The Power of 2 Types of Stories when You Speak

Telling a  great sales storyI believe it is essential to strategize the 2 types of stories in your presentation. That is why it is the first step in my Compel. Speak. Sell. MasterMind.

There are actually two strategies for storytelling that are important to consider. These storytelling strategies are:

1.      Marketing stories

2.      Sales stories.

A marketing story is about why you. When you build a marketing story it’s to help your audience understand who you are, why you teach this information and why you are capable of delivering what you sell.

A sales story is about why them. A sales story is to help the audience see, through your story, that you understand their journey. That you can relate to the big hairy mess they are struggling with. That you are real and human and have flaws and make mistakes just like them.

What I find is that most new speakers, if they focus on storytelling at all, do marketing storytelling. They tell stories about how they got started doing what they’re doing, or how they got their degrees or certifications. They even tell testimonial stories, which again are marketing stories: they tell the potential buyer why the speaker is credible. Most forget though that people buy because you understand why them.

Sales stories are a bit harder but they are what get potential buyers to dig out their credit cards! LOL What I mean is; now they are connected emotionally and are ready to buy. That is very powerful. Most speakers are comfortable with marketing stories. They’re comfortable sharing why they do what they do, and why someone would want to do business with them.

Challenge yourself to think about how you can tell a story that is human and relatable. A story that makes your audience say: “Oh you know me. Were you in my house last night? Were you at my office yesterday?” These types of stories will have a powerful and profound effect on your presentation.  Telling a great sales story emotionally connects them to you and creates a powerful bond. Where do stories come from? The stories come from your life and your passions. You want to connect with people on a real and human level. Think about how you use these 2 types of stories when you speak!

What is a “heart centered entrepreneur?”

What is a “heart centered entrepreneur?”

I have been pondering the phrase “heart centered entrepreneur” lately. It strikes me as odd. ok, wait, here me out! First of all, I don’t know many entrepreneurs that aren’t heart centered. It takes heart to do it alone. It takes heart to build it. It takes heart to want to be successful. It takes heart to keep going when everyone around you says you should get a “day job”.

For me, being an entrepreneur is heart centered.
Second, I have noticed that many of the people calling themselves this, or saying they work with “heart centered entrepreneurs” use fear as their marketing tactic. Fear to get you to buy. Fear to get you to sign up. Fear to get you to optin.
Ponder this. Do we need to use fear if we are heart centered?

Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”

 

 

The Influence Factor: Does Length Matter?

The Influence Factor: Does Length Matter?

My process for writing my book was an interesting one for sure! I am often asked why did I choose a “little book” instead of a regular size.

The assumption is I did not have enough to say! So far from the truth. When I thought about my favorite non-fiction books that I FINISHED I realized they were ALL 100 pages or so. Here are some of them:

Besides, when I work with my Platinum Mastermind clients, I PREACH-short, sweet, powerful! Why wouldn’t I intentionally  create a powerful book, that captured your attention, was packed with content, that inspired, and you finish! In addition, this allows me to expand on topics from the book in my blog and when I speak.
My goal is to build a series of books related to this first one.  Remember as a child reading a poem by Shel Silverstein poem about Melinda Mae who ate the whale….
…one bite at a time
These books will allow you to take bites!
Bigger picture? Where do YOU need to start taking bites? What things do you want to achieve that feel SO BIG that you need one bite at a time?

Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”

 

 

Growing your Business: Doing the things that make it run

Growing your Business: Doing the things that make it run

Are you creating a hobby or a business?

The hardest part of running your own business is doing the things that make it run like a well oiled machine. Yesterday, I spent time working on those things for my business. Trust me, I don’t enjoy it any more then you do! Reality is our business needs these systems and processes in order to achieve a higher level of success. I’m not talking to hobbyists that really don’t want to generate a higher level of revenue in their business. I’m talking to true entrepreneurs, small business owners who understand that to achieve more revenue systems and processes are necessary.

What system or process have you ignored in your business that it’s time to stop neglecting? Is it related to finances? Maybe organization? Or is it your marketing system? Maybe it’s your networking and follow up system? Is it your content creation and management system?

The creativity of the business is the fun part. Implementing the systems that make your business run so you can be more creative are critical.

What’s interesting, is when I neglect my systems my business revenue suffers. You can have all the fun you want in the world but guess what? It is more fun when you do what you love and you have the systems that help to make you the money you deserve.

So yesterday, I spent several hours working on my newsletter system and my marketing system. I spent the time on details that needed to be taken care of, so my business runs like a well oiled machine. Was it fun? No. Rewarding? Yes, because I KNOW the results.

Need to put your marketing system in place and know you need ACCOUNTABILITY to get it done? Want the mind of a TOP Marketing consultant to support and give feedback? My Platinum Mastermind might be the program for you!

Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”

Growing your Business: Doing the things that make it run

Growing Your Business for Entrepreneurs tip 6 SYSTEMS

Systems are important. Being in business since 1997, this is HUGE! Are you just spinning your wheels? This is what I do, even when I talk with people on my Partnership Mastermind I tell them, get a system to be able to put it together for success.

Michael Gerber, of The E-Myth (you have read this right? It’s like the KEY if you are a new entrepreneur) says “create a system and repeat it 500 to be successful. hmmm…are you in business or just playing around?

 

Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”