Tag Archives: storytelling

Unleash Your Brand Song: A Powerful Tool to Connect to Your Target Market

“Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave”

~Brave by Sara Bareillis

Brave has been on heavy rotation on my iPod recently. The song inspires me to push forward when I catch myself holding back or play small.

This was one of the many songs played during a storytelling workshop I recently hosted for a group of entrepreneurs. I use music, and songwriting, as a tool when working with clients because it is a clear example of the power of storytelling. In a matter of minutes a well-written song captures an experience, describes an emotional experience and makes the listener feel as if he is on the journey with the songwriter.

I find a lot of entrepreneurs are hesitant to share their stories or use storytelling as a way to build relationships with prospects. You wonder why your story is important or how it can create connection with your target market.

When you are clear about the story you are here to share you will draw people to you effortlessly.

What’s Your Story?

I want to share a quick exercise with that demonstrates the power of storytelling.

I want you to take a deep breath and as you exhale I want you to think of your favorite song.

It can be any song; a love song, a song that fills you with joy, the song you sing in the shower each morning (C’mon, admit it. You love to sing in the shower).

Now that you have a song in mind, I want to you think about how it makes you feel.

What emotions, thoughts or feelings does it bring up?

Do you notice how your mood or energy shifted?

And you didn’t HEAR the song.

That’s the power of storytelling.

A powerful story is like a great song. It can take people on an emotional journey in just a few minutes.

It can light you up, empower you, soothe you and make you feel understood.

If you can make your clients feel understood, you will build trust and connection with them.

So, now I want you to pick a theme song to keep you motivated and inspire you to move towards your goals. Choose a song that best represents represents you, your brand or what you want to create in your business and life.

What is the song you want to sing?

Once you pick the theme song, play it daily, dance to it, sing it, share it with others.

Be BRAVE and share your theme song in the comments below. I’d love to know which songs fuel you.

10 Ways to Share Your Story and Wow Crowds

“When you have a memorable story about who you are and what your mission is, your success no longer depends on how experienced you are or how many degrees you have or who you know. A good story transcends boundaries, breaks barriers and opens doors.” – Blake Mycoskie, founder, TOMS Shoes

Recently I heard Blake Mycoskie give a Keynote speech at a conference for corporate executives. I had read his book, Start Something That Matters, so I was familiar with how he created TOMS Shoes and the One for One campaign. Despite this, I was moved by his passion, honesty and sense of humor. Hearing him share his story in person was engaging and an inspiration.

Even if you have no aspirations of being a Keynote speaker, there are a few sure-fire ways to leave an impression on your audience. In the spirit of the New Year, I’ve created a list of “top 10” ways to share your story and engage the crowd.

1. Walk in the shoes of your audience
Whether you are speaking at a conference or your weekly team meeting, it’s important to know the needs of your audience. Some quick research can reveal their challenges, what they hope to get out of the meeting or event; and what solutions they need most. Addressing these points in your presentation is sure to leave a great impression.

2. Prepare for game day
Professional athletes have curfew the night before a game and so should you. Instead of staying up all night tweaking your slides and rehearsing your content, get a good night’s sleep. If you feel great, you will be at the top of your game.

3. Channel your inner rock star
I’ve talked about strutting like Beyonce before, but there’s one thing that can be learned from rock stars: confidence. Have some swagger. (or moves like Jagger). When fear creeps up take a few deep breaths, remember that you are the expert and then command the stage like your favorite artist.

4. Share examples
When writing your talk, try to include examples that apply to every day life. If you are giving a talk on time management, share an example of kids being late to school or missing a deadline at work. Using examples that are applicable to everyone will wow the crowd.

5. Keep it interactive
Keep the audience engaged by getting them involved in your presentation. Take a poll or ask the audience questions to break up the content and keep them from getting restless.

6. Stand up
Standing raises your energy level, which is automatically reflected in your voice. If you are presenting over the phone, get a headset so you can stand while delivering your presentation. Hearing your energy keeps an audience engaged and awake.

7. Surprise and delight the audience by creating a memorable experience. Give away a gift card to someone who asks a question; incorporate music into your presentation or move through the audience. Find ways to be unique and keep the presentation fresh.

8. Keep it simple
When writing your presentation stick to 3-5 key points you want to address. Begin by thinking about what you want the audience to walk away with and reverse engineer the content from there.

9. Be transparent

You are the expert on your subject. But you didn’t become an expert without failing along the way. Sharing an example of a customer service issue gone wrong, a failed product launch or other missed opportunity builds trust and credibility.

10. Let go of perfection

Delivering your speech may not go as smooth as you planned it. You may not hit every talking point the way you rehearsed and tech issues happen more often than we’d like them to.

Now it’s your turn. What’s your best tip for delivering a presentation with impact? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Storytelling Spotlight: Capturing Clients’ Attention With Your Brand’s Story

In this week’s Storytelling Spotlight, we shine the light on Laura, owner of Royal Photo Booth. Royal Photo Booth, based in New York City, provides its guests photography, entertainment and party favors. However, it’s the story behind the photo booth business that truly captures its clients’ attention.

Q: Why did you start a photo booth business?

Royal Photo Booth (RPB): People always asked me why I started a photo booth business. I always smile whenever I share my story.

My close friend, Tiffany, got married in San Francisco in November 2009. She had a photo booth at her wedding. I gathered all of my friends I hadn’t seen in years and took so many pictures with them. Not only did all of us have a blast taking pictures together in the booth, but I was able to take home a piece of that special day, back home to New York City, and hold the memories in my hand.

One of my special friends in the photos was Felicia, whom I’d known since I was 9 years old. She was 8 years older than I was and I looked up to her like an older sister. She was my style guru and I could ask her about anything I was curious about and get words of wisdom. Felicia passed away in January 2011 and I was devastated. Tiffany’s wedding was the last time I would ever see her. Our photo booth picture, which was our last picture together, is framed in my living room. I’m so happy Tiffany had a photo booth at her wedding because without it I wouldn’t have these preserved memories.

RoyalPhotoBooth

Memories are miracles because they bring us back to those special moments in a flash. We’re able to keep the good alive and carry it with us in our present lives and use as inspiration for the future. While our loved one’s image is forever present in our hearts and mind, a photograph like this can capture a certain smile or expression that elicits such a fun moment shared together. A photograph can make you smile as I did and I’ll treasure it forever. I was so INSPIRED by how a simple photograph from the photo booth could make such a big impact on my life, and the feelings of nostalgia when I looked at it.

In that moment, there was no doubt I needed to start my own photo booth business so I can help others keep their own memories alive and close to their hearts. I wanted to follow my passion of sharing this kind experience with other people. I wanted to provide the same feeling I felt when I was in the photo booth and when I left Tiffany’s wedding photo booth to others in the Tri-State area. Sounds of laughter resonating from the booth from silly poses and then the feeling after I received the pictures, I couldn’t wipe that big bright smile off my face. That feeling was priceless. This is how Royal Photo Booth was created.

Q: How do you weave this story into communications with clients?

RPB: Pictures are meant to capture moments in time. I tell my clients that you want to give guests something they will treasure for years to come. Yes, you can give them a favor that may collect dust or you can give them something that they will have fun creating themselves and they can frame and showcase.

Q: What advice can you give other business owners about leveraging their story with clients?

RPB: Always be real, be yourself and be authentic. People like reading about how people created something that most people only dream about.

What I Learned About Storytelling From John Hughes

When John Hughes passed away a few years ago, I watched an interview with several members of the “brat pack.” They were gathered together to celebrate John Hughes, his life and to share stories about what it was like to work with the director. A reporter asked Molly Ringwald how she was cast as Samantha in Sixteen Candles. She said she never auditioned for the role. Instead, John Hughes had pulled her photo from a stack of casting head shots. He posted her photo above his desk and began to write the script. He wrote the story for the girl in the photo – this teenage girl. She became his muse. He began to imagine what life was like for her. He thought about her daily routine, her friends, her interests and concerns. So began the story of Samantha Baker.

Finding a muse, and getting to know your audience, is the key to powerful storytelling. Like John Hughes, you have to get inside the character, or your potential client. Find out their top concerns, what keeps them up at night, how they spend their time and what solutions would put them at ease.

There are several ways you can gather this research. Send out a survey to your current and past clients. Review your frequently asked questions or customer service requests. Post a question to your followers on Facebook or Twitter.

Once you have this information, you can then create your own muse. Give her a name, write a brief profile of her, print out a picture and hang it in front of your computer. The next time you write a blog post, craft a marketing email or draft a speech, you’ll know exactly who you are writing to. Tailoring your message to your muse will resonate and create a big impact.

Now it’s your turn…..Have you created a muse? How has this helped you connect with your audience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.