Susan Young's
Amplify Blog

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The Communication Skill Holding Back Our Emerging Leaders

Have you ever felt your voice didn't matter in a room full of experts?Ā 

Younger architects and engineers often feel they must have all the answers inĀ presentationsĀ and meetings.Ā 

Not true. šŸ˜®

The need for perfection is exhausting and expensive when you lose bids to more confident competitors.Ā 

ā€¢ It's comforting to know that no one knows everything.Ā 

ā€¢ And that's more than OK; it's liberating.Ā 

ā€¢ Project managers, superintendents, and others canĀ overcome limiting beliefs with new communication and mindset processes.Ā 

An architect in this month's Top Tier Communicator Training said:Ā 

"I keep falling into a trap, feeling I'm not good enough, and I didn't even know it. Now it's clear, and I have all the puzzle pieces to improve."

Admitting when you don't know something can be empowering.Ā 

Your firm will earn respect and trustĀ when staff says with humility and honesty:

"I don't know, and I'll find out within the hour."Ā 

šŸŽÆThe pieces andĀ tools for building confident teams and incre...

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Speaking These 2 Words May Be Killing Your Business

The two most dangerous words when communicating in business and life are:

I know.

You may indeed know what the other person is saying.

Or trying to express.

Still,Ā pay attention to how you sayĀ your "I know."

Is your tone one of arrogance or dismissal of someone else's idea?

This is about being self-aware.

And self-awareness is often a struggle in A/E/C.

You may be communicating to others subliminally that you are close-minded and closed-hearted.

A slight shift can help close a bid or form a new connection.

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Subject Matter Experts have These Qualities. Do You?

To be seen as a subject matter expert, you must know how to articulate your message.

It's not tricky.

The magic isn't in aĀ bid package.

It's not about your slide deck.

It's not about how long you've been in the A/E/C industry.

You have toĀ feelĀ like a subject matter expert and leader. šŸŽ†

You have to be willing to speak up. With Confidence. Charisma. Heart. Stories.

AtĀ meetings and conferences.Ā Podcast and media interviews. On videos. At internal gatherings.

Look, you know your "stuff."

If the communication piece is missing, you can't share your knowledge and wisdom. #Fact

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How to Stop Wasting Time on Sales Calls ā€” and Still Make 6 Figures

No one-off sales or discovery calls. No weird scripts or pitches. No ā€œpick your brainā€ peeps who won't hire you anyway.Ā Ā Ā Ā 

Iā€™ve had these calls before too. You know, first, you meditate, rock out to a favorite song to get energized (Bruce Springsteenā€™s Thunder Road for me), recite mantrasā€¦blah blah blah.Ā 

What if instead of talking with one prospect at a time, you could speak to 20 prospectsā€¦or 200?

And they're all warm leads coming to YOU at one time. #StopthechaseĀ 

Sweet, right?Ā 

šŸŽÆThis is the business and marketing strategy of successful (paid) speakers.Ā 

  • Itā€™s what I learned in 2000 when I started my PR company and joined the National Speakers Association.Ā 
  • Itā€™s what Iā€™ve been teaching to entrepreneurs, coaches, and business leaders for years.
  • It's the business of speaking.
  • It's a sales funnel before I knew what a sales funnel was.Ā 

Hereā€™s how it works.Ā 

When youā€™re a speaker (paid or volunteer)ā€¦you have a captive audience so thereā€™s no chasing unqualified leads.Ā 

In...

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Top 3 Tips to Get You Started as a Paid Speaker

Showing up isnā€™t worth Jack these days.

In fact, it never was.

Showing up AND getting paid to speak up is different.

Because you're communicating in a strategic way that's relevant and meaningful to others. Now that's worth something. It's about selling your expertise AND getting in front of a captive audience (lead gen!).Ā Ā 

Itā€™s a smart way of doing business that requires a tinge of boldness and self-confidence.Ā 

Itā€™s not about being pushy or arrogant.

Itā€™s knowing deep in your heart that your knowledge and experiences will impact people who hear you.

Itā€™s you knowing that your voice matters.Ā 

And it does.

The question is: Are you bold enough to pitch yourself to event organizers who can book you?Ā 

Look, anyone can take up space. It's a higher-level conversation when you're paid as a subject matter expert. So...no more hiding. šŸ˜

Here are my 3 top ways to get in the door with people who can book you to speak online and on stage:Ā 

1. Frame your message for the audience. Deci...

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Want to Be a Podcast Guest?

 

Whether you're a guest on a podcast or you host one, it's super important to be prepared for the right and best conversation.

It starts long before you start recording.Ā 

This 3-minute video sheds light onĀ how to find the right show, virtual event, and audience to share your expertise. (Hint: Your interview is an organic lead magnet!)šŸŽÆ

Click the video above to watch and learn!Ā 

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You Can Have Easy, Casual Conversations on Podcast and Summit Interviews

Ready to energize and impact more people on podcasts, summits, and virtual events?

Whether youā€™re a host or a guest expert, toss out your list of questions.

You've gotta trust yourself and let things flow naturally.

From my experience, the most memorable interviews are just easy, casual conversations.

They're enjoyable for the host, guest, AND audience!

People rememberĀ intriguing conversations, stories, personalities, and takeaways.

When others like what they hear and see, theyā€™ll...

Ā· Recommend and refer you

Ā· Sign up for your stuff

Ā· Join ā€“and engageā€”in your community

Ā· Hire you

Hosts and guests who trust themselves (and each other) aren't rigid or stuck to a script.

They look forward to something spicy coming up.

They expect to hear a nugget that's fresh and intriguing.

They feel comfortable not knowing each word and question.

They know that they know their stuff without a list of questions.

They prepare--and listen--in a different way than newbies.

So, what does sp...

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The #1 Issue that Keeps Slowing Your Business Growth

I want to get in front of people who can hire me; I want to grow my business!Ā 

Thatā€™s what Iā€™ve been hearing these past few weeks on social media and from my own client calls.Ā 

Look, social media gives each of us access to the masses.

So, itā€™s not hard to get in front of peopleā€”even the right people who are your dream clients.Ā 

Still, thereā€™s a challenge that most entrepreneurs and coaches donā€™t recognize.

šŸŽ¤Itā€™s this: What do youĀ SAYĀ when you get in front of your peeps? šŸŽ¤

If youā€™re like most of my clients, when we first start working together, they say the same thing.

šŸ‘€Youā€™re not aloneā€¦

  • Maria thought her problem was only having a few small clients (and struggling to make money). Then she realized she needed the confidence to talk about herself in a big, bold way.
  • Chris thought he wasnā€™t closing enough sales. Then he realized he didnā€™t feel worthy enough to speak up.Ā 
  • Heidi knew she was doing something wrong. She got crickets when trying to engage potential clients and repor
  • ...
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How I Made $18,000 on Clubhouse ā€” and How You Can, Too

Smitten.
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Itā€™s a word I use when I talk about my husband.
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And Clubhouse.
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I joined Clubhouse in January. I quickly fell in love with it. Itā€™s audio-only so itā€™s perfectly in line with my style.
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Maybe itā€™s because itā€™s easyā€”no on-camera video or long written posts.
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Anyway, when I speak on Clubhouse, my delivery, style, and vibe attract people.
Many listen. Some hire me.
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Thatā€™s right. Iā€™ve generated šŸ’° $18,000 šŸ’°in revenue from Clubhouse, and you can, too.
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Simply by knowing how to talk about yourself in a concise, helpful, and personable way so people want to connect with you.
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šŸ‘€Ā Here'sĀ the secret:
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You donā€™t have to share all the details of your life and career. You just have to share the right ones at the right moment.
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After finding my way around Clubhouse in those first few weeks, I quickly learned how to share my knowledge, wisdom, and experiences so it adds value and helps someone get clarity.
Ā 
...
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Why You Must Stop Talking to Get Ahead

 

Today is World Voice Day.

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

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

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

2. Click here to more info.

It's time to learn.Ā 

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