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Recently in a networking conversation, after I introduced myself someone said, "Animated video? That sounds juvenile." Well, I beg to differ.  

How do you win hearts and minds in a time when everyone is selling something (constantly)?

When it comes to marketing your business, you can easily be a stuffed shirt. Just do what everyone else does... advertise, promote, tell them verbally. 

Or, you can be unique. 

You can entertain just as much as you persuade. You can ask questions, listen and be…

Maybe you've heard that it's less expensive to retain existing customers than it is to acquire new customers. But did you know it can 5 times MORE EXPENSIVE to gain new customers? 

Furthermore, increasing customer retention rates by 5% increases profits by 25% to 95%. This is why creating an excellent customer experience is so important.

Now, a story...

When I was a marketing director I had to rely on staff that were not my direct reports to carry out customer service. I was often reassured b…

When it comes to professional service-based businesses, what's with asking for an hourly rate? 

Because if I'm hiring a professional service business like a CPA for example, I'm not asking "what is your hourly rate?" Rather, I'm asking about results of effective tax knowledge and expertise in navigating the process correctly. Perhaps, I'm asking for client results but definitely not hourly rate. 

Hourly is what you pay when there is an exchange of time for money. Professional service-based bus…

I once went to a chiropractor who had a very impressive onboarding process. As soon as I said "yes" to his services, the onboarding process began.

First, I had an evening orientation event to attend. I recall them having a few rows of chairs set up in their small lobby. We watched a video --  likely about value of chiropractic. They shared testimonials about results they've seen in their patients. We got our paperwork and scheduled first appointments.  

Next, at my first appointment I learned …

"I'm afraid we are going to bore them to death!" That was what one business development manager told me about her CEO, who has a big speech to give soon.  

When you have an opportunity to speak in front of a group, you have the opportunity to build trust, provide value and establish authority. If the CEO presents a boring, long, dry presentation how will the audience respond? 

Chances are they'll walk away thinking, "YAWN! What a snooze fest!" Creating that perception misses the goal completel…

Inventors, entrepreneurs, marketers, scientists and more have all graced the TED Talk stage. And while I did read Gallo's other book, Talk Like Ted I didn't find it quite as engaging as this one: "The Storyteller's Secret." In this book, he takes us through the journey that many now-famous leaders have walked, using the power of storytelling.

Now more than ever our attention spans are short and competition is fierce! Gallo connects storytelling as the key ingredient for connecting with audienc…

In storytelling and story listening, there is a mutual benefit. You benefit from storytelling because you have the opportunity to influence. You benefit from story listening because you have the opportunity to learn... not to mention to build trust. 

A conversation about storytelling often leads to the "know, like and trust" factor. Recently I thought, "why aren't I sharing about products and services that I know, like and trust?" (Especially those that relate to storytelling.)

After all, I'm …

Subscribing to a YouTube channel is like joining a neighborhood. It's like saying "yes" to seeing each other regularly and having conversations (in the comments).  

It reminds me so much of a community that I feel like I'm channeling Mr. Rogers when I ask, "Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for tips on storytelling."  

Previously, under a different iteration of my business, I created YouTube videos. I learned a lot. I experimented enough to know there's a knack to really taking on YouTube. It ca…

I'm fascinated with human behavior. When I go out into the world and have an experience, I typically end up with a story about it.

Sometimes it's a nugget of inspiration like the other night when I witnessed some amazing performances at an open mic night. Ah, such courage and dedication, I thought as I watched the varied performances. Then there's the head-scratching moments, like when I recently told someone I create animated story video and they said, "I'm not sure who really needs that." Um,…