"What's your story?"

Does anyone really care?

I mean, how often do we really use our ears and mouth in proportion?

As business owners, executives, professionals and well... as PEOPLE, we have needs. Many of our needs are all connected to Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

I'll dispense with the food and water area. If you are reading this, you probably figured that out.

What about the top 3? Are they really separate? I don't mean to challenge something so engrained in our library of knowledge.

Abraham Maslow was an iconic psychologist.

I am a brand story teller.

Do human beings work in a linear fashion, however? Are we supposed to work up this ladder of needs one at a time? Since when do we have to stop at level 3; waiting for love and belonging before we can build our self-esteem and self-actualize?

I'm sure many single people have solid self-esteem.

But I digress.

The point of telling our story is not to TELL it. Rather, story telling (as it relates to branding) should be spoken with intent, purpose, meaning and well, in a way to fulfill all three of the top of Maslow's little pyramid.

Your story. Your brand. Your book. These can all encompass not only your unique journey and business solution for your clients. It can do more.

Much more.

Why not have a dialogue before you dive into your monologue?

Most authors, writers (There is a clear distinction between those two) have a propensity to create content in a vacuum. They have an idea and they launch. They attempt to market, publish, persuade, or influence with their social media, videos and even a book.

"I want to be a thought leader!" I hear them say.

(insert vomit sound right about now)

Really? You want to lead someone's thoughts?

"Tell me more about your brilliance, oh marketing guru?"

Instead of telling me how great you are, why not ask me about my favorite topic?

Me!

In my short eBook, "StorySelling Me" I outline a unique perspective to brand story telling. Instead of focusing first and foremost on YOUR brand and YOUR story, it behooves anyone to listen more than we speak.

Which is not easy to do in a book.

So... don't start there. Instead, before you go half-cocked on creating a book, start off with a dialogue with your prospective reader. Get to know them. Ask them about their pain.

Listen.

Then listen some more.

Most people won't give you the truth about you, so this one is difficult. The reason focus groups are run by independent companies is because people don't want to offend (unless the topic is politics).

For my CEO's and soon-to-be best selling authors, we offer a focused and powerful "book positioning" service to look deep into the hearts and minds of your audience BEFORE we write your book. With a clear understanding and perspective on what your audience truly feels and wants, we can better position your book.

This part of our program is rather understated, but for serious businesses who are in touch with their customers and clients-they clearly see how valuable this "before we write" service truly is.

Story telling won't go out of style. We use story to communicate, educate and entertain. We use stories to influence, persuade and raise funds for our favorite charities.

But, to create lasting influence and put your toe into the water of true "thought leadership" one must first start off with a different story. A story or two from someone who is dying to tell it.

Your customer.

https://storyselling.me