As you’re working on your keynote speech (or aspiring to one), there are key elements to include that make it different from a regular business presentation or training. Along with stories and audience engagement (always!), you can also create what’s known as a “bit.” This is a section of your keynote, usually just a few minutes long, that stands out and becomes memorable for the audience. My guest Nicole Edwards recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy and we worked together to create her keynote. I really enjoyed working with Nicole because she was always open to learning and improving. In this episode, Nicole and I talk about: Her background and what has brought her to thought leadership The process we went through to create her new keynote signature talk The key elements of her keynote, including stories and her framework Why we decided she needed a “bit” for her keynote and what that means Her experience in our Thought Leader Academy About My Guest: With a professional background in mental health and talent development that spans over 20 years, Nicole Edwards has been a catalyst of growth for people and organizations—working with thousands of individuals in educational, corporate, and nonprofit settings. Nicole dedicates her life’s work to stir others to live and lead from a deeply authentic space. With her masterful approach to learning design and speaking, Nicole has been afforded opportunities to design certificate and leadership courses for emerging leaders, facilitate corporate retreats, speak at international conferences, and land a spot on the big red dot with her TEDx talk called In Your Eyes. In 2019, Nicole created Edwards Authentic, a vision brought to life by providing transformative experiences for professional women. Through insightful content, courses, and retreats, Nicole aspires to create a sanctuary for women to flourish in their personal and professional endeavors. Nicole is a coauthor of the International Women of Color Who Boss Up— an Amazon best-selling book seen on CBS and NBC that features the stories of female entrepreneurs of color who have trailblazed their unique paths, overcoming adversity in the relentless pursuit of purpose. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/269 Nicole’s website: https://www.edwardsauthentic.com/ Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/. Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact. Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Nicole Edwards (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleedwardscplp/ Nicole Edwards (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/edwardsauthentic/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 229: 3 Speaking Styles You Can Use with Carol Cox Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.