How an I.D.E.A., Not a Topic, Makes You Easier to Refer, Pitch, and Book

2026-08-03

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When someone asks what you speak about, do you give them one clear answer - or a list that includes a bunch of keywords like leadership, communication, resilience, confidence, and change?I understand the temptation to include everything. When you’ve had a long career, narrowing your message can feel like leaving out valuable parts of your experience. But if the person you’re talking with can’t explain what you speak about after the conversation is over, she can’t refer you. And that means you’re less likely to get booked....

When someone asks what you speak about, do you give them one clear answer - or a list that includes a bunch of keywords like leadership, communication, resilience, confidence, and change?

I understand the temptation to include everything.

When you’ve had a long career, narrowing your message can feel like leaving out valuable parts of your experience.

But if the person you’re talking with can’t explain what you speak about after the conversation is over, she can’t refer you. And that means you’re less likely to get booked.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The difference between a broad subject, a presentation topic, and a distinctive idea
Why your speaking topic is also a positioning decision
The one-sentence referral test every speaker should try
How broad positioning costs you opportunities you may never know you lost
Three questions that can uncover the point of view inside your experience
How to test your message with my I.D.E.A. Framework
What event organizers need to understand before they can picture you in the room
A practical sentence prompt for clarifying your audience, claim, and outcome

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/483/

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

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