How do people make those awesome looking videos for social media without hiring an editor or mastering editing software? 

If you've thought about creating videos for your marketing but find yourself stuck with .. listen up!

You already know that video is a FIRE strategy for connecting with your audience. And those who put a little effort into the quality of your videos (set, lighting & audio), raise the bar for how you perceive their brand. 

So where does that leave you? 

You want a brand that's inspiring, provides tangible value AND looks pretty, but without tech chops for editing, a big budget for nice equipment or understanding what "nice" actually means... 

Creating video is a task that’s remained on the “for later” list.

Enter this week's FIRE episode on The Heather Sager Show with Michael Moore.

It’s 2 video nerds in one awesome conversation about how to make video more doable for online biz owners.

Michael shares tips for...

I'm joined this week by a real estate specialist, entrepreneur, podcast host and Speak Up to Level Up member, Paige Schulte. In this conversation she shares her unique perspective for how speaking has played out in both business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) worlds.

We also talk around how speaking can help be an accelerant for your business not only to get exposure but more so how can we be more intentional around all of the micro opportunities that are around us every day whether it's in a service-based business or a coaching business and looking for the opportunities to practice and get more confident.

In this episode we dive into...

• The importance of practicing and using stronger language on Instagram stories and live streams
• What happens when you approach one-on-one meetings and sales presentations like mini speeches
• How to leveraging Clubhouse to test the waters in speaking and position yourself as an expert
• Managing filler words, boundaries… and so...

Recently my 6 year old has decided he wants to become a YouTuber.

He turns on an old flip cam he found in our junk drawer and talks to “his fans” about… randomness.

The other day he showed off a “cool trick” he did with a connect four game and said “give me a thumbs up and be sure to subscribe if you think that was super cool”.

To be clear… he does not actually have a YouTube channel, he just thinks all videos just magically appear on there.

Unlike my kindergartner, I’m still working on boarding the YouTube train, but I love the idea that my content can be searched and found when convenient to business owners who need it, and by just posting on social (or even hosting an audio podcast), I’m missing a big opportunity to serve.

So enter 2021 being the year I consistently show up on YouTube as my next virtual stage.

But since I’m a total novice on the platform, I brought in my friend, client YouTube go-to, Tasha Cochran...

Should I script my videos? That's a question I hear often followed with…should I use a teleprompter? 

People think that there is just a yes or no, it's black and white, either your script or you totally go off the cuff and word vomit on video. We think that some people have this miraculous, natural talent for speaking off the cuff. But the truth is, they’re good because they’ve had experience.

Today, you’ll learn that there’s actually quite a gradient when it comes to scripting, you don’t have to choose one side. 

In this episode, I’ll share my take on teleprompters then walk you through five levels of scripting to help you find the best way for your current skill set, brand voice and personality.

LISTEN to the AUDIO of this episode:

In this episode we’ll dive into...

• Understanding that not all video is the same and therefore requires different approaches
• 5 levels of scripting, so you have more choices than off the cuff...

I’m thrilled to share with you my recent conversation with Tyler J McCall on how visibility served as a catalyst for his business growth.

If you haven’t yet met Tyler, he’s a business and Instagram marketing strategist for online business owners and digital entrepreneurs (and an all around cool human).

We had so much fun during my interview on his show, the Online Business Show (catch that episode here), that I wanted to turn the tables and ask HIM #allthethings.

In this episode we’re talking about Instagram (of course), but also the behind the scenes of putting yourself out there with insights that others just aren’t talking about when it comes to putting yourself out there building an online business. Tyler shares insights, vulnerable admissions and key lessons he learned on his journey creating Followers to Fans Society and the Online Business Association.

Here's few of my favorite highlights from the episode.

How Tyler went from...

The words “selling” and “persuasion” illicit a visceral response from many.

When I looked up the definition on ye ole google months back, the Oxford dictionary defined it as: 

• cause (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument
• cause (someone) to believe something, especially after sustained effort;
• convince.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t love the idea of being on the receiving end of that.

I’m reminded of the numerous political social media arguments between strangers who want others to believe what they believe so they scream louder with all caps.

Sustained effort.

Like if we just keep talking and pushing, we’ll wear someone down.

So when it comes to selling and persuading others to take action in our business, it’s no wonder that many shy away from it.

But what if I were to tell you that persuasion can be a good thing? That what I described below is actually a form of hubris and manipulation?...

In today's episode, I'm sharing with you my interview on the Power Your Purpose podcast with Megan Accardo. I share some of my best speaking tips, strategies and insights. Plus we get personal talking about my hearing loss and how that's affected my career, and core elements of my signature talk.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics we cover:

• Why setting your intention before any important conversation will guide you toward greater success in communicating your message
• How to use video to accelerate relationships, especially in this virtual working world (and how to get out of your own way and not focus on your own fears and insecurities while using said video)
• The importance of practicing conversations, but why you should NOT write actual scripts (hint: use only bullet points!)
• Why using storytelling is an incredibly important tool to show possibility and evoke emotion in those you are speaking to
• And so, so much more!

My hope in sharing this conversation is...

When you picture a “speaker”, I bet you picture a conference with a big stage. Well, besides the fact that conferences are a no-go in a pandemic, even if the live event world were open for business, you’d still have choices for sharing your message.

Today, I’m sharing with you 5 kinds of stages that you could be speaking on as a guest speaker to grow your authority.

Episode Highlights

Before you jump to opportunities, make sure you have your strategy. Here’s a few questions to help:

• Are you speaking to grow your business? 
• Are you speaking to grow your list? Are you speaking to grow your authority?
• Are you just looking to grow your confidence so that you can show up on stages with more confidence?

For more on developing your speaking strategy, grab my 5 step roadmap for speaking on stages here.

The power of positioning yourself as an expert

(03:40) I do think there's something to be said about identifying with this expert...

Do you ever feel like you’re talking to an empty room when you present virtually? You’re not alone, many speakers have found the transition from in person speaking to virtual stages a bit rocky, not anticipating the lack of audience engagement.

But is it really possible to get virtual engagement or should you have to just accept the lackluster zoom stares?

In this episode, I’ll show you that it is totally possible and teach you how to drive engagement from your virtual platform. 

Episode Highlights

I often hear from aspiring speakers that they “thrive of off live engagement”, this made the transition pretty jarring when it came to transitioning to virtual. 

Ultimately, you should never rely on your audience as your source of energy.

So it starts with ensuring that you cut ties with that above narrative, and replace it with “I BRING MY OWN ENERGY”.

As Brendon Burchard often says, a power plant has to GENERATE its...

If you plan on speaking on virtual or live event stages, you’ll inevitably face tech issues. The question is: will you handle them in a way that adds credibility to your brand or harms your reputation?  Will you roll with the punches or waste precious time with a deer in headlights look?

Today, I'm sharing some real examples of speaking hiccups and teaching three specific steps to help you navigate them with grace, leaving your audience thinking, “dang, if she can do THAT, what ELSE can she do for me?”

Good content, delivery and adaptability is essential to your brand.

(09:39) You have to have good content. You have to have a level of presence about you that elevates your brand. It's got to get people to connect to it. If you have poor delivery, it doesn't matter how good your content is, people are not going to remember it. They're not going to be engaged. You're not going to hold their attention. Your delivery has to be there, but your...