Randy Olson

#293: One Framework That Strengthens Your Business Storytelling

Your brand’s products or services offer a lot of value to your customers. And you want to share how you can help them through your marketing communications to better your sales efforts and cultivate brand loyalty.

But, your stories are only effective if you can refine your messages down to a singular narrative so you’re not confusing your audiences and customers with a bunch of competing storylines. Simplicity rules!

In this episode, Randy Olson and I provide one big Story Marketing Moment that will teach you how to use the foundational narrative framework of the ABT to win with your business storytelling every time. 

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Sarah Santacroce

#292: How to Kill It With Your Story of Kindness

Some people think that business often requires a level of cut-throat confidence. And for some industries that may be partially true. But we also forget that empathy and kindness can often get you the same results.

Today’s guest will show you how. Sarah Santacroce is the founder of  The Gentle Business Revolution, a global movement of people with common values who come together and support one another in all areas of life and business, and their goal is to bring more empathy and kindness to the business world. 

Sarah is the author of The Gentle Marketing Revolution: Grow Your Business Your Way With Kindness and the host of The Gentle Business Revolution podcast, a show that features guests who are creating sustainable businesses that help make a positive impact in the world. 

Sarah says that selling ourselves is hard, especially as an introvert, as she is. Funny enough it’s one of her superpowers to position other people in the spotlight and make them shine on LinkedIn, without coming over as boasting and sleazy. Listen to hear her insights on how you can succeed – and be kind – in your business.

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Brian Mohr

#291: How to Use Music to Share Your Story Moments

One of the ways to trigger storied moments in your life that have shaped who you are today and what you stand for is through music – especially the artists and albums you listened to in your formative years.

And sharing those songs with people can help them better understand where you’re from and what you’re passionate about. But it isn’t just for friends; there’s also a benefit to sharing those stories with colleagues and clients.

Brian Mohr is channeling his experiences and energy towards unlocking the power of authentic human connection through his new startup, anthym, a social wellness company focused on helping culture-driven organizations create and nurture meaningful relationships amongst their people to create value for the business and the people.

How does it work? anthym can help you assemble a soundtrack of your life in an immersive, musical storytelling experience and share it with your colleagues and clients to connect scenes with stories. 

Listen as Brian shares how his new music platform enables you to capture the musical moments that trigger the stories that have shaped who you are today and how to use these moments to connect with your colleagues and clients.

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Tim Ash

#290: Why Tap the Primal Brain for Storytelling?

Your business stories must appeal to the primal survival instinct of the brain. When done well, stories are messaging hacks that allow you to cut through the noise and hook the hearts of your audience. But the only way to understand how our brains really work is to examine the complete evolutionary arc. That’s because once you understand how people process information, many behaviors (including your customers’) will become more predictable so you can grab their attention and truly connect with them.

Here to explore our cerebral world is Tim Ash, an acknowledged authority on evolutionary psychology and digital marketing. He is a sought-after international keynote speaker, and the bestselling author of Unleash Your Primal Brain: Demystifying How We Think and Why We Act.

In this episode Tim shares why we should tap into the primal brain of our customers with our business storytelling. 

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Douglas Burdett

#289: 5 Lessons Learned from Over 300 Sales & Marketing Books

Every day it seems like a shiny new book all about marketing appears. But how do you know which ones will be the most helpful for you and your business? Which books will stand the test of time?

Douglas Burdett, Founder/Principle at ARTILLERY, and host of the extraordinary Marketing Book Podcast, shares his top five insights from reading over 300 marketing books and hosting the authors on his top-ranked show.

Tune in as Douglas shares his insights on industry trends gleaned from his readings and some surprise “must haves” for your library. 

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Dr. Kevin Gazzara

#288: Reinventing Your Career, Rewriting Your Story

Like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, you’re not in Kansas anymore. This twister of a pandemic has whisked us all into the land of Oz. We are constantly faced with an abundance of unknowns and obstacles.

But when our world is turned upside down, we have one of two choices:  we can give in to the fear, or we can take the opportunity to reinvent ourselves. 

In this episode, Dr. Kevin Gazzara, CEO of Magna Leadership Solutions, management & leadership expert, Executive Positive Intelligence Coach, professor at five universities, speaker, and author of The Leader of Oz, shares how to get in touch with your younger self so that with the the click of your “ruby shoes” you can emerge through any challenge as a new version of yourself.

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Cassa Grant

#287: Offbeat Leader? Own Your Weird With Your Story

What you believe affects your actions and, ultimately, your outcome. And because your beliefs are shaped by the narratives you tell yourself, they must be genuine, regardless of how offbeat they seem.

But even the most seasoned leaders need help finding their true personal brand story. When they do, they become more influential, generate more buy-in, and become the best version of themselves.

Seasoned brand and leadership coach and consultant Cassa Grant shares how you can find your authentic rhythm at any point in your career, regardless of how “weird” it may be.

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Krista Mashore

#286: How to Dominate Your Local Market With Your Brand Story

Regardless of the industry you are in, you must have a brand story that clearly differentiates you from the rest. And if you’re in a crowded market with lots of competitors, it’s the only way to rise above the primordial muck of commoditization.

But creating a brand story is only the beginning. You must be able to tell it well. Otherwise, your competitors and customers will create one for you. And often, it’s not the version you envisioned for yourself or your brand.

My guest Krista Mashore experienced both sides of this coin – from being on the brink of bankruptcy, to being ranked among the top 1% of national realtors for sales, and founding a business to teach others how they can do the same. In this episode she shares how you can own your brand story to dominate your local market and beyond. (more…)

Mogens Møller

#285: Can Storytelling Make Annoying Pop-Ups Work?

Along with everyone else on the web, you probably share a disdain for pop-ups because they are not only disruptive and annoying, but they also completely hijack the user experience.

But pop-ups don’t have to be an abusive sales tool. When properly designed, they can actually be a desirable tool to help guide customers through purchasing decisions. By providing product advice when it’s needed through unintrusive “on-site” messaging, they can actually enhance the user experience.

I know, I know. You probably think this is all wishful thinking. I sure did. Thankfully Mogens Møller, CEO and Cofounder of Sleeknote, is here to explain how he has helped brands not only make pop-ups work, but grow their bottom-line with the power of creative storytelling.

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Brian Burkhart

#284: How to Tell the Story of What You Stand For

If you and your brand stand for something great, then it’s essential that you share it with the world – because the impact you can have is immeasurable. 

But many leaders think they are telling the story of what they stand for, when actually they are just murmuring general thoughts and facts. When this happens, your audience disconnects, your leadership becomes listless, and your presentations come across as mundane. Even worse, your brand will be viewed as a commodity, unremarkable, and unmemorable.

To avoid such insignificance, Brian Burkhart, founder and chief word guy of Square Planet Presentations + Strategy and best-selling author of Stand for Something: The Power of Building a Brand People Authentically Love, shares how you can deliver iconic presentations that tell the story of what you and your brand stand for.

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