Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

Want More Speaking Invitations? You Need an I.D.E.A. that Sparks Curiosity

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 usYour 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 leadershipPerhaps 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 isWhy too many speakers get stuck with superficial contentHow to identify your I.D.E.A. using this handy acronym I came up withExamples of Big Ideas from myself, from some of our clients, and from thought leaders you’ll recognizeSpecific questions you can ask yourself to get started developing your Big Idea(This episode originally aired as episode 354 on November 6, 2023.)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/.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/thought-leadership-idea-framework/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/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomenEpisode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and AudienceEpisode 339: Using Public Speaking to Influence Social Change with Tanya Golash-Boza, PhDEpisode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLuccaEpisode 319: The 3 Stages We Go Through as Women When We Use Our Voice

How to Approach Your Talks as a Marketer to Increase Your ROI [Growth Series]

If you’re giving talks but not seeing leads or clients come from them, this episode will change how you think about speaking.I’m joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, for part two of our series on integrating speaking into your marketing strategy. We’re talking about how to approach your talks as a marketer — without turning them into sales pitches (because no one wants that).We break down:Why “teaching everything” actually hurts your resultsHow skipping the first part of your talk kills audience buy-inWhat audiences really want instead of more tips and tacticsHow to plant sales seeds naturally (without feeling salesy)Why emotional connection and storytelling are what drive conversionsI also walk you through our Signature Talk Canvas® framework and why the 3-act structure (Issue → Idea → Inspiration) works so well for lead generation talks and keynotes.Diane shares a real example of a recent speaking engagement where she signed three clients on the spot, plus practical tactics like using client stories, urgency, and even paper feedback forms to increase follow-up.If you want your talks to do more than just “go well” — and actually grow your business — this episode is for you.Listen to Part 1 of this series ("The Missing Piece of Your Marketing Strategy is a Signature Talk") if you haven’t yet — they pair perfectly together.And if you’re ready to work with us on creating or refining your signature talk, head to speakingyourbrand.com/contact/ to schedule a consultation and explore the best way for us to work together.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/457/ 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:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 456: The Missing Piece of Your Marketing Strategy is a Signature TalkEpisode 449: Small Shifts That Make a Huge Difference in Your Presentation Impact & ResultsEpisode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden

The Missing Piece of Your Marketing Strategy is a Signature Talk [Growth Series]

If your marketing feels like it’s working harder… but not necessarily working better, you’re not imagining it.In this episode, I’m joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, for part one of a two-part series all about why your signature talk isn’t just “nice to have” - it’s actually the foundation of an effective marketing strategy.We’re seeing it everywhere: more content, more noise, more competition for attention. And yet, many women entrepreneurs and professionals are still treating their talks as an afterthought — something they dust off when a speaking opportunity pops up.That’s a missed opportunity. Your signature talk is your marketing.In our conversation, Diane and I break down why public speaking accelerates the know-like-trust factor faster than almost any other marketing channel — and how a well-designed signature talk can do the heavy lifting for you.We talk about:Why speaking creates deeper trust than social media posts, emails, or even podcasts aloneHow a single lead-generation talk brought in multiple new clients the same day — without being salesyThe difference between passive marketing (scrolling, consuming) and active engagement (participating, resonating, deciding)Why audiences are more likely to trust you when they see other people responding to your message (hello, mirror neurons)What a signature talk really is (hint: it’s not just one rigid presentation you give foreverAs you listen, I want you to start thinking about:What problem do you really solve for your clients?What does your audience think is holding them back — and what do you see that they don’t yet?Where might you be sharing information… when what your audience needs is leadership, perspective, and clarity?If that feels fuzzy (and for most people, it does), you’re not doing it wrong. This is exactly why an outside perspective — and a proven framework — makes such a difference.In the next episode, we’re diving into how to design and deliver presentations that actually convert — without awkward pitches or forced CTAs.If you’ve ever thought, “I’m speaking, but it’s not leading to clients,” part two is for you.And if you’re ready to build a signature talk that becomes the backbone of your marketing, visibility, and thought leadership, you can learn more about working with us inside the Thought Leader Academy, through a VIP Day, or at one of our in-person Orlando speaking workshops.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/456/ 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:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 453: Why Your Best Talk is the One You Give Again (and Again)Episode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities

Deliver Keynotes that Set You Apart: How These Women Are Stepping Onto Bigger Stages [Growth Series]

What does it really take to create a keynote that inspires, connects, and builds your speaking career?In this Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand, I’m joined by three incredible women who attended our recent Master Your Message & the Stage Workshop in Orlando: Kait Richardson, Alfarena (Alfie) McGinty, and Niki Ramirez.You’ll hear:Why they decided to work on a keynote talkHow they used our Signature Talk Canvas® framework to build a clear and compelling structure for their keynoteThe challenges they faced with getting out of the expert trap and into transformational messagingWhat they learned about shifting their approach from teaching tactics to instead identifying 3 key pillars, lessons, or stages to guide their audienceWhat it was like to practice on stage with real-time coaching and supportIf you’ve been dreaming of giving a powerful keynote that grows your brand and thought leadership, join us for this behind-the-scenes conversation.Our next 1-day Speaking Workshop is on February 19, 2026, 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/orlando/. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/455/ Video from the live show: https://youtube.com/live/jT5z9EqUjgM 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/orlando/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxKait Richardson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitrichardson497/ Alfarena McGinty = https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfarena-mcginty-324619180/ Niki Ramirez = https://www.linkedin.com/in/niki-ramirez-mba-thrp-sphr-65b93710/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 435: From Blank Page to On Stage: What It's Like to Create and Practice a Talk in One DayEpisode 439: From Engineer to Inspiring Speaker: Finding Your Authentic Speaking Style

Your Voice Can Shape Policy: Frameworks for Clear, Influential Messaging with Deborah Stine, PhD

When most people hear the word policy, they immediately picture Washington, D.C., marble hallways, and people in suits arguing on TV. But as my guest today so brilliantly reminds us, policy is simply how decisions get made - and you don’t need to be a political insider to influence it.In this episode, I talk with Dr. Deborah Stine, founder of the Science and Technology Policy Academy, former Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Obama White House, and someone who has spent her career helping scientists, engineers, and health professionals turn their expertise into impact.And yes, her résumé reads like a Washington fairytale, but what makes Debbie extraordinary is how down-to-earth and practical she is. She’s spent decades working at the national level and then chose to move back to the “ground floor” of change—state and local work—where impact shows up fast and in real lives.Debbie and I talk about:Why most experts accidentally sabotage their own influenceHer 4E Framework for better decision-makingHow to translate complex, jargon-heavy research into something the public—and policymakers—actually understandWhy state and local advocacy can be even more powerful than federal workHow to work with people who disagree with youA surprising turn into AI—and how Debbie used my Automate & Amplify program to keep her content going while traveling the worldThis conversation is a powerful reminder that your voice matters, especially when you pair your expertise with a compelling story and a clear message.About My Guest: Dr. Deborah Stine is the founder of the Science and Technology Policy Academy, where she helps scientists, engineers, and health professionals translate what they know into policies that improve people’s lives. Deborah has worked with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, at the Congressional Research Service, and was the Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Obama White House. She was also Professor of the Practice, Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Deborah is also the author of From Expertise to Impact, which is all about how experts can communicate in a way that truly influences public decision-making. 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/454/ Deborah’s website: https://scitechpolicyacademy.com/ Listen to my Confident Speaker companion podcast = https://confidentspeaker.transistor.fm/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in the Automate & Amplify with AI course: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDeborah Stine = https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-stine/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 411: Reframing Public Speaking: From Elite Skill to Everyday Power with Dr. Karen CorbinEpisode 406: Authenticity and Owning Your Story as Women with a Public Voice with Jennifer Adams and Sarah HenryEpisode 384: How to Tackle a Big Global Issue in Your Thought Leadership and Talks with Dr. Neha Pathak