Public Speaking | Solo Mompreneur

Find Your Voice, Take A Risk And Tell Your Story

I know. It can be scary.

The most prolific writers, public speakers, authors, coaches, and avid bloggers will encourage you and urge you to think about the importance of story in your life.

So take in a deep breath, go out on a limb, and tell your story.

Unmasking what’s behind the development of your programs, products, and services is the most compelling piece of marketing strategy you own.

Nothing is more powerful or empowering than chiseling away at the exterior to reveal the human spirit within.

“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey. “

~ Stephen R. Covey

The moment I crossed over that scary imaginary line and decided to stop keeping my story to myself, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. Not to sound cliché, but the process was very therapeutic. I realized it was really what I needed to do all along. I needed a shift in my thinking. I needed to stop fighting the reluctance and find the gumption and the guts to just do it.

Courage is a strange animal and an even stranger phenomenon.

Once you embrace a tad bit of courage, the more courageous you’ll become.

Telling your story will move you directly down a path to “finding your voice”. It will literally cement you in to a whole new way of thinking, engaging, and living your life (and working your business!)

What’s the significance of story in your life?

Leadership Hall of Fame: Stephen R. Covey, Author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” (fastcompany.com)

Filed Under: Authors, Blogging, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Public speaking, Storytelling, Write a book Tagged With: Authors, Books, Courage, Human, Internet business success, Marketing your services online, Spirit, Stephen R. Covey, Write a book

Don’t Work Hard At Finding Ways Of Saying Very Little

By Melanie Kissell 22 Comments

It isn’t often (like maybe once in a blue moon) you have the joy and privilege of crossing paths with a consummate professional, outstanding blogger, and delightful human being like Keith Davis of espeaking (Easy Public Speaking).

Keith knocked on the door of Solo Mompreneur recently, read a few of my posts, and left not only comments in the box, but compliments, as well.

Talk about a hallmark moment!

What sincerely warmed my heart and made me feel appreciated in the blogosphere was his mention of my “short, sharp posts” that manage to deliver a valuable message in so few words. He also wrote that my posts were “easy to comment on”.

I responded by thanking Keith and letting him in on my secret — “Pigeonhole posts” are my signature writing style and one that I have been criticized about in the past.

A few bloggers have accused me of taking the lazy way out because I don’t write lengthy posts. One person actually said I wasn’t worth a hill of beans as a blogger and that maybe I should consider writing commercial jingles instead.

You know, that might not be a bad idea! Come to think of it, I hear there’s a lot of money to be made in that industry.

In case you’re curious as to why you won’t find a post with 500+ words in it on my blog …

I’ve settled into a form of writing that’s right for me – a comfortable fit (like my fuzzy bunny bedroom slippers).

Some bloggers work very hard at loading up the page with what I call “filler and flowery jargon” and, in essence, end up saying very little (at least very little that’s of interest to me).

Remember that axiom you learned in math class – “What is the shortest distance between two points?”

The answer is “a straight line”.

That’s what my blog posts are – the shortest distance between inviting you in and having you leave with something valuable.

P.S. If you’re at all interested in public speaking (or you just want to connect with a true gentleman and a fabulous blogger), please take a stroll on over to espeaking and introduce yourself to Keith Davis. And if you like, you can tell him I sent you.

Filed Under: Blogging, Education and training, Micro blogging, Public speaking Tagged With: Blog, Business, Business Services, Communication, Education and Training, Keith Davis, Public speaking

Use Your Voice To Promote Your Products And Services

By Melanie Kissell 8 Comments

Some solo professionals and small business owners really enjoy writing and others prefer speaking.

You don’t have to have a college degree in communications or specialized training to use speaking as a strategy to promote your products or services.

If you enjoy using your voice to build your online business, teleseminars are a fantastic marketing platform. You can invite your e-newsletter subscribers, blog readers, customers, current clients, and social networking friends to attend your teleseminar.

For those that can’t attend, be sure to provide a “replay” link so they can listen to the presentation at their own convenience.

If you spend time on my website, you’ll quickly figure out that I’m a big fan of “Free”. So here are four No-Cost teleseminar resources for you to check out:

Speak up! Speak out! Using your voice is a very effective way to share your expertise, showcase your talents, and let your personality and pizazz shine through.

Filed Under: Internet Marketing Tools, Making money on the internet, Online Promotions, Podcasting, Public speaking, Small business owners, Teleseminars Tagged With: Free marketing tools, Marketing your services online, Online Promotions, Podcasting, Teleseminars

The Sound of Your Voice Matters

By Melanie Kissell 8 Comments

I bet everyone reading this already understands the value and importance of building online relationships.

Relationship-building must remain your #1 Priority!

But how do you go about establishing viable and lasting relationships over the internet?

How do you give your colleagues, prospects, social media contacts, and potential customers and clients the opportunity to get to know you better?

Use a powerful free marketing tool that’s at your disposal twenty-four hours a day – Your Voice!

E-newsletters, email marketing, blogging, article marketing, forums, and social media are great and should be vital components for branding yourself and your business. However, these are considered “silent” venues. People can only read what you have to say.

Having the opportunity to hear your voice makes a REMARKABLE difference in the minds and hearts of your target audience!

Normally, you don’t have the luxury and joy of meeting your fans and followers face-to-face, although it would be wonderful to sit across the table from one another and have a nice chat.

So, instead, choose your next best relationship-building option!

Select at least one or two of these “voice” strategies that you’re most comfortable with or want to learn more about:

Teleseminars
Webinars
Internet Radio
Videos
Podcasting
Audio Postcards
Guest Expert Interviews

If you’ve never heard MY voice, click the link below where Terrie Wurzbacher of Getting Unstuck, LLC recently interviewed me as a Guest Expert:

Hear my Voice

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Filed Under: Blog Talk Radio, Building relationships online, Internet Marketing Tools, Public speaking, Teleseminars, Webinars Tagged With: Free marketing tools, Internet Radio, Podcasting, Teleseminars

Blog Your Way To Winning Friends And Influencing People

By Melanie Kissell 5 Comments

When I was in high school, I had the chance to take some of the most outstanding elective courses. Electives were classes you could choose to take and not part of the required academic curriculum.

I joined the orchestra and marched in the band. Learning halftime choreography was a blast! Typing class was one I just couldn’t pass up.

I took a public speaking class (which I loved with every fiber of my being!) and I had the joy and the privilege of studying journalism for two years.

But the most memorable elective I ever attended was the Carnegie Mellon Institute’s Course of Literature.

The very first book on the reading list was Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. Brilliant as he was, Carnegie forgot to write a chapter on “blogging”!

Okay, I’ll be a little forgiving. The book was first published in 1937. Putting pen to paper was en vogue then and I believe some people were still communicating by carrier pigeon.

In forming relationships online, I’m finding blogging to be an ideal platform for showcasing your expertise and building your brand. And the beauty of blogging is that you don’t have to be a journalist. You can just be YOU.

Blogging is all about telling stories, sharing life experiences, and sometimes bringing human frailties to light.

It’s the perfect medium for having a conversation with people without being physically present or sitting across the table from them.

For marketing a business online, blogging is a great venue for educating, entertaining, and engaging your target audience. Simultaneously, you’ll be winning friends and influencing people.

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Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Online Marketing, Public speaking, Storytelling Tagged With: Blogging, Dale Carnegie, Marketing your services online, Online Success, Public speaking

BIZ TIP ON USING YOUR VOICE TO PROMOTE YOUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

By Melanie Kissell Leave a Comment

Some solopreneurs and service professionals enjoy writing while others prefer speaking or being in front of a camera.

If you enjoy using your voice to build your online business, teleseminars are a fantastic marketing platform. You can invite your e-newsletter subscribers, blog readers, current clients, and social networking friends to attend your teleseminar. For those that can’t attend, be sure to provide a replay link so they can listen to the presentation at their own convenience.

If you scout around my website, you’ll quickly figure out that I’m a big fan of “free”. So here are three No-Cost teleseminar venues for you to consider:

FreeConferenceCall.com

NoCostConference.com

FreeConference.com

Many online marketing professionals choose to use a paid service called InstantTeleseminar.com. You may want to check it out and determine if it fits into your budget.

Speak up! Speak out! Using your voice is a wonderful and effective way to share your expertise and build relationships.

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