160 How to Write Client-Pulling Copy by Telling Stories and Choosing Words
Strategic Storytelling
How many times have you gone to a website and found it was just plain boring? Like, it felt like reading one of your old college textbooks? In this episode, we explore ...why there's so much wimpy copy out there ...parallels between writing wimpy copy and getting stronger by working out ...why stories solve the biggest problem of writing wimpy copy: saying good things about yourself ...two micro-tips to make stories come alive ...why you need to get into your audience's mind to write strong copy ...examples of strong copy with stories RESOURCES: FREE: 7 Copywriting Tips to Jumpstart your...
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159 Three lessons solopreneurs can learn from cat stories (even if you're not a cat person)
Strategic Storytelling
What's a cat story? People who have cats tend to be fanatical about them. They tell stories about how cute the cats can be, how spoiled they are, and how they drive their owners crazy. If you're been on Facebook for more than 5 minutes, you realize that people can't get enough cat stories. But there are 3 lessons a solopreneur from cat stories, even if you're not a cat person. Why do these stories have so much appeal? What do they do for the storyteller? This episode isn't typical, but it was fun to record and I hope you enjoy it, whether or not you like cats! Please leave a...
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158 Add stories to your course design: Interview with Lisa Yoder
Strategic Storytelling
Want to improve your learners' experience of your course? Get them to remember your course content? Teach complex concepts in a framework that makes sense to them? When learners have a good experience, they return for more. As a marketer, that's what you're hoping for! Course designer Lisa Yoder shows us why and how to incorporate stories into course design. Even if (like me) you already have successful courses out there, she shows us surprising ways to build your course with stories. This episode goes a little longer than most episodes in this podcast -- and it's packed with...
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157 Telling a Big Story. To Illustrate a Small Concept
Strategic Storytelling
Have you ever heard a story that was so memorable you couldn't forget it? A story that taught you a hard lesson -- but made you smile at the same time? This week I'm doing something a little different. I've collected three of my favorite stories that appear over and over again. I see them in business books, in blog posts, in articles, and in speeches. And yet they're not about business. These are iconic stories. We "get" them right away...and we don't easily forget them. Ideally, you'll come up with your own iconic story...but in the meantime, use one of these. Or collect iconic stories...
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156 Tell a story to introduce yourself to prospective clients: Interview with Copywriter Nicole Kepic
Strategic Storytelling
How do you introduce yourself to prospective clients? Nicole Kepic introduced herself to her email list with a traditional origin story -- solid credentials, burnout, and reinvention as a copywriter to female entrepreneurs. Nicole tells that story to show us the person behind the website. She also highlighted her deep experience with copywriting. But she's got a better story: she can tell an origin story that shows she's human and shows how she serves her clients. In this super-informal episode--two copywriters chatting--you will learn: ...how Nicole uses personal anecdotes to introduce...
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052 When Nobody Understands What You Do, Tell These 2 Stories - Encore presentation
Strategic Storytelling
A few weeks ago I was attending a special event when someone asked “How can I explain my service to other people? I’m going into a new market and people don’t get what I do.” Of course, the answer is, you explain with a story. But what kind of story can you use? Besides having a new market, you may be challenged in your business because you have a very specialized niche. You might have a brand new business that nobody’s heard of. Or you may have a very complex business that’s tough to explain. In this podcast, you will discover… ...How to identify the real benefit you need...
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155 Should Your Origin Story Make You Seem Lucky or Good?
Strategic Storytelling
A recent article in Inc magazine asked this question: What makes you look better? A story like, "I started with no talent or luck and worked my butt off;" Or, A story like, "I had lots of talent and I got lucky." Believe it or not, audiences valued luck and talent more. This episode raises the question: "When do you tell a story of luck and when do you tell a story of hard work?" Most people can attribute their success to both. It's all in how you tell your story. This episode explains... ...3 reasons why an "I got lucky" story will make the storyteller look better than an "I worked I...
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033 Bragging 101 Build Your Personal Brand With Strategic Storytelling
Strategic Storytelling
Many service business owners lose clients every day because they're held back by fears like ...
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154 It's a numbers game: how to sell with numbers on sales pages and stories
Strategic Storytelling
Numbers can be extremely powerful when you know how to use them -- and sooner or later you have to use them. You use numbers in your stories and also in your copywriting, especially on sales pages. The way you present your numbers can make your price seem small and your outcomes seem large. You can also seem to presenting honest results rather than made-up, imaginary numbers. In this short episode you will discover… …how to make prices seem small and results seem large …how your numbers can make an outcome seem more realistic (at least some people think so) ...the common numbers bias...
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153 Business storytelling: 4 key reasons to share that story
Strategic Storytelling
Lots of business owners have been advised, "Just tell a story. Any story." Or they're told, "Stories hold your audience's attention. Stories captivate your listeners." All that is true. Absolutely. But stories can do a lot more than entertain your audience. And when you tell a story as a solopreneur, you need a specific reason. In this podcast. we first look at 4 key reasons to tell a story. You'll notice that any story you tell will brand your business. People remember you as "that woman who...'" or "that guy who..." So buckle up and learn... ...4 reasons to tell a story; that is,...
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In this podcast episode we are going to look at casting the characters in your story.
We’ve already talked about the villain. The other characters are the hero, the guide and the cheerleaders.
Who is the hero of your story?
The hero has a problem. Often it’s a serious problem. Sometimes it's trivial, like a leaky faucet. You have a more dramatic story when the hero has a serious problem that requires steps to solve.
You are the guide who solves that problem. We will talk about the guide's role in the next podcast.
Here's what we cover and what you will learn.
-- There are 3 kinds of heros - you, your client, or an imaginary person.
-- There are 3 qualities the hero possesses - these will surprise you. The hero can’t be a loser even though the hero brings you a problem.
People don’t want to identify with losers: so who do they choose?
What about the hero who’s the client of a lawyer or tax preparer? The hero doesn’t do a lot of work, but the hero can’t be totally passive.
-- Finally, what happens to the hero? You don't wave a wand but your client -- the hero -- does come away as a different person.
The hero sells your story. The hero is the client. The prospect turns to your story and sees the hero as a mirror. That’s the essence of a selling story.
Other podcasts you may like:
The villain in your story - episode 148
You don’t have to be passionate to be a passionate advocate - episode 135
What is a persuasive story - episode 46
Cast the characters of your selling story --the workbook: A fill in the blanks guide to choosing the characters for your story. Click here for more.
How to tell a story that sells. Choosing characters is just one component.
If you'd like to work with me, learn about the Strategic Intensive coaching program.
Learn about the five archetypes of small business branding when you click here.