Many service-based entrepreneurs tell me, "My services seem so ordinary! I want to create a sense of excitement among potential clients."
It's how lots of small business owners (including me) begin looking at their websites and sales letters.
That doesn't mean inventing wild stories or digging into your distant past for inspiration. Any story comes with hidden pitfalls and many people resist getting started.
We can learn from a unique, creative experiment co-created by an anthropologist and a writer. They transformed ordinary thrift store purchases (none more than $2) into valuable objects that commanded high prices.
Their secret? Writers were asked to invent stories surrounding each object.
As business owners, we can learn from their story.
Of course, business stories must be accurate. You can't deceive your audience. But you can apply these principles to describe your offer. In fact, that's what we do in a story that sells.
What you'll learn in this episode:
- Examples of how stories can transform ordinary objects into valuable treasures (including a close-to-home example from a business owner)
- Qualities of stories that increase the value of ordinary offers (while remaining completely truthful)
- What you get people to say when you tell a selling story (which is why these stories succeeded)
RESOURCES:
My self-paced video course: From Storytelling to Story-selling
My self-paced video course: Brand Your Business With Stories
"Borrow my brain" consultation on storytelling
FREE: 17 Surprising Ways To Use Storytelling For Your Business Growth - Click here.
MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:
Original article about the Halston mug
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.