Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

You may be closer to your next speaking opportunity than you think.With so many people submitting speaker applications and using AI to generate proposals, standing out has become harder than ever. But there's one thing AI can't replicate: genuine relationships.In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about why some of the best speaking opportunities, keynote invitations, media appearances, and client referrals come not from cold pitches, but from the trust you've built over time. We share stories from our own experiences, examples from Speaking Your Brand clients, and practical ways to build relationships that can lead to speaking engagements and visibility opportunities.If you've been relying on social media posts, conference applications, or waiting for opportunities to find you, this conversation will give you a different perspective on where your next opportunity may already be waiting.We talk about:Why relationships matter more than ever in today's speaking landscapeHow AI is making speaker applications easier and more competitiveWhat event organizers are really looking for when selecting speakersWhy authenticity and personality help you stand outReal examples of clients who turned one speaking engagement into many more opportunitiesThe difference between networking and relationship buildingHow local organizations, associations, and community groups can open doorsPractical ways to reconnect with people already in your networkWhy speaking is a long-term strategy that creates opportunities beyond the stageThree simple actions you can take this week to build momentum toward your next speaking engagementWhether you're an aspiring speaker or an experienced professional looking to increase your visibility, this episode will help you think differently about where your next opportunity may come from.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/476/ 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 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia KornEpisode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities with Cherlette McCulloughBooked Without Burnout series

What if the stories you’ve dismissed as “not important enough” are actually the ones your audience needs most?Erin Mark and I explore why storytelling is the bridge between expertise and transformation and why audiences connect far more deeply with emotion, struggle, and humanity than with information alone. Erin shares how she took her deeply personal experience living with cystic fibrosis and transformed it into a keynote message about resilience, uncertainty, identity, and moving forward through change.We also talk about the surprising challenge many women face: not recognizing the power of their own stories because they’ve lived with them for so long.In this episode, we discuss:How to “universalize” your personal story so others see themselves in itWhy many women struggle to identify their most impactful storiesErin’s “Story, Struggle, Solution” frameworkHow coaches can help uncover stories and themes you can’t always see yourselfWhy you do not need a dramatic life story to become a compelling speakerHow storytelling can improve podcast interviews, presentations, and thought leadershipThe importance of becoming the messenger your audience needs at exactly the right momentWe also share details about our new Story Scoping coaching package and our upcoming in-person workshop in Orlando!About My Guest: At 35, Erin’s life was coming to an end. She had entered end life stage cystic fibrosis: her lungs were failing, she was dying, and time was running out. While most people were training for their next promotion or milestone, she was training to die. And then, at the very last moment, everything changed – a breakthrough medication saved her life. That moment forced Erin into her most important pivot yet: learning how to live again. Her identity had been built around survival. Now, she had to rebuild her purpose, reshape her career, and discover what it meant to truly live. What she discovered is this: pivoting isn’t a one-time act, it’s a repeatable skill. Whether it’s a reorg, a layoff, a leadership shift, or a personal loss, every “before and after” moment is a pivot point and it requires a new kind of leadership. Perfect for corporate teams, associations, and leadership conferences, Erin’s keynotes are more than inspiration. They’re a mindset reset and a tactical playbook for anyone navigating change or facing an uncertain next chapter.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/475/ Erin’s website: https://erinmark.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Work with Erin to scope your story: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/story-coaching/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Attend our 1-day speaking workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxErin Mark (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmark/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 462: Speaking Strategies That Create Lasting Impact: Live Signature Talks from TLA Grads

In this episode, I sit down with Teri DeLucca for a candid conversation about what really happens behind the scenes in the speaking industry, from getting your first speaking engagements to negotiating fees, navigating “pay-to-play” conferences, and building the confidence to take bigger stages.Teri shares how she went from feeling intimidated and unsure if she belonged on stage to becoming an in-demand speaker traveling across the country. We talk openly about the realities many speakers face but few discuss publicly: speaking for free, undercharging, the gender pay gap in speaking fees, networking with other speakers, and learning to see speaking not as performance — but as service.We also dive into Teri’s new AI platform, Luma, a human-centered AI “thinking partner” designed to support educators and leaders with communication, stress management, organizational culture, and decision-making. Plus, she shares exciting news about becoming a finalist for a grant funded through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focused on women and AI innovation.If you’ve ever wondered:How speakers actually get bookedWhen to speak for free (and when not to)How to raise your speaking fees with confidenceWhat event organizers don’t tell speakersHow AI is changing leadership and workOr whether you really have what it takes to speak……this conversation is for you.About Our Guest: Dr. Teri DeLucca is a developmental psychologist and the founder of Impact Early Education, which equips leaders with strategies that improve outcomes for children, teams, and businesses. She holds a dual PhD and previously worked as a research scientist specializing in teacher-child interactions and early intervention in neurocognitive and social-emotional development. Dr. DeLucca has successfully operated schools, reducing staff turnover, strengthening school culture, and driving sustainable growth. In addition to her work in education, she speaks nationally to corporate organizations and women’s groups on personal leadership, communication, resilience, and coaching strategies. She is a published author, award-winning researcher, speaker, and recognized leader in the industry.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/474/  Teri’s website: https://impactearlyed.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/carolcoxTeri DeLucca (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-teri-delucca-46b296200/  Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLucca

I love when I stumble across someone I know doing something big—and that’s exactly what happened with today’s guest.I spotted one of our Thought Leader Academy grads Kim Foster on YouTube…with a video that had over 1.5 million views. Naturally, I wanted to know how she did it!In this episode, Kim and I dig into what it really takes to grow a YouTube channel that drives visibility, trust, and clients.She shares how consistency, smart content strategy, and paying attention to your audience can completely change the trajectory of your brand.We also talk about her recent TEDx talk, her upcoming book, and why identity, not willpower, is the real key to transformation.If you’ve been thinking about YouTube, speaking, or stepping more fully into your thought leadership, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.About Our Guest: Dr. Kim Foster is an MD-turned–reinvention expert, author, and TEDx speaker who helps people change their lives by changing who they believe themselves to be. After 20 years practicing medicine, Kim left her career to build a global platform teaching the science of identity transformation. Her work blends behavioral psychology, personal development, and wellness, and she develops digital education programs that help people redesign their inner blueprint and build lives that actually reflect the person they’re becoming. Her thriving YouTube channel has grown to more than 250,000 subscribers and her forthcoming book, Redesigning You (June 2026), explores how to shift the beliefs and stories that shape behavior and destiny. Kim’s mission is to empower people to reinvent themselves at any age and step into who they were meant to become.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/473/  Kim’s website: https://drkimfoster.com/ Kim’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KimFosterMD Kim’s book: https://drkimfoster.com/book 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/carolcoxKim Foster (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkimfoster/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 357: Create Real Change by Shifting Your Identity to Who You Want to Be with Kim Foster

What makes a motivational talk actually stick, long after the applause?In this audio from our Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand live show, you’ll experience powerful, real-time signature talks from three of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads Kimberly Brock, Susana Alvarez, and Teresa Phillips.Each blends personal story, practical frameworks, and a clear message that moves beyond inspiration into action.Hear how each speaker:Uses personal turning points to create emotional connectionTranslates their experiences into clear, teachable frameworksBalances heart + strategy so the audience feels and learnsInvites the audience into reflection and real changeIf you’re working on your own signature talk or want your message to resonate more deeply, this session will show you what “motivational speaking with substance” actually looks like in practice.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.You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/dzS1lEkZu-k.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/472/ Watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/dzS1lEkZu-kKimberly’s website: https://www.kimberlybrock.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxKimberly Brock = https://www.linkedin.com/in/startwithkimberlybrock/ Susana Alvarez = https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanaalvarezsrprojectmanager/ Teresa Phillips = https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-phillips-01249720b/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You