416: The Secret to Authentic Connection with Your Audiences Is Your Brand Voice with Ashleigh Harvey
Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies
Release Date: 10/28/2024
Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies
Ever wish you had an extra set of hands - or better yet, an AI assistant - to take care of all those repetitive tasks in your business? In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to share the exact AI-powered workflows I’ve built and now rely on every week at Speaking Your Brand. From automating my podcast production (yes, even these show notes!) to cloning my voice for a brand-new companion podcast, you’ll get a sense at what’s possible - and what's already working. I walk you through real-world examples of how I’m using AI to: Save time with automated content workflows ...
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AI isn’t just on the horizon - it’s already here, reshaping how we work, connect, and show up in our businesses, no matter what industry you’re in. In this episode, I share how AI has fundamentally changed how I run Speaking Your Brand, well beyond using tools like ChatGPT (though I use that too!). I walk you through 4 powerful questions, originally posed by Wharton professor Ethan Mollick, that I’ve been reflecting on deeply and that can help you rethink your own services, content, and visibility. You’ll hear: What I used to do in my business that AI now does better (and...
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You’ve packed your presentation with data, insights, and value — but your audience isn’t responding the way you hoped. If you’ve ever looked out and seen glazed-over eyes… or walked off stage and didn’t get the results you wanted, this episode is for you. As a former software developer and technology strategist who has presented at countless conferences and meetups, I’ve learned what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to making technical or detail-heavy presentations land with impact. If you’re in a technical field — technology, software, AI, science, healthcare,...
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Have you ever wondered what it really takes to create, practice for, and deliver a powerful TED-style talk - especially one that’s only 8 minutes long? In this episode, I’m joined by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach at Speaking Your Brand, as we take you behind the scenes of our recent TED-style speaking experience. We were invited to be part of a live event called ElleX, hosted by a women’s entrepreneurship group at a local college. We had only one week to prepare our full talks for the audition! Diane and I share: How we came up with our topics and aligned them with the...
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Have you ever walked away from a presentation thinking, “That was… fine,” but not truly moved, inspired, or motivated? Here’s the truth: Most presenters mean well - they want to share valuable information - but they miss what truly makes a talk stick with the audience. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a recent presentation I gave at a local AI meetup that got amazing feedback - not because I taught all the things, but because I did these 3 key things instead. You’ll learn: What made this AI-focused talk both insightful and inspiring to a room full of people at all...
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If I take a look at your slide deck or presentation outline and I can’t tell that the content is yours (vs. another speaker on your topic), you’re in danger of being a commodity speaker. Commodity speakers are undifferentiated and interchangeable. It will be harder for you to attract higher-profile speaking engagements, raise your speaking fees, and generate quality leads at your presentations. What you want instead is for your content to position you as a thought leader. You will have a much bigger impact on your audiences and your speaking will be an effective marketing channel and...
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As speakers and entrepreneurs, we often focus on the facts, data, and tactics we want to share – but what about the emotional connection? In this episode, I talk about the power of finding the emotional heart of your message and why it’s essential for creating talks that resonate deeply with your audience and leave a lasting impact. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the emotional heart of your message is critical for building trust and connection How mirror neurons make our brains wired for empathy and why that matters in storytelling Examples from popular culture, including Hamilton...
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Have you ever imagined standing on a TEDx stage, spotlight on you, sharing a bold, transformative idea that resonates deeply with your audience? TEDx talks are powerful platforms, not just for delivering information, but for sparking new perspectives, challenging assumptions, and inspiring change. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it takes to land a TEDx talk, based on my experience selecting speakers for TEDx events and coaching clients to develop their big ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting to find your voice, I’ll guide you through what you...
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Have you ever wondered what truly makes a “signature talk”… well, signature? In this solo episode, I’m breaking down what a signature talk actually is (and what it isn’t), why most presentations fall flat, and how you can create a talk that not only connects with your audience — but also works for you as a speaker and thought leader. This episode is especially for you if you’ve ever felt stuck in what I call “the expert trap” - where you think you have to cram in as much information and training as possible in order to provide value. (Spoiler alert: that’s not how...
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I’ve been there. Heart pounding, mouth dry, butterflies swirling - even after years of speaking on stages and on live TV. In this episode, I share some of my hardest speaking moments (including my worst ever speaking experience) and the surprising reasons we feel nervous before we speak, even when we know our stuff inside and out. You’ll learn: The 3 big reasons we get nervous (it’s not just about being unprepared!) How our physiology plays a bigger role than we realize — and how to work with it, not against it What to do in advance to reduce anxiety and boost confidence ...
info_outlineAs an entrepreneur or professional, you know the power of having a clear and compelling brand voice that resonates with your audience.
You want your message to attract the right clients, opportunities, and partners - but knowing how to express your authentic self can feel like a challenge.
Many women struggle with feeling like they need to fit a mold: too professional, not bold enough, or maybe even too much.
The fear of sounding "wrong" or "inauthentic" holds many of us back from fully stepping into our voice, whether we're delivering a talk, crafting website copy, or writing emails.
In this episode, I talk with Ashleigh Harvey, a copywriting and brand messaging expert (and Thought Leader Academy grad), about how you can confidently find and express your authentic brand voice to connect deeply with your audience.
Ashleigh shares practical strategies for honing your message, so you’ll attract the right people for you.
We talk about:
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The common challenges women face when trying to find their brand voice
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How Ashleigh and I describe our own brand voices (I was surprised to figure out what my brand voice is!)
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Why authenticity is more important than ever in the age of AI-driven content
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The power of having a consistent practice for developing your brand voice
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Practical tips for writing copy that connects, persuades, and inspires action
Plus, Ashleigh and I announce an exciting joint retreat we’re hosting in London next summer! Over 4 days (June 29-July 2, 2025), you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in developing your brand voice and story, all while experiencing the rich performing arts culture and women’s history in an incredible city. Learn more at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/.
About My Guest: Ashleigh Harvey runs The Story Team, her persuasion copywriting business. Her mission is to empower female entrepreneurs to embrace their authentic voice and weave it into their business, creating consistent branding and copy that converts. She works with female entrepreneurs from South Africa to New Zealand, from India to South Korea, from the UK to the USA, helping them with badass brand voice and copy tips. She is an unapologetic vegan who started her business from her car while working as a care worker. She swears too much, is far too loud, is working more and more on not caring too much about what other people think, and she wants to tell her story so that it may help other women to find their power.
Links:
Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/416/
Ashleigh’s website: https://www.thestoryteam.org/
Apply for our London Brand Building Retreat in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/
Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/
Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/
Connect on LinkedIn:
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Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
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Ashleigh Harvey (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-harveyldn/
Related Podcast Episodes:
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Episode 234: How to Create Content Using Your Authentic Voice with Ashleigh Harvey (Rennie)
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Episode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World