Happy Easter to one and all! A welcome pit stop in the year, when Christmas feels like a hundred years ago.
Enjoy picking daffodils, chasing bunnies or whatever it is that brings joy to you and your families.
The Storyteller x
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Taking Brexit by The Horns!
The national and regional papers have, over the last month or so been pretty downcast when it comes to the economy and the effects Brexit may / will have on business in the UK.
Yorkshire Post published in January of this year that “SME’s were thought to be the most significant for boosting productivity and economic growth may also be the most negatively affected by Brexit.”
Yet, just two days ago the Spectator declared Brexit isn’t driving Britain to stagnation due to our bullish nature. Likewise data from the British Business Barometre conducted by Hitachi capital stated that overall 39% of SME owners predicted growth from the three months to 31st March 2018.
What do us SME’s do?
Ok, so the majority of advice is be pragmatic, plan ahead and focus on what is within your control.
Basically, keep calm and carry on!
Want to know more?
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/03/brexit-isnt-driving-uk-business-stagnation/
Ocean Colour Scene
More than 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped in our oceans every year. (PlasticOceans.org)
Pause for thought.
8 million!
How did we let this happen?
Now that the oracle, Sir David Attenborough is on the case of this environmental crisis, it has become a much talked about issue – thankfully.
But how can we help as a small or medium sized enterprise? Start simple!
- Re-use drinking bottles in the office
- Say no to straws on lunch meetings / work parties
- Look to choose one Ocean charity like Save our seas, The Ocean Foundation or Ocean Conservancy to name a few (display their logo on your marketing materials)
By taking part in this plight you will not only feel better for doing your part in this crisis, but also your company will enjoy the “halo effect” as opposed to the “horn effect”. The positive effects a brand can enjoy after “do gooding”.
Doesn’t it feel good to be aware and behaving like a responsible brand?
Home Sweet Home
This weekend took me back to my home town of Easingwold. A cute market town, 30 minutes away from York, this town was where I had my first date, my first custard cream and, well, you get the picture…
Having taken my God daughter for the essential Brownie and Milkshake at the local sweet shop, we stumbled in to an enchanting land, Hearts.
From the moment we walked in we were ensconced in the brand. Their brand got to work on every one of our senses, from the offering of a “glass of bubbly” (TASTE) to the mellifluous melodies coming out of the hidden speakers – (HEARING) to visual feast of interiors and apparel (SIGHT)
The shop had it all, great products, great service and a real buzz to its atmosphere.
This is what’s called a seamless customer journey.
Take Note.
2 Years Old
šš¾šš°šHappy 2nd Business Birthday šš¾šš°š to meeee…
Today I am celebrating with a pink No.2 balloon as I reach 2 years in business as Storyteller Marketing!
A potted history..
I set the business up after being made redundant from a job. Having searched high and low for my dream role, I found it didnāt exist. So I created it! And Storyteller Marketing was born š¶ Word to the wise- if youāre dreaming of setting up your own business ignore the nay sayers, if I can build a business during brexit, believe me anyone can!
What’s in a name?
Defined by the English dictionary as ‘a word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, addressed, or referred to’, names are powerful things.
We’re all given one as a baby, but what does that name say about us? And more importantly what does a name say about our business?
When it comes to conjuring up the perfect company name, it can be really hard. Too short, too long, too contrived, too cold, too frilly! The list can go on and on, so consider this.
If all someone heard was your company said out loud, what story do you want it to tell? Richard Branson was bold with calling his ‘Virgin’, but it grabs your attention. How about companies like ‘Anthropologie’ – this company name has connotations of far away lands and whimsical wonders, but also a way of life.
Did you know the Twitter bird has got a name? It’s Larry. Now how do you feel about twitter? I’m even more of a fan!
My point is you can build rapports and create bonds with customers through your company name and in turn the branding thereafter.
It is said we judge a person within 7 seconds of meeting them, the same goes for your brand, so take your time on this one, it’s not a rush decision and you never know the name could come to you in the middle of the night, mind did, so always have a notebook and pen by your bed!
All Hail Instagram
Since when did Instagram become the new google?
I am increasingly aware of the growth, popularity and general affability of the social media channel.
While having coffee with a good friend the other day, our chat turned to the rise of collagen in drinks and cosmetics. No sooner had we started on this conversation, my friend mentioned a brand and took to her Instagram to search for said brand; the rest of our two hour meet was punctuated by the very same behaviour.
I can’t tell you how often I see people turning to their Instagram as a point of referenceĀ and actually with its aesthetically pleasing format, easy to use app and appeal to everybody and everything from Ozzy Osbourne to Clinique, I have to say, I’m in! Are you?
Key Facts about Instagram
#1 Instagram was foundedĀ in October, 2010.
#2Ā More than 40 billion photosĀ have been shared in the Instagram history.
#3 Instagram was soldĀ for $1 billionĀ in 2012.
#4 Currently, there is more thanĀ 4.2 billion numberĀ of Instagram likes per day.
#5Ā Most followed Instagram userĀ is Selena Gomez, with more than 113 million followers.
#6 AroundĀ 95 millions photosĀ is uploaded per a single day.
#7 Instagram has been installedĀ 1 billion timesĀ on the Google Play Store alone.
#8Ā 32%Ā of all Internet users are on Instagram.
#9Ā 59%Ā of internet users between the ages of 18 and 29 use Instagram
#10 When Instagram introduced videos, 5 million videos were uploadedĀ in the first 24 hours.
Source:Ā pastbook.com/txt/25-instagram-facts-that-you-want-to-know
Why Storytelling
Storytelling is age-old, it harks back to caveman days when the daylight faded and the firelight shined bright, it provided the perfect backdrop from which to tell stories!
Once more the last time we really came across storytelling was when we were in our formative years. We were introduced to Roald Dahl’s Mr and Mrs Twit and such like, what’s not to like?
The same applies in business. Paint the picture for people, tell them your story. Stories create emotionally attachments which in turn forms a bond / reason to buy.
“The challenge is in figuring out how to share that story in a way that aligns with the needs and priorities of prospects and customers. But, itās not just sharing the story. Itās about making the story so compelling that it elevates perceptions of value and urgency resulting in more qualified leads and faster purchasing momentum.”
It begs the question, do brands create stories or do stories create brands? The answer, both!
Start Storytelling for your brand today!
Happy Chrissymouse
As Christmas looms, I would like to wish all of my followers a very Happy one.
Next week I fly out to the uber-festive Amsterdam for a few nights, leaving my phone at home.
I am a staunch ambassador for taking time away from technology when you can. It is great for you and your loved ones, so I hope you get to enjoy some time-out too.
See you all in 2018!
The Storyteller x
I’m in the mood for …
I would like to share a tiny little pearl of wisdom with you all!
Before I start any marketing campaign, no matter what the channel, I will always create a mood board to share with my client.
They have been around for donkey’s years! They are the perfect vehicle from which to pool all of those free running thoughts of yours.
I learnt the hard way, about six month’s ago one of my client’s went on holiday, before she went, she asked for an Indian Summer theme to be carried right the way across social media channels for their brand. On her return, she was met by titian colours, warm golden hues eluding to that of an autumn summer. Survey says … Eh Ehhhh. She had imagined pearlescents and pinks.. Hence the need for a mood board.
Whatever you are planning for, put together your ideas of what you imagine the marketing activity to look like from a brand perspective – after all, they do say the power of visualisation is immense.
Happy Mood boarding!
