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I have a storytelling tip that’s so simple, you’ll be shocked when you hear it — yet I’m going to guess many of you are not using it. There is a simple question you can be asking in your content — whether it be written content like emails or blogs, or your social media posts, or live videos, or in-person talks and workshops.

If you start to sprinkle it into with your story — you will inherently draw more people in closer to you and get them to start seeing themselves in your story.

The question is ….. “Has this ever happened to you?” — or another iteration of it is ….. “Have you ever felt this way?”

Asking your audience directly if a part of your story is something they’ve experienced too is so powerful because what we experience we remember….. and asking them if...

I thought I’d share a bit of my story with you — as I am always encouraging you to share your story with your audience.

I realize not all of my listeners/followers really know who I am; you might not know the backstory on why I’m so passionate about storytelling and helping others find their story.

My journey began inside a CBS Television newsroom in Texas… where I was working the absolute worst hours ever trying to cut my teeth in the world of Journalism. I hopped around the southeast to a few different TV stations in the early years of my career — each step trying to land a better job with better pay and better hours.

While I loved those early years -- I learned so much about broadcasting, storytelling, journalism -- I also discovered I was completely in the wrong industry.

I did NOT love network news: The high-stakes pressure of gaining ratings; the rush to beat others stations to the story; the hovering over a police scanner waiting for...

Listen to our daily blog-casts on Amazon. Enable our "What's Your Story" daily flash briefing and listen using your Alexa device!

When was the last time you cried at a commercial? 
I know it probably doesn’t happen that often, but when was the last time a commercial made you take a pause and you thought to yourself, “Oh that was so good?” and that story touched your heart? 

Did that commercial talk about the features and benefits of it’s product…. or did it tell a story???

My guess is it told a story! 

I say this all the time…. everybody has a story! And they do! Everybody does indeed have a story — but not everybody is actually using their story to reach out and touch people, to create a human connection that makes people remember you.

Learning to tell stories to your audience is something that is so within your reach; If you aren’t already skillfully weaving stories into your messages, I want to...

Listen to our daily blog-casts on Amazon. Enable our "What's Your Story" daily flash briefing and listen using your Alexa device!

Maybe you've heard that all good stories begin with a really great hook --- a visual or statement that hooks you into the story and makes you want to know more.

But here's another element your stories really need --- a deep, meaningful ending.

Far too many stories endings being told in business today are too shallow. They are too corporate. They concentrate on rational, economic benefits like make more money rather than emotional outcomes that are more focused on how it changes their life.

Let's face it. Your audience doesn't really care about your product or service.... and too many businesses spin their stories in a way that makes the products or service the hero.

Your audience has needs that have nothing to do with your products or services. .... and it's important you figure it out.

When you begin to tell stories in your business that speak...

Listen to our daily blog-casts on Amazon. Enable our "What's Your Story" daily flash briefing and listen using your Alexa device!

Do you actively seek out Testimonials for your business and brand? Let’s talk about Testimonials and why you need them.

The number one reason why brand stories fall flat is because there is no human connection with the story being told.
Far too many brands today are focused on their products and services rather than the emotional benefits. Companies are too buttoned up. It's time to drop the corporate veil and start sharing stories through the lens of a human being.

People can't see themselves reflected in a story of a faceless organization.

This is why testimonials, and stories of real-life humans is so valuable to your business.

Great emotional brand storytelling must be told by real people -- and it's going to be especially effective if those people are the closest to the front lines in your business.

A customer
A passionate Employee
A dedicated...

Listen to our daily blog-casts on Amazon. Enable our "What's Your Story" daily flash briefing and listen using your Alexa device!

I know this happens to you — You go to a networking event, or you meet someone new, and they ask you the simple question: What do you do?
And suddenly, you feel unprepared! It’s like all of a sudden what you do for a living has to fit into this tiny capsule. And it seems no matter how you answer the question, it never feels adequate… and it certainly doesn’t spark conversation.

Here’s the deal — these moments aren’t about selling yourself…. they are about piquing the curiosity in others.

How can you answer that question in a way that will make the person who’s asking want to know more??

The one thing you don't want to do is to answer them in a predictable way.... "I sell insurance" or "I am a nurse" or " I'm with a networking marketing company that sells essential oils"

BOR-ING!

Instead you want to...

Listen to our daily blog-casts on Amazon. Enable our "What's Your Story" daily flash briefing and listen using your Alexa device!

I see this over and over again — people say things like, “Oh, I could never share my story publicly”, or “I could never speak in front of an audience.”

Maybe you say this to yourself…. and count yourself as one of those people. You’ve already convinced yourself you’ll never be able to tell your story to an audience because the fear is just too big, too enormous to overcome.

What’s happening here is you are putting the emphasis on your PERFORMANCE.

Thoughts like, “What if I stumble or mess up” and “Will people even like me?” create a judgement framework from which you are operating. You are making the story all about you. This creates a lot of pressure, and Your fear of sharing publicly will only increase. It’s a vicious cycle.

Instead, what I encourage people to do is...

If a complete stranger were to stumble across your information — whether it’s your LInkedIn profile, your Facebook business page, your website, or even an email that might get forwarded from a friend — would that stranger get a quick idea of who you are and what you are all about? In another words, are you properly telling your story on all of your channels? Is your message clear and consistent?

Here’s a quick tip for you today as you assess your marketing funnels. Ask yourself if you are using plain language — or are you trying to be cute, coy, or corporate?

Conversational is the new professional.

Speak in plain language so your ideal audience can easily find you and understand you quickly.Instead of trying to using fancy industry language, or high-brow prose…. just write and speak like you would if you were having a conversation with a close friend. Write & speak in the familial.

This may seem like such a simple and understated...

For too long, the financial business sector has been dominated by men.... and educating women about money has come from their perspective.