Power Your Platform

Power Your Platform

By Kerry Ramsay, Story CoachBusinessMarketing
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Power Your Platform episodes

  • 43 - Simple Strategies for Stretching Your Story Muscle

    Today we’re going to be exploring the topic of story stretching and how you can avoid getting stuck when comes to your own creative process.

    Have you ever suffered from a case of BPS? Blank Page Syndrome is a condition that can slow your progress and leave you feeling frustrated and alone. The truth is, there is a LOT of writing that’s involved when it comes to building a brand.

    But you can do this – and this podcast can help.

    Today I’m going to suggest 3 strategies for not only helping you stay mentally flexible, but also to address the elephant in the room which is that we’re really afraid of failing.

    The first strategy is to explore new paths. When we get outside of our own familiar surroundings and try new experiences, it helps us get out of our mental rut. Exploring new paths helps us to loosen up creatively, and allows us to explore new options for the challenges we’re facing.

    Not only does this help us become better story writers, it also helps build our confidence. Because over time, we realize the answers were already inside of me. We just need to follow the right route to find them.

    The second strategy for stretching your story muscle is to get back to play. When we play, we tap into the part of our brain that allows us to look at the world differently, and allows us to consider that anything is possible. So if you struggle with a fixed mindset that keeps you locked in your old ways and leaves you feeling stuck, then consider setting up a play date for yourself – and watch what happens when your creative muscles begin to get back in shape.

    A third tip for stretching your storytelling muscle is to embrace new collaborations. Collaboration is such a powerful tool, because it helps us get out of our own heads and see things from a brand new perspective. So what do I mean by collaboration? Well, it could be that you team up with another business owner to co-host a workshop or an event. Maybe you cross-promote each other’s businesses or services. Or maybe you just commit to sharing resources or connections.

    Collaboration also helps us build our story confidence. Because it highlights our unique gifts that we  bring to the table. Sure, we’re going to learn new things in a collaboration, but we’re also going to teach someone what we know, and that act in itself, is a huge confidence booster. Because we have so much to offer, and sometimes we just need to be reminded of that fact.

    I hope these simple tips help you stretch your creative story muscle and remind you of all of the amazing gifts, talents and abilities you have inside you.


    EPISODE LINKS: 

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

    16 min
  • 42 - Audience Q&A: Your Questions Answered!

    Today I’m answering 6 questions from the Power Your Platform audience. A few weeks ago, I posted on social media that I would be doing this episode, and I invited people to ask me anything about storytelling or brand building or even podcasting.

    Question #1: “How far ahead do you plan out your podcasts?” ~ Leah, Signable Vi5ion

    Answer: When it comes to my podcast episodes, I like to be ahead by at least a few weeks. So that means I’m usually about 8 to 10 episodes ahead. And the beauty of being ahead is that you have space to think. You’re not super-pressured to meet a deadline so for me, that means the creativity flows a lot more easily. One of the ways I’m able to get ahead on my podcasts is by batching. I set aside 2-3 hours at a time, usually on a Saturday, and I record 2 or 3 episodes back to back. Batching allows me to stay ahead of the game.

    Question #2: “How do you get feedback from your podcast?” ~ Paula, Barkn Up the Green Tree

    Answer: I gather podcast feedback three ways: Apple Podcast ratings and reviews; our social media engagement; and through my podcast analytics.

    Question #3: “How do you build a genuine story without giving away too many personal details?” ~ Geraldine, Lumii Films

    Answer: There’s a fine line when it comes to personal storytelling. On the one hand, revealing parts of our life to our audience is really important in order to build connection and authenticity and trust. People want to see the real us and how we’re building our business or living our life behind the scenes.

    Bu there are a couple of tips to keep you on track:

    a) Find your focus. What do you want to be known for? Focus on revealing parts of yourself as they relate to your core audience and your core topic.

    b) Don’t share personal info unless you don’t mind sharing it with the creepiest stranger in the room.

    Question #4: “What’s the difference and rational between  Facebook page versus a Facebook Group?” ~ Tammy, Maple & Trillium Woods

    Answer: The difference between a page and a group is community. Most businesses have a Facebook page which is basically your business profile where you can post information and people can like it and comment and share. But what they can’t do on your business Facebook page is create their own posts or start a new conversation. So if you’re looking to create more of a two-way conversation and build a community, then you might want to consider launching a free Facebook group.

    Question #5” “At what point does a business move from the free version of a digital product (like Canva) to a paid version?” ~ also Tammy, Maple & Trillium Woods

    Answer: When it comes to free versus paid versions of a digital product, I always suggest that people try it out for free to know how often they’re going to use the tool and if it’s helpful for their business. After a few weeks, you’ll know if this is a tool that you’re going to use regularly.

    Question #6: “Do you have any tips for streamlining content creation?” ~ Chantal, The Empowered Path

    Answer: Check out episode 29 which outlines how you can repurpose your main platform content to save time and energy. My biggest piece of advice when it comes to streamlining content creation is to spend 80% of your time creating quality content for your main purpose-driven platform.

    Facebook group link 

    23 min
  • 41 - Making Chess Accessible to Girls with Ingrid Gayle

    Hey there, Story Sister! Welcome back to an engaging interview with a woman who is making bold moves and changing the game when it comes to one of the world’s oldest pastimes.  

    Ingrid Gayle is the founder of Girl Boss Chess, a global collective of ambitious women on a mission to empower girls through the game of chess. Girl Boss Chess is the world’s only online chess collective for girls and it tackles the gender gap in chess head-on. 

    The result is that it inspires girls -- and women of all ages -- to discover and develop their inherent strengths.  In this episode, Ingrid and I talk about playful storytelling, confidence-building and what it takes to create meaningful change in the world. 

     if you’re a fan of the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit”, then pour yourself a beverage and pull up a chair. Because this interview is for you.  


    Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from today’s conversation with Ingrid:  

    1. The game of chess is a timeless pastime that offers us new ways of seeing the world.  

    2. Storytelling is a powerful tool for capturing our audience’s attention, no matter what age they may be.  

    3. Break down your big stories into smaller pieces to ensure they’re clearly understood.  

    4. It takes bold moves to create meaningful change in the world.  

    5. Purpose-driven businesses stand out from the rest  

    6. Risk-taking builds confidence; so when you fail, get back up and try again… and again.  

    7. Confidence is everything – take every opportunity to build this quality in yourself and those around you.  

    8. There’s a power in coming together to create change.  

    9. It only takes one person to start a movement.  

    10. Leadership often involves stepping out of your comfort zone to do what has never been done before. 


    EPISODE LINKS:   

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

    Girl Boss Chess - https://www.girlbosschess.com/

    34 min
  • 40 - What I Learned from My First 1,000 Podcast Downloads

    Today we’re going to be taking a look back at the first 1,000 downloads of the Power Your Platform Podcast. We actually rolled our first 1,000 downloads a few weeks ago, so in this episode I wanted to take the time not only to thank you all for tuning in regularly – but I also wanted to take a deeper look at what those first 1,000 downloads have taught me about growing an audience and creating quality content.

    And be sure to join me after the show in our free Power Your Platform Facebook group where I’ll be sharing my Top 5 Tips for Getting YOUR First 1,000 Podcast Downloads – a strategy you can apply to any content platform you may be using. So be sure to check it out!

    No matter what kind of content you create for your audience, you want to spend at least a few minutes every month taking a good look at your analytics. And each of the platforms or visibility tools that you’re currently using have analytics built into them, particularly if you’ve signed up for the business version.

    There are four important metrics I track through my analytics:

    The first is the number of overall downloads for my podcast. This metric is simple to track since it’s updated by the minute on Anchor, and I know other podcasting hosts do this as well. It’s basically an indicator of how many downloads we’ve had recently, as well as if the downloads are increasing or decreasing over time. So ideally, you want to see a line graph that’s moving upwards. So that’s the first metric I keep track of, which is the total number of downloads, as well as the total number of our core listenership. The reason this metric matters to me is that it shows how well we’re growing.

    The second metric I pay attention to is the most downloaded episodes from my podcast. When I take a look at my analytics, I find that the most downloaded episodes are the ones on brand building, what it takes to tell a good story as well as any interview feature. So I love this statistic because it tells me what my listeners are most interested in hearing about. Once you know what your audience is tuning in for – whether that’s on your podcast, or your blog or your YouTube Channel – then you want to make sure to rinse and repeat. Not the very same content, of course, but the same type of content. From time to time, you should definitely try new approaches – but keep coming back to what your analytics tell you your audience values the most about your content.

    The third metric I pay attention on a regular basis is my listener profile. For my podcast, my audience is 90% female and 87% are from Canada (at least at the time of my 1000th download). I also know that my podcast is listened to in 13 different countries around the world – so cool! The average age of my audience is 35-50 which tells me that my audience is Generation X (like me). This gives me clues as to the types of pop culture reference I should be making (or avoiding) to ensure I remain relevant to my audience. So the value then of understanding who’s paying attention to your content is that it allows you to include topics and references and examples that resonate with that population.

    And finally, the fourth metric I follow for my podcast is which platforms people were using to access my podcast. Currently, my listeners are tuning in on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, but I’m interested in tracking these metrics in the future since we’re now available on many more platforms than when we reached our 1000th download.

    Important Tip: While it’s important to track your metrics, don’t get obsessed with them. Because your real focus should be on creating quality content that keeps your audience coming back again and again.

    Happy podcasting!


    EPISODE LINK: PowerHER Platform 

    24 min
  • BONUS - The 5 Books that Made Me Rethink Storytelling

    Hey there, Story Sister! In today’s episode I’m going to share with you the five books that really made me rethink story branding. Now if you know me at all, you know I LOVE to read and in fact books are one of my favourite ways to learn as well as to unwind!

    So let’s take a look at the 5 books that made me rethink storytelling.

    1. “Stories that Stick: How Storytelling Can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences and Transform Your Business” by Kindra Hall.

    This book provides tons of great business storytelling strategies. In particular Kindra drills down to talk about the four unique stories you can use to differentiate your brand, captivate your audience and elevate your authority. Her book is full of great examples and illustrations which is just the kind of thing I love. She also offers actionable tips for storytellers at every level.

    Link - https://tinyurl.com/28fb9vp2

    2. “Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible” by Tamsen Webster

    This book is for anyone with a great idea, but they’re not sure how to use it to connect it to their audience in a meaningful way. So Find Your Red Thread explores the connection that makes the invisible link between your audience’s problem and your solution more tangible and more actionable. The author is a speaker, consultant and TedX idea strategist. So she’s used to helping her clients prepare talks and marketing campaigns that speak directly to their audience. This book really helped me rethink the way I break down my key messages and how to present them at every stage of the storytelling process.

    Link - https://tinyurl.com/2p88kapj

    3. “The Storytelling Code: 10 Simple Rules to Shape and Tell a Brilliant Story” by Dana Norris

    This book is all about unleashing the power of storytelling. Dana offers a step-by-step process to help writers master the story crafting process. She also provides tips and exercises to help readers improve their public speaking. After all, storytelling and public speaking go hand in hand! So from shaping your story to sharing it confidently, this book is a great guide. It provides advice for identifying your narrative goals and how to shape a plot, as well as how to find confidence with courage-building tips.

    Link - https://tinyurl.com/mty72785

    4. “Building a Story Brand: Clarify Your Message So Customers will Listen” by Donald Miller

    This book is a cult classic! It addresses what you can do when you’re trying to get your product or service story out to your ideal audience, but no one is listening and no one is buying. In this book, Donald shares the Story Brand process which he created to help his clients engage and influence customers. He also includes his 7-Point Process which is at the heart of the book which helps clarify the reasons why customers make purchases, how to simplify your brand messages so people understand them, and how to create the most effective messaging for your marketing materials.

    Link - https://tinyurl.com/2p99bbna

    5. “The Storyteller's Secret: From TED Speakers to Business Legends, Why Some Ideas Catch On and Others Don't” by Carmine Gallo

    One of the things I liked about this book was that it talked about the 5 different types of storytellers: Storytellers Who Ignite Our Inner Fire, Storytellers Who Educate, Storytellers Who Simplify, Storytellers Who Motivate and Storytellers Who Launch Movements.

    If you’re looking to uncover the secrets of TED speakers and business legends from Tony Robbins to Sara Blakely, then you’ll want to check out this book.

    Link - https://tinyurl.com/4e55frcu

    Do you have any books that helped YOU rethink how you shape and tell stories to your audience? If so, I’d love to hear about them! Be sure to message me or reach out through powerherplatform.com and let me know!

    21-Day Challenge in our Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 

    14 min
  • 39 – What’s Your Story Scent? The Essence of a Powerful Brand

    Did you know your personal story scent is one of the most defining features of your overall brand personality? It’s also a powerful tool when it comes to telling others about who you are and what you stand for – and you can often do it without saying a word.

    Each brand has its own story scent – and this story scent captures what that brand stands for, how it connects with its audience and the impression that lingers long after the first encounter or sales transaction has ended. In essence a brand’s story scent helps prospective and existing customers catch a whiff of what your brand is all about – and helps them decide whether your product, program or service is something that’s worth pursuing.

    So did you know that there are actually three layers to every scent? Fragrance chemists -- or perfumers as they’re also known -- will tell you that the three layers of scent are the head note, the heart note and the base note.

    And this 3-layered scent approach is how we’re going to examine the essence of your brand’s personality today.

    The Head Note (or Top Note) - Head notes are like first impressions, so they’re really important. For instance, if you’re purchasing a perfume in a shop, the head note will be what you smell first after you spray the perfume on your skin. And it can actually help you decide whether or not you like the fragrance. In other words, that head note’s first impression can lead relate directly to a sales success of failure.

    The truth is that we only get one chance to make a first impression. So that first few minutes of an initial encounter is crucial. In fact, in the digital world, experts tell us that time is reduced to about one tenth of a second. Because we do have the power to establish a powerful head note for our brand by showing up consistently, authentically and thoughtfully.

    The Heart Note or Middle Note - Unlike perfume head notes which disappear after just a few minutes on the skin, heart notes evaporate after about 30 minutes to an hour which means they have the potential to leave a longer-lasting impression. Think of the heart note as your purpose-driven mission and vision. At the core of your brand is your authentic, emotional connection with your audience. After all, it’s so important that we connect our audience with the purpose of what we do – or our why. When people understand not just WHAT we do, but WHY we do it, we create a more memorable impression. And it helps us stand out from the crowd.

    The Base Note - In the perfume world, the base note is the longest lasting. Some notes can linger for up to six hours, long after the others have faded. While the head and heart notes may be the most noticeable initially, the base notes are the underlying aroma throughout the time the perfume is worn. Those who build a business with a strong values framework are built to last, at least in my opinion. When you take the time to thoughtfully outline what matters most to you, then you’re more likely to launch and build a brand that’s in alignment with your core values and purpose. And when you do, you’re more likely to commit to it for the long-term, rather than responding to all those “get rich quick” ideas that pop up in your social media feeds.

    At the end of the day, we all leave a legacy – and when we approach our legacy intentionally by building a brand that’s founded on the core values we believe in most, we’ll not only be proud of what we achieve in our own lifetime, but our story scent will remain long after we’re gone.

    Free power Your Platform Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    22 min
  • 38 - How to Manage Negative Story Emotions with Julie Christiansen

    Welcome back to another inspiring interview with an ordinary woman who is making an extraordinary difference in the mental health field by helping thousands manage their anger.  

    My guest on the podcast today is Julie Christiansen, an award-winning public speaker, author and psychotherapist.  

    Julie is known for developing the Anger Solutions method and has authored several books about anger, stress, bullying and coping with crisis. Julie’s lifelong mission has been to leverage people and organizations into open communication so they can live free of conflict, tension, anger and fear.  

    In today’s interview, Julie and I talk about anger management, how to build and validate a brand, as well as how we can counteract the negative stories we tell ourselves. If you want to learn more about Julie and her company, please see the links below.   


    Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from today’s interview:  

    1. Validation is key when you’re launching a new business idea. Make sure to kitchen test it at every opportunity like Julie did.  

    2. Don’t be afraid to launch an imperfect product into the market; because the market will perfect the product.  

    3. Look for new ways to scale your work over time. The train-the-trainer model is a great way to build your business and create a long-lasting ripple effect.  

    4. Our personal stories feed directly into the work we do and they help build the credibility we have with our audience.  

    5. Anger manifests itself differently in men and women, but we all feel angry at times. And that’s OK.  

    6. Communication skills are front and centre when it comes to anger management.  

    7. There is a direct link between grief and anger and we need to acknowledge it.  

    8. Freedom has many definitions, but it’s a part of how we live and what we aspire to.  

    9. Client transformation is the ultimate achievement in business.  

    10. Start small and don’t be afraid to grow at your own pace.  

    Thanks so much for listening in to today’s episode. If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to take a screen shot and share it with your social media followers. And when you do, be sure to tag Power Your Platform and Leverage U! 

    And when you do, we’ll be sure to share your post with our own followers.  Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice – because the world is waiting to hear your story! 


    EPISODE LINKS:   

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

     Leverage U - https://leverageu.ca/    

    Julie's Books - https://www.angersolution.com/store/ 

    43 min
  • 37 - Creating Your Own Holiday Impact List

    This year I’m creating a Holiday Impact List – not just a Holiday Wish List. And this one’s not about me. It’s about the women in my own community and even those around the world who I’ve never even met and probably never will.

    So today I thought I’d share with you my own Holiday Impact List.

    And in case you think one person can’t make an impact, then you should definitely check out The Starfish Story.

    Because while we can’t save everyone – but we can make a difference in at least one life this holiday season.

    And that’s what I’m aiming to do with my Holiday Impact List.

    Let me first say that as a woman of privilege and a white settler here in Canada, it’s easy to swoop in and act like a superhero in another woman’s life when sometimes that can just end up making her feel small.

    So when it comes to helping others, I want to intentionally show up as a partner rather than a protector, if that makes sense.

    And for me, that means taking a variety of approaches to making an impact this holiday season.

    So here are the ways I’ll be working to address some of these issues this Christmas season in my own small way.

    First, I’ll be making a donation to my local women’s shelter. It’s a cause I’ve supported throughout the pandemic especially in light of the fact according to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, a female in Canada is killed approximately every six days by her intimate partner.

    And if you’re experiencing domestic violence or you know someone who is, please visit www.sheltersafe.ca to locate the shelter nearest you. And if you or are a loved one are in immeidate danger, never hesitate to call 911 or your country’s emergency hotline.

    Second, I’ll be picking up a few extras when I’m at the grocery store – things like non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and some infant/toddler items as well. And I should mention that food donations aren’t only needed during the holidays. Let’s remember that once the tree is put away and the glow of the season is behind us, people are still going hungry every day in our community. And we can all do our part.

    The third group of individuals I wanted to spend some time partnering with during this holiday season are the women business owners in my own community. The most direct way to make a big impact with local businesses is to internationally spend our dollars locally. You can also spread the word about local businesses you love, give them glowing online reviews and send them a note of encouragement.

    A fourth focus of my Holiday Impact List this season is women who are building businesses overseas. One of the organizations I’ve come across recently is Opportunity International. I’ve donated to this charity before and I’ll be making a gift again this season, because I recognize that not every country has strong programs in place to support women-owned businesses. I love that Opportunity International focuses on supporting women who are launching or growing their own small businesses in countries that are hardest hit by poverty.

    And finally, another group of women I’ll be supporting this holiday season is the young girls who have no access to feminine hygiene products in countries overseas. It’s estimated that 500 million women in the world do not have access to adequate menstrual products and hygiene facilities. And they won’t next month either. So this season, I’ll be partnering with World Vision to purchase hygiene kits for young women in need.

    We can’t save the world. But we can impact one life at a time. And a Holiday Impact List is a small way to start.


    EPISODE LINKS:

    PowerHER Platform - www.powerherplatform.com

    20 min
  • 36 – Making the Most of the 4 Story Seasons

    If we stop and think about it, there really are four distinct seasons in our story schedule each year. And during each season, we need to be mindful of the shifts taking place, both in the world around us and in our own lives. When we do, it helps us to manage our own expectations as well as the expectations of our clients and even our loved ones.  

    I also believe it can help us set realistic goals and prepare for the changing workload that may happen from season to season.  

    So let’s take a look at each of the 4 story seasons one at a time.  

    The first Story Season is the Season of Quiet. This is often a time in our lives when things slow down a bit, and there may not appear to be much happening on the surface. It’s a season of stillness, of reflection and even solitude. Stories we might focus on during this season are the stories we tell ourselves and our team to make sure we’re all focused on the same mission and moving forward with the same vision in mind. During Seasons of Quiet, we’re often alone with our thoughts. So Seasons of Quiet are an important time to lay the foundation for a strong mindset. It’s also key to identify and remind ourselves of what our foundational values are, to ensure every aspect of our business reflects those values and is true to our core purpose.  

    The second Story Season is the Season of Creation. During this season, you’re creating the stories that capture who you are as a business, what you do and who you do it for. So during this season, you might create some of the 6 stories we talked about back in Episode 14. These include your Purpose Story, your People Story, Your Promise Story, Your Platform Story and others. The Season of Creation is an active one. So pace yourself!  

    The third Story Season is the Season of Growth. This is a season when people start to notice we exist. They may start to follow us on social media and maybe even engage with us there. They might begin to attend our free events or sign up for our newsletter. They may even begin to listen to our podcast or visit our blog or YouTube channel. So now that we’ve got people’s attention, we need to produce consistent content AND make them aware of our paid offer. During this season, people will start to show interest and reach out and follow us, so it’s important that we not only keep showing up and providing value, but that we also make clear our paid offer. And when we do, our actions will take us to the next season.  

    The fourth Story Season is the Season of Harvest. During the Season of Harvest is all hands on deck. It’s the time when those seeds you planted way back in the Season of Creation start flourishing and you find yourself getting up early and staying up late just to keep up with it all. So we need to have a Process Story that allows us to delegate some of our duties to the others on our team (whether they’re full-time or freelance). The other important message I want to highlight that relates to this Season of Harvest is that once you’ve made the sale and delivered the product, the program or service you promised, then it’s time to CELEBRATE! And be sure to make your satisfied customers a part of your Celebration Story, because it will make the experience so much richer.  

    Remember: the length of each season can vary from business to business. But it will come around again if you’re mindful of the season you’re in right now. Just keep doing what you need do to keep moving forward, and the natural rhythm of business will take you where you want to go.  

    And if you feel stuck in one season, let's connect! It might be time to bring in a coach to help you identify what’s needed to get you into the next season.  

    24 min
  • 35 - Why We Need to Quote More Women

    Today I want to spark a discussion about the importance of quoting women. 

    Because here at Power Your Platform, we’re all about amplifying women’s voices. Because 3 important things happen when we quote people: First, it elevates them to expert status which gives them credibility. 

    And when someone has credibility, we pay attention to them more, don’t we? We don’t just hear them – we really listen. And this in turn has a ripple effect. It means that person – or people like them – get paid more money because their work is seen as more valuable than that of others. 

    Expert status also means we treat people with respect. And for that reason alone, we should begin to quote more women. Secondly, when we quote women and other diverse groups, it challenges the status quo. Because we don’t live in a monolithic world. So why should our culture tell only one side of the story? 

    On the other hand, when we quote women, we challenge the status quo or in other words, the stories we’re told about who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going. A third reason why we should quote more women is that it allows other women to see what’s possible. People naturally want to emulate the behaviours of those who are celebrated and elevated to expert status, am I right? Because these are the individuals we look up to as cultural, industry and global leaders. 

    And this underlines something I believe in strongly which is that we need to see it to be it. The more we see women leaders, entrepreneurs, speakers, professionals and citizens quoted and their words treated with the respect they deserve, the more we begin to see the possibilities inside our own lives. 

    After all, if she can do it, so can we, right? So that’s another reason it’s so important to share the words of women -- because it inspires other women to SPEAK. So I hope you’ll agree with me that it’s important to amplify the voices of women in our industry presentations, in our conferences, on our bookshelves, in our digital communities and on stages everywhere. And the good news is, we can start today. 

    Here are 3 tips to help you take action right now -- and they’re all guidelines I follow myself, so I’m definitely practicing what I’m preaching. 

    1. LISTEN when women speak. Because when we listen, we honour the voices around us 

    2. TAKE NOTES when women speak. Even if you don’t carry around a notebook, jot down the key takeaways from the conversations you’ve had during your day in a journal at the end of the day. Because you never know when it might be helpful. 

    3. WATCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES to share women’s words and stories. Whether it’s on social media, in our presentations, our reports, books, podcasts, blogs or YouTube channels, when we celebrate women’s words, we’re also celebrating the value of those words and the person who spoke them. 

    So in a sense, I’m asking you to become a rebel today. Instead of going with the flow, use the platform you have to share your own voice and the voices of other women – at least as much as you do the voices of men. 

    And I also challenge you to diversify your quotes with the voices of women of colour, Indigenous women, women living with a disability, immigrants and women of ALL ages, shapes and sizes. 

    Because when we do, we are telling the world that women’s voices matter no matter who they are. As Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”  

    To join us inside our free Power Your Platform Facebook group for our latest challenge, click here. 

    21 min

About Power Your Platform

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Power Your Platform, the podcast for women who are building bold story brands! Each week, we’ll explore big ideas about story building and shine a spotlight on courageous women just like YOU who are owning their story, following their purpose and changing the world.