#101 - How Do We Leverage Storytelling in Marketing?

Better question: how do we help people understand what we do and join us?

I was at a networking event a few weeks ago and one of the panel speakers introduced themselves and their business by essentially saying, “I’m the founder of Company X, the confusing thing that people don’t understand.” Which, of course, pinged my brain. No, sir, that’s not exactly true. People can understand we just need to help them. It is literally what I do for a living, which I told him later in the evening when we got to chatting.

To me creating clarity and a strong narrative around what we do is simple, but I’m reminded every day that it’s not that easy for everyone. Sharing our stories, helping people understand what we do isn’t easy. I even stumble on it sometimes when I haven’t prepared. But, scrawled in blue sharpie on a sticky note on the wall above my desk are the words, “I help people leverage effective storytelling to market/grow their business with Purpose and clarity.” It’s one of the short versions I have in my head to say when people ask me what I do. Then I get into the nitty gritty of why I started it and what that help looks like. But I start with a simple sentence that hopefully sparks a bit of curiosity.

I’m a writer, I’m a marketer, I’m a storyteller, but how do I help people through the work I do? Answering that question is actually an important step in developing the post-it note version of your own story. And it can be any story, not just your business, but your special project or job or hobby that you want to share. Grounding it in how you help people just helps shift the perspective and makes it a bit more compelling to those you choose to share it with.

That moment with the founder of an actually really cool company in the Web3 space inspired me to put together a little guide for potential clients to help them get started on getting clear on their stories (because that’s the step that makes answering the question even easier). And, of course, I wanted to share it with subscribers. Because sharing is caring.

If you’re not a subscriber, contact me to have me send you a copy of my Five-Step Guide for Impactful Communication. I’d love to hear what you think of it. And would love it even more if you shared it with folks who you think may find it useful.

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A Story Well Told

Summer. That’s the story. A season of sweaty days and warm nights. We’re only just starting to get the full over 30 effect of summer here in Toronto and I am basking in it. The splash of water, the joyful scream of kids, a lawn mower in the background and the smell of fresh cut grass. For me it’s long bike rides and short runs, the cool splash of lake water and grit of sand. All the seasons tell their own story. I’ve been enjoying the one coming to life in my city after too many summers of lock down and uncertainty. I hope you are too. My favourite thing right now is a book, a blanket, a cider, and spot in the shade at my local park. What’s yours?

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