Does One Voice Make A Difference?

Can you hear a tree that falls in the middle of the forest?

I believe that every story shared is an opportunity to change a life. That might sound woo woo or come across as something much bigger than what a story might be, but consider the 8 billion people on our planet. Everyone has a story. Everyone is in need of a story to either help get them through this moment in time or to learn from because without that story, they might never experience what you share.

I send a card with the above image to every one of my clients. It’s the waveform of me saying “Your voice will change the world”. I believe that every voice has the power to change the world. Right now, you, like myself and many others, might be wondering if our single voice will make any kind of difference. It does and it will.

Our voice and story hold significant power, especially when we are genuine in using it. This applies whether we are talking about a podcast pitch or reaching out to a Senator or company to voice our concerns. Now, you might be questioning where I’m going with this…so hear me out…

This week I received two podcast pitches from agencies. I posted one on Instagram word for word. The other I haven’t shared but it at least used my name. While I’m sure the women pitched to me had great stories, the pitches themselves didn’t convey that. Neither told me why my audience and I needed to hear their stories or how the stories even related to my show. One also used emojis throughout which I just don’t feel is professional in an email. It’s not a caption meant to grab your attention as you’re scrolling.

I hadn’t shared the other pitch but decided my Substack readers deserved to see the other because there was another glaring detail left out.

I love to dig deeper and upon actually Googling the guest being pitched I found that her entire business is based on promoting Christians. I’m guessing that’s what “movement leader” refers to because nowhere does it mention that the business this woman created is for Christian models. If that is your entire business is based on and who it’s for, why isn’t it mentioned? I’m sure the person who pitched this to me figured they could reach a greater audience if they left that detail out, but it’s all over her website and media kit.

I’m also not sure what “trending talking points” are…

When I send out my pitches, they are all personalized. They get results. I do the same when I email a Senator or most recently, Patti Poppe, CEO of PG&E. I searched and found Patti’s gmail address (if you’re in California and would like it, let me know!) and I sent her an email outlining not only who I am and my personal experience with the Camp Fire but also broke down why her “with love” message to their client base was so incredibly out of touch. I gave details, told her what I would have done, shared conversations I’ve had with others.

Want to know what happened? You’re probably thinking nothing.

WRONG!

She forwarded my message to an Executive Escalations Expert who wrote probably one of the most personalized and detailed emails ever. It was literally the message Patti should have used instead of her love nonsense that was out of touch.

Being personal gets results. Your single voice can and will make change happen.

I also emailed the Democratic party (and called them out on Threads) along with many others telling them I’m sick of the daily emails asking for a donation but not a single email sharing results. Then…they sent an email that said “we aren’t asking for a donation, but telling you what we’re doing.” I know it wasn’t just my message that made that happen, but when we all use our voices, we collectively make things happen.

Use your voice. Get personal.

I really try hard to support those who are doing the work of many and that I believe in. I upgrade my paid Substack subscriptions regularly. I purchase merch that not only have statements I believe in but also support people who are working hard towards change for all of us. I also donate to campaigns I believe in and have even recently donated to my first PAC. I’m very excited to learn from and donate to ConnectForward because they believe in microinfluencers, podcasters and those of us willing and ready to use our platforms to help create change. This is what is going to move the needle!

If you have found people that inspire you, are doing the work you believe in, then I encourage you to support them, whether it’s with a financial donation or subscription or simply letting them know with your kind words how much you appreciate them.

What I’m Reading

I feel like the better question right now is what am I not reading?! I’ve committed to reading with my son so that we can build reading comprehension, so our new read is When The World Was Ours. My daughter wants to start a bookclub and I had an incredible response on Threads when I asked for recommendations. I think we are going to start with Ban This Book. I just finished the audiobook of The Hitchcock Hotel and also Unconditional by Dr. Samra Zafar for the podcast. I’m in the middle of We Need New Leaders by Charlotte Otter, Bearer Of Bad News by Elisabeth Dini and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I also posted another Books On My Desk reel!

Books That Build

Next week is the Books That Build bookclub live!!! I’ve posted weekly about Democracy In Retrograde and as we gear up for next week’s chat with Sami, I’d love to know what questions you have for her.

My Simplified Life

I’ve started sending an email for each episode that comes out on the podcast. There are two more incredible guests this week that I can’t wait to share with you! One has a last name that you most certainly are familiar with (stay tuned until tomorrow to find out who!).

Keep going. Keep speaking up. Remember to drink water and rest!