CanInnovate

As many of you know, I've been working on my networking book. Boy, that's been a journey of UPS & DOWNS! Fear, Anxiety, Excitement, Dreams, Reality, Unknown.. I'm literally my own 52 Flavors of Emotions. This is what happens, when you do things totally outside your NORM. I've always wanted to write. It's no secret, my grammar sucks most of the time. However, you can hire editors to make you look like a rockstar!

Which is even funnier because my editor, Barbara, her & I met at a Women's Digital Networking Event here in Toronto about 2-3 years ago. We always stayed in touch and meet up from time to time. I really had zero clue that I'd be using her to edit my book. A book was part of my curiosity list and more importantly, it was on my BUCKET LIST!

I'm happy to announce that the book is in the finalization stages and called CONNECT THE DOTS! How to turn strangers into meaningful network connections. Actually, my eldest niece - the 9 year old, who is a BOOK WORM! I actually call her BELLE (from Beauty & the Beast) came up with the book name! She asked me to explain what the book is about and viola. CONNECT THE DOTS was born!

As some of you know, this book is inspired by my College students. The students each week would come into the class and ask about networking techniques and tactics as they were having very poor luck. I was surprised because I thought everyone knew how to do this. Each class, we'd end up spending so much time on their challenges from confidence issues resulting in that they had an accent, or that English isn't their first language to how to introduce themselves or answer 'What do you do?' The book wrote itself throughout the semester.

The goal of the book is to bring the fun and ease back into Networking and to meet interesting people. The book teaches people some techniques to build the natural ease of networking. Too many people hate networking and yet it's a necessity of life. It's a necessary life skill as no one gets ahead in life without a little help.

The objectives of the book are to provide:

• Techniques to meet more interesting people
• How to craft a great intro that generates intrigue in you - and avoid rhyming off your entire CV, yup, we all know people that do that.
• Ice-breaker for all different aspects of your life (that are not cheesy)
• Remove the stress of small talk
• Discover different networking approaches & tactics
• Engage others in a fun way that is authentically you
• Build mutually beneficial relationships
• Be seen as a value creator
• Develop network roadmap, including leveraging social media

I interviewed lots of lots of folks to hear their amazing tips and some horror stories. In fact, some of the horror stories inspired me to write a blog - Am I networking or dating?

I thought in this episode I'd provide some tips, so that you can start to really optimize your networking activities.

Less effort, More results! How to take the Work out of Networking!!!! As my gift to you, I created a little cheat sheet - 10 free tips to optimize the networking benefits to start getting immediate results!

Networking is so time consuming, so why not make it more effective? Many companies prefer employee referrals for internal roles to help them find new fresh talent and make it more enticing place to work. It's a win-win for organizations. They save on recruitment costs and employees bringing their network to the organization becomes a great retention tool! No one is going to refer someone that they don't know a little bit or if they can get a sense of who they are and their values. Then, it's a bit of a game changer.

One key thing is that we often forget that networking is a mechanism to build relationships. We need to let people get to know, like and trust us, before introducing us to people in their network. We are an extension to their brand and their circle of their trust. Networking is a two-way street, a two-way adult conversation.

Common Mistakes

Scenario

Consider this

1

Networking only when you need it

Waiting to build your network, when you need it is a common mistake. Networking is all about relationships. Relationships take time. We should be networking everyday and building this as essential business life skill.

• Eating lunch with different people. You can brown bag it

2

Asking for something too soon

When you meet someone for the 1st time, do you ask if they can babysit your kids for the weekend? Or borrow their car for the weekend? Asking for something too soon is frustrating for the other person and you'll get labelled as an opportunists or a used-car sales person. Networking is the beginning of a relationship/conversation. You need to start by giving before receiving to build trust and rapport.

• Practice your active listening skills and become curious about them, before you ask for things

PROVIDE VALUE

4

Not staying in touch with existing networks

This is an often forgotten about area… your existing connections. Its human behaviour to want something new, instead of looking at the old. People move to different companies, industries and countries and they've increased their network. There is that age old saying - 'your net worth = your network'. So, get in touch with people to see how they are doing.

• LinkedIn - see how your existing network is doing. LinkedIn provides notifications of updates
• Did you forget to add people? I.e. Parent's friends/ Old Colleagues
• Existing contact gone very cold? Set up a google alert about them and see when they've published something. Use it as an engagement tool.

However, people make the same mistakes over and over again. So, I thought I'd create a cheat sheet to help you mitigate this risk and for you to look like a rock star. I hope you enjoy this freebie and can't wait to hear your success stories!

CLICK TO GET YOUR FREE CHEAT SHEET HERE

I really can't wait to hear your feedback and thoughts.

Where to get the book? Amazon of course! The links are in the episode notes! You can get the digital or print version! I'm really excited about this journey!

I'm already thinking about my 2nd & 3rd book and then my dad, even had one that he wants to co-write with me.

Thank you for all your kindness and support. I am truly grateful for each of you! And even more grateful, if you share this podcast with your friends!

Best Always,Sapna

Jessica Rawlley is the Co-Founder of MaaS Pros and TIEIT, leading edge technology companies that were able to expand at a global scale with clients across the globe and in various industries, including government organizations.

SUBSCRIBE TO CANINNOVATE

iTunes| iHeart | Stitcher | Google | Spotify | SoundCloud

She began to specialize in advising small businesses with their legal troubles, contracts and incorporations. Through this specialization, Jessica realized that she had a true passion for helping other small business owners like herself.

"The magic in Jessica's training is how she takes the most complicated topics and simplifies it, so even those without a technical background can understand it."

Episode Overview:

Imagine one stop-shop for all your business needs. Invoicing/ CRM/ Marketing/ Social Media/ Webforms/ Landing Pages are so much more.

In this episode, we chat about how to:

• TIEIT is the complete supporting ecosystem for businesses
• Inspired from headaches that they faced and other businesses face
• Validate your ideas by networking
• Leveraging AI as the foundation to the system
• The importance of networking
• One stop shop

It always seems impossible until it is done

Nelson Mendela

Recommended Resources:

Book Recommendation:

• Connect the Dots: How to Turn Strangers into Meaningful Networking Relationships
• You Are a Bada** by Jen Sincero

Favorite Canadian Hotspot:

• Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket, Toronto
• Pho Fusion in Bayview Ave., Newmarket

About TIEIT:

TIEIT is changing the way businesses operate and becomes the backbone of an organization helping teams improve efficiency, collaboration and captures all important data. TIEIT is made up of all essential modules that any business needs from sales, marketing, billing, scheduling and more, all under one, powerful and easy to use application. TIEIT recently won Innovation of the Year and Jessica received Entrepreneur of the Year by the Newmarket Chamber.

Jessica's creativity and strategic approach to building partnerships have been crucial in creating and fostering successful business relationships to scale the company at a rapid rate. Jessica is deeply passionate about building a company that drives value to its clients.

Connect with Jessica:

Website: TIEITApp.com and MAASPros.com

Facebook: MaaS Pros Facebook and TieiT Facebook

LinkedIn: Jessica Rawlley on LinkedIn

Twitter: @JRawlley

Tabitha always worked in different kinds of jobs, across different industries, and in varied roles but the one thing all her jobs have had in common is that she always work to help people get smarter about themselves, so they can make their own best decisions for life. The cannabis industry was really the first place where she felt like she fit- not necessarily because of cannabis, but really because it's a place for pioneers, and she really likes doing things first, before anyone else has had a chance to do it.

SUBSCRIBE TO CANINNOVATE

iTunes| iHeart | Stitcher | Google | Spotify | SoundCloud

Episode Overview:

This is for those that are curious about the Cannabis industry. Here are some points that Tabitha and I talked about in this episode:

• Stigmas around Cannabis
• Edibles - what is legal & what's not
• Therapeutic Benefits
• Women's Health Benefits from Cannabis - I had zero clue
• Controversial topics such as Sex & Cannabis and she's currently doing research
• Cannabis & Parenting - how to talk to your kids.
• Tips for if you're a newbie and some best practices

Tabitha Fritz was nominated as a trailblazer, challenging the norm from Steven Looi, both a podcast guest and listener. We had Steven on the podcast talking about the Cannabis Industry on episode 18. Seems like a lifetime ago. Steven always knows the movers and shakers in the Cannabis Industry.

Tune in to Steven Looi's episode here

Tabitha sleeps soundly at night knowing that cannabis is changing the world, and she's helping to make that happen.

About Mihi:

Mīhī is a collective of people just like you, who are impassioned by the potential cannabis has for each of us. They are on a mission to make it an accepted and positive part of life.

They understand that cannabis consumption is different for everyone and should be customized to meet individual lifestyles and needs.

They believe in the importance of community. For them, this means both the neighborhoods in which they operate, as well as the community of entrepreneurs in cannabis. That is why they are partnering with local craft growers, accessory suppliers, and local community groups and artisans.

Connect with Tabitha:

Website: MihiCannabis.ca

LinkedIn: Tabitha Frtiz

Twitter: @PenelopesWrist and @MihiCannabis

Instagram: @minicannabis

Scott Ste Marie is the Founder of Depression to Expression and has been speaking openly about his experience with clinical depression and an anxiety disorder since 2013. More importantly, he shares how he manages these illnesses successfully.

SUBSCRIBE TO CANINNOVATE

iTunes| iHeart | Stitcher | Google | Spotify | SoundCloud

Episode Overview:

I had a great time chatting with Scott this week. Tune in and learn how you can lessen depression, the benefits of opening up and much more.

Scott and I sit down and chat about some topics that aren't easy to talk about - we talk about everything from depression to social anxiety to how he's making this topic something easy for people to understand. You should check out his Depression to Expression YouTube videos - they are COLORFUL!!!

I can't wait to hear your feedback!

Scott first experienced depression and extreme anxiety while in his first year at University. During recovery, he found himself learning about mental health and taking charge of his own well-being. Upon graduation, his motivation for personal development has never been stronger. Scott's passion lies in mental health where he hosts a YouTube Channel Depression to Expression and helps those who suffer from mood disorders.

His approach is to not only encourage people to alter their mind state by cognitive exercises but also to involve the body. In Scott's experience, he says depression has been a blessing in disguise because he now takes nothing for granted and recognizes what is truly important in life.

Scott has been sharing his story of depression and anxiety for over 5 years and teaching others to feel confident in their self-expression. His mission is to empower people by helping them realize that depression and anxiety are not weaknesses but an opportunity for personal growth and development.

Scott's message has reached over 10 million people through online media which supports the fact that the need for mental health education is needed. Scott is dedicated to Depression to Expression and lives his passion everyday single day.

About Depression to Expression:

Depression to Expression started as an online mental health support community and is now serving over 150,000 members, reaching over 10 million people around the world. Offline, Scott provides workshops and presentations to schools and businesses in Toronto, creating an honest dialogue about mental health.

Depression to Expression recognizes all those who are affected by mental illness. They provide a refreshing perspective on what mental health means and offer strategies, coping tools and education to individuals, schools, and corporations.

Mission:

Create an honest dialogue about mental health by educating and inspiring people to express themselves freely with confidence.

Recommended Resources:

• Watch Scott's YouTube videos
• Meditation
• Being mindful about yourself and your body
• Writing a journal

Connect with Scott:

Website: DepressiontoExpression.com

YouTube Channel: Depression to Expression

Instagram: @depressiontoexpression

Facebook: Depression to Expression

Twitter: @expressionscott

LinkedIn: Scott Ste Marie

Evan Carmichael TRULY believes in entrepreneurs. At 19, he built then sold a biotech software company. At 22, he was a venture capitalist helping to raise $500,000 to $15 million. He runs a YouTube Channel for Entrepreneurs with 1.7 MILLION subscribers, has written 4 Books and speaks globally. He TRULY breathes and bleeds entrepreneurship. He does daily Instagram live videos, answers everyone's questions. He's truly obsessed, aiming to help one billion entrepreneurs and change the world.

Episode Overview:

I know that I say that every episode is a GEM, but I can't help. I truly get inspired by everyone and I'm so grateful for the guests and our listeners out there. However, this episode is really special to me. I get to chat with THE Evan Carmichael, who has changed the way I think! From hitting the snooze button to helping me find my purpose.

Evan is giving away a signed copy of his book Your One Word. Click here to join or tune in at the last section of this episode.

In this Episode, Evan and I talked about:

• How people can figure out their untapped potential. We all have something to offer the world and he provides tools for us to figure that out
• We talk about how pain really serves a purpose and will help us identify our 'Purpose' and One Word
• He even started a FREE GIRLBOSS series where you get daily videos for 254 days of wisdom & inspiration from women that are crushing it!
• We talk about how it takes 254 days to build a habit that becomes automatically embedded in our lives
• Oh yeah… he shares his thoughts about how to beat the 'BATTLE OF THE ALARM CLOCK!"
• And so much more…

By the way, stick around to the end of the podcast and hear how you can get a signed copy of 'One Word' by Evan Carmichael. This book has seriously become one of my top 10 business books and I have bought so many copies and gave them away as gifts!

I came across Evan Carmichael a few years ago with his YouTube video series for Entrepreneurs which has over 1.7 Million subscribers. I was so surprised to find out that he was Canadian. I honestly should've known. The clues were right there, his love for Tim Hortons & Toronto Blue Jays. But, i was so enchanted by his content and his video series.

If you don't know who Evan Carmichael is, you're truly missing out. This is how Gary V describes Evan Carmichael.

"Evan consumes so much content and then knows how to DJ it to inspire people."

Gary Vaynerchuk

Those are pretty big words and high praises from someone like Gary V. Evan is such a force that has made it his mission to help people to tap into their potential. He wants us to #BELIEVE in ourselves…

Evan has set two world records, uses a stand-up desk & has a giant Doritos bag in front of him all day long to remind him and he's STRONGER than the Doritos. Talk about dedication and commitment.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Evan a few times, he has invited me to be on his Instagram Live, his workshop and I'll tell you this, he is so down to earth, HUMBLE, kind and genuine. What you see on Instagram/YouTube is EXACTLY what he's like except that he's over 6' feet tall. A giant!

I ended up recording this podcast episode while Evan was driving on his 90 day tour. Yup, he did 23 cities in 90 days. I am so grateful for his time and we end up chatting about so many things.

Book Recommendation:

• Your One Word by Evan Carmichael
• The Top 10 Rules for Success by Evan Carmichael
• 254 Confidence by Evan Carmichael

Connect with Evan:

Website: EvanCarmichael.com

Instagram: @EvanCarmichael

YouTube: Evan Carmichael: Modeling the Masters

Facebook: Evan Carmichael

Having experienced dynamic challenges and barriers throughout her personal life and career, while falling in love with tea somewhere along the way, Sheena decided to combine passion and purpose through entrepreneurship. After becoming a certified Tea Sommelier, through the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada, Sheena decided to combine passion and purpose through entrepreneurship.

Tease Tea was born as an outlet to self empower through tea while also supporting women around the world. A portion of proceeds from every order supports organizations dedicated to the empowerment of women through Tease Tea's Charity Program.

In 5 short years, Sheena has built Tease Tea as solopreneur side hustle out of her condo to a million dollar business empowering tea lovers in 30+ countries.

Save your spot on Tease Tea Founders Fund

Episode Overview:

This is another guest recommendation from Adrian Salamunovic the co-author of the Free PR book. Innovators tend to hang out with other innovators that are changing and challenging the norm. You're going to love our guest, Sheena Brady.

This episode is a game changer! I get to chat with Sheena Brady who is the CEO & founder of Tease Teas. We talk about:

• Did you know that Tea Sommelier is a thing? A real thing? Crazy eh?
• Tease Teas unique business model
• Her entrepreneurial challenges & how she is always giving back
• Tease Tea Founders Fund - $20K GRANT that you don't need to pay back. That was inspired by the painful challenges that she had to growing her business
• From cash flow challenges, which many many innovators have talked about
• Lack of support from banks to help navigate entrepreneurs to understanding & interpreting their balance sheet metrics
• AND.. of course, I had to find out what her favourite tea is.
• Tea Sommelier, through the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada

About Tease Tea Founders Fund:

No payback, no equity — just access up to $20,000 worth of funding to grow your venture. The fund has been invested in by other budding entrepreneurs who are looking to pay it forward to the next generation of social entrepreneurs. The fund is brought to you by Tease Tea which aims to self empower through your tea desires, all while empowering women around the world.

Application Process:

• 8 questions + video submission.
• Selection committee scores applications.
• Top 10 announced- 2 recipients will receive the available funding.
• All applicants will have access to the digital mentorship. During the incubator period.

Registration and Cut off:

• April 9th 2019 Applications Open
• May 3rd Applications Close
• May 22nd Winners Announced
• Up to $20 000 in available funding

About Tease:

Tease Team believe you can self empowered by choosing the right tea to compliment your goals and desires while empowering women around the world. They take pride in working with tea packers who source from the top 10% grade of tea gardens from around the globe that are sustainably managed. With so many great tea companies that focus on traditional or classic teas and tea blends, their approach is modern, and about your goals & desires while supporting other women around the world.

What is a tease? To them, being a tease means confidently leaving your mark. To inspire and empower yourself and those around you, leaving them wanting more.

Resources Mentioned:

• Tease Tea Founders Fun
• Tea Sommelier
• Adrian Salamunovic Episode: How To Get Press Attention Without Hiring A PR Firm Using The FREE PR Book

Connect with Sheena

Website: TeaseTea.com and TeaseTeaFoundersFund.com

LinkedIn: Sheena Brady

Twitter: @Sheena_Brady and @Tease_Tea

Instagram: @Tease_Tea

Facebook: Tease Tea

Yvonne is a Change Strategist and Change Leadership Advocate with over 17 years of change experience helping professionals and organizations to implement and transition through change.

SUBSCRIBE TO CANINNOVATE

iTunes| iHeart | Stitcher | Google | Spotify | SoundCloud

She is genuinely passionate about change and has worked with a broad range of organizations globally to help lead and manage their Strategic, Technology and Regulatory Change Initiatives.

She is also the founder of The Change Leadership, a series of events and conferences focused on preparing leaders, change professionals and organisations to lead change in today's fast-paced and disruptive business environment.

Episode Overview:

• How Yvonne's passion for change, comes from a pain point
• Did you know that 50% of existing jobs will disappear, but more jobs will be created
• The importance of reading the writing on the wall & how employees can get prepared for it
• We chat about the future of work and how organizations can start to think differently
• Essential leadership DNA & soft skills needs to include empathy, EI & collaboration
• I even learned a new term.. Ambivert in between an Extrovert and introvert

There are so many things that you'll learn on this episode with Yvonne.

"Your home should always rise to meet you" - Oprah Winfrey

About Change the Leadership:

The Change Leadership envisions a future where a new type of leadership ideology thrives. One in which leaders of organizations and governments bridge emergent technology and innovation with the sustainability of employees, customers, the communities in which they do business, in the face of change, and are benevolently rewarded for doing so.

Our purpose is to foster a culture of change leaders who respond better and faster to the uncertainties stemming from disruption, innovation and technology permeating all industry sectors in a rapidly changing world.

Recommended Resources:

Tools Recommendation:

• Audible
• Blinkist.com
• BrainFood Book Club

Book Recommendation:

• Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
• Captivology by Ben Parr
• This is Marketing by Seth Godin

Yvonne's Book:

• The Change You Want! Change Your Mindset, and Change Your Life
• The Change Your Want! Career Booster Guide & Workbook
• The Change You Want! Business Start-up Guide and Workbook

Connect with Yvonne:

Website: TheChangeLeadership.com and YvonneRukeAkpoveta.com

LinkedIn: Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta

Twitter: @OliveBlueInc and @TheChangeLead

Instagram: @yvonnerakpoveta

Facebook: Olive Blue Inc

Margaret (Margo) Wu is a Vice-President on the Georgian Partners investment team involved in deal sourcing, due diligence and supporting portfolio companies. Prior to joining Georgian Partners, Margaret was a Senior Product Manager at Amazon, where she developed mobile metrics and content strategies for marketers and site merchandisers across Europe.

Previous to this, she co-founded a biotech company called Uma Bioseed and served as the Chief Operating Officer at OneSpout.com, where she held a variety of responsibilities ranging from business development and product management to finance and accounting.

While there, she helped the company grow to a peak of 350,000 users. Margaret began her career as a consultant in Accenture's technology practice.

Episode Overview:

This episode is all about VC's (Venture Capital) but how to make a lasting impression and get that investment. This is relevant episode to everyone that wants to make an impression in their corporate world (with their bosses), networking .. wherever you are pitching something.

In this episode, Margaret Wu and I talk about:

• How Georgian Partners differentiate from other & areas of focus
• How to get noticed by VCs - warm handshakes
• What to do and what NOT to do!
• Best practices based on the numerous mistakes that entrepreneurs make
• How Toronto job market is bigger than Silicon Valley and others - tonnes of opportunities
• Books, Books Books!!! I'm seriously thinking of starting a business book club

About Gregorian Partners:

Georgian Partners is a thesis-driven growth equity funds currently investing in 4 areas where we believe that first movers will outperform their market competitors: Applied AI, Conversational AI, Security First, and Trust.

Lessons Learned:

• Fail fast - figure out which one works for you
• If you are meeting a VC, it is like going on a first date. You have to be bring a little bit of compassion, be an interesting person.
• You have to be able to articulate your vision in a very convincing way.
• Don't approach a VC if there are errors in your numbers

Book Recommended:

• Art of the Start 2.0 by Guy Kawasaki
• Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson
• Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days by Jessica Livingston

Connect with Margaret:

Website: Georgian Partners

LinkedIn: Margaret Wu and Georgian Partners

Twitter: @GeorgianPrtnrs

Facebook: Georgian Partners

Tricia Brouk is an award winning director. In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, she applies her expertise to the art of public speaking. She's the executive producer of Speakers Who Dare, a TEDx producer and she's choreographed Black Box on ABC, The Affair on Showtime, Rescue Me on Fox, and John Turturro's Romance and Cigarettes, where she was awarded a Golden Thumb Award from Roger Ebert.

The series Sublets, won Best Comedy at the Vancouver Web-Festival. The documentary short she directed and produced This Dinner is Full was official selection at The New York Women in Film and Television Short Festival, as well as the New York City Independent Film Festival. She curates and hosts the Speaker Salon in NYC, The Big Talk a podcast on iTunes and directs and produces The Big Talk Over Dinner a new TV series.

Episode Overview:

• How to create the WOW factor when introducing yourself
• Confidence tips in how to engage new people
• Common speaker mistakes
• What makes a great speaker
• How to connect with a speaker after a big talk
• And so much more

If you are clearly yourself and not who you think they want you to be; you will be authentic. They will trust you and there will be so many connections where people will introduce themselves.

Confidence tips in how to engage new people

• Practice communicating to people
• Create a scenario of mild stress - practicing in front of the mirror won't work because your body will betray you. You will get butterflies in your stomach, you will get sweaty palms or dry lips but if you practice under mild stress, you will know what to do when you have butterflies in your stomach.
• Practice the art of asking people about themselves. When you are an active listener, people will remember you far more than if it is only about you.

Best tips on how to engage with the speakers after their speeches

As a speaker, you must prepare of the "after party". People will come ask you questions or come to you to get your energy and ideas. So make sure your energy stays up. Make sure that you stay engage with your audience.

If you are someone who wanted to talk to the speaker, find out who is the speaker's assistant is and email the assistant so that your email or message will go directly to the speaker. This is because most speakers are really tired and won't remember every conversation that he or she had after the event.

How to look for a speaker:

What Tricia looks for in a speaker is the idea. If the idea moves her and she thinks that the world needs to hear about it, then she will move to the next phase which is knowing who this person is whether they are aligned in their lives and in their business idea, are they willing to talk about it and finding out if they are good human beings.

Common mistakes a speaker makes:

• Air quotes
• Blaming anyone else for any technical issues
• Never apologize for any mistakes

Resources:

Speaker's Training: The Speakers Salon

Get The 7 Step Formula to a Fearless Speaking by texting TRICIA to the numbers 44-222

Connect with Tricia:

Website: TriciaBrouk.com

Facebook: The Big Talk with Tricia Brouk

LinkedIn: Tricia Brouk

Twitter: @TriciaBrouk

Nicole Holland is named in the Huffington Post as one of "50 Must-Follow Women Entrepreneurs in 2017", interviewed on over 100 trending podcasts, and featured in publications such as Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine, Nicole provides elite level done-for-you Podcast Publicity services and consults on strategic visibility to help innovative thought leaders, disruptors, and change makers increase their brand recognition, credibility, and profitability.

Episode Overview:

Here are some key learnings from this episode, Nicole and I chat about:

• The importance of personal brand
• People want to connect and understand people behind the brand
• The importance of connecting with those that have the same values as you
• How being original can really elevate your personal brand
• Where transparency fits into things
• How Seth Godin describes that podcasting is the new blog
• How podcast guesting can elevate your brand & connect with audiences
• Serve first and provide value

The importance of personal brand

"It's important to build your personal brand so that people know you."

Nowadays, social media has put such an importance on knowing people, knowing about the people and figuring out who your dealing with rather than the brand and who is behind the brand and what they stand for.

The thing that got most people stuck is that the idea of how they want to be and it is incongruent of how they want to be. Nicole drops tips for whoever wants to get out of there and get their brand out

Tips about personal branding:

• Present yourself well, be authentic and be willing to let your guard down
• Make sure that your true self and forward facing self are in alignment before you go out there and present yourself

Tips on how to elevate yourself more than the crowd:

• You can get more of what you want if you can show more of what, who and how you are.

• People connect with people that are similar

• Allow yourself to be who you are without trying to play anything down

How Seth Godin describes that podcasting is the new blog

According to Nicole, podcasting is reaching the point where it is mainstream. This is because of today's technology which allows us to download and listen to any content that we like anywhere. Podcasting is also very exciting.

Seth Godin's Blog: Podcasting is the new blogging

How podcast guesting can elevate your brand & connect with audiences

Podcast guesting is also getting a lot of buzz because it is "easy". Guests doesn't have to prepare much when it comes to being a guest on a podcast, they could just be at their home without wearing makeup on or dressing to impress. To become a podcast guests and being out there everywhere, WITHOUT a clear plan of action and a clear understanding of who you are speaking to will waste so much of your time.

Tips before applying to be a podcast guest:

• Have a clear plan of action of who do you need to reach, what shows that they are listening to that have interviews and why do you want to be on that particular show.
• How can you give value first to the host before asking for a spot on their show.
• When you give time to give value first, you will find that people want to give you something back in return.
• You should never reach out to a podcast host without even listening to their show. In that way, you will know if you are a right fit for you.
• The host is the listeners trust and they are listeners.

Connect with Nicole:

Website: www.TheNicoleHolland.com

Twitter: @Niczthename

Facebook: The Nicole Holland

Instagram: @thenicoleholland

LinkedIn: Nicole Holland

Podcast: BBRShow