stories, lessons learned, and the transformations they experienced, all within a single day.

We talk about:

• Why in-person workshops provide a unique opportunity to grow as a speaker.

• The power of immediate feedback and how it helps you identify habits you didn’t realize you had.

• How improv exercises can help you loosen up, step out of your comfort zone, and have fun while learning.

• Why storytelling is the heart of impactful presentations—and how to use “active storytelling” with your voice and body.

• The surprising stories we’re most reluctant to share—and why they often resonate the most with audiences.

• Personal anecdotes from Wendy and Tara about the challenges and breakthroughs they had during the workshop.

Key Takeaways:

1. Practice Makes Progress: Speaking more frequently and getting feedback in the moment accelerates your growth.

2. Own Your Story: The stories you might hesitate to share can create the deepest connections.

3. Be Intentional: From movement on stage to vocal variety, deliberate choices make your delivery more impactful.

4. Play and Learn: Don’t underestimate the value of play, from improv to dancing—because growth can be fun too!

About My Guests:

• Wendy McManus is a leadership coach specializing in helping newer people managers build their confidence and skills as leaders. She’s passionate about storytelling as a tool for connection and growth.

• Tara Lassiter is a brand strategist and ghostwriter with a background in on-air modeling at QVC. Her mission is to help others break through barriers and create representation in the business world.

Our next 1-day Speaking Workshop is on February 27, 2025, in Downtown Orlando, Florida! If you’re ready to accelerate your growth as a speaker, gain hands-on feedback, and have a lot of fun, this is your chance. Learn more and grab your spot at https://www.SpeakingYourBrand.com/workshop. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/421/ 

Video from the live show: https://youtube.com/live/HMhIr041IOg

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Attend our 1-day speaking workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/ 

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Join us in London for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

• Tara Lassiter (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/taralassiter/ 

• Wendy McManus (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-mcmanus/ 

Today’s episode it’s all about finding and developing your Big Idea for your thought leadership and public speaking.

Ideas are incredibly powerful; they can live on for years, centuries, even millennia. Ideas spark movements for political and social change. Ideas help us as humans understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us

Your idea doesn’t have to be something people have never heard of before; that’s unlikely as most things have been talked about before - and that’s ok!

As a speaker, you want to have something interesting and unique to talk about, you want to make a positive impact on your audience, and you want to develop your thought leadership

Perhaps you’re not sure what makes a good idea or which of your ideas is the best one. It all feels a bit messy and muddy.

That’s what I’m going to help you with in this episode! Think of me as your idea whisperer.

You’ll learn:

• What a Big Idea is

• Why too many speakers get stuck with superficial content

• How to identify your I.D.E.A. using this handy acronym I came up with

• Examples of Big Ideas from myself, from some of our clients, and from thought leaders you’ll recognize

• Specific questions you can ask yourself to get started developing your Big Idea

Get these questions and a lot more in our 24-page FREE guide and workbook on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

This episode originally aired as episode 354 on November 6, 2023.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/354/ 

Get our free Thought Leadership guide and workbook: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/ 

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 352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomen
• Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience
• Episode 339: Using Public Speaking to Influence Social Change with Tanya Golash-Boza, PhD
• Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLucca
• Episode 319: The 3 Stages We Go Through as Women When We Use Our Voice

In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz speaks with Michelle Massman, a longtime entrepreneur and graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, who shares her journey from “stuck” to “unstoppable” through storytelling and public speaking.

You’ll hear Michelle’s candid stories—from launching unexpected ventures like The Culinary Studio to her partnership with a music group—that reveal her resilience and passion for following her intuition.

As Diane and Michelle discuss the power of sharing vulnerable stories, Michelle opens up about the anxiety she’s faced and how she’s turned her experiences into speaking topics that resonate deeply with her audiences. Her frameworks, including From Stuck to Unstoppable and Passion to Profit, provide practical steps for anyone feeling stuck or seeking more clarity and confidence.

Michelle’s story is a reminder that by saying “yes” to opportunities, connecting with the right people, and being willing to share your authentic self, you can create incredible impact and growth for both yourself and others.

Diane and Michelle talk about:

• Finding clarity on the message you want to share and ways to bring your unique story to life

• Connecting with audiences authentically by sharing vulnerable, relatable experiences

• Understanding the power of frameworks and storytelling to guide and engage listeners

• Gaining inspiration to overcome obstacles and embrace your next speaking opportunity

About Our Guest: Michelle Massman has been a visionary entrepreneur for over 30 years and knew, even as a teen, that she wanted to own a business someday. After working at a few (ok several) jobs, she realized she didn’t like being told what to do, and didn’t like managing people. So she started her business and loved it! She has guided, launched, directed and overhauled everything from small start up ventures to multi-million dollar private companies, consulted with hundreds of people in the areas of entrepreneurship, marketing, brand partnerships, event production, and music management, and weathered failures and missteps that have given her experience and knowledge that she uses to help her clients sidestep them. Michelle’s sweet spot, as a problem solver, connector, advocate, and persuasive force, is the ability to jump into any problem and help find the best solution while helping her clients access the knowledge they need to get unstuck in their business. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/419/ 

Michelle’s website: https://www.michellemassman.com/ 

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/ 

• Michelle Massman (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-massman-6629236/ 

The election clearly did not go the way many of us wanted. I was on the TV news once again on Election Night and the morning after. The outcome wasn't the shock it was in 2016, but it's profoundly disappointing.

Join me and Diane Diaz for this conversation on our thoughts and how we’re moving forward (recorded on Wednesday, November 6 at 11 am EST).

We too are sad and frustrated but we also want to remind you of the power of your voice and your community.

It's easy to jump to the conclusion that America won't elect a woman as president or that voters don't care about women's rights.

Two things to keep in mind.

First, in both Missouri and Arizona (as well as other states - both blue and red - since the Dobbs decision in 2022), amendments passed to counter very restrictive abortion laws. Unfortunately, in Florida where I live, a similar amendment did not pass because Florida requires 60% and the amendment got 57% (a similar percentage as in the other states). A healthy majority of voters, both men and women, agree that women's reproductive rights are essential.

Second, it was a *very* close race. Kamala Harris only had 100 days to do what most presidential candidates have 2 years to do: introduce herself to the American people, talk about the issues she would focus on as president, and contrast herself not only with her opponent but also with the incumbent (Biden) in an era of anti-incumbency sentiment. Harris ran a nearly flawless campaign and I believe she simply ran out of time. 

Hang in there. Your voice matters and the work you do matters.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/418/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Join us in London for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/ 

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/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 406: Authenticity and Owning Your Story as Women with a Public Voice with Jennifer Adams and Sarah Henry

• Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna K. Eskamani

We’re diving into what makes a personal brand truly transformational. If you’re working to build a brand that’s memorable and impactful, whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking to expand your influence, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I share three essential elements that go into creating a transformational personal brand: being remembered, relevant, and relational

 I’ll walk you through how to identify what makes you unique, why staying in tune with trends matters, and how building genuine connections can fuel your brand’s growth.

Here’s a peek at what we’ll cover:

1. Why "Transformational"? - Your brand isn’t just about what you do; it’s about who you are and how you show up—even when you’re not in the room. It’s a combination of your expertise, values, and the mission you’re passionate about. We’ll talk about what it means to have a brand that inspires change and how that can elevate both you and your audience.

2. Be Remembered - People remember those who make an impact. I’ll share some personal stories, including an unexpected moment at a political fundraiser where I reconnected with someone from years ago because I was memorable. I’ll guide you on how to make sure people think of you when they talk about topics related to your mission and values.

3. Stay Relevant - We’re in a fast-changing world, and it’s critical to adapt. I’ll explain why I’ve been deeply involved with AI, how this aligns with my mission, and why being relevant means more than just following trends—it’s about resonating with what matters in today’s society.

4. Build Relational Connections - Relationships are the heartbeat of a strong personal brand. I’ll discuss why building offline relationships can be just as powerful (if not more) than online connections and share tips for growing a network that helps keep your brand top of mind.

Plus, I’ve created a free workbook to help you start building your transformational personal brand. You can download it at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/personalbrand/.

I hope this episode inspires you to think about what makes your brand transformational, to make sure your message isn’t just heard, it’s remembered and felt.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/417/ 

Download the free personal brand workbook that goes with this episode: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/personalbrand/ 

Apply for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive retreat in London Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/ 

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 416: The Secret to Authentic Connection with Your Audiences is Your Brand Voice with Ashleigh Harvey

• Episode 410: 7 Essential Questions for Your Brand Story with Elayne Fluker

• Episode 408: Connecting Your Personal Brand and Your Thought Leadership

As an entrepreneur or professional, you know the power of having a clear and compelling brand voice that resonates with your audience.

You want your message to attract the right clients, opportunities, and partners - but knowing how to express your authentic self can feel like a challenge.

Many women struggle with feeling like they need to fit a mold: too professional, not bold enough, or maybe even too much.

The fear of sounding "wrong" or "inauthentic" holds many of us back from fully stepping into our voice, whether we're delivering a talk, crafting website copy, or writing emails.

In this episode, I talk with Ashleigh Harvey, a copywriting and brand messaging expert (and Thought Leader Academy grad), about how you can confidently find and express your authentic brand voice to connect deeply with your audience.

Ashleigh shares practical strategies for honing your message, so you’ll attract the right people for you.

We talk about:

• The common challenges women face when trying to find their brand voice

• How Ashleigh and I describe our own brand voices (I was surprised to figure out what my brand voice is!)

• Why authenticity is more important than ever in the age of AI-driven content

• The power of having a consistent practice for developing your brand voice

• Practical tips for writing copy that connects, persuades, and inspires action

Plus, Ashleigh and I announce an exciting joint retreat we’re hosting in London next summer! Over 4 days (June 29-July 2, 2025), you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in developing your brand voice and story, all while experiencing the rich performing arts culture and women’s history in an incredible city. Learn more at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/.

About My Guest: Ashleigh Harvey runs The Story Team, her persuasion copywriting business. Her mission is to empower female entrepreneurs to embrace their authentic voice and weave it into their business, creating consistent branding and copy that converts. She works with female entrepreneurs from South Africa to New Zealand, from India to South Korea, from the UK to the USA, helping them with badass brand voice and copy tips. She is an unapologetic vegan who started her business from her car while working as a care worker. She swears too much, is far too loud, is working more and more on not caring too much about what other people think, and she wants to tell her story so that it may help other women to find their power.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/416/ 

Ashleigh’s website: https://www.thestoryteam.org/ 

Apply for our London Brand Building Retreat in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/ 

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

• Ashleigh Harvey (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-harveyldn/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 234: How to Create Content Using Your Authentic Voice with Ashleigh Harvey (Rennie)

• Episode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World

If you’ve ever wondered how to land those coveted speaking and panel spots at events, this episode is for you!

I’m thrilled to have Johanna (Jo) Murillo join me to share her insider knowledge on how event organizers and producers choose speakers and panelists. 

Jo is an event producer extraordinaire based in Orlando, Florida, where I live. She runs Wow Brand Studios, a full-service agency specializing in event production, brand strategy, and helping business owners stand out through powerful visual branding. 

I’ve had the pleasure of attending several of Jo’s events, and they are truly one-of-a-kind!

In our conversation, Jo reveals the secrets of what she looks for when selecting speakers and panelists.

It’s not just about who has the biggest social media following, but about who can bring genuine value, inspire the audience, and share knowledge in a way that makes everyone in the room feel uplifted and enriched.

We dive into:

• The importance of attending local in-person events to build your visibility and network

• The qualities Jo looks for in speakers (hint: it’s more than just being an expert!)

• How diversity and inclusion play a central role in curating impactful events

• Memorable stories of speakers who wowed the audience and exceeded expectations

• Red flags that make event organizers hesitate to book a speaker

• How to make sure you are meeting expectations as a speaker and how event organizers can ensure a successful event for speakers

Ready to develop your signature talk and land more speaking opportunities?

Join our Thought Leader Academy where you’ll work on creating your signature talk, developing your thought leadership, and learning the business of speaking. Get all the details and sign up at speakingyourbrand.com/academy.

About My Guest: With over 25 years of experience in visual design, brand development, and marketing, Johanna (Jo) Murillo stands as a dynamic and accomplished professional in the industry. She is the proud owner of WOW Brand Studios, a full-service branding and public relations agency renowned for its creative and strategic excellence. A trailblazer for Hispanics in our community, Johanna was unanimously elected to join the Board of Directors for Opera Orlando. Further amplifying her impact, Johanna recently founded The WOW PWR, a nonprofit organization that empowers women in business by providing them with essential resources and a supportive network to thrive in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/415/ 

Jo’s website: https://wowbrandstudios.com/ 

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

• Jo Murillo (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamurillo/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 401: Strategies for Getting Momentum on the Speaking Circuit

• Episode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities

• Episode 367: Steps for Creating Your Speaking and Visibility Plan

In your presentations and keynotes, you want to take your audience on a journey of discovery, sharing with them your personal insights and stories along the way.

One of the best ways to do this is to frame your content as stages, lessons, or a framework, such as an alliteration or acronym. 

Want to see what this looks like in an actual talk?

You’ll hear three of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads, Wendy McManus, Nelly Some, and Heather Burright, 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.

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on October 2, 2024. You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/khaXnBCKRXk. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/414/ 

Video from the live show: https://youtube.com/live/khaXnBCKRXk 

Wendy’s website: https://www.connect2potential.com/ 

Nelly’s website: https://makingadifferencewithnelly.com/ 

Heather’s website: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/ 

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

• Wendy McManus (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-mcmanus/ 

• Nelly Some (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellysome/ 

• Heather Burright (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burright/ 

When you facilitate workshops and presentations for visibility and lead generation, we want to make sure you get the results you’re looking for.

It’s perfectly fine to do free or low-cost workshops, as long as the audience aligns with the types of clients you work with, you have an offer that would be of interest to them, AND you’re willing to make that offer.

So often, we hear from women that they don’t want to sell at these types of workshops or presentations.

But, that’s the reason to do them. You need to let the attendees know how they can work with you and give them an incentive to do so.

We recently facilitated a 90-minute in-person workshop for a group of women professionals who are alumni of a program called ATHENA NextGen that I went through in 2016.We got rave reviews from the workshop - and we got a bunch of leads and new clients!

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about:

• Deciding which of our offers to present to the audience and why

• How we almost got stuck in the expert trap when we realized that we had a bunch of content and activities but no overarching lessons

• How we use our framework to provide a cohesive journey of transformation for the attendees, not just information

• The importance of sharing your own personal stories, even in workshops

• Using humor and making it fun (even if no one else wants to participate in your dance party!)

• The specific sales techniques we used

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/413/ 

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/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 393: The Kind of Speakers that Get the Best Feedback and Referrals

• Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact