I think I might have fallen in love with him...?

Have you ever thought deeply about the Amazon algorithm? It is constantly finding new things for me to consume, but how does the algorithm even understand a person like me? How can it blend my love for comedy, personal development and sci-fi? It can, and it does. Today I got in from work and was trying to unwind by reading an obscure Kindle book from the sci-fi/ comedy/ existentialism category, and was happily laughing my behind off! I love this author! She is just like me. We have the exact same sense of humor. The writing is irreverent, written in first person the way I tend to write and I feel like we are having a conversation every time I pick up one of her books.

The truth is, every time this author drops a new book, I’m on the waiting list- I am officially a fan. But there was a time in my life when I didn’t even know this author existed. We found each other because her book was a best seller. I read the one book, another and another and before I knew it I was down a fandom rabbit hole.

Have you ever read something and felt as though it spoke to your soul? Or finished a book and felt disappointed that the writer didn’t have her next book out as yet.

Some people are just your people. When they speak it’s like they are speaking directly to you.

Have you ever randomly found a book and it was so great that you wonder where it has been all your life? Then you search out every book that author has ever written? And when you can’t find more from that author you start looking at the recommendations of the algorithm only to be disappointed because there is just no comparison?

Many years ago before he was a household name, I stumbled across one of my now favorite authors in the personal development/ business growth space. I found the book because it had just hit best seller, and because of my tendency to read those types of books, the algorithm recommended his book to me. 

I got it on Audible because I didn't know the author and I figured I'd just  listen in the car on my commute. I didn't feel called to make the time investment into actually buying the kindle book to read, or more significantly the real estate investment to actually get the paperback! So I went ahead and got the Audible because I trusted the Amazon algorithm to bring me more like what I had been reading; and since the book was a best seller it couldn't be terrible, right? It had to be worth my audible credit :)

I settled in for my drive, hit play, and from word one I was transported! It seemed as though this author was on my exact same energetic wavelength. He was speaking the truth my heart knows. We were finishing each other's sandwiches! :D

Press Play For More About The LPL Visibility Circle

I listened to the book on quick time and then listened again at normal speed. I got the Kindle version of the book and eventually got the actual physical paperback book. I started following him on YouTube and other social media. I recommended his book to friends. At the time he only had one book out and I waited with baited breath for his next book to drop. I searched out his ted talk and I tuned in for that. 

What I recognized in that author was a piece of myself. Someone who believes the same things that run through my veins as truth. I think I may have fallen in love with him, at least with his mind. He was speaking my language. He got it, that this is not a drill. He understood that the old ways of doing things are ripe and overdue for change and he had a beautiful way of laying that bare for the world to see. I consumed his book voraciously and went on to recommend it to anyone who would sit still long enough to listen. Even now it still ends up on our Ladies Power Lunch book club reading list, year after year. 

And how did I find Simon Sinek back before he was Simon Sinek, and before "Start With Why" was a library staple for every coach? Because he hit the best seller lists. I'm going to bet, that's that's the same way a lot of other people learned about him too.

What if there was someone, or what if there were some people, who would feel that way about your writing? Who would feel that way about the stories you share? What if they cannot engage with you in any way because they have never heard of you?  And what if they have no way of ever hearing of you because you are not in their circles?

Do you feel as though you have a message to share with the world but that the world is not sitting up and paying attention? What if you could change that? I have great news. There is a way to get very visible very quickly even in a crowded media landscape. It is also a way that flows with ease and grace. You are probably thinking: "It would be great if visibility and exposure came at the snap of a finger, but experience has taught me otherwise." My response to that is: Exactly. We can't keep using the same old paradigms expecting different results. What I know for sure is that more is possible when we harness the power of the collective and when we lean into the idea of collaboration. 

Before I go I'll share just a little bit about this revolutionary idea whose time has come. This Ladies' Power Lunch Collaboration that I invite you to check into, is an opportunity for you to put yourself where you can be found easily and effortlessly. This is an opportunity to position yourself where 50,000 of your optimal clients, the ones who would adore you if only they knew you existed, can find you. 

But, I feel I'm getting a little ahead of myself. Here's the link to take a quick survey about the best visibility options for you. If you click through to the end, and if you would like to, there is a no obligation opportunity to hop on to my calendar. If it feels right for you, I look forward to chatting with you and cheering you on as you increase your income, reach and impact by getting as visible as you need to. 

Here's the link y'all:  https://www.growsmarternotharder.com/visibilitysurvey

Ancestral energy... Could it be blocking your best life?

 

Today on Ladies' Power Lunch Coffee Break: Jacqueline Kane gets to the root cause of pain and things that hold us back in life.

How can we heal our pain? How can we improve the flow of our finances? What about our relationships and how can we stand in our power?

All this and more on this episode!

Do watch like and subscribe. This is an inspirational interview!

Jacqueline Kane supports women in discovering the crucial hidden links between their physical pain and finances, and their ability to live a full life. She tells me: "I have over 20-years in private practice as a healer, and over 35-years in health care, and have merged my innate wisdom with a multitude of healing modalities to create a unique, results-oriented method of healing.

"I use tools like Ancestral Energy Clearing, Hypnotic EFT and modalities to get to the root cause that is keeping people in pain and keeping them from being invincible and living their dream life.

Hi! I'm Dr. Davia Shepherd, CHO of Ladies' Power Lunch - A free movement for women entrepreneurs.

One of my favorite mentors Dr. Deepak Chopra says: "When women get together great things happen." Another of my favorite mentors, Fabienne Fredrickson, says that networking is the number one way to grow our businesses! Our mission at LPL is simple: We have families. We run our businesses and we INTENTIONALLY support each other! Ladies Power Lunch is a movement of high achieving business women in who come together with the intention of growing our businesses by helping each other grow our businesses. Our intention is to use the considerable resources and talents within our outstanding group to help each and every member take her business to the next level - While looking and feeling GREAT, being HEALTHY and having lots of FUN in the process!

NETWORK WITH US ONLINE:- Join us for networking, business building and personal development workshops! Join in on the LPL SHOW! Join our community: In our active and supportive Facebook community every single day! Join our retreats and summits as well!

Would you like to know more? Want to participate with LPL at the next level? Start with the visibility survey! Click through and then hop on my schedule for a chat about how to explode your impact and income with the power of the collective!!!

http://www.growsmarternotharder.com/survey

Why Don't You Write Something?

I wasn't an only child but there were times in my childhood when it felt that way. I was the younger daughter. There were quite a few years between me and my older sister and that was compounded by the fact that early on she went off to boarding school. I was too young and I stayed home. I'm not sure but I think that was a thing back then.

Any whoooo, I spent my early days being a really avid Barbie fan, climbing the many trees in our yard, reading voraciously, and writing little stories. My imagination was a fertile plot and some of my earliest memories include me sitting in the crook of my favorite tree, Barbie beside me, spinning some fantasy only creatable from the mind of a child.

In school I excelled in English, and even was at some point awarded the English prize. I truly enjoyed writing. I never thought writing would be a career path that I would follow, it certainly was not encouraged. From an early age I was set along the path to be a Physician or a Scientist or something along those lines, but I never stopped writing. I wrote my short stories, I wrote copiously in my journal and I wrote, just for me and just for fun.

Out of my early childhood solitude was born that love of writing and it has stayed with me ever since. I had written many science based, health and wellness focused and medical articles over my years working in health care.  The distant idea that I had as a child of some day being a bestselling author, was never given it a second thought. That was until a dear friend and publisher pulled me aside a few years ago and invited me to be a contributor to an anthology collaboration book project that was focused on women's empowerment, motivation and personal development.

The fire was reignited. I wrote a chapter in the best selling book Set Sail and my true nature again started to shine through. I enjoyed the writing process, the solitude of sitting down and just letting the words come to me and flow out onto the page. It almost felt as though I was cleansing my very soul. It was so cathartic. 

And then the doubts came: Is it any good, will people like it, will people judge my words that are almost as precious to me as my children are? Will I and will they be judged harshly? Am I truly ok with putting myself out there, am I ok with allowing myself to be this vulnerable? All this time I had been writing for me. Except for articles and of courses pieces I submitted back in school, all my stories and journaling were just for me. I know for many aspiring authors, reception and rejection is a huge concern.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I know I'm not alone with this. Many of us may have doubts when it comes to our writing. If anyone identifies with this I want to let you know I acknowledge you and I am you. The antidote to fear of publishing is a loving and heart centered editing and publishing team. I have been fortunate, and with their guidance and a loving acceptance, I was able to take that big bold step.

If you would like to join in, our Visibility Circle is enrolling.

It turns out my worries were unfounded. The whole process of writing AND publishing flowed like a symphony for me. I enjoyed meeting, getting to know and forming deep and lasting friendships with my coauthors: liked minded women who are so amazing and that I would probably not have had an opportunity to meet with otherwise. I got an amazing charge of adrenaline during our book launch as we shared our work with our tribes, and through the power of collaboration, saw our book rise to best seller among the millions of other books in the field. AND I had a tremendous sense of accomplishment when I saw the reviews, reviews from people who had been positively impacted by my stories and the words that we as a collective had shared with the world.

Since then I have gone on to publish my own solo bestseller, but nothing compares to working on a collaboration writing project. I have had the opportunity to participate in at least five other collaboration writing projects. Every time expanding my reach and my impact and to be honest, even though we don't talk too much about the money side of things, I've also been able to increase my income. Each time connecting with new outstanding authors that I am now so blessed to be able to call my friends. Each time connecting with new audiences through the power of a collaborative book launch. And each time just watching as someone, who I had never met, who needs the messages, encouragement and love in our books, receives just what they need at the perfect time. 

I've enjoyed the process of contributing to anthology book projects so much that I partnered with Elizabeth Hill and Green Heart Living Press to bring the LPL Transformation Anthology Series into the world. We are so blessed to have just released our 2nd installment: "Success In Any Season." To be honest this was a perfect subject for our 2021 Spring release after we had all been through what 2020 had to offer. The stories of resilience in this book are heart warming and just oh so encouraging; Pointing to one stellar truth: We can be successful no matter what is going on in the world around us. If you doubt this, I invite you to read the book, see the things that these amazing women have risen above and then, only then, let's have this conversation again. 

I've shared how I came to writing. That's all well and good. But what about you? What writing dreams have you fostered and for how long? Are you a prolific blogger or journaler (is Journaler a word?) Do you have a message that is so important that you need to get it out into the world  in a way that we can be certain that the word will hear it? Are you a beacon of light shining your light into the world? Do you have stories of how shining you light into the void has transformed lives and had ripple effects that you couldn't have foreseen?

Lot's of questions, I know! But I will say this. If these questions have evoked anything in you. If reading this has sparked a desire to put your work into print, then I'd love to chat with you and get to know you because you seem like my kind of people! I'll preface this by saying that there are writing projects, both solo and collaborative, that I can share with you. There are also a number of resources that I can point you in the direction of that can truly enhance your visibility of your business and your brand. But all I'm suggesting here is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. A quick getting to know you call where you tell me all about what lights you up and what stories you want to get out there. At the very least, we will each make a new friend an at it's highest expression we might find magical ways that we can collaborate together. The choice is yours. 

If you would like to connect, click through my brief survey and hop onto my calendar: https://www.growsmarternotharder.com/survey

My adventures in podcasting

 

The first time I thought about hosting a podcast was years ago, probably back when podcasts were newer and dinosaurs roamed the earth. I was listening to an obscure podcast about an even more obscure tv show that I liked and I thought to myself: If these adorable yahoos can host a podcast, I bet I could do one too. 

Back then podcasting wasn't the next big thing and I didn't even know where to start. I had an idea, I knew what I wanted to talk about, the same thing I always talk about: Living your optimal life. I'm a broken record, I know it. My message hasn't changed over the years, I still believe that we can live our optimal lives in all areas including our businesses, our health, our finances and our relationships. I just don't believe that we need to be limited. But as far as podcasting went I was limited because like I said, I had no idea where to start, it seemed highly technical and so I shelved that idea and moved on to other ideas that were more readily executable.

I never stopped listening to podcasts though. I found new ones, one for every subject that interested me, from business topics to Sci-Fi book reviews. I'd listen to podcasts in my car, while doing chores, and one day I even caught myself listening in to a particularly amusing comedy podcast and chuckling like a crazed woman as I wheeled my shopping cart down the aisle of our local supermarket. It was official. Podcasts had become, a rather enjoyable, part of my life and they were here to stay.

And I'm not the only one who loves podcasts. I'm not the only one who checks if there is a podcast available on my current topic of interest for just about everything. Studies show, and you all know as a recovering researcher that I love my studies, that podcasting is a growing media form. On Apple podcasts alone there are over a billion podcasts: you heard that (read that?) right! Billion with a B y'all. So we have a growing media format, that people are actively seeking out and you have a business, or an idea that you are trying to get visible in the world... Hmmm... Does that sound like a match made in heaven?

It took me many years to finally decide to start our podcast. I had a lot of questions, the foremost of which was: where do I start? I also wondered about what sort of equipment I might need? What about hosting? Was it going to be an expensive endeavor? Was I going to have to learn another thing - learning sound editing felt formidable. What about copyright and intellectual property? Did I even want to have a podcast? If I did, why did I want one? What was I hoping to achieve? All these existential questions slowed me down a bit until the time was right, the conditions were right, the invitation was there, and once I decided that I was a solid YES as far as starting a podcast went, all the resources that I needed to get going were revealed.

Would you like to take advantage of this beta test?

What about you? You have probably, been toying with the idea of starting your own podcast, just like I was back in the day. In spite of the obvious benefits to growing your reach, impact and even income, you might be seeing that it could potentially be a huge time and energy commitment. You might be thinking it's just too much to contemplate with all the other things you have on your plate. I know you were expecting a rousing rendition of "YOU CAN DO IT," here, but I'm going to surprise you and agree with you. 

I had an outstanding mentor in the early stages of my entrepreneurial career who would always reminded me that my only jobs were doing my job and marketing my job. She would insist that every single other thing that needed to be executed in business needed to be done by someone else who would lovingly attend to it as it fell within their scope of genius. So I'll borrow her advice and share it with you: There are many things that you have to do to keep your business going, and putting time and energy into starting a podcast needn't be one of them, especially when there are many ways to get started without it costing your precious time.

What did I end up doing? Even though the idea for my podcast was hatched what feels like a million years ago, It somehow remained front of mind for me. More recently, I was having a conversation with a friend and out of this conversation, just like all good conversations, came all the solutions. Not only did I end up launching my critically acclaimed podcast, but we ended up launching our own LPL podcast network! What we have created is a safe space for entrepreneurs to bring their heart centered podcasting ideas and together we take it from concept to reality with minimum effort. For those of you who know me you know that my aim in life is always to find a way to do everything with more EASE and FLOW. Oh and one more thing, in addition to the done for you, make your own podcast "cliff notes," while we are at it we also increase the visibility of your business in an exponential way.

All those questions that I had in the beginning, like where to start, equipment questions, mixing, mastering, marketing and monetizing, can thankfully be taken care of for you with ease and grace when you work with a podcasting network that provides that kind of support, technical and otherwise. The bottom line is: If you have been looking for a sign as to whether you should start a podcast, this is it. The great news is that you do not need to go learn another set of skills. As entrepreneurs, we do that far too much as it is. You do not need to invest a lot of time, and you can be up and running sooner than you think. If there is ever a job that should be farmed out to the professionals and if there was ever a time to do it, this is it.

Do you have questions or concerns about podcasting? I would love to chat more with you about how you can shine your light and be the beacon you are meant to be in this world. This free, absolutely no obligation invitation is open to you. For more information and to hop on my schedule, just take this brief survey, click through and schedule a time that works for you. Will we talk soon? Here's the link to connect:  https://www.growsmarternotharder.com/visibilitysurvey

5 Reasons to write your bestseller now

 

Photo Credit: Teresa Hnat Studios

If you are reading this I'm assuming you are an entrepreneur looking to grow your business. I'm also guessing that you have in some way, size, shape or form toyed with the idea of writing your book. Am I right? A dear friend once told me: Write your book. Tell your stories. How dare you not share what you have learned along your trail?

At first I thought to myself, well, that's a little bit strongly worded, don't you think? But then I thought about it more and realized that my super smart friend, who has always been the cutting edge of great advice, was actually on to something that I had not considered. 

Have you seen the internet meme: Your hardship could be someone else's instruction manual? That's seriously no joke. If you are like me, then you have lived. You have had ups and downs and you have learned from as many of your missteps as you could.

What about in your business? What have you learned from being in business? What are the things that you teach your clients and help them with? What experiences have you had with clients that would be interesting for us all to learn from? What problems have you helped others to solve?

I'm not asking all these questions because I'm unusually nosy. I am, it's true, but that's not the reason. I am asking because: If you have been thinking that you have no material for a bestseller, or if you have never even thought of writing a best seller, I want you to think about the fact that you have way more material than you know. Recognize please that there are many good reasons for an entrepreneur to get started on her bestseller. That means you, and the time is now. Here's why:

1) People are loosing sleep

You are uniquely you. Your story has never been told in the way you will share it and it will be uniquely heard by the people who most need it. Let me share another story about my above mentioned dear friend. The story involves my husband who, to say he is not heavily involved in the self help scene, is an understatement. Well, my friend's husband climbs mountains and is pretty much an all around guy's guy and motivator. He wrote a book, a motivational piece that my husband actually read! To my knowledge, that may have been the first self help type book that my guy had ever read. He not only read it , he also he loved it!! 

Have you ever heard the same thing over and over and then one day someone new says the same stuff in a different way and it just clicks? We have all had that experience. If you have read this far, you probably have noticed that my writing style is a little loose and rough around the edges. That's just me. Voltaire I am NOT. And that's not for everyone, but there are those of us who are attracted to this style of writing and who will hear this message better just because of that. We all have our "peeps." Only you can say what you have to say in your voice. And when you say it in your voice, the people loosing sleep because they need the service you provide, the ones who are your OPTIMAL CLIENTS, they will find you and that's how you save the world.

2) YOU = Thought Leader 

One outstanding way to grow your business is to become a thought leader. It's always awesome to give your clients tips and advice. They came to you and they respect your opinions. Then, there are the people who haven't as yet learned to know, like and trust you as yet. Your potential Optimal Clients can be helped  more easily along that path, when you are very obviously a thought leader; and that can be helped along by having a best selling book.

Let's say you and I have never met, and you overheard me saying something I say to most anyone who will listen: "Collaboration is a great way to grow your business." If you heard me saying that, it might make little or no impression on you. If however, someone referred you to my best selling book "Grow Smarter," and told you to check out some of my examples of how small and large businesses have used collaboration to grow exponentially, then you might sit up and notice; if you were the kind of person looking for more information about collaboration.

It is the exact same information, but the format that it is delivered in, as much as we might not want to agree with it, the format matters. Getting your word out in print, not just on your blog but in your bestseller is an outstanding way to take your place as a thought leader in your industry.

3) Grow your business

I said it at the top, I'm here making all kinds of assumptions about you. One of them being that you are an entrepreneur who might like to grow her income and impact. There are many ways to leverage your bestseller to grow your business.

-Use it to create publicity: book signings, press releases, author appearances, charitable donations (Things like raffle prizes,) just to name a few.

-You can teach a course based on your bestseller and offer potential clients an opportunity to go beyond the best seller.

- Use your book to grow your email list

- Use your book to get consultation or coaching clients

- Promote give aways of your book

- Share excerpts from your book to major publications

-Selling your book could become an additional income stream

- Use quotes and excerpts from your best selling book for marketing your business

- Publish your audiobook version of your bestseller

- Create a companion workbook to augment the reach of your bestseller

- Plus so many more business growth opportunities too many to list here to be sure!

More ideas for using your bestseller to grow your business: Press Play!

4) New opportunities

I am a professional speaker. I had participated in many collaborative book projects before writing my solo book project, but there were some stages that I did not have access to because event organizers would always ask: What's your book? Now that I can include my bestseller on my speaker sheet, my opportunities for speaking have expanded exponentially.

I've also had the opportunity to be on many notable podcasts and shows because people want to interview me about my book, or introduce me to their audience as a resource. 

From every opportunity that I have accepted as a result of my best seller, it seems that at least one or two other opportunities come as a result. The possibilities just seem endless. You could experience a huge shift compared to your pre bestseller days.

5) Expand your reach

And that leads me to talking about: expanding your reach, your income and of course your impact. I bring this up because that's what we are here for, right? We are here to shine our light, to as many of our Optimal Clients that need it as we can, and of course to be compensated appropriately.

Every time I hop on a stage to promote my book, that extends my each. Every time I get invited to be a guest blogger, podcast guest or even just to do a Facebook live with a friend, family member or colleague, that expands my reach. More people hear my message: "That we can all live our optimal entrepreneurial life and that it doesn't have to be difficult." They are intrigued to learn that the method I'm recommending is quite unconventional. As a result, my reach grows in a way that it would not have without my best seller.

BONUS

One last thing before I go. Elizabeth Gilbert in her bestseller "Big Magic," mentions, (and I'm paraphrasing here,) that ideas are sort of living things that choose us.  You don't come out of the writing process without believing that that statement might be at least a little bit true. My experience has been, and what I now know for sure, is that your ideas expand and coalesce. You end the writing process a different person than you were going in. The act of creating somehow changes us all and it seems it is a transformation that is 100% for the better.

Yikes, this went longer than I expected. Writing does that to you. Once you get started it can take on a life of its own!  I feel we might be able to get to the bottom of you writing your bestseller with conviction and grace by actually chatting together. What do you think? If you would like to pick my brain, the option to hop on a call with me exists! FYI: There is no obligation to anything except to have you Write about what thrills you!

Here's the link to take a quick survey and if you click through to the end you will be able to hop on to my calendar. I look forward to chatting with you and cheering you on as you increase your income, reach and impact using the outstanding tool of writing and publishing your bestseller. 

Here's the link y'all:  https://www.growsmarternotharder.com/visibilitysurvey

Sharing your message made simple: 5 simple steps to becoming a great speaker

 

I'm an anomaly. Most people fear public speaking in the same way they fear death, meanwhile, I run towards microphones with the same fervor that a gazelle might exhibit running from an apex predator.

Do you remember book reports? I loved them, not so much for doing the work on the report, that I could take or leave, but I always enjoyed the delivery. And yes, I was on the debate team, and I even considered the law, until the love of science and all things medicine drew me into its voracious vortex. To say, I love speaking is an understatement. I've taken opportunities in the past to work as a teacher, as a professional speaker, and  even now I look for opportunities to speak under any rock where they may be hiding. 

What this has meant for me is that over the years I have developed tremendous experience speaking to crowds large and miniscule, and what I know for sure is that for any entrepreneur trying to get her message out there, trying to be found by the precious souls who are needing her help, speaking can be an outstanding way to quickly and easily allow you to extend your reach, your impact and in almost all cases it can also help increase your income significantly. And who doesn't want that?

I have so much to share on speaking and as a result this could end up being a book instead of a simple tip article. I'll try to be brief: please let me share my top five tips to being an outstanding speaker who sells.

1) Craft your million dollar talk

One of my early mentors always told me: No one really wants to be taught anything, but stories, everyone wants to hear a great story. What's your story? What is the thing that you feel passionate enough about that it is your business? What brought you to this point that it is now your business? What positive experience have clients had with you? These are the interesting tidbits that make your talk a million dollar one.

If you know who your "Optimal Client" is and how you would speak to them on a one on one basis, then you know exactly what to talk about when you speak in front of a larger group. Because the truth is, speaking to a large group is just speaking to a bunch of people one -on -one, just all at the same time and without pesky interruptions!

So tell your stories, show how you or the people you helped overcame the same obstacles that your client is looking to overcome so they will know that they want to connect with you further even after you have left the stage. Practice becoming a storyteller when you are one on one with your clients and that will also help you know what material works and what doesn't.

2) Secrets to delivering an engaging talk

Start your talk with a story, or a question that leads into a story. Focus on a topic that you are passionate about and let your passion shine through. The truth is that the thing you are passionate about and that you know quite a lot about, you could probably talk about it if awoken from a dead sleep, so when choosing your signature talk, make it something that holds YOUR everlasting interest as well as that of your optimal audience. 

Don't be afraid to share a little vulnerability. Audiences are more interested in real authentic experiences rather than polished buttoned up boring chatter. 

Practice makes perfect. Know trust and believe in your call to action. Memorize it, know it the way you know your name. We are so much more comfortable, at least most of us are, delivering something when we feel well prepared.

3) Market yourself to get booked on stages

Just the same way you would market a new course or a new offering from your business, spread the word that you are a speaker for hire. Reach out to your contacts lists. You will be pleasantly surprised how many organizations, associations, shows and even individuals are looking for speakers, ranging from small opportunities to speak to a hand full of people to speaking to thousands. With online opportunities expanding daily, this is a great time to explore your speaking chops.

The best place to start: Reach out to your circle. People who celebrate and love you. Ask them to hop on a quick connection call with you and ask them: Who do you know who might be looking for a speaker on XYZ topic? These are your trusted besties; take advantage of the help they want to offer and start making connections there. Once you have explored your friend group connections, then head out to some of your more distant contacts such as your linked in list or even your email list, clients and suppliers. before you have exhausted these lists, you will have a full schedule of speaking opportunities and once you start speaking, always look to book at least one speaking opportunity from each one you do.

Reach out to your friends who are speakers and COLLABORATE with them. Share their info with event organizers and invite them to share yours as well. That simple strategy can double your bookings in half the time.

4) The nuts and bolts you need

I recommend engaging the services of a professional for this one. This is the area where you don't want to spare expenses, because these are the things that go before you and speak for you when you are not in the room. When I talk to event organizers they mention that a poorly done one of these may get you passed on more readily than anything else. 

Your speaker one, 

Speaker reel, 

Press kit 

5) It has nothing to do with you, it's not about you

Lastly, but I probably should have mentioned this first. Don't ever be nervous to get on a stage. the truth is: You probably know much more about your topic than those assembled. Those assembled actually are there because they WANT to hear what you have to share. They need to learn the wisdom that you have for them and you are meant to share it. 

It's not about you, you are not meant to feel self conscious, you are just the medium for delivering the words that someone in your audience needs to hear today. Knowing it is not about you, it has never been and will never be about you, that should take a little of the pressure off of being in front of a room full of people.

I could go on and on about all of this but I feel we might be able to get to the bottom of you speaking with conviction and grace by actually chatting together. What do you think? If you would like to pick my brain, the option to hop on a call with me exists! FYI: There is no obligation to anything except to have you Speak about what thrills you!

Here's the link to take a quick survey and if you click through to the end you will be able to hop on to my calendar. I look forward to chatting with you and cheering you on as you increase your income, reach and impact using the outstanding tool of speaking. 

Here's the link:  https://www.growsmarternotharder.com/visibilitysurvey

So... You Want To Start A Podcast, 5 Tips To Improving Podcasting Success

 

So...

Maybe you want to start a podcast, or maybe you already have one? I invite you to ask yourself, what's the real reason behind your desire to host a podcast? Was it because it seemed like the next bright shiny media trend? Was it because everyone and their mom has one? I like to joke that even my mom has a podcast and her computer skills are, well, let's just say not optimal! Did you have a deeper heart centered calling?

If the first two of those reasons are among YOUR reasons for wanting to be a podcaster, there is no shame in that. You are not wrong, podcasting is a growing media subgroup and with over a billion podcasts on Apple podcasts and growing every day, podcasting could be a great option for very many of us seeking to get our message out into the world.

But just like any other media format, You could put your amazing content out there and be met with the resounding sound of... CRICKETS. So how can we decide whether podcasting is a good choice for us and how can we set ourselves up for podcasting success? Read on dear reader! Here are 5 simple tips that can truly help your podcast along the road to success:

1) Have a Plan

This may not speak directly to you but let me share with you the kind of person that I am: I joke all the time that I make lists for everything. I tell anyone that will listen, and this is absolutely true, that even my lists have lists. Even if you do not get the perverse pleasure out of being a prodigious planner (yay alliteration,) having a plan for your podcast even if it is a loosely held plan, can help you be more successful. Being clear about the goal of your podcast; knowing what you would want your listener's next step to be after listening to you and being very clear about that, that has to be step one.

2) Market your podcast

Just the same way that you would market a new course or offering in your business, you may find it very beneficial to have a solid plan in place for marketing your podcast. There is no doubt in my mind that what you want to share needs to be shared with the world, but as I always say, you have to place yourself where the people who are losing sleep at night because they haven't met you yet, you have to put yourself in a place where they can find you. Spending a little time and energy on the front end getting the word out helps you get seen by people outside of your traditional audience because you will get on the New and Noteworthy podcast listings, start showing up in searches and that can be a huge boost both in podcast viewership and also to your business if you have a solid call to action.

3) Be Consistent

Being consistent means publishing your podcast on  the same day of the week and at the same time every time. Guess what, people are going to start following you because you are just that good, but what you don't want to do is to disappoint your peeps. Most services allow you to prerecord your podcasts and que them for release. That means you can be consistent without being tied to the schedule. One more thing about consistency: Be consistent with the length, quality, style, format and subject of the podcast. You don't want your listeners to settle in for a 1 hour listen only to realize you only did a 20 minute recording this week. You also don't want them to show up for one type of topic and have that switched to talk about something else entirely. I am not saying you cannot have special editions on your podcasts, just be very clear about it so your listeners know what to expect. 

4) Polish Your Professionalism

I'm not saying you need to be formal if that's not your thing! I'm the last person to recommend that because my podcast: The Ladies' Power Lunch Podcast, is probably the most laid back show known to mankind! What I mean is: Spend some time honing your presentation skills. Learn to be vocally engaging. Focus on topics you are passionate about. Have an outline without being a slave to the outline, this prevents rambling which can get boring really fast for listeners. Get really good at telling your stories and sprinkle those in liberally. People love stories. And one more thing: Check your equipment. Make sure that the sound of your podcast is professional. Poor audio quality may send your potential listener running away from, instead of towards, your podcast.

5) Interviews

Here's an important nugget. Those of you who know me well know that there was no way that an article of this nature would be complete without mention of COLLABORATION. Podcasts are a perfect medium for collaboration. Depending on the format of your podcast, if you allot time to interview others, that an be a really great way to boost your listenership. By the same token, also look for opportunities to #beaguest on other people's shows and when you do, bring your A game. This allows other people's audiences to get to know like and trust you and will invite them over to give your podcast a listen as well.

It took me a longer time than most to actually make the decision to podcast, but it happened energetically at the right time. Be sure that in all you do, that you also feel that energetic alignment, because above all else, that is the truest measure of success.

Do you have questions or concerns about podcasting? I would love to chat more with you about how you can shine your light and be the beacon you are meant to be in this world. This free invitation is open to you. For more information and to hop on my schedule, just take this brief survey, click through and schedule a time that works for you. Will we talk soon? Here's the link to connect:  https://www.growsmarternotharder.com/visibilitysurvey