As the popular marketing saying goes: facts tell, stories sell.  

Stories are incredible for connection and engagement, but what if you just don’t have any good ones? Or everytime you need one, you go blank? 

You need a bank of stories to pull from that you can use over and over again. In this episode, I give you my 3 step process for documenting and organizing stories so you’re never caught trying to think of one on the fly, or worse, omitting it all together.

Storytelling should be fun, not stressful. Get ready to add more personality and power to podcast interviews, weekly content, emails and more.

Episode Highlights

MYTH: Your life is boring and you have no stories.

(04:46) How we see the world is based around our own beliefs. If you tell yourself you have no stories, you're going to make that truth.

The reality is our whole life is a story. Every memory we have from our childhood, from our work experiences, waiting in line at the coffee...

I often say that a stage is simply a platform to share your message. In this online world, especially during the pandemic, most have been surprised to learn just how many stages are readily available and are ready to start exploring.

Today we’re talking about live streaming, however the secrets I share are absolutely relevant to pre-recorded video or any other stage that you find yourself speaking.

Before we dive in, if fear of the camera is something that you’re struggling with, grab my Confidence Booster: 5 Hacks to Shake Your Fear & Kickstart Your Confidence. It’s a simple PDF guide to help you press LIVE, plus you’ll also get access to my recommended tech list, including the cameras, tripods, lights, streaming software and other misc tech I share with my clients and students. Grab it here.

Making the decision to start showing up on live stages can often be an emotional decision rooted in FEAR.

What will others think of me?

What if I make a...

Sometimes fear is obvious: fear of heights, public speaking, spiders.  

Sometimes fear is complicated: fear of success, loss, failure. 

Sometimes we don’t even realize that fear is even present, but masked as something else: impostor syndrome, procrastination, doubt.

When it comes to chasing big goals you can count on FEAR being present (or acknowledge that your goals aren’t big enough).

But how do we embrace this fear, listen to it and use it as fuel to accomplish our dreams? Enter this week’s guest, the #FearBoss Queen herself, Judi Holler. 

Judi’s a professional keynote speaker and creative CEO. A professionally trained improviser and alumni of the Second City Training Center’s Conservatory in Chicago, Judi just celebrated the one year birthday of her best selling book, Fear is My Homeboy.

This just might be my favorite interview I’ve ever done, partly because Judi’s energy is so electrifying, but also...

What do you need to know when it comes to crafting a signature story that inspires and connects the dots for your audience?

Wait, what the heck is a signature story and do you need one?

Short answer yes, because like many entrepreneurs you’re probably making this rookie marketing mistake:

When talking about yourself and your background you rample a laundry list of experiences, resembling more of a resume than a journey an audience can relate to. The no-no is that you think you’re telling your “story”.

It’s ok if you’ve done this. Truthfully, me too.

I mean, it's hard NOT to when someone asks you “how did you end up in this line of work”, or “tell me a bit about your background”.

But here’s the most important thing to understand when it comes to your role as a marketer using story:

The story that matters most is the quiet one unfolding within your listener as they hear you tell yours.

...

You might NEVER guess it now, but Natalie Workman, the host of the WorkWoman podcast used to be paralyzed by her fear of public speaking.  For years she stayed on the sidelines allowing others to take the spotlight while she built her career behind the scenes.

Last year she invited me to her home to talk about private coaching.

As I got situated on the couch, she jumped right in, “Heather, I called you because I have to push through this fear head on.”

I’d known Natalie for years. 

She’s kind, confident and damn good at making you feel special when you talked with her. A real knack for moving conversations along by asking good questions (a skill she told me she learned from her mom).

She wanted to play a bigger game personally and professionally and had set big fat SCARY goals.

It wasn’t until this moment that I realized that Natalie’s fear of public speaking was crippling and deeply rooted. 

She had an embarrassing...

Today I’m sharing the audio of this virtual session with you for two reasons:

1. I’m sure you have similar questions around leveraging the power of video in your business, specifically how to show up more confidently and eloquently. The idea of putting your face on camera can feel a little overwhelming. In this session, I help demystify that for business owners who want to do video work.

2. I want you to hear what a live, engaging and effective presentation sounds like. Even if the topic doesn't resonate with you, pay attention because this is VERY meta. You get to hear a virtually speaking coach… speak virtually! 

Pay attention to my engagement techniques, the nuggets of credibility and the overall flow and my energy. This is your shot to experience one of my live sessions firsthand (and for free).

In this episode we cover:

1. Why so many fear the camera and how to navigate it
2. The nuances between live vs recorded video
3. Planning content for video...

A perk of running your online business is taking zoom calls in your sweats. But those big goals you’ve set aren't going to happen from behind your laptop.

To grow your audience (and your programs), you’ve got to get more eyeballs on your business, which means stepping into the spotlight to get noticed.

But the big question for many entrepreneurs is: when’s the right time to start speaking on podcasts and stages?

The answer? Much sooner than you think.

Joining me in a conversation on visibility and getting started before you feel ready, is my good friend, mentor and client, the legendary Tarzan Kay.

Tarzan shares the story of the first time she ever spoke on a stage. It happened to be Amy Porterfield’s and she was in a line up alongside Jasmine Star and Marie Forleo. Listen in to hear what happened when she stepped off.

Tarzan reminds us that “if you have no audience, you have no business” and generously shares tangible tips...

Have you ever had an awesome thought, but when you open your mouth to speak it doesn't come out anything like in your head? Or worse, you held it in because you couldn’t muster the courage to try. 

When it comes to articulating our ideas, THE STRUGGLE. IS. REAL. 

Whether it's speaking up in a meeting, thinking on your feet during a Q&A or addressing a price question with a client, you've got to clearly and concisely share your thoughts and jump into the conversations that matter.

Check out today's episode of Finding Your It Factor and you'll learn:

• Why so many of us struggle speaking up
• The secret to becoming more concise
• An exercise to externally process your thoughts
• Sentence starters to get you into action

And hey, If you like today's show, hit that SUBSCRIBE button so you don't miss the next one.

Do you have a live presentation coming up? Get my Pro Speaker Planning Guide. It covers the things you didn't know you needed to. Hint... that...