Same Message, Different Medium: Why Your Talk Isn’t Landing (and How to Fix It)

2026-02-02

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One of the most common mistakes I see speakers make is trying to deliver a six-week course or a full-length book in a 45-minute talk.And then they wonder why: • the audience looks overwhelmed • the energy drops • no one remembers their message • leads don’t convertHere’s the mindset shift that changes everything: Same message. Different medium. Different strategy.When your message doesn’t match the format, your talk can feel confusing, overwhelming, and forgettable — no matter how good your content is. But when your m...

One of the most common mistakes I see speakers make is trying to deliver a six-week course or a full-length book in a 45-minute talk.

And then they wonder why:
• the audience looks overwhelmed
• the energy drops
• no one remembers their message
• leads don’t convert

Here’s the mindset shift that changes everything: Same message. Different medium. Different strategy.

When your message doesn’t match the format, your talk can feel confusing, overwhelming, and forgettable — no matter how good your content is. But when your message fits the medium, your impact multiplies.

In this episode, I share:

The reasons you want to cram more content into your presentations
How each format — lead generation presentation, keynote, workshop, course, coaching, and book — plays a distinct role
Why books are uniquely powerful for depth, nuance, and authority (and how this ties into my upcoming author interviews)
How to escape the expert trap and step into thought leadership

If you’re building talks, presentations, workshops, courses, or a book, this episode will completely change how you think about your content ecosystem.

Ready to build a signature talk that gets you the results you want? Learn more about working with us inside the Thought Leader Academy or through a stand-alone VIP Day.

Links:

Show notes and Message-Medium visual image at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/458/

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 Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

Podcast Series: The Medium is the Message
Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn
Episode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden
Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk

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