by Solange Lopes | Apr 27, 2017 | Career
Audrey Mann Cronin, Co-Founder LikeSo app
I had the pleasure of virtually meeting Audrey Mann Cronin a few months ago, and was instantly taken by her story. Audrey is the co-founder, President and Chief Marketing Officer of SayItMedia Inc., which is at the origin of the LikeSo app, aka your personal speech coach.
Now if you’ve ever had a problem speaking up in public, this app is for you! It uses voice recognition technology to analyze your “speech fitness”, and help you increase the performance of your speeches, presentations, interview or auditions! As an introvert who’s struggled with speaking up at work, I wish this app had been available a while ago. SayLikeSo has been featured on some major news outlets, including CNN, CNBC, AOL and USA Today.
But without further ado, here’s Audrey, who graciously accepted to answer a few questions for TCS:
-
Tell us a bit about you and what you do!
Hi Corporate Sisters! I am a passionate women’s advocate, writer, speaker and longtime communications consultant, so the way people speak is always on my radar. We all want to speak to impress, but lax verbal habits can undermine our skills and impact our success. I am on a mission to help us all be better, more confident speakers, and without all of those “likes” and “sos.” I have worked for 25 years in the technology industry and I thought, there should be an app for that! In December of 2015, I started a new venture, Say It Media, Inc. and in March of 2016, I launched LikeSo: Your Personal Speech Coach.
-
What led you to create LikeSo, and what would you say are the greatest benefits?
I was inspired to create LikeSo after a confluence of conversations took place during one defining week in May of 2014. First, my poised and well-spoken teenage daughter started injecting her sentences with “like,” “ya know,” and “totally!” Later that week, a colleague told me that he had two brilliant co-workers, but that he cringed when he heard them speak on the phone and in meetings because of their use of fillers, uptalk and other verbal habits. And then – the crowning blow… My doctor, a top surgeon in her field, said that she had experienced these uninspiring verbal habits, even in the operating room. We all should speak confidently, powerfully and persuasively – in a way that compels others to listen. Something had to be done, and LikeSo was born.
-
Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.
I start out the day taking 15-30 minutes to check in on my email and social media channels. Along with LikeSoApp on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, I also run the community, Our Digital Daughters, which is a deep dive into raising our girls in this new digital culture. I then re-visit my “to do” list to prioritize the day. If it is like most days, something has happened while I was sleeping that forces me to adjust my schedule! Typically I have a bunch of calls and/or meetings with colleagues, potential new partners, professors, speech professionals, women’s advocates, etc. I also may be writing a post for my blogs. In my life as mom, I have two energetic and inspiring teenagers and a lovely golden retriever, so interruptions are often, and almost always, welcome!
-
What do you love most about your work?
I learn every day and meet so many inspiring and talented people. The entrepreneurial life is exhilarating, topsy-turvy, a bit scary, and a fantastic ride – like the best roller coaster!
-
How do the goals of your business and product affect your day-to-day job, as well as your career and life goals in general?
I want to make a difference and Say It Media has given me a platform and a mission. I am a passionate advocate for girls and women and get deep satisfaction helping women take on the obstacles of our male-centric world and find their own authentic voice. I also have a background in theatre and music, and love working with acting coaches and casting directors to integrate LikeSo into the entertainment field. For my own family, I hope I am setting an example for my children that if you work hard and stay positive, you can achieve success. When I look back, I do think that my life and work experiences and aspirations all led me to this current career…or maybe it was destiny?:-)
-
What’s the most challenging part of your work and how do you not let yourself get burnt out?
Yes, heading up a startup is challenging and exhausting. There is a lot of juggling, a lot of strategic thinking (and rethinking), a lot of networking and a lot of listening and learning. You truly have to believe in your mission. Sometimes I do feel that my work is getting the better of me, but then I get a good night’s sleep and wake up ready to go!
-
What advice would you give other women who may want to follow in your footsteps?
If you are passionate about something that gives you deep satisfaction, first gather some relevant experience, and then jump on!
You can find more information about SayItMedia and the LikeSoApp at the below links:
Thanks so much for sharing with us your wonderful journey and most importantly the amazing LikeSo app!
To your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 19, 2017 | Career
A few weeks ago, Twitter went into a frenzy after Congresswoman Maxine Waters and White House Reporter April Ryan were publicly attacked. Which in turn sparked real outrage over what Black women face at work, starting the very popular hashtag #BlackWomenatWork.
But what this incident really did was bring to the surface the realities that a large majority of Black women face in the workplace. Plus the rampant fear to acknowledge these at all, because: retaliation. However, there are still many things that Black women hear at work. Whether these make us cringe in surprise or smile in disbelief, or anything else in between, here are some of the most common, and interesting, things you may have heard at work as a Black woman, plus some tweets from other sisters to confirm:
Did your hair grow in a week?
So you switched things up between your high bun, your natural curls, and your brand-new Eva weave, all in one week…And the comments are rolling in!
Can we see the manager?
That time when you show up ready to slay at the meeting and you’re politely asked to go get your manager…Except the manager is…you!
Why are you always so angry?
The Angry Black Woman stereotype is very much still alive and well…Iyanla, we need you to come and fix all of this…
Photo credit: essence.com/twitter.com
You’re so well-spoken!
When you’re not sure whether you should take the acknowledgement of your five degrees and three certifications as a compliment, or an insult! Or what the appropriate response should be, for that matter…
Photo credit: essence.com/twitter.com
What would you add to this list?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 12, 2017 | Start Your Business
Got a hobby?If you do, (and yes, knitting ugly Christmas sweaters or counseling your desperate friends counts), there are actually some serious chances you could be turning those hours spent unwinding into some serious cash…Or at least some pocket money to buy the shoes, hook up your tired feet with a (much needed) pedicure, or pay off those pesky student loans…
Listen, I get it…As career/business/buy gals (and dudes), fitting in anything in addition to work, kids and those pain-in-the-neck loads of laundry is a challenge… Who has time to devour romantic books anymore, when we’re fifty-shades-of-too-busy ? And when we have time, we’d rather spend it watching ratchet TV to give our overworked neurons a break…Ok maybe not everybody, but you know, some of us…
So how do you turn a hobby into actual coins when you have limited time, limited energy, and all kinds of to-do’s on your life laundry list? Because that’s kinda where a lot of us are right now, somewhere between “I-forgot-my-kids’-names” and “I-left-my-keys-in-the-car”(ok, those are extremes, but you get the drift)…
I know I’ve asked myself the question many times over, when it comes to my love for writing. The first time a friend asked me if I monetized my writing, I gave her such a big side eye I thought my eyeballs were going to remain stuck. Did you see the size of my laundry loads? But I later picked myself (and my eyeballs) back up, started looking around and realized that there are indeed a plethora of ways to turn that thing you like to do into extra cash, and even fit in the laundry in between:
Put It On Social Media
Social media has become the single most powerful marketing tool ever made! After all, where else can you freely get to advertise pretty much anything (with some exceptions of course)? If you happen to love knitting ugly Christmas sweaters, why not show them off on Instagram or Facebook? Why not share your expertise in 140 characters or less on Twitter, or through a cool video on YouTube?
Now more than ever, the opportunities to putting yourself out there are endless! Take advantage and experiment with your hobbies on social media. If you’re open to showcasing your work online, this could be a great way to start monetizing the stuff you love to do as well.
Freelance, Baby!
Freelancing is another great way to start earning some coins for those things you enjoy doing! Love to write? Start freelance writing and offer your services to blogs, websites or businesses. Are you into intro decorating? Start freelancing for local clients by offering your services at a discount or even for free to start building a clientele. Are you a fitness buff? Volunteer to teach classes at your local gym, and start asking for money once you’ve proven yourself.
There are many areas in which you can use your talents to freelance for small and large clients. Actually, freelancing has become a way of life for many in the new gig economy. Start small by researching potential clients, or even offering your service for free to build your portfolio.
Blog About It
Yes, there are a gazillion blogs out there…Yet blogs still remain one of the most powerful and most influential ways to share your talents and hobbies. People are hungry for information in all areas, from hunting to scrapbooking. There are virtually no limits to what you can blog about.
So start today, and set up a blog around your hobby, passion or talent. Your biggest advantage, and limit at the same time, is that blogging is a labor of love. You must blog about something you truly enjoy in order to keep up with its demands and the competition. While blogging about a hobby you enjoy may prove fulfilling, making money out of your blog may take some time, so be patient!
Join a Network Marketing Company
There are a number of traditionally-called network marketing companies out there, recruiting for people with a certain passion/interest in their business area. If you’re not inclined to start a blog, or would rather a more structured environment to pursue your hobby, these may be a god alternative.
If you’re a fitness and health addict for instance, numerous companies such as ItWorks and Herbalife for instance, are always expanding their openings for brand ambassadors. These can be great opportunities to share your passion for exercise and healthy living and make some coins in the process.
Become an Affiliate
Whether you decide to share your hobby through blogging, on social media, or through freelancing and other ways, you can actually get affiliated with brands selling products in your area(s) of interest. If you’re active online and on social media, and have a decent following, you can now score some pretty decent deals with companies interested in marketing their products/services to a larger audience.
Look for affiliate opportunities with companies that market products or services related to your passions and interests. Most of these companies offer an affiliate program that you may be able to participate in. You may also sign up with third-parties like Massive Sway or CJ.com, which may offer affiliate opportunities with brands as well. Then all you have to do is tap into that hobby/talent/passion of yours, and bring in the coins!
Make it and Sell It!
If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty (literally), then you may look into actually producing selling goods out of your hobby. My friend N. is great at making candles and has started selling them to her close network of friends. You could do the same, and even expand your network to online sites such as Etsy, Craigslist, or Ebay.
This also applies of you’re into virtual goods. Never before has it been easier to sell e-books or other virtual goods than now. Use sites like Amazon, Kobo, or iBooks for instance to sell your work!
Go all out and create a REAL business!
Now this is the ultimate step when you actually go all out and create a REAL business. As in actually filing for a business tax ID, having a business plan ready to go, and picking the business structure of your choice. While it may take time to get to this point, you want to keep it in the back of your mind.
Many entrepreneurs have started by just practicing a hobby or exploring a talent or passion. These have later gone on to become full-fledged, successful businesses. So why not yours?
What tips would you add to this list?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 3, 2017 | Career
Have you ever looked at all your social media platforms, and just wanted to go lay down with a giant tub of ice cream? I know the feeling…Every so often, especially in the spring (because: spring cleaning time!), I try and take a dive into my social media to do some serious cleaning up…And I somehow end up with my head in the fridge, because: hard! And who wants to do hard after-hours and on weekends, which is mostly the time when most of us can tackle social media, right? (I know none of us spends hours browsing Facebook at work…)
Let’s be real…As professional and business women (and men), our social media presence now plays a definite and undeniable role in our careers, whether we want to admit it or not. Recruiters check for social media profiles before contacting potential candidates, while a number of hiring decisions take into account who you present yourself as and what you do on your social media platforms. Hence the need to periodically re-assess the messages we’re sending on these platforms, and how we’re getting perceived on these.
So how do you go about spring cleaning your social media presence, especially when you’re present on multiple platforms and have very little time to dedicate to this exercise? Do you just scrap it all and start over (including those questionable Spring break pictures from Freshman year)? Or do you spend your precious time combing through every photo and post?
For those of us who have zero time, desire or inspiration to re-assess our social media presence, here are 3 quick and painless tips to spring clean your social media platforms on the go:
Ditch the social media platforms you’re not (or barely) using!
Are you mostly on LinkedIn and Twitter but rarely can be seen on Facebook or Snapchat? Then it may be time to downsize your social media presence…As a rule of thumb, pick three platforms that you’re most active on and stick to these. Whether in your own business or career, there’s no need to endlessly spin your wheels on a gazillion platforms, when you can focus on two or three at the most!
However, remember to include a brief thankful message to your current followers when exiting a social media platform. It’s a sign of courtesy that can go a long way, and keep some of your connections alive while allowing you to do away with that particular platform.
Update (and clean up) your social media platforms!
Once you’re down to your two or three most used social media platforms, quickly go through them to identify any area that needs updating. Focus mostly on your bio and experience to start. Are these up-to-date and reflective of where you stand in your career and/or business? If not, consider dusting them off and updating them. Don’t forget to adapt them to the platform itself and what works best on it!
Twitter is great for networking and building professional relationships, Facebook and Instagram are more about sharing pics or posts of your personal and professional experiences. Keep these types of distinctions in mind when you update your information!
Devise a strategy for the platforms of your choice!
Now is time to think strategically! Instead of wasting time and energy on posts that may not create the best return, come up with a strategy that combines your resources with the goals you have in mind! Keep in mind that each platform may require a slightly different strategy, based on the type of platform, your own personality, experience and objectives…
For instance, you may want to consider spending more time cultivating relationships on Twitter and sharing content related to your industry or business. If you’re focusing on Facebook and Instagram, you may want to consider sharing more pictures of your professional experience or links to your latest blog posts.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 26, 2017 | Find Your Purpose
I’m Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi
So after laughing for a few weeks straight after side-eyeing the last words in Luvvie Ajayi’s “I’m Judging You”, I’ve finally gotten to write my review. And it could basically be summarized in three words/phrases: side eyes, laughs, and a masterpiece.
Literally, this was one of the very few times that I sat/laid/rolled in front of a book, laughing my eyeballs out…And yes, your significant others will cut strange glances at you as you treat this book like your funny BFF from high school who cracks the best jokes about everybody and their mama…
In her book, released last September, Nigerian-born author Luvvie Ajayi, well…judges you, I and everybody else… I mean, she lays it on us, hilariously sharing her funny but oh so real take on serious issues ranging from racism, sexism to social media and the abuse of hashtags…Her do-better manual is a real, down-to-earth guide to all those modern sins we’re surrounded by (or commit ourselves) and how to, well…do better…
In the four sections of the book, namely Life, Culture, Social Media and Fame, Ajayi diagnoses the ills of our contemporary society in laugh-out loud chapters with hilarious titles such as “Your Facebook is my favorite soap opera” and exposes the naked truth many of us don’t see or admit most of the time.
Ajayi, whose previous professional experience includes marketing and digital strategist, started blogging in 2003. Within a short timeframe, she launched Awesomelyluvvie.com. Through her blog, she’s gathered a growing following of fans by writing about popular topics and topics she’s passionate about, such as her compelling reviews of the widely acclaimed Shonda Rhimes’ brainchild “Scandal”.
I personally felt a deep connection to the book, being a fellow West African like Ajayi. Some of the anecdotes she referred to, from the very African art of the side eye to her experience as an African immigrant (hello Africa’s not a jungle, or a single country), felt like home sweet home. Ajayi’s voice feels like the sister from back home who eats rice and knows what it means to have your African first name butchered in American school…
All in all, Ajayi’s collection of humorous lectures and sharp essays is a must-read. The book is even currently being developed as a cable series by Scandal’s Shonda Rhimes, and promises to be a sweeping societal movement. Plus a reminder that we should all do better, and yes, I’m giving you the side-eye…
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
