Susan Young's
Amplify Blog

Ā 

Ā 

Ā 

Your Most Valuable Piece of Content Isn't What You Think

If this wacky Pandemic has revealed one thing about entrepreneurs, it’s this:

Most people don’t feel comfortable talking about themselves online. 

{RELATED: FREE MASTERCLASS: POWERFUL STORIES THAT SELL: HOW TO GET STARTED SHARING YOUR STORY. MAY 24-12 PM EDT CLICK TO SAVE YOUR SEAT!}

Even those with exceptional talents and experience. 

They shrink back from sharing their stories. 

They say too much…or the wrong things..so prospects click somewhere else.

They “kind of” think they have a story that’s worthy of sharing.

Still, deep down inside they’ve convinced themselves otherwise. 

These are the common themes I’ve been seeing and hearing online and with clients since last March when the health crisis hit. 

It’s especially rampant on Clubhouse.

People are messaging me about their deep fears around what to say when introducing themselves and how to say it. 

Then I get the follow-up DM:

  • I need...
Continue Reading...

Why You Must Stop Talking to Get Ahead

 

Today is World Voice Day.

It's a perfect reminder that when you speak — online or in-person —you are merely repeating things you already know. 

So, if you want to up-level your business and yourself so that you can truly step into your power and potential, do this:   

1. Close your mouth. And watch this 3-minute video. It can change your life. 

2. Click here to more info.

It's time to learn. 

 

Continue Reading...

7 Heartfelt Lessons from Brooklyn on International Women's Day 2021

I don’t need International Women’s Day (#IWD2021) to recall one of the women who has had a profound impact on my life.

She passed away in 1994, yet to this day, I talk about and think about her. Every. Single. Day. 

{RELATED: HOW TO SCORE INTERVIEWS WITH PODCASTERS + REPORTERS. 1-HOUR VIDEO TRAINING. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IT FOR JUST $99!}

Her name was Nettie Freeman. My sisters and I called her "Mama." She was our maternal grandmother. 

Mama was born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. She was married for 63 years (to the same man), had three children and nine grandchildren. She lived to see 12 of her 21 great-grandchildren. She died at the age of 95.

How would Mama, who had a high school diploma and never worked outside the home, be an inspiration for International Women’s Day?

  • Mama had never been on an airplane.
  • She never lived anywhere except New York, and a short time in New Jersey.
  • So what could Mama have taught me about business and my career in the 31...
Continue Reading...

3 Ways to Create Content Without Writing a Single Word

You can create stellar content without having to write anything. 

Look, I get it. Not everyone is a writer.

And the good news is…not everyone is a reader.

{RELATED: Create a Never-Ending Pipeline of Content for Your Social Media. Access the 30-Minute Video Training here. Just $29!} 

Keeping this in mind—and ever-changing algorithms—successful marketing strategies include a mixed bag of content formats.

You may: 

  • Create short "how-to" video clips
  • Share long-form posts
  • Use images for Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat
  • Record audio clips
  • Create fun infographics

A variety of formats will improve your SEO rankings – and grow your business.

Here are 3 ways for non-writers to easily create fresh content: 

Compile a round-up post. Listening to a webinar or training with a well-known leader in your industry. With basic notes or a recording, you can craft a post of “10 Takeaways” from the program. This is called “curated...

Continue Reading...

How to Supercharge Engagement on Instagram

User-Generated Content, or UGC, is a fun and interactive way to gain visibility and engagement online.  

Savvy marketers include UGC as part of their online strategy.

It's super-effective on Instagram when you...

  • Need fresh content 
  • Want more engagement and comments on posts 
  • Target younger audiences

User-generated content is also fun.

UGC invites subscribers and followers to send in pictures (or enter a contest) based on a theme or "news of the day."

It's a strategy that's long been used in television news. These days, foodies, clothing brands, sports and other visual brands are tapping UGC, too.  

Here's an easy example: There's a snowstorm and a TV news anchor encourages viewers to send in their cutest snow picture of their pets.

The station selects "winners" and showcases them with the owner's name or social media handle. The "winners" — the public — create an organic buzz by raving on social media (word-of-mouth marketing) how Fluffy...

Continue Reading...

How the Ruthless Streets Created a Poet

On Monday night, a young man who calls himself an “unsigned artist” on Clubhouse was in a room (similar to a chat) with me and 250 others.

The topic was speaking with confidence

The man raised his hand, asking for feedback on a poem about the ruthless streets and people he’s known all his life.  

Clubhouse is an audio-only app, so everyone in the room could only hear this man’s voice.

A deep baritone enveloped with the thickness of the streets. 

His avatar was a logo; we had no idea what he looked like.  

We went merely by the sound of his voice, his mumbled words, his quick cadence.

It was nearly impossible to understand his words.

He raced awkwardly through his poem and asked for feedback.

He apologized for sounding “so ghetto."

One of the moderators on stage with me asked him respectfully to slow down, enunciate and recite the poem again.

He did.  

The feedback came in heaps of praise and love for this young man who...

Continue Reading...

The Confidence to Receive

We’re so quick to compliment others.

Still, most of us struggle to receive praise and kind words.

How do you respond when someone commends you on a business report, new hairstyle or an impressive run on the ski slopes?  

Do you smile and gracefully thank the other person?

Or do you deflect their comments and start overtalking?

Consider this scenario: A friend says, “I love your shirt; is it new?”  

One typical response is: “Yes, I got it on clearance and saved $20. I couldn’t have afforded the full price. The car broke down last week...”

Another common reply: “No, I’ve had this since last year; the button’s missing from the sleeve. Gosh, I’ve gotta buy some new clothes!”  

The best answer, however, is one that is uplifting, positive and shows your own deep confidence.

{RELATED: HOW TO SCORE INTERVIEWS WITH PODCASTERS + REPORTERS. 1-HOUR VIDEO TRAINING. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IT FOR JUST...

Continue Reading...

How to Captivate Audiences with Heartfelt Stories

He had the stories in his heart and his head.

But David couldn’t get them out on paper.

No, it wasn’t a sales presentation or media coaching.

David was an accomplished project manager and engineer who was referred to me by a mutual business acquaintance.

He had a personal communication project that was new to me.   

Look, I had ghostwritten nearly 1,000 posts, articles, bios, speeches, editorials and messages during my 35  years in the news and communication industry.

But never one like this.

[Access My 3-Step Stories That Sell System Now So You Can Communicate with Clarity and Confidence…and Close More Clients. Click here! ]

David needed a Father of the Bride speech for his daughter Melissa’s rehearsal dinner.

This was big; 150 people at the dinner and 500 for the wedding the next day. David knew some of the guests intimately; the others he had never met.

People would be watching.

And judging.

It could be a tough crowd.

And David—whom...

Continue Reading...

The Secret to Getting Reporters to Notice Youā€”and Give You Free Publicity

A magazine reporter, Rasheeda, emailed me to request an interview.

No pitching.

No press releases.

No chasing.

Rasheeda—who writes about nonprofit associations—contacted me late Monday.

{LEARN HOW TO CREATE A NEVER-ENDING STREAM OF ONLINE CONTENT TO GROW YOUR VISIBILITY AND BUSINESS. VIDEO TRAINING JUST $29.00!}

After exchanging four quick emails, we had the logistics down and the phone interview confirmed for Tuesday morning. 

That’s it.

It can be this easy.

How did Rasheeda find me?

I had been showing up and offering free resources and value in a group we both belong to (not on Facebook)

Rasheeda was watching.

That was in early 2020.

She first contacted me in March, 2020 when the pandemic hit.

Rasheeda was interviewing a few PR people about the importance of nonprofits having crisis communication plans.

She had seen my posts and poked around my website.

The article ran, I thanked her and that was it.

Within just three months of Rasheeda’s first article...

Continue Reading...

5 Common Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Looking for More Clients

"Just show up, share some value and post consistently." 

Entrepreneurs and coaches who want to be seen and heard must know how to show up.  Because showing up with valuable content brings credibility and clients. 

Your content is your ticket to business growth. 

But what does showing up as your true self (ok, the dreaded word "authentic") really mean???

How do you...

Comment on an active thread in a way that's not salesy or pushy? 

Figure out what people want from you? 

Avoid embarrassing yourself in front of everyone on the Internet?? 

You can't be seen as a credible go-to expert in your niche if you're always questioning your self-worth and value.  

If you want more clients, you've got to share your message online with pride. The business will follow.   

Your message = money

Publicity = profits  

Showing up in groups, chats and podcasts means you have deep-rooted confidence and belief in yourself.

You...

Continue Reading...
Close

Story Magnets:
How to Talk About Your Business So Dream Clients Buy From You

A 6-week online group training for experienced entrepreneurs, coaches, therapists, and consultants

COMPLETE THIS FORM AND 
HIT THE BUTTON SO YOU CAN GET DETAILS.