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Mastering the Spotlight (without sounding salesy or shaky)

  • Mar 5
  • 4 min read

Quick life update before I get to his weeks digital marketing goodies:

 

I officially submitted my first few articles as a freelance reporter for a brand-new local community newspaper I’ll be contributing to.

 

It’s funny timing; because if I’m being honest, my days are already full. Between running my breathwork program, supporting web design and coaching clients, planning retreats, managing a household, and being married to another entrepreneur… it never really stops.

 

But when the opportunity came up to join forces with the publisher of this paper, I was like, OK! Partly because I genuinely want to be more involved in my local community. And partly because, let’s be real; when you work from home as an entrepreneur, it’s very easy to complain about not meeting people… while also not actually putting yourself out there.

 

I joked after my first on-site assignment that I already loved the gig because it forced me to get dressed, put on lipstick, and leave the house before 10 a.m. on a Wednesday. Otherwise? Pajamas. Laptop. Coffee. Noon.

 

So stay tuned; once the paper officially launches in March, I’ll likely share a few of the articles here when they overlap with the conversations we’re already having.

 

Here’s where this ties into today’s theme.

 

During my first newspaper assignment, I was on-site at a local business while CTV (a national TV network here in Canada) was also there filming. The business owner mentioned how nervous they felt about being on camera. And it got me thinking because I don’t think twice about recording video anymore. Not just because of social media… but because I’ve been on live television countless times.

 

It reminded me how easy it is to forget that what feels normal to us can feel wildly uncomfortable to someone else.

 

Which brings me to today’s focus: mastering the spotlight - without accidentally eroding trust through your language.

 

If you’re creating video content (which I still highly recommend - video is very much king), or writing sales pages, captions, or emails, your words are doing more teaching than you realize.

 

Here are a few language shifts that make a massive difference (thanks to my pal and this week's podcast interviewee, Tanya Memme!):

 

Pressure-based language creates resistance.Instead of “you need this if you want results” or “this is perfect for everyone,” try:“This is for people who are ready to…” or “If this resonates, here’s the next step.”

 

Over-proving yourself weakens authority.Instead of “I’ve been doing this for years,” try:“What I see consistently is this pattern…” or “Across clients, this shows up again and again.”

 

Self-protective softening dilutes impact.Instead of “I could be wrong, but…” or “This is just my opinion,” try:“If this feels harder than expected, that’s normal,” or “Most people don’t talk about this part — but it’s real.”

 

Over-explaining waters things down.Instead of “There’s a lot to unpack here,” try:“Here’s the part to focus on,”

 

Permission-seeking chips away at trust.Instead of “I just wanted to share…” or “This might not make sense, but…” try:“Here’s what matters,” or “This is the key point.”

 

The words we choose quietly shape how safe, confident, and trustworthy we appear. And especially as women, many of us were conditioned to soften, justify, and prove ourselves in ways that sound friendly — but also unsure.

 

In business, visibility asks us to stand in our power without becoming performative or aggressive.

 

Which is exactly why I’m so grateful to my dear friend Tanya Memme, who joined me on the podcast to talk about mastering the spotlight with integrity.



🎙️ New Podcast Episode: From Miss Canada to Mastering the Spotlight: Tanya Memme on Confidence, Reinvention & Finding Your Voice

 

Tanya has spent over 25 years professionally speaking and working in television, and her depth of experience shows; not because she tells you, but because you can feel it.

 

She shares her behind-the-scenes journey through Hollywood, career pivots, personal loss, and rebuilding after hitting rock bottom. We talk honestly about what confidence actually looks like when you didn’t grow up online — and why finding your voice is less about personality and more about skill, support, and self-trust.

 

Our convo explores:

  • Reinventing yourself after a major life or career disruption

  • Confidence on camera (and why it’s learnable)

  • Visibility without pretending to be someone you’re not

  • How community supports resilience and growth

  • Why so many women silence themselves — and how to stop

 

Tanya also shares insights from her work teaching public speaking and media confidence through her program Mastering the Spotlight, helping leaders and entrepreneurs show up clearly and authentically in a digital world.

 

And guess what? As a member of my community, you get $50 OFF the course! Just use coupon code: AGDW50

 

🎧 Listen to this week’s episode:From Miss Canada to Mastering the Spotlight: Tanya Memme on Confidence, Reinvention & Finding Your Voice HERE.


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