Whether you're a seasoned speaker looking to enhance your skills, or an aspiring speaker taking your first steps into the spotlight, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you discover your speaking journey.

Host Erica Castner shares her own experiences and lessons learned along her speaking path, including the importance of defining your speaking path and clarifying your speaking goals. She also emphasizes the need to identify your ideal expertise and provides tips on brainstorming speaking topics that will resonate with your audience. To wrap up the episode, Erica offers intentions and actionable steps to help you take control of your speaking path.

If you've ever wondered how to streamline your speaking opportunities and achieve your biggest business goals, this episode is a must-listen. So grab your notebook and get ready to discover your speaking path on this exciting episode of The Heart of Marketing You Podcast!

Here are a few key takeaways you'll learn:

[00:02:50] Short preparation time is essential for effective speaking.

[00:06:30] Building network, attracting influence, monetizing speaking opportunities.

[00:07:47] Free guide helps align speaking goals and expertise.

[00:13:51] Choose speaking topics aligned with the audience's needs.

[00:16:20] Take action and practice to improve speaking.

[00:19:01] Find relevant speaking gigs to make an impact.

The foundation of being a great marketer stems from the connection between personal growth and marketing success. So often, we think the only thing that improves our marketing abilities is knowing all the tactics. Although "tactics" help, there are a few other qualities you need to have to connect with your audience and make you more "marketable" as a service provider.

Here are a few practical tips to get you started:

1. Start seeking more opportunities to market yourself - This doesn't mean you have to do more things. But what are you good at, and how many more of these opportunities can you "double down" on?
2. Strengthen your skills – the more valuable you are in your industry, the more confident you'll be. Do you need to get a coach, certification, or other kind of training? If so, decide how to get that support sooner than later.
3. Build quality relationships - Build relationships with others to take the pressure off you to always be in self-promotion mode. Start with reconnecting with your existing network. There's an exercise included in this episode to reconnect with your network.
4. Work on you - This is so much more than self-care. When you become a better version of yourself, you attract better people and better experiences. Read personal growth books or invest in coaching or counseling.

Want some additional support in building an excellent foundation for your marketing skills? Check out these resources:

• Expand Your Brand Without Breaking the Bank
• Stop Overthinking Your Professional Decisions
• Overcoming Your Visibility Fears
• Set up your Podcast Guest Directory Listing HERE

In this episode of "The Heart of Marketing You," we explore the world of strategic partnerships and uncover where to find people you want to align with professionally. This is one of my favorite topics to discuss as your business growth depends on who knows you and how you can tap into the power of those connections.

Once you know who you're looking to connect with, plenty of channels exist to find them. This episode will teach you how these channels can lead to powerful partnerships that drive business growth and success.

Here's what you'll learn in this episode, "Where to Find Strategic Partnerships":

• Understand the significance of strategic partnerships in business growth
• Discover how industry conferences and events provide networking opportunities
• Leverage national professional associations and networks to find like-minded partners
• The best way to utilize online platforms and communities for effective networking
• Engage in collaborative projects and initiatives to foster strategic partnerships.

Remember, strategic partnerships are crucial to business growth, so start exploring the various avenues for finding valuable partnership opportunities. Until next time, keep marketing with your heart!

Once you've listened to the episode, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Share your biggest takeaway by leaving a review here. When you do this, it helps more people hear the podcast.

Other resources you might find helpful:

• Expand Your Brand Without Breaking the Bank
• Stop Overthinking Your Professional Decisions
• Overcoming Your Visibility Fears
• Grab the free toolkit, "Position Your Expertise," HERE
• Sign up for the Free Masterclass "Branding Beyond Your Backyard"