Buying my domain name declared first to myself, and then to the world, that I was someone who had something valuable to say.  It gave me a platform, one that I owned, to use my voice and to be seen and heard by people further and wider than currently existed in my little world. 

Using social media to share you message is good, but they are borrowed platforms. Your domain name is yours to use unrestricted, unlimited and unapologetically. Women have built their entire empires with a domain name. 

Since purchasing angelalucas.net, opportunities I couldn’t have expected to share my work with the world have presented themselves – it’s proved to me that there were people in the world who wanted to hear what I had to say. 

You, my Queen, are a powerful woman, and every powerful woman needs a platform. Buying your domain name (YourName.com or SomeVersionOfYourName.com) means you’re not waiting for anyone to give you a platform, you’re doing it without their permission. This is especially important if you work for a company you don’t own. While you’re helping to build someone else’s dream and moving their vision along, you need to make sure you have a space where you’re pouring out your creativity, passion and ideas. You must carve out a space in the world for yourself. 

Buy your children their own domain names too. When each of our kids were born, that’s one of the first things we bought them. It was our way of saying to them that we believe that you are unique and that God gave you something important to say to the world. Don’t be afraid to use your voice and create meaningful work. 

Take action towards building the life you crave. Go buy your domain name and get ready to share your message with the world! 

Need some ideas on how to get noticed and paid to speak? Check out this post.

The post What Every Powerful Woman Should Own appeared first on Angela Lucas.

She wasn’t helping anyone by holding onto the false belief that she wouldn’t be supported.

What’s worse is if she’s feeling this way, then women living in small towns like us everywhere might be feeling this way too. And if that’s true, we’re missing out on a lot of valuable wisdom.

Unfortunately, I realized, women aren’t starting on their dreams simply because of where they live. They feel limited by their environment.

Whether you live in Toledo, on a remote island or in Timbuktu, if you have something valuable to say and create momentum around it, people will show up to listen! 

YOU have something to say, and we need to hear it. What you have to say has value. People will pay you for what you know.

If you’re ready to get started, here are the first four things you need to do if you want to land your first speaking role.

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Tip #1: Don’t play small, a lot of people need what you have. You’re cheating yourself and the many that will follow you by not speaking up, not showing up, and not putting yourself out there. Go big: schedule your first class, apply to speak at that conference, hire your coach. Go!

Tip #2: Set your expectations properly. Are you going to become a movie star while you live in Omaha, Nebraska. It’s highly unlikely. But, you could become star of an indy film or produce a low budget short worthy of Sundance and use that small win to position you for bigger wins. So in your small town, don’t despise the day of small beginnings. The goal is to build momentum. So master your craft at the Sheraton and get ready for the big stage!

Tip #3: Change how you describe yourself online. Edit your profile descriptions on Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin to reflect how you see yourself. You don’t need permission from some “authority” to be a speaker before you’re allowed to call yourself one. The title police aren’t coming. There are no gatekeepers. Take control of your own narrative. Are you a speaker or aren’t you? Be brave enough to wear what you are INSIDE on the OUTSIDE. Confidently declare to the world that you ARE a speaker, you ARE an entrepreneur, and you ARE a teacher!

People will whisper  “Who does she think she is?” and “When did she become a speaker?”. Queen, keep your head up high and remember you’re doing something that demands courage. Small minds will never understand that. 

Take your experience, your knowledge, your research and boldness and GO.

Tip # 4. Be consistent with your content. Your posts on social media need to clearly and consistently remind your audience of who you are and what you’re about. Your goal is to make sure that when people are looking for a speaker in your area of expertise, Y-O-U are top of mind because you showed up consistently and made yourself synonymous with your area of expertise.

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The post Four Tips To Booking Your First Paid Speaking Gig When You Live In A Small Town appeared first on Angela Lucas.

Here’s the thing: You are already a brand.

If you are on a social media platform, you are a brand. If you’re not on social media, you are a brand. The thoughts and opinions you share, the meme’s on your timeline, and the water cooler convo’s you engage in are all branding you.

The way you move through the world tells the story of:

Who you are, what you think, and what you believe.

Everybody has a brand, but not everyone controls their brand. Strategic branding is simply controlling the narrative. It’s being intentional about what you allow people to think about you. The difference between you and the influencers you admire is they have learned to manage how you see them..

Strategic branding takes effort, and discipline.

Discipline to not post when you’re angry. The discipline to not not air your dirty laundry online. Avoiding foolish arguments via Twitter. Strategic branding is about putting in the effort to listen and care for your audience.
And consistently showing up for the followers and friends who are showing up for you.

Now, I am NOT saying you shouldn’t speak up about social injustice, nor am I saying that you should avoid advocating for causes you’re passionate about. I’m simply saying be conscious about what you post. Too often we post in the heat of the moment and don’t think about the consequences. Branding yourself strategically means putting yourself in a position to open up opportunities, not close the door on them.

Look, we don’t live in a world where we can say (or do) whatever we want and keep our jobs, keep our friends and keep our peace. So be real and authentic about what you post, but be wise. Sure, you could take the position that your social media is your social media, and if they don’t like it, they can push. But I bet you’re reading this because you’re hoping to grow your thing, whatever your thing is. So, like it or not, what you say and do locks or unlocks doors for you.

Recently, one of my social media accounts was hacked. Within 10 minutes, I had people contacting me telling me my account had been compromised. My friends and followers know who I am. They know if a post doesn’t smell right. Why? Because I post consciously. I don’t post based on how I am feeling in the moment. I post the real me, and they can tell when something is out of bounds. When I post, it’s thoughtfully done and on brand. Every. Single. Time.

While you can’t control others emotions towards you, you can manage the fodder you give them. Success comes when people can trust that they know you can deliver. And the only way to deliver is to be consistent with who you tell them you are.

Will your next post take you closer to your goals?

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint.” Proverbs 17:27

The post Like it or not, you’re a brand appeared first on Angela Lucas.