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"

In this episode, I'll share how to make the most out of your networking opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned networker or new to the scene, these strategies will help you elevate your networking game and make valuable connections. As you listen, some of this advice may sound counter-intuitive. However, if you stick with me to the end, these tips on how to make the most of your networking events will make more sense.

Here's what you'll learn in this episode, "Making the Most Out of Your Networking Opportunities":

• The first thing to consider before you even walk into an in-person or virtual networking event
• How to identify professionals already talking and marketing to your ideal client and the value of finding events where they are hanging out
• The biggest assumption professionals make at networking events that ruin their reputation
• Two power questions that will make you appear more valuable and memorable
• How to end a conversation with those you want to stay in touch with at networking events.

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
• Set up your Podcast Guest Directory Listing HERE

The Heart of Marketing You Podcast is for business owners and service professionals who want authentic and relevant marketing strategies to help them find, connect, and convert their ideal clients and build a dream team to support their business growth vision.

In this episode, we discuss five ways to market yourself for free. Whether you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, or business owner, these strategies will help you reach new audiences and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Although some of these strategies might seem like ones you've heard of before, I caution you to listen to this episode with a fresh perspective.

As you listen to the episode, consider the ONE strategy you'll use to promote your expertise for free rather than focusing on implementing all of them. With that said, focusing on one strategy will simultaneously help you develop plans to apply the other strategies mentioned in today's episode.

Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

• Tips for creating valuable content that showcases your skills and knowledge
• Why being a podcast guest is a great way to promote your expertise
• The secret to creating more engagement through your social media channel
• A strategy I use to build my email list and stay top of mind with an audience of your ideal clients
• The importance of building relationships and collaborating on projects that promote your expertise

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

The Heart of Marketing You Podcast is for business owners and service professionals who want authentic and relevant marketing strategies to help them find, connect, and convert their ideal clients and build a dream team to support their business growth vision.

If you're looking for ways to expand your brand awareness without breaking the bank, this "Voices of Impact" episode is for you. No matter where you are in your business-building journey, you can implement each of the tips I share in this episode starting today.

Here are a few highlights I cover in this episode titled "Expanding Your Brand Without Breaking the Bank":

• How to identify other professionals who are already marketing to your ideal clients so that you can leverage each other's audience
• One of the most overlooked places to connect with influential professionals in your community
• Examples of "power collaborations" and how to use these to expand your brand awareness faster

After you listen to this episode, tell me via email which one of these tips you will use to expand your brand without breaking the bank.

In this episode, we will explore how to identify and overcome the barriers holding you back, especially those related to self-limiting beliefs. We will discuss how to identify these beliefs and provide actionable steps to overcome them. Self-limiting beliefs can be a significant obstacle to achieving your goals and living your best life. By recognizing and overcoming these beliefs, you can break free from the barriers holding you back and live a more fulfilling life.

Here are the viewpoints we'll cover:

• Definition of self-limiting beliefs and why they are harmful
• Common examples of self-limiting beliefs
• The impact of self-limiting beliefs on your life and goals
• How to recognize when you are holding onto a self-limiting belief

What is the Definition of self-limiting beliefs, and why are they harmful? Self-limiting beliefs are negative thoughts or beliefs about ourselves, our abilities, or our potential. These beliefs can prevent us from reaching our full potential and create a mental barrier holding us back from achieving our goals.

Self-limiting beliefs are harmful because they can limit our growth, keep us in old patterns and behaviors, and prevent us from taking risks and trying new things. When we hold onto self-limiting beliefs, we often create a self-fulfilling prophecy where we unconsciously act in ways that reinforce our negative thoughts, reinforcing the negative outcomes we fear.

Self-limiting beliefs can also lead to low self-esteem, self-doubt, and insecurity. They can cause us to feel unworthy of success or happiness and keep us from taking the necessary steps to achieve our goals.

What are some common examples of self-limiting beliefs? There are many types of self-limiting beliefs, which can manifest in different ways depending on the individual and their life experiences.

Here are some common examples of self-limiting beliefs:

• "I'm not good enough."
• "I'm too old/too young."
• "I'm not smart enough."
• "I'm not deserving."
• "I'm a failure."
• "I'm not creative."
• "I'm too busy."

Here are some ways that self-limiting beliefs can hold you back:

• Limits your potential: Self-limiting beliefs create mental barriers that prevent you from exploring your full potential. When you believe you're incapable or deserving of success, you limit your ability to achieve your goals.
• Creates fear and anxiety: Self-limiting beliefs can lead to fear and anxiety, as you may worry about failure or not living up to expectations. This fear can prevent you from taking risks and trying new things.
• Affects self-esteem: Self-limiting beliefs can negatively impact your self-esteem, making you feel less confident and less deserving of success or happiness.
• Causes self-sabotage: When you hold onto self-limiting beliefs, you may unknowingly engage in self-sabotaging behaviors that reinforce these beliefs. For example, you procrastinate, leading to missed opportunities and stagnation.
• Limits growth and development: Self-limiting beliefs can prevent you from exploring new ideas, learning new skills, or pursuing new opportunities. This can limit your personal and professional growth and development.

How can someone recognize when they are holding onto a self-limiting belief?

• Negative self-talk: Pay attention to the things you say to yourself. Do you often criticize or belittle yourself? Do you use negative language when describing yourself or your abilities?
• Avoidance or procrastination: Do you avoid certain activities or situations because you believe you're not good enough, smart enough, or deserving enough? Do you procrastinate or put off tasks because you fear failure?
• Comparison to others: Do you often compare yourself to others and feel inadequate as a result? Do you believe others are more talented, successful, or deserving than you?
• Fear of failure: Do you avoid taking risks or trying new things because you're afraid of failing? Do you see failure as a reflection of your worth or abilities?
• Feeling stuck or stagnant: Do you feel you need to progress in your life or goals? Do you feel like you need help getting out of a rut or not living up to your potential?

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself, it may be a sign that you are holding onto a self-limiting belief.

Take some time to reflect on your thoughts and beliefs and identify any negative patterns or beliefs that may be holding you back.

Want to UNLEASH your inner badass? Join me for the "She's Unstoppable" Experience. Register for the "She's Unstoppable Experience" here!

In this episode, Erica discusses how to stop overthinking your biggest professional decisions and how to get more clarity on what's most important in achieving your goals. She also shares a few takeaways and examples she learned during a recent panel discussion she moderated for Dress for Success SW Florida.

Here are a few talking points discussed in this "Voices of Impact" episode:

• What are the root causes of overthinking?
• Why your overthinking tendencies are keeping you stuck
• How to take action, in spite of negative feelings or emotions
• How to plug into a community of female small business owners, service professionals, and creators who have a big vision to create impact and change

Are you a female small business owner, service professional, or creator that has a big vision to impact more people with your work? If so, join us inside our free community, "Small Business | Big Vision" Collective. Join here.