Think you need a dramatic backstory or impressive credentials to become a powerful speaker? Think again.

In this episode, Kimberly is dismantling the biggest myth that keeps talented professionals off stages: the idea that you have to be some kind of recognized expert to share your message. The truth is, some of the most impactful speakers are everyday professionals—project managers, consultants, team leads—who teach practical frameworks from real-world experience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why "relatably experienced" speakers generate better audience retention than highly credentialed experts

• The 3 reasons "regular people" make more powerful speakers than you'd think

• Where you naturally fit in the 5 Types of Speakers framework (hint: it's probably Educator)

• What you actually need to become a confident speaker (spoiler: it's not expertise)

• How to turn your everyday professional experience into valuable speaking content

Key insight: Educational content consistently outperforms purely motivational content, and audiences learn more from speakers who feel like accessible guides rather than unreachable celebrities.

Ready to build your speaking platform? The Visibility Shift is a 6-month program designed specifically for professionals who don't consider themselves "experts" but are ready to step into their authority and share what they know. (Enrollment closes today, 2/18/26, for the inauguaral cohort!) Learn more at kimberlybonline.com/tvs

Stay In Touch → Connect with the community:

• Follow me on Instagram/TikTok: @KimberlyBOnline

• Explore Brown Leadership: www.brownleadership.com

• Read the book "Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love" at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com

→ Share your question: Submit your question in a 90-second voice message, and I may address it in an upcoming episode. Submit here: https://www.speakpipe.com/YourNextMove

In this deeply personal episode, Kimberly pulls back the curtain on her journey from a career counselor making under $50,000 a year to building a multi-six-figure business that's maintained that level for five consecutive years. The vehicle that made it all possible? Speaking. Not keynote speaking at first—but strategic visibility through professional associations, conferences, and leveraging every speaking opportunity to build relationships and open doors.

But here's what makes this story different: Kimberly wasn't a "natural speaker." She didn't have a dramatic transformation story or overcome massive tragedy. She was someone who loved working behind the scenes in higher education and corporate HR—until a promotion conversation that felt like a slap in the face changed her entire strategy.

In this episode, she shares the real progression: from her first terrified speaking engagement (with a coworker by her side for moral support) to commanding a multi-five-figure keynote fee, and why "teaching her behind off" on stage is exactly what grew her business even when coaches told her not to give so much away.

What You'll Learn in this Episode:

• The promotion conversation that changed Kimberly's career strategy and why she realized good work alone wouldn't get her where she wanted to go

• How speaking at professional associations led to salary bumps, job offers, and opportunities Kimberly never even applied for

• The truth about speaking for free: when Kimberly still does it (rarely) and when it's worth it vs. when to command your fee

• The salary progression that speaking made possible: $50k → just under $100k → $150k+ → multi-six-figure business owner

• Kimberly's philosophy on pairing your expertise with what the audience needs (instead of just talking about what you want to talk about)

Stay In Touch → Connect with the community:

• Enroll or Book a Sales call for The Visibility Shift: kimberlybonline.com/tvs

• Follow me on Instagram/TikTok: @KimberlyBOnline

• Explore Brown Leadership: www.brownleadership.com

• Read the book "Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love" at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com

→ Share your question: Submit your question in a 90-second voice message, and I may address it in an upcoming episode. Submit here: https://www.speakpipe.com/YourNextMove

In this episode, Kimberly is pulling back the curtain on The Visibility Shift—her signature 6-month program for professionals who want to build visibility through speaking. If you've been curious about what's actually inside the program, who it's for, and whether it's the right fit for you, this is the episode.

Ready to join The Visibility Shift? Enroll now or book a sales call at www.kimberlybonline.com/tvs

Program begins February 23, 2026. Investment: $3,000 (or 6 monthly payments of $500).

NOTE: 5 Types of Speakers breakdown is episode 115 of the podcast.

Stay In Touch → Connect with the community:

• Follow me on Instagram/TikTok: @KimberlyBOnline

• Explore Brown Leadership: www.brownleadership.com

• Read the book "Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love" at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com

→ Share your question: Submit your question in a 90-second voice message, and I may address it in an upcoming episode. Submit here: https://www.speakpipe.com/YourNextMove

• Why virtual speaking is actually harder than in-person speaking—and the four reasons you're not crazy for feeling exhausted after video calls
• The #1 mistake people make on camera that kills connection (hint: stop looking at yourself)
• How to frame yourself professionally without expensive equipment—camera angle, lighting, and background strategies that make an immediate difference
• Why your "normal" energy reads as low energy on screen and how to amplify without looking over-the-top
• The chat monitoring strategy that keeps your audience engaged in real-time (and why you shouldn't delegate this to a moderator)
• Technical basics that separate amateur presenters from polished professionals

• Follow me on Instagram/TikTok: @KimberlyBOnline
• Learn about The Visibility Shift: www.kimberlybonline.com/tvs
• Explore Brown Leadership: www.brownleadership.com
• Read the book "Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love" at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com

REGISTER FOR MY UPCOMING TRAINING: "Build Your Professional Brand Through Public Speaking" webinar on February 4, 2025: kimberlybonline.com/webinar

In this episode, Kimberly breaks down seven unexpected benefits that came from developing her public speaking skills—and she's not talking about the obvious stuff like "getting less nervous during presentations." From developing executive presence without an executive title to commanding multi-five-figure keynote fees, these ripple effects went far beyond what she imagined when she first started saying yes to speaking opportunities.

This isn't theory. Kimberly shares real numbers, real stories, and real research to show you exactly how public speaking skills translate into career opportunities, income growth, and a version of yourself you didn't know was possible. If you've been treating public speaking as a "nice-to-have" instead of a core professional competency, this episode will change your perspective.

What You'll Learn in this Episode:

• How public speaking gives you executive presence before you ever have an executive title—and why 67% of executive presence comes from communication skills

• The credibility multiplier effect: why speaking at a 100-person event can do more for your professional reputation than years of quietly doing good work

• How public speaking skills become a filter for better career opportunities (and help you filter OUT the wrong ones)

• Why one 60-minute presentation can generate more meaningful professional connections than years of traditional networking

• The real income impact: how Kimberly went from private college → ivy league → Fortune 100, negotiating $20K+ salary increases with each move

• The confidence transfer effect: how the scary thing you do on stage makes you braver in negotiations, difficult conversations, and risk-taking

Stay In Touch → Connect with the community:

• Follow me on Instagram/TikTok: @KimberlyBOnline

• Explore Brown Leadership: www.brownleadership.com

• Read the book "Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love" at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com

→ Share your question: Submit your question in a 90-second voice message, and I may address it in an upcoming episode. Submit here: https://www.speakpipe.com/YourNextMove

REGISTER FOR MY UPCOMING TRAINING: "Build Your Professional Brand Through Public Speaking" webinar on February 4, 2025: kimberlybonline.com/webinar

In this episode, Kimberly introduces the 5 Types of Speakers framework—a game-changing lens for identifying your natural speaking style instead of trying to copy someone else's. She shares a vulnerable story about feeling intimidated at a speaker event, seeing other speakers with detailed stage charts and technical prep, only to realize that her authentic, in-the-moment style was exactly what made her powerful on stage.

This framework isn't about putting you in a box—it's about giving you permission to stop comparing yourself to speakers who operate in a completely different lane. Kimberly shows you how to lean into YOUR strengths. Most powerful speakers are actually a blend of types, and understanding yours is the first step to building authentic visibility.

What You'll Learn in this Episode:

• The 5 Types of Speakers: Motivational, Thought Leader, Entertainer, Subject Matter Expert, and Educator—and how to identify which one(s) you are

• Why the "Educator" type is the most accessible path for professionals who don't think they have a dramatic story or specialized credentials

• Why most powerful speakers are actually a blend of 2 types—and how your type can evolve over time

Watch Kimberly's Speaker Reel

Stay In Touch → Connect with the community:

• Follow me on Instagram/TikTok: @KimberlyBOnline

• Explore Brown Leadership: www.brownleadership.com

• Read the book "Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love" at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com

• Share your question: Submit your question in a 90-second voice message, and I may address it in an upcoming episode. Click to submit here.

• Why there's no such thing as a "natural" speaker—and what confidence actually looks like behind the scenes
• How to practice public speaking every single day without needing a stage (hint: it's already happening in your life)
• The 3-phase framework: Start Where You Are (weeks 1-4), Increase Your Visibility (weeks 5-8), and Own Your Voice (weeks 9-12)
• Why immediate audience feedback—not formal evaluations—is the fastest path to building speaking confidence

• Follow me on Instagram/TikTok: @KimberlyBOnline
• Explore Brown Leadership: Brownleadership Home
• Read the book "Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love" at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com

• The critical difference between 10x vs 2x thinking and why most of us are stuck in 2x mode
• How to identify your "20%"—the singular focus that will create momentum across all areas of your life
• How to build a personal development curriculum that meets you where you are and takes you where you want to go
• The 7-step process for creating your own annual curriculum

• 10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less * (*book affliate link) by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
• The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months * (*book affliate link) by Brian P. Mora and Michael Lennington
• CTFAR Self-Coaching Model (Circumstances, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions, Results) by Brooke Castillo
• Register for "Build Your Professional Brand Through Public Speaking" webinar on February 4, 2025: kimberlybonline.com/webinar

• Follow me on Instagram/TikTok: @KimberlyBOnline
• Explore Brown Leadership: Brownleadership Home
• Read the book "Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love" at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com