Kahlil Ashanti

#215: Why Your Audience’s Voice is Crucial in Your Storytelling

#215: Why Your Audience’s Voice is Crucial in Your Storytelling

Businesses that see sustainable, long-term success are those that regularly communicate with their customers. But creating opportunities for candid feedback can be a challenge. To be vulnerable with your audience and invite true connection and honest communication, you must make it easy as possible for both you and your customers.

Here to share with you his story of success through vulnerability is Kahlil Ashanti, a seasoned entertainer and more recently, entrepreneur. Inspired by lessons he learned while doing performance work in the United States Air Force and Cirque du Soleil, he created a pay-what-you-want ticketing platform, WeShowUp.io.

The app reflects what Kahlil has found to be incredibly valuable – which is to place your audience front and center in your storytelling. But in order to do so, you must be brave enough to get uncomfortable.

What we want to see is the cracks in the façade because it is in those moments that we see ourselves in them and true connection begins. ~Kahlil Ashanti

When you allow your customers to pay what they want for your products or services, that puts your brand in a place of vulnerability. But it also provides a way for your company to receive valuable feedback and insights on your offering’s value. Is it meeting your customer’s expectations or missing the mark?

It is only through that connection that we can then gather valuable insights that benefit our customers, our brand, and ultimately our impact.

If you want to be memorable, you need to share vulnerabilities. Because we as people appreciate that when there is so little of it in the world. ~Kahlil Ashanti

Discussed in this Episode

• Why the most difficult parts of your story are where the power is
• How to connect with your audience in an authentic way
• Lessons learned about courage
• Why your audience is looking for a piece of themselves in your story and how
  to find that piece to share with them

Resources & Links

• WeShowUp.io
• Kahlil’s Linkedin
• Kahlil’s Twitter
• Basic Training 
• Richard Pryor
• Craft Your Purpose-Driven Brand Story
• Listen to this show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or Libsyn

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