You’re already familiar with voice search, whether that’s Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana, or my personal favorite Alexa. According to a study by comScore, approximately 50% of all online searches will be voice-activated searches in 2020. That’s a massive signal that voice search is already well on its way to outpacing text-based search in popularity.

So, how do you best position your Message with your content to take full advantage of voice search? I highly recommend focusing on question-based content and create content specifically for voice-activated searches. For example, this is a flash briefing, but our team creates transcriptions for each of these episodes. This allows Google and other search engines to catalogue our content so we can show up in more voice-activated searches.

I created a training last year called “Five Steps to Creating an Instant Connection With Your Audience as a Thought Leader In 2019”. I’m working on our next training that will come out later this year on how to break through the noise in your industry in 2020. If you’re interested in learning more, send me a message at [email protected] and I can get you complimentary access for being a part of our flash briefing crowd.

Have a great day and remember, your Message matters!

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

Another trend that will gain even more momentum in 2020 is the use of live streaming. We already saw a big jump in popularity for live streaming in 2018 and 2019, but I believe the biggest adoption of live streaming across virtually every social media channel will happen in 2020.

Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and now LinkedIn Live are all elbowing into position for influencers to leverage live video streaming for greater user engagement. From the data I’m seeing, it’s clear that if you’re going to jump into live streaming, be consistent. Go live at the same time each week or if you’re going to do an ‘impromptu’ live stream, give your crowd at least a ten-minute heads-up notice if you can. That shows them that you want them to catch your Message instead of just showing up and they feel like they missed out.

Try to do a live stream today and tag me on social media @keynotecontent so I can join you for your live stream if I’m available.

Have a great day and remember, your Message matters!

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaers Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

Yesterday I started sharing about which marketing trends that you can expect to see in 2020. A newer concept is this idea of ‘content snacking’ where content consumers are looking for short- to medium-form content, such as Instagram posts, Facebook live videos, articles under 1,000 words, that they can consume a larger number of those content pieces. 

Instead of having a longer blog article, as in over 2,500 words, the smaller size of content pieces allows the user to consume a larger number of content pieces. This gives them a better variety or cross-section of your content tone, style, and purpose.

What does content snacking mean for your Message and your content strategy heading into 2020? It means your audience is expecting more pieces of content from you with more variety. The good news is you can repurpose larger pieces of content into several smaller pieces of content that can be syndicated across multiple channels.

For example, 60-minute training can be splintered into 20 or 30 different social media posts, like tweets, Instagram pictures, and Facebook status updates. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to create more content - just repurpose the amount of content you’re already creating to have a stronger presence across multiple channels.

If you’re stuck not knowing how to repurpose your content, reach out to me at [email protected] or connect with me on social media @keynotecontent to start a conversation.

Have a great day and remember, your Message matters!

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

We’re heading into 2020 here and I can’t wait to see how the marketing landscape continues changing for those of us in the thought leader and influencer space. Already a number of our clients who are speakers, coaches, consultants, YouTubers, podcasters, trainers, they’re asking our team what are some of the changes we’ll see in marketing in 2020.

Over the next few days, I’m going to share trends and changes in marketing that we will see in 2020. The first trend I’m already seeing and we will see explode in 2020 is that more brands will rely on influencers to better connect with their customer base.

As an example, one of our clients is one of the top retail specialists in the world. He’s already being approached by numerous Fortune 500 brands to be the face for their retail sales promotion for new products to hit the shelves. Another one of our clients is an Instagram influencer in the beauty space and a handful of brands are asking her to be the host for their next fashion gala in New York City.

Today I want you to think about three brands you and your audience already love. Reach out to that brand and tell them you would love to collaborate on a project together. Position yourself as a guide to better promote their products and you may be amazed at the response.

Have a great day and remember, your Message matters.

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

I invested tens of thousands of dollars in myself each year over my first five years as an entrepreneur. This past year though I spent more money hiring other experts this year and investing in myself than all of my previous years in business combined. 

Why is that? Because if you want to reach a level you haven’t achieved before, you need to rely on people who already know how to get there and already reached that level.

You’re already wanting to be seen as an expert in your industry. And yet, there are areas in your business, your life, your leadership, even your mindset where you are not at the top of your game. You haven’t reached the level you want to experience, which is why you need to hire an expert.

One of the most common excuses I hear from colleagues is that they don’t have the money. I didn’t have the money either when I first started, but I didn’t let that be an excuse. I worked hard doing what I knew already worked and made the money to hire the coaches and get the training I needed to reach the next level.

What’s the cost you’re already paying by not hiring another expert to accelerate your Message and grow your business? How much are you paying in opportunity cost, missing out on great opportunities, because your Message and your business aren’t ready to say “Yes!” to those opportunities?

Be honest with how you answer those questions and make the choice today to invest in yourself. Make it a great day and remember, your Message matters.

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

One of our clients booked a clarity session with me a few weeks back. They specifically wanted to spend our time identifying the ‘perfect’ title for their role. They’re an entrepreneur, and chances are you’re an entrepreneur as well, so how do you choose the right title as a coach or consultant?

I guided our client to think about their title from the perspective of their audience’s success. What is the role you want to claim or create for yourself that has your audience’s success in mind first? Maybe that’s the idea of being a guide, a concierge, or a champion for your clients. Each of those three examples focus on how you’re positioned to better serve your audience, not just promote your own success.

If you have an idea of a great title but you’re not sure if it resonates, share it with me on social media and I’ll be happy to give you some constructive feedback. Just tag @keynotecontent or email at [email protected]. Make it a great day and remember, your Message matters.

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

Who is your website about? That may sound like a ridiculous question because, of course, your website is about you and your company, right?

*buzzer sound* Wrong.

Your website needs to be a 24/7 neon-blinking sign that tells your audience that you are there to serve them. It’s your way for them to engage with your Message and your company’s values from anywhere at any time for the sole purpose of helping them succeed.

The reality is that people don’t buy from websites. People buy from other people. People make decisions with a business specifically because they connected with another human representing that business in a meaningful way.

Today, I want you to consider the human side of your website. Are you showing your humanity in your copy, your photos, your messages, and your layout?

Spend some time on your website today pretending this is your first time on your website. Who is it about? What is it telling your audience that you care about? How is everything laid out for your audience to connect with a real person?

Take a note of some changes you may want to make and remember, your Message matters.

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

I’ve worked with over 600 different speakers in a one-on-one context over the past three years. One of the top questions I keep hearing from speakers is: “How do I really tell when my audience loves my content?” Applause, laughter, audience members looking up at you instead of at their phones, those are all good signs you’re at least interesting.

However, I’ve found one tip that works incredibly well, no matter your industry, experience, or setting. Create a video recording of your audience while you give a presentation. You don’t need to see how you look on camera - you already know how you look. What you’re doing is watching to see how your audience responds throughout your presentation.

You will know where you’re at in your presentation because you’re the presenter, so take note of any moments in your presentation when your audience responds. You may expect them to laugh at one of your jokes and you may even hear laughter, but you can tell from facial expressions when audiences are giving a genuine laugh versus a courtesy laugh.

You may also notice people leaning in and looking up more during different parts of your presentation. Pay attention to the content you shared that caused those reactions. Include more of that type of content in your talk.

Those are just a couple of ways you can use your audience’s video to help you grow as a speaker. Have fun with your next presentation and remember, your Message matters.

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

What’s your value proposition? Many businesses miss the mark with this opportunity. You are proposing unique value to your Market, which is very different than simply stating what you do well.

If you want to create a better value proposition, you need it to be as unique as possible. Narrow your audience to a more specific group. Focus on a specialty of yours, not a generality.

Most importantly, you need your value proposition to be about your audience’s success, not yours. I’ve seen too many value propositions from different speakers, coaches, and consultants that talk about how successful the consultant is instead of how their value is designed to serve their audience.

A great value proposition means you have an undeniable skill that is as unique as possible to your industry that you want to use to serve a specific set of people better than anyone else. Nail those objectives and you will have an unforgettable value proposition.

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

Endorphins are one of the four main brain chemicals we can experience when engaging with an influential message.

Now, you may hear endorphins and think of adrenaline junkies, people skydiving, swimming with sharks, mountain biking over cliffs, that type of thing. The problem is endorphins actually has to do with the feeling of doing something heroic for the benefit of someone else.

When endorphins are activated in our brains though, they actually diminish our logical reasoning. It means we’re willing to do what our brains would normally say is insane because we know someone will suffer if we don’t act right now.

One of the most effective ways you can connect with your audience is through endorphins. Make an outrageous claim. Challenge a deeply held belief they have. Say something that seems insane and you will win their attention long enough to prove you are not insane.

It takes knowing you’re willing to risk it all because you believe your Message has the power to protect them from suffering in an area where you have a great solution.

Be willing to push the limits, even appear to be insane, because even the skeptics are curious to know if you can back up your claims. That will give you the opportunity to change someone’s life forever if you’re willing to look even a little insane to catch their attention.

Have a great day and remember, your Message matters.

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”