The countdown is on!
Rebrand launch in t-minus four months! Taking a leaf out of Tiffany’s book and going for this gorgeous Tiffany blue! Watch this space for the re launch….
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Oh juniper, hops and rye!
Where have the last few months gone?
I am finishing this week as I start a new exciting slash scary chapter of my life… motherhood.
So if it goes a little quiet around here, that’s why!
I intend to come back to my Storytelling on w/c 17th June 2019 (unless you hear before!)
Just a little footnote too to say thanks. I love that some of you have followed me from day dot and your “liking” and commenting is so appreciated.
See you on the flip side listeners…
The Storyteller x
Laughing in the face of PC
Tom Ford is certainly doing just that with his new Fucking Fabulous perfume which he launched recently.
At a time when we don’t dare do anything as brands in case we get lambasted for being racist, sexist or any other ‘ist’ this is a refreshing move from the luxury brand.
Swearing is something I do probably a little too much, especially when I am nervous, my French becomes inexcusable, but it also can be a sign of intelligence.
“Those with higher intellects were found to be more likely to curse.. another study previously found that people who can name the most swear words in a minute tend to score higher on IQ tests.” Dave Maclean, The Independent
We must be careful as a society not to stifle the creativity behind brand management, so as far as I am concerned this controversial product name is bloody well fine by me…
Never forget where your story began…
Never forget where your story began, whether that was in the garden shed at the bottom of the garden or your spare room, we all started somewhere.
By telling your story and not forgetting to keep harking back to the how, when, where and what you keep your authenticity as a brand.
Geoff Mead founder of Narrative Leadership Associates says “Stories involve specific events that happen to particular characters, so narratives that veer towards generalities, explanations and abstractions, or which insist on telling their moral or meaning, have abandoned storytelling in favour of advocacy. They lose their extraordinary ability to stimulate both the feelings and imagination of the teller and the audience.”
Your story is unique to you and should be used as the foundation of the business from which to create the values and vision, not just when it comes to creating your new promotional campaign.
The fact that you started your business from the back of a van when you were sixteen, or in your parents spare bedroom when you were twenty two shows how far you have come and should be something to be proud of. Play with the elements of your story, for example a sketched illustration of that van which is motif behind the receptionist in your brand new city office.
Happy storytelling!
More reading:Â https://www.marketingweek.com/2016/02/28/why-brand-storytelling-should-be-the-foundation-of-a-growth-strategy/
Colour Power!
Colour Power!
There’s a colour in this Architectural Digest photo which will play a big part in Storyteller’s rebrand.
COMING in 2019…. can you guess which it is?
Hanging on the telephone
It’s no secret that I like people.
I’m what you’d call a people person, someone who will gladly natter away to a stranger about the joys of Vale de Lobo or The George at Stamford (two holiday destinations I rate highly by the way!) on a train journey or while waiting in a queue…
So when one of my clients asked if I would like to make outbound calls to their dormant clients, I jumped at the chance! No seriously, I’m telling you, that’s fun for me 🙂 After some quick successes in reawakening these sleepy clients, I have now been crowned with the title of Client Engagement Officer! Huzzah to that!
This is a sign of things to come for The Storyteller… although I will imminently be taking some time off to create a little baby storyteller, I intend to return to work next Summer bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to build up this area of expertise. I will be offering this service to all clients and prospects so to help them keep their clients engaged with their business through a little light conversation from time to time. – Oh how this form of marketing is still so valuable and effective.
All hail the telephone!
Building Brand You
We’re not very good at this are we? As Brits we tend to be far too humble to toot our own horn and blow our own trumpets about how good we are.
Scrap that! Take a leaf out of the American’s book and become more accustomed to selling yourself!
Whether you’re looking to go it alone with a business idea or just looking for a change in career, creating a compelling personal brand will help you succeed.Â
All an employee or future client has to do these days is type your name in to Google and voila, they’ve got your digital footprint at their fingertips, from Facebook profile to latest tweet! So, go on, google yourself right now and consider is that what you want to portray?
Otegha Uwagba, founder of Women Who recently wrote the following tips for her Red Magazine feature:
- Find your niche (Consider what your strengths are/ what people praise you for?)
- Be vocal about your values (What motivates and excites you? Is it looking after our planet or collaborating for example?)
- Get social (Likely to be the first thing that people stumble upon, and a quick and sure route to establishing your self brand.)
- Tell a story (Ah! Yes, people love a good story and would rather hear your tale than facts. Your story is unique to you, so rehearse it and tell it.)
- Do the work (This is what will make you. Don’t forget building your personal brand is just the icing on the cake!)
What will you create?
Feathers and Diamantes aren’t everyone’s taste
I recently gave a talk to small business owners on brand storytelling. To explain one of my points on what you should be posting as a small and upcoming brand, I use the following analogy:
Imagine if you will, you are pootling (my word for wandering) around town and come across an independent boutique; you walk in and the bell on the door dings and the windchimes chime. So much for going unnoticed?! You’re spotted immediately by the overdressed owner as she pretends to busy herself with some piece of tat.
Anyway, as you make your way around the postage stamp sized shop with the owners’ eyes firmly on you, you soon realise there’s nothing for you there. Why? Because it is filled to the rafters with THEIR taste! You know, the bling notepads, the feather calligraphy pens, the overpriced soaps which you are supposed to choose and slot in to the so conveniently placed paper bags.
My point? The shop owner has stocked her shop with items SHE herself likes, with not so much as a thought for you or I. This the same as if you are a small brand posting social media content, it’s not all about you and what you want your brand to be. Think about your audience and what they might want to see and a little you is fine – you are after all part of the brand, just not the latest snap of what you had to eat on your weekend away at Bamburgh!
Keep that balance, 80% the brand, 20% you is a good benchmark.
We Heart Holly
Holly Willoughby started her TV career in the noughties. From Surprise Surprise, to Dancing on Ice to The Voice, Holly has become the nation’s sweetheart.
With her net value calculated at $8 million dollars some 2 years ago, she is a brand in herself.
Part of the prestigious James Grant Management agency, home to Ant and Dec and friend of mine, Andi Peters, Holly is now looking to launch her own brand this Autumn, Truly ‘A new lifestyle brand’ which has already seen a hugely positive response. Find out more: http://www.truly.co.uk/
So, what is it about Holly that makes us love her so much?
She is likeable! Her curvy frame, infectious smile and totally down to earth manner is makes her approachable, she is wholesome and represents the best friend we’ve always wanted. She also makes us aspire to be more like her which we feel is achievable!
Look out world, for one very successful brand who knows exactly who its target market is!
The fastest growing language, emojis
Today is World Emoji Day, I know I know, there’s a day for everything these days isn’t there?!
However, since the arrival of these little storytelling conduits, by mobile internet employee Shigetaka Kurita in 1999 we’ve come to rely on them quite somewhat.
Emojis started their life in Japan in the late nineties but didn’t become popular in the UK until 2010 onwards, when our technology caught up, forming what is now a global language of its own. In fact it is the fastest growing language than any other ancient form of communication, including hieroglyphics!
Emojis are now a huge part of our popular culture, not only that, but they are a conduit to the way in which we tell stories both personally and professionally on a daily basis. 72% of 18 – 25 years find it easier to communicate via emojis as opposed to text.
Although these little colourful character are enabling generation y to communicate and the rest of us for that matter, is it not also stopping them from getting a proper handle of the English language?
Are you currently using emojis in your business? Emojis can be a great way of adding weight to your copy. However, I would be inclined to use emojis more if you are targeting a younger demographic such as a beauty brand aimed at 13-19 year olds. Remember your audience.
