Reinvent Your Business
The pandemic hit my speaking career hard. Speaking mostly to midsize associations, the abrupt halt of live events meant my clients didn’t hold in-person meetings. They no longer had the same budget for paid speakers, and my income plummeted by three-quarters over two years. Emerging from the pandemic felt like starting from scratch. The industry…
Want To Create New Speaking Opportunities?
Many think you must have a killer Speaker’s Reel. Others will tell you to hire a Virtual Assistant. Another group will tell you it’s about creating a social media presence. You’ll hear constant comments about building a funnel. Everyone has advice. Let me be honest with you…there are numerous ways to be successful in the…
How to Lean into Intimidation and Grow Your Speaking
For whatever reason, my whole life has been one of intimidation. Maybe it was because my brother was eight years my senior, always a step ahead and setting the bar high. Or maybe it was because I’ve always wanted more for myself and my career, which put me alongside people who were way ahead of…
Three Gotta-Have AI Tools For Professional Speakers
You’ve heard the buzz about AI and how it’s changing our world, potentially replacing a boatload of jobs. But hold your horses! As with so much technology I’ve seen through the years, some of this is flat-out malarkey (a technical term, mind you) and yet there are some grains of truth we need to sift…
Defeating Distraction: How Attention Management Can Transform Your Speaking Career
Not having enough time is not the challenge we think it is. While our goals and ambitions may be big, we do have the time we need to be successful. In an era dominated by digital distractions, the traditional go-to concept of “time management” is losing its relevance. We’ve all had days that end with…
The Three Biggest Lessons I Learned Writing and Launching My First Book
For years, people told me, “You’ve got to write a book to help your speaking career,” or “I loved you on stage, but you need to write a book!” I knew I should write a book, but I was unsure how to go about the process. I didn’t want a book; I wanted an amazing…
What Is Your Why?
Growing up as a little Black girl on the vibrant south side of Chicago, I never imagined that my voice would one day carry across continents, resonating with audiences around the world. But from those humble beginnings emerged a dream – a dream to become a speaker, to share my stories, and like many of…
Elevate Your Stagecraft: Three Tips to Use Improv to Improve Your Speaking
You’ve done the sound check. Gone to the bathroom. Drank some water. In a few seconds, you’ll step on the stage and deliver the message you’ve worked so hard to create. You’re excited, pumped…. but you also realize, you’re terrified! (Even seasoned speakers know these feelings!) This scene has so many possibilities. Depending on the…
Using Words That Embrace a Wider Audience
If I told you that a minimum of 10% of your audience would instantly feel more connected to you if you wore yellow on stage, how many of you would re-consider your wardrobe choices? Maybe a few of you are going, “WOW! That is why I get so many new leads when I wear my…