Writing open so many other doors that I was kind of forced to become a larger version of myself. — @TheRealKiraMing #2MTT #PublicSpeaking Click To Tweet

2-Minute Tip: Be Authentic and Tell Your Story

Across the different guests I talk with, the theme of authenticity keeps coming up in the tips. It’s similar in many of them which demonstrates just how important it is. Also interesting is how each of them brings their own angle to the concept.

When you tell your story and use it to connect with the message you want to convey, it’s much easier to have a memorable and authentic impact on your audience. And that’s ultimately what you want.

When you are talking about things that aren’t about you specifically, you can still let your authentic self come through. It’s in your enthusiasm or feeling about the topic your discussing. It’s in the analogies you use. It’s in how you dress and how you carry yourself. It’s in how you relate to the folks in your audience.

Sharing your story and being authentic doesn’t mean you have to share your detailed biography, especially when it’s not relevant to your topic. But you may have had an experience or anecdote that helps explain something. It doesn’t have to be a major thing in your life. It just needs to be something that will help make your point and help you achieve your goal.

If you have a message you'll be able to show up and deliver that message and really make an impact. — @TheRealKiraMing #2MTT #PublicSpeaking Click To Tweet

Meet Kira Ming

Kira is a writer at heart. As she became more and more successful, she received more invitations to speak. And that helped her writing business. Which got her more speaking opportunities. Ultimately she learned that people want to hear from the person behind a brand.

The point is, she didn’t seek the stage.

And when she found herself on it, she had to learn fast. She had to learn to be bigger than herself — to push beyond her own limiting beliefs about what she was capable of to share her story with her audience and how her company could help them achieve their goals.

I always am very honest about the fact that I absolutely was a writer first. I think that's kind of the core of who I am. — @TheRealKiraMing #2MTT #PublicSpeaking Click To Tweet

Bio

Kira Ming’s background in publishing spans over 15 years and involves the creation of her own successful publication. Over the past decade she’s had the pleasure of interviewing some of entertainment’s biggest names, and has been involved in many legendary events within entertainment both as a host and media sponsor.

She’s spent the past few years developing tools, resources, marketing material, and several types of content for businesses, editing numerous projects, and contributing articles to major platforms including Huffington Post. As a result of her success within publishing, content marketing, and business strategy, she felt it only necessary to write Small Business, Big Success – a straight to the point guide for small business owners. Kira Ming has served as keynote speaker, a panelist, and workshop conductor for numerous events, and she’s excited to continue giving value when it comes to her expertise.

You know, I absolutely was scared, you know. It would get easier from that point on. — @TheRealKiraMing g #2MTT #PublicSpeaking Click To Tweet

3 Reasons Entrepreneurs Should Speak

1. It increases the audience for your product, service, or content
2. Others want you to speak on their platform. And that will further expand your audience and potential customer base.
3. It has a high conversion rate. People are more interested in buying from someone  they’ve personally seen and heard

'Cause I think speaking chooses you. I don't think you choose it. — @TheRealKiraMing #2MTT #PublicSpeaking Click To Tweet

Personal Branding

We talked about this topic a bit. A lot of people don’t like the idea because they feel, “I’m a human being — an individual. I’m not a brand.”

This is a short sighted approach. A brand is really  a mental shortcut that we all use that is a summary of our thoughts and feelings about a person, an organization, a topic, etc.

We all have a brand whether we want one or not. Personal branding is about taking an active role in influencing how people think about and see you.

It’s essential in the modern social media landscape we live in. And people will create it for you if you don’t protect it yourself.

It’s a modern way of caring about your reputation.

Branding is more than just a logo and your colors. — @TheRealKiraMing #2MTT #PublicSpeaking Click To Tweet

Links

Limiting beliefs are a real thing, and I think that if we let go of those we would be scared of how great and how awesome we can become and how many people we can reach you know if we just stop limiting ourselves.  –… Click To Tweet

Call To Action

• To learn more about Kira or her book, Small Business, Big Success: A Straight To The Point Guide For Small Business Owners, check out the links above.
• Who else do you know that might enjoy this episode? Give them the link http://2MinuteTalkTips.com/TheRealKiraMing
• Don’t get best…get better

Make sure that you're showing up really strong and effectively. The opportunities start to come and hopefully you'll say yes. — @TheRealKiraMing #2MTT #PublicSpeaking Click To Tweet

2-Minute Talk Tips is the public speaking podcast that helps you become a more effective speaker in as little as 2 minutes a week.