Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

You can give a great presentation, get lots of compliments afterward, and still walk away with zero leads.Why? Because most speakers approach their talks like teachers instead of marketers.In this episode, Diane Diaz and I share how to create presentations that generate interest, build trust, and lead to clients, without feeling salesy or violating the dreaded "no selling from the stage" rule.We talk about why audiences don't need more information, what they actually want from your presentation, and how to structure your talks so people understand not only your message, but also why you're the right person to help them.If you've ever wondered why your speaking engagements aren't translating into business opportunities, this episode will help you rethink how you approach your talks.In this episode, we discuss:• Why giving audiences more information often reduces conversions• The difference between a lead-generation talk and a paid workshop• How our Signature Talk Canvas® helps speakers create demand without being pushy• The critical role of Act One in building trust and audience buy-in• How to plant "sales seeds" naturally through stories and client examples• Why emotional connection matters more than tactics and tips• Simple ways to capture leads and book conversations after your presentation• Real-world examples of talks that generated immediate clientsIf 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.This episode originally aired as episode 457 on December 29, 2025.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/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

How do you name a book, a framework, or even a business in a way that captures the essence of what you do?After struggling with the title of my book for years, I turned to brand strategist and naming expert Rebeca Arbona for help. What happened next surprised me: in less than an hour, she found the title that had been hiding in plain sight.In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on the art and strategy of naming. Rebeca shares why great names aren't created through random brainstorming, the biggest mistakes people make when naming their ideas, and why AI may be helpful for execution but falls short when it comes to original thought leadership.If you've ever wrestled with naming a book, a keynote, a framework, a program, or your business itself, you'll come away with a new appreciation for the power of finding the right words.Rebeca and I talk about:• Why naming is far more strategic than most people realize• The process Rebeca uses to create names that resonate and endure• Common naming mistakes that keep people stuck• Why great names often feel both surprising and obvious at the same time• How Rebeca helped me finally name my book after five years of trying• The difference between a name and a descriptor and why both matter• Why AI struggles to generate truly original thought leadership ideas• How the right title can clarify the entire structure and direction of a book• The connection between ideas, thought leadership, and public speakingAbout Our Guest: Rebeca Arbona is a brand strategist, strategic namer, and founder of BrandTrue, where she helps organizations uncover and communicate the truths at their core. A lifelong word geek who once read the dictionary for fun, Rebeca found her professional sweet spot in naming, where language, strategy, and creative intuition all collide. Since her first appearance on Speaking Your Brand, Rebeca’s work has expanded to include teaching Branding at the University of Cincinnati, mentoring emerging strategists, supporting mission-driven organizations, and developing a book rooted in resilience, meaning, and hard-won life lessons. Through it all, she remains obsessed with the same essential question: how do we tell the truth in a way people can feel, remember, and act on? Follow Rebeca and BrandTrue on LinkedIn for her insightful, quirky takes on naming, brand strategy, and why the truth matters to brands that want to mean something.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/477/ Rebeca’s website: https://www.brandtrue.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/carolcoxRebeca Arbona (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecaarbona/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 179: The Deep Truths You and Your Brand Need to Say with Rebeca Arbona

What does it look like to turn an idea into a message, a message into a signature talk, and a signature talk into a published book?In this episode, I sit down with Thought Leader Academy graduate Melania Murphy to talk about her powerful journey from spark to spotlight. Over the past couple of years, I’ve watched Melania take a deeply personal idea and transform it into a compelling signature talk—and now, a published book. If you’ve ever dreamed of sharing your message on a bigger stage or turning your ideas into a book, this conversation will show you what’s possible.Melania’s new book, Bound by Love, Not Tradition, explores married name choices and how women can make intentional decisions that reflect their identity, values, and partnership. But this episode isn’t just about names—it’s about voice, courage, and claiming your message.We talk about why so many people stay stuck in the idea phase, how Melania found the confidence to speak without hiding behind slides, and how her signature talk became the blueprint for her book. You’ll hear how storytelling, structure, and clarity helped her move from logic-heavy content to a message that truly resonates with audiences.We also dive into the realities of publishing—what it takes to bring a book to life, how platform-building matters, and why promotion starts long before launch day.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to move from idea → signature talk → bookWhy your message becomes clearer when you speak it out loudHow storytelling builds confidence and audience connectionThe role your signature talk can play in shaping your thought leadershipWhat really happens behind the scenes of publishing and promoting a bookIf you’ve been sitting on an idea—maybe for months or even years—consider this your nudge. Your message doesn’t have to stay in your head. It can become your talk, your platform, and maybe even your book.About My Guest: Melania Murphy is a writer, speaker, and author of "Bound by Love, Not Tradition: Empowering Women Through Married Name Choices." With a degree in applied behavioral science, she enjoys blending storytelling with research to explore identity, relationships, and the traditions that shape our choices. She's been a journalist for over 20 years and is a frequent guest on podcasts discussing the deeply personal and culturally complex issue of married name choices.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/459/Get Melania’s book "Bound by Love, Not Tradition: Empowering Women Through Married Name Choices”: https://www.amazon.com/Bound-Love-Not-Tradition-Empowering/dp/0960132309/ Melania’s website: https://www.melaniajoy.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/ 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/carolcoxMelania Murphy (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/melania-joy-murphy-28504263/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 458: Same Message, Different Medium, Different Strategy with Carol CoxEpisode 407: Building Your Speaking Platform as an Author (Even If You're an Introvert!) with Tiffany Hawk

Have you ever hesitated to call yourself a speaker… or a thought leader… even though you know you have something important to say?I see it all the time: brilliant women who have delivered keynotes, led workshops, facilitated panels, taught classes, and spoken on stages — yet still say, “I’m not a speaker.” Sound familiar?So in this episode, I’m gently (okay, maybe a little lovingly persuasively) challenging you to rethink that hesitation.We dig into why so many women resist claiming the identity of speaker and thought leader, what’s really happening beneath the surface, and — most importantly — how to start shifting that identity in a way that feels authentic, empowering, and aligned with who you truly are.I also share something personal: my own struggle with claiming the identity of writer as I work on my book. Yep, even after hundreds of podcast episodes, years of speaking, and decades of communication work, identity shifts can still feel vulnerable. You’re in good company.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why women often resist calling themselves speakers and thought leadersHow comparison and perfectionism quietly keep us stuckThe surprising psychology behind identity shifts (inspired by Atomic Habits)Simple, concrete steps you can take right now to start owning your voiceWhy claiming your identity isn’t about ego — it’s about impactI also share practical actions you can take today — from small LinkedIn tweaks to mindset shifts — that will help you step into your role as a visible leader with more confidence and ease.And because I love a powerful real-world example, I read a moving testimonial from one of our retreat clients that beautifully illustrates what happens when women finally own their voice and presence.If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing small, waiting until you’re “ready,” or hesitating to fully step into your visibility, this episode is your loving nudge forward.Because the truth is: we need your voice.This episode originally aired as episode 391 on May 6, 2024.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/391/ 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/carolcoxBook mentioned “Atomic Habits”: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker PageEpisode 407: Building Your Speaking Platform as an Author (Even If You're an Introvert!) with Tiffany HawkEpisode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany HawkEpisode 301: Why We Get Imposter Syndrome and What to Do About It with Melody Wilding

Hey there, it's Carol, popping in for a minute! I want to make sure you know about our 1-Day Master Your Message & the Stage workshop coming up on February 19th in Downtown Orlando, Florida.You’ll go from having a rough idea (or no idea at all!) to building your talk using our Signature Talk Canvas® framework - and then practice delivering it with real-time feedback from us.And here’s the thing = you’ll create a talk that goes beyond tips and facts. I know you know how to create a slide presentation, but to achieve your goals, you need something much more than that. You need to shape a message that persuades, gets buy-in, and leaves a lasting impression.Your audience doesn’t want to be lectured. They want to feel seen, inspired, and invited into a bigger vision of what’s possible.That’s exactly what you’ll do at our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator.We’ll show you how to use storytelling for resonance, how to paint a vision your audience wants to be part of, and how to step into the speaker and leader you’re ready to be.Can it really be done in a day? We guarantee it! Listen to episode 435 to hear my conversation with 3 of the women who attended our last workshop.Like them, you'll get: ✅ Your signature talk and framework mapped out—blending thought leadership, storytelling, and lead generation ✅ Personalized coaching to take your delivery from good to captivating ✅ Strategies to reduce nerves and boost your stage presence ✅ A curated speaker kit and workbook ✅ New connections with incredible women ✅ And professional photos of you speaking—perfect for your website and social mediaThis isn’t just one talk. It’s a message you can use everywhere: On stage, in webinars, interviews, your emails, social posts—even your book or course.Whether it’s been stuck in your head or sitting in a slide deck, your talk deserves to make the impact it was meant to - and achieve your goals.If you're ready to make the shift from information to transformation, join us in Orlando on February 19th.Use the coupon code “Podcast200” to save $200 on your registration, as a thank you for being a podcast listener.Spots are limited to 12 attendees, so go to speakingyourbrand.com/orlando to register. I’d love to have you there!