Mitchell Levy

#210: How to Disrupt the Publishing Industry With Your Book

#210: How to Disrupt the Publishing Industry With Your Book

Many professionals have thought about writing a book because they know it would amplify their credibility. But often, due to time restraints, lack of energy and competing priorities, they never reach publication, let alone begin the writing process. In order to efficiently get your story on paper and to your audience, it’s a good idea to have an expert in the field set expectations and guide you along the path to get your book completed and published.

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Jonathan Keyser

#209: How Selfless Service Will Grow Your Brand Story

#209: How Selfless Service Will Grow Your Brand Story

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Tommy Griffith

#208: How to Turn Your Side Hustle Story Into an Epic Success

#208: How to Turn Your Side Hustle Story Into an Epic Success

Many of us would like to create a career out of our hobbies or passions. And for some of us, it becomes a real pursuit. For others, it’s difficult to get traction and our entrepreneurial dreams remain just a dream. What if you had access to an expert that can show you how to turn your side hustle into a huge success? (more…)

Jamie Dunham

#207: What Brand Stories Women Want to Hear

#207: What Brand Stories Women Want to Hear

According to The Lipstick Economy, women account for 85% of all consumer purchases and report controlling or influencing 73% of all household spending in the U.S. But many companies are out of touch with how to market their products or services to women.  Therefore, brands who understand and embody what women want to hear can crush their competitors. (more…)

Jerry Graff & Cathy Birkenstein

#206: How Storytelling Turns Argument Into a Positive Discussion

#206: How Storytelling Turns Argument Into a Positive Discussion

Throughout history, conflict has ensued as a result of differing viewpoints and opinions. The reason why is because most people don’t know how to effectively engage in healthy argumentation and in turn, violence and hate often become the end result. That’s why it’s critical to learn how to disarm your discourse by using these proven debate frameworks. (more…)

Robert DiMeo

#205: How to Compound the Growth of Your B2B Brand with Storytelling

#205: How to Compound the Growth of Your B2B Brand with Storytelling

Most B2B organizations aspire for continued growth and to be the best in their industry. But many simply do not know how to differentiate themselves from competitors, resulting in mediocre status and growth. That’s why it’s vital to share your organization’s stories to reveal its truths and values, so you can rise above the rest. (more…)

Payman Taei

#204: How to Apply the Art of Visual Storytelling

#204: How to Apply the Art of Visual Storytelling

A picture is worth a thousand words. But using visuals without intentional delivery means your audience is left interpret to them. Therefore, it’s essential that narrative framework is utilized in your visual storytelling for your envisioned story to be understood.

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Rick Smith

#203: How to Use Storytelling to Change Entrenched Views

#203: How to Use Storytelling to Change Entrenched Views

America has a gun violence problem, and many citizens have these weapons for self-protection. But new technologies are allowing for alternatives that are safer and more effective. So, sharing the capabilities of these advancements through carefully crafted stories may not only shift the public’s perception, but ultimately make the bullet obsolete. (more…)

Kymberlee Weil

#202: How to Tell Short Stories When the Stakes are High

#202: How to Tell Short Stories When the Stakes are High

As a business professional, you want your ideas to be heard. Rise above the noise as you communicate your message quickly and effectively when you apply the five primal elements of story in shorter forms. (more…)

Drew McLellan

#201: Why Your Brand Story is Essential for Survival

#201: Why Your Brand Story is Essential for Survival

Every brand has a story and it is often the only differentiating factor from any other similar product or service. But many companies try to be all things to all people thinking if they focus on a niche they’ll lose out on potential business. Ironically, the exact opposite is true. When you are the best at something you attract more business than you can handle. That’s why it’s critical to clarify your brand story and highlight what you do different and therefore better than your competition.

Our guest, Drew McLellan is president of the Agency Management Institute, an association serving more than 250 small to mid-sized agencies. Here he helps agency owners increase their adjusted gross income and attract better clients and employees through the brand stories they tell about themselves. Using his experience, he shares best practices for running your advertising, public relations, web, digital or design agency starting with understanding your origin story and why you do what you do.

Your brand story is your most powerful tool to attract the right clients and dictate the direction of your future. This is because it paints the picture of who you are, why you exist, and what your values are. And by utilizing that knowledge you can ensure your brand is not only successful but sustainable. Because a great brand story will attract clients that align with what you stand for and repel those that don’t.

The easiest money we can make is when the client and agency are in great alignment and how you get to great alignment is you both have shared values and you connect to one anothers’ stories. ~Drew McLellan

Now you are able to expend energy only on clients that appreciate the work you do, and often they become your greatest advocates.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Why turning away business is not always a bad thing but is sometimes rather essential for survival
• Why so many ad agencies taut being full-service when they should really be experts in a niche
• Why ironically many agencies are afraid to go big and bold with their own brand story, even while they are preaching the same for their customers
• Why an agency owner must evolve from being a firefighter into the fire chief for the survival of their firm
• Why rapid growth can be dangerous for an agency if you don’t truly know your brand story
• Tips to strategically and sustainably grow your organization

Resources & Links

• McLellan Marketing Group
• Agency Management Institute 
• Build A Better Agency Podcast 
• Agency Edge Research Series 
• Drew McLellan’s Twitter
• Drew McLellan’s Instagram
• Drew McLellan’s Linkedin
• The Avocado Show 
• Michael Gass’ Linkedin