Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

Carol Cox
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It's time to escape the expert trap and become an in-demand speaker and thought leader through compelling and memorable business presentations, keynotes, workshops, and TEDx talks. If you want to level up your public speaking to get more and better, including paid, speaking engagements, you've come to the right place! Thousands of entrepreneurs and leaders have learned from Speaking Your Brand and now you can too through our episodes that will help you with storytelling, audience engagement, building confidence, handling nerves, pitching to speak, getting paid, and more. Hosted by Carol Cox, entrepreneur, speaker, and TV political analyst. This is your place to learn how to persuasively communicate your message to your audience.

  1. 4D AGO

    How One Idea Became a Signature Talk, Speaking Platform, and Published Book with Melania Murphy

    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

    38 min

  2. FEB 2

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

    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 presentationsHow each format — lead generation presentation, keynote, workshop, course, coaching, and book — plays a distinct roleWhy 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 leadershipIf 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 MessageEpisode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia KornEpisode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle HaydenEpisode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk

    15 min

  3. JAN 26

    Imposter Syndrome: Why You Struggle to Claim Your Voice and What to Do About It

    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/carolcox Book 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

    16 min

  4. JAN 19

    Personal Brand vs. Thought Leadership: What’s the Difference and Why You Need Both

    Your personal brand isn’t optional anymore, even if you wish it were. In this episode, I dig into why your personal brand matters more than ever, especially in a world overflowing with content (and now AI-generated content, too), and how it connects to your thought leadership and your business  I talk about a common hesitation I see with many women: the feeling that cultivating a personal brand is self-indulgent, unnecessary, or something “other people” do. But here’s the truth: you already have a personal brand. It’s how others describe you, what they associate with you, and whether they know what truly matters to you. I share a personal story about how a podcast listener (and later Thought Leader Academy client) connected deeply with my background in history, feminism, and women’s leadership and how that connection happened not by accident, but through intentional thought leadership woven into my brand. In this episode, I break down: The difference between your business, your thought leadership, and your personal brand - and why they’re not the same thingWhy thought leadership is the why behind your work, not a sales messageHow your personal brand is the embodiment of that thought leadership: you are the messengerWhat to do if your career path feels messy or disconnected (hint: there is a thread)Why authenticity, real stories, and lived experience matter even more in the age of AIHow your signature talk brings your business, thought leadership, and personal brand together in one cohesive messageI also share some early advice I received to downplay parts of my background and why ignoring that advice was one of the best decisions I made. If you’ve ever wondered whether certain parts of your story “belong” in your brand, this episode will give you a new way to think about it. If you’re feeling stuck in the expert trap—teaching, informing, and explaining, but not fully connecting, this episode will help you see how your ideas, experiences, and point of view are exactly what make your message memorable and trusted. Listen in and reflect: What do people know you for right now—and what do you want them to know you for? Ready to Go Deeper? This is the kind of work we do inside Thought Leader Academy, helping you connect your thought leadership, personal brand, stories, and message into a clear, confident signature talk you can use everywhere. Learn more and schedule a consultation at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact/This episode originally aired as episode 349 on October 2, 2023.

    14 min

  5. JAN 16 · BONUS

    Orlando Speaking Workshop: Special Offer for Podcast Listeners

    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 media This 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!

    4 min

  6. JAN 12

    The #1 Mistake Speakers Make with Personal Stories (and What to Do Instead)

    Have you ever heard a speaker share a story and have one of these reactions: #1: Wow, I really feel connected to what this person is saying. I have a new perspective on my own situation. -OR- #2: Why is this person telling this story? I don't get how this relates to the rest of their content or why I should care or this feels icky. You don't want to end up being the speaker where the people in the audience are having the second reaction. You want your stories to have purpose and meaning and be of service to your audience. This conversation came directly from questions we hear all the time from women in our Thought Leader Academy: Is sharing my personal story self-indulgent?How vulnerable is too vulnerable?Can storytelling cross the line into manipulation?The short answer? Yes, it can. And that’s exactly why how you tell your story matters just as much as what you share. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I dig into: What makes a story feel authentic vs. forced or manipulativeWhy stories should always be in service of the audience, not the speakerCommon storytelling mistakes (TMI, rags-to-riches formulas, shaming language, and oversmoothing the edges)How vulnerability builds trust - when it’s grounded in reflection and purposeWhy imperfect stories often create the strongest audience connectionWe also share real examples—from our own speaking experiences and from Thought Leader Academy clients—of how telling the truth (even when it doesn’t make you look perfect) can be incredibly powerful, freeing, and impactful. If you want your stories to: Deepen audience connectionBuild credibility instead of skepticismSupport your message instead of distracting from it…this episode will help you rethink how you use storytelling in your talks, podcasts, and brand messaging. (This episode originally aired as episode 350 on October 9, 2023. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mistake/ 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/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediazRelated Podcast Episodes: Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation with Karen KeeneEpisode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out with Judy CarlsonEpisode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power

    25 min

  7. JAN 5

    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 us. Your 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 leadership. Perhaps 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/carolcox Related 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

    21 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    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

    35 min
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About

It's time to escape the expert trap and become an in-demand speaker and thought leader through compelling and memorable business presentations, keynotes, workshops, and TEDx talks. If you want to level up your public speaking to get more and better, including paid, speaking engagements, you've come to the right place! Thousands of entrepreneurs and leaders have learned from Speaking Your Brand and now you can too through our episodes that will help you with storytelling, audience engagement, building confidence, handling nerves, pitching to speak, getting paid, and more. Hosted by Carol Cox, entrepreneur, speaker, and TV political analyst. This is your place to learn how to persuasively communicate your message to your audience.

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