127, Boldly Tell Your Story + Craft Your PR Strategy with Former Hollywood Reporter, Kayley Hamilton

Welcome to the Success with Soul Podcast! Today’s guest, Kayley Hamilton, has walked the red carpet with some of the world’s biggest celebrities – and now she coaches others on how to have confidence in developing a PR strategy. Whether you know it or not, you could probably develop more of a strategy for your own business. In today’s episode, learn how to boldly tell your story and craft a PR strategy that would have you “red carpet ready”!

Why You Could Use a PR Strategy 

When you hear the term “PR Strategy” or “public relations”, what comes to mind? If you think about big-name companies writing up press releases about a new product or a celebrity giving a press conference in front of dozens of reporters, you aren’t wrong. 

But have you ever considered that your company/brand/blog/business also needs a PR strategy? 

For many of us, when we think about exposure and getting our story out there to the world, we think about using our own social media channels, blogs, and websites to do so. But what you really need to consider too, says today’s guest, is gaining some sort of media attention. Having someone else tooting your horn super effective at helping others learn about you and for you to gain credibility! 

On today’s episode, you are going to get a masterclass from a “once painfully shy girl” who learned to amplify her voice and gain the confidence she needed to walk on the red carpet and interview some of our world’s biggest celebrities. 

Meet Kayley Hamilton

How does a “painfully shy” young girl find herself interviewing Dwyane Johnson, Chris Pratt, and other celebrities? Through hard work and getting out of her comfort zone, says Kayley Hamilton. On top of being a 2X Emmy Award-winning producer and reporter, she is the founder and CEO of KAYLEY Media, a PR and media company that amplifies the voices of emerging thought-leaders through organic media exposure. 

Plus, Kayley has reported for top entertainment news outlets including Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and Us Weekly magazine and she has been featured in Business Insider. Her specialty is brand storytelling and securing earned media placements in top tier outlets for founders, creators and experts –– and who wouldn’t want her behind their storytelling strategy? 

But if Kayley really was the shy, quiet girl that she says she was, how did she get to where she is today? 

Tips on How to Boldly Tell Your Story, Even When You Don’t Know if You Have One

The magic of KAYLEY Media is that Kayley has taken her experience as a Hollywood reporter to help her clients – course creators, consultants, coaches, and more –– identify their own stories and amplify their voices. 

But if you are anything like some of Kayley’s clients, you might doubt if you even have a story to tell that someone else will want to hear. 

100% YES YOU DO. The issue isn’t not having a story worth telling – it’s only to know how to tell it. And that’s where Kayley’s experience is gold. 

Tips to Boldly Tell Your Story and Amplify Your Voice

First thing’s first – you have to be okay with getting out of your comfort zone. Talking about yourself might seem scary. Especially as women, we haven’t always been encouraged to celebrate our successes or share our stories vulnerably. Society breeds insecurity within us so that we see the beauty in others, but not in ourselves. 

And if you want to follow the process that “quiet Kayley” used to beat her insecurities and lean into her discomfort zone, she has a snazzy FPL Method for you. 

F is for “fantasize” and “feel” the scenarios ahead of you, accomplishing and achieving those goals. Then comes P for “plan” how to achieve those goals and “push” yourself off the diving board. Last is L for “learn” and “let go” – learn from taking action, mistakes, others, and yourself. And finally, let go of control after you’ve done your bit and let the universe handle the rest. 

Developing a PR Strategy That’s Red Carpet Ready 

Ready to dive in and create your own PR strategy? Whether that means pitching your story and business to a local newspaper for an interview or writing an article for Forbes, Kayley’s tips actually belong in a Masterclass. 

First, what do you really want to be known for? What is the thing that you would be proud to share with the world? Maybe it isn’t actually the nuts and bolts of your business. Perhaps it is the story of how you started your business, who inspired you, or a hard lesson you learned. 

If you are having difficulty identifying that thing, write down a list of professional and personal topics that you can and are willing to speak about. For example, I successfully got pregnant on my first try – despite suffering from PCOS – using cycle syncing. This story and my overall experience with holistic health is a topic that I love sharing and has helped a lot of other women! 

Next – what do you remember from Kayley’s bio? If it is that she’s a 2x Emmy Award-winner, that’s no accident. That’s part of her “name drop” strategy. While we weren’t all red carpet journalists, we all have something unique about us that makes people do a double take. Traveled to over 20 countries? Gave birth to seven kids? Started your first company before age 30? Have a 40% open rate on your email list? (Hot tip: anything with numbers is enticing to the media). 

You’ve got your list of topics you are an expert on, you’ve got your name drop – now it’s time to level up by considering yourself as a thought leader. Do you have any opinions, predictions, or insights on a topic or current events that others could benefit from hearing? Early on in starting my business (and up until now), my beliefs about patriarchy caught the attention of many women (and men!) and was the reason they started following my work. 

And lastly, come up with some takeaways for those who listen to/read/watch an interview with you or stumble upon your website. What value or insight are you giving? Whether it’s a noteworthy quote, a story that changes their perspective, or new information (for example, a masterclass level podcast interview!), it might surprise you what adds value to someone’s life. 

There you have it! The beginnings of a PR strategy that can help you on your journey of gaining exposure from outside sources. 

Gain Confidence to Tell Your Story Boldly 

Are you intrigued? If you aren’t sure that it’s truly possible to build a business without social media, gain media exposure, or tell a story worth listening to, think again! Inside of the Incubator, this is exactly what we help women gain the tools to do for themselves and their businesses. 

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, learn to tell your story, achieve your goals, and join a community of women taking inspired action, join the waitlist today! Get up-to-date information about enrollment dates and bonuses when you join the waitlist.

Sign up at: successwithsoul.co/scale

Subscribe, Review + Connect

Thanks so much for listening in this week! If you enjoyed this episode, here are some ways you can join our Success with Soul movement: 

• Leave an honest review for The Success with Soul Podcast on Apple Podcasts so we can improve and better serve you in the future. I personally read each and every one of them, and they are super important for rankings, which help us continue to produce free content just for you! You may even be featured on the episode in our listener spotlight! 
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get automatic updates.
• Curious about our group coaching program, the Success With Soul Incubator? Check out our behind the scenes tour here!
• Email me new episodes
• Don’t forget to join our free Success With Soul Facebook community for follow-up conversations about the podcast episodes and where I also often go live to answer your burning questions. Hangout with like-minded bloggers and heart-centered online business owners exchanging priceless feedback, encouragement, and other golden insights from the trenches.

Links + Resources Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Follow Kayley on Instagram or visit her website
• Superhuman Meditation App
• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
• The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
• Dr. Joe Dispenza
• Join the Success with Soul Incubator mastermind to gain more money mindset and making tips
• Become a member of the Success With Soul Membership program!
• Follow me on Instagram @katekordsmeier

Related Episodes:

• 003: Part 1, Why I Don’t Believe in Hustle
• 112: Allowing Seasons of Hustle + Rest to Heal Burnout from Work, with Sabrina Gebhardt
• 109: How to Change Your Mindset + Your Results with The Model (Free Training!)

FAQs About Boldly Tell Your Story