Explore every episode of the podcast Story Slurp

Alex Merry is the Founder of MicDrop, a public speaking community that helps founders, solopreneurs, and thought leaders get clear on their message, build their personal brand, and get paid to speak.

A former start-up COO and Founder of TEDxClapham, Alex is the go-to public speaking coach for the leaders of some of fastest-growing startups and scale-ups in the world. He’s helped founders raise over £300M in funding, worked on talks that have changed government legislation, and helped craft messages that have gone viral online.

What makes him different? 

His expertise lies in messaging strategy, not just stage presence - helping leaders articulate their ideas in a way that cuts through the noise, builds authority, and drives action.

In this episode Alex gives us loads of practical tips on how to be a better speaker, why he thinks most of us put too much pressure on ourselves and why the Ted events we see on our screens are never the same as what actually happens in real life. 

Alex firmly believes that presentations don't have to be perfect, storytelling is vital to create engaging talks, speaking can be a tool for change and that everyone can improve their speaking skills, if they try.

In this episode Alex gives us loads of practical tips on how to be a better speaker, why he thinks most of us put too much pressure on ourselves and why the Ted events we see on our screens are never the same as what actually happens in real life. 

Alex firmly believes that presentations don't have to be perfect, storytelling is vital to create engaging talks, speaking can be a tool for change and that everyone can improve their speaking skills, if they try.

If you’ve ever wanted to get better at speaking or peep behind the scenes of what it takes to do a Ted talk, this episode is for you.

Takeaways: 

• Alex Merry is a public speaking coach with a unique journey - he's been a TedX organiser and has learned to speak well, despite not enjoying it himself.
• He emphasizes the importance of imperfect presentations.
• The right message can create monumental impacts.
• Storytelling is crucial for engaging diverse audiences.
• Understanding your own story enhances your communication.
• Intention behind sharing stories is key.
• Public speaking can be a tool for change.
• It's important to connect with the audience's level of understanding.
• Everyone can improve their speaking skills with practice. Understanding the purpose of storytelling is crucial.
• Personal stories should connect with the audience, not manipulate them.
• Communication should focus on the audience's needs and goals.
• Reluctance to share personal stories can indicate deeper insights.
• Coaching experiences can significantly enhance communication skills.
• Master communicators use unexpected examples to engage audiences.
• Data should be used sparingly and effectively in storytelling.
• Finding a unique voice is essential for impactful communication.
• TED talks can have a significant impact beyond view counts.
• Acknowledging one's limits can lead to growth and success.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Ever been part of a meeting that just seemed like a huge waste of time?

Have you ever considered using visuals as a tool to create better conversations, make better decisions and help everyone to feel involved?

Meet Ellie Chapman, the Creative Director of Lim - a Graphic facilitation agency -  which brings events and meetings to life, so that participants can understand the meeting on a deeper level, and get more impactful results.

So many of us learn visually, so working with a graphic facilitator can really help bring a different dimension to conversations, and help make them more inclusive.

In this episode, Ellie talks about how she started her business, why visual storytelling is essential for effective communication and how facilitation runs in the family as well as oodles of tips on how to bring your own meetings to life visually. She also reflects on her personal growth, the challenges of overcoming self-doubt, and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of communicators. 

You can find out more about Ellie and Lim here.

Takeaways

• Visual storytelling is essential for effective communication in business.
• Ellie's upbringing influenced her career path in facilitation.
• Gaining respect from senior leaders requires credibility and trust.
• Visuals serve as a shared resource during meetings.
• Inclusivity in meetings leads to better decision-making.
• Values such as collaboration and creativity are crucial for business success.
• Self-doubt can be managed through positive self-talk.
• Mentoring the next generation is vital for future communication skills.
• Silence can be a powerful tool in meetings.
• Flexibility in meeting processes enhances engagement. Visualizing success can help overcome self-doubt.
• It's important to observe negative self-talk without letting it control you.
• Embracing challenges leads to personal growth and resilience.
• Building a brand requires passion and alignment with personal values.
• COVID-19 forced businesses to adapt and innovate in their operations.
• Sustainability is a key focus for modern businesses.
• Visual communication can enhance understanding and retention of information.
• Starting small with visual techniques can lead to significant improvements.
• Creating meaningful connections with clients is essential for business success.
• Having a clear vision for the future drives motivation and progress.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

You've worked countless hours. 

Your team is exhausted. 

You’ve put so much effort and time into creating this new website, which you're so excited about because it's gonna change everything in your business. And it looks amazing. You press go on the website and nothing. You fast forward a few weeks, even months. And still nothing happens because you have not done the foundational work you need to do before you created your website.

We've all been there and felt that pain. If you don't do the foundational work you need to do before you create that website, your website is not going to be effective. You’ve missed an opportunity to create a website that brings you sales, and wasted a shedload of money and time in the process. I want to save you that pain.

So in this episode of Story Slurp Podcast, I’ve come up the three things that you need to do before you hire that website developer to make sure your website delivers:

1. Get clear on your Brand Story - this includes things like how and why you started out, exactly who your customer is, how you help them and what makes them tick, what makes you unique in the marketplace, your values, vision and purpose. If you want more help with this then download my Brand Story Tool here, or check out my Small Business Brand Story Package where I hold your hand through the whole process.
2. Get your visuals sorted - that includes: all kinds of design work, fonts/typefaces and brand colours
3. Get professional photos taken

For more help getting clear on your brand story (and to help making the website team briefing so much easier) then drop me a line at hello@thevictoriabrown.com and I can point you in the right direction.

Episode takeaways:

• You need to do foundational work before creating a website.
• A clear brand story is essential for effective web design.
• Understanding your ideal customer is crucial for website success.
• Visual branding elements should align with your brand story.
• Professional photography can elevate your website's appeal.
• Your brand story serves as a tool for your entire business.
• Involve your team in defining your brand story.
• Unique value propositions differentiate you from competitors.
• Consistent branding enhances professionalism and trust.
• Investing in quality visuals is key to standing out.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Gus Bhandal. Gus is a brilliant Linked In Trainer - in fact his mum says he’s the best one in the country. The secret to his success? He’s absolutely nailed how to create personality led content on social media in a way that’s funny, relatable and spot on to his audience, and repels anyone that wouldn’t ‘get’ him.

Gus spills the tea (not the coffee) on some brilliant tips to create great personality content for social media, and reminds us that we should stay in our own lane and not care about anyone else.

We talked about personality vs personal content, why we should lean into ourselves more and why you should think carefully about becoming a pub landlord. There was also a fair mention of chocolate oranges.

Enjoy!

Episode takeaways

• Gus's journey into marketing was shaped by early failures in various career aspirations.
• Understanding psychology is crucial for effective marketing strategies.
• Creating content without a clear purpose can lead to wasted efforts.
• Identifying and addressing clients' pain points is key to successful content creation.
• Storytelling is essential for making a brand memorable.
• Humor can be a powerful tool in marketing and branding.
• Being authentic and intentionally yourself enhances your personal brand.
• Recurring themes in content help build a memorable brand identity.
• Engaging with your audience through relatable content fosters connection.
• Marketing is not just about selling; it's about influencing decisions. Business values should filter through your actions.
• Authenticity is key in attracting the right clients.
• Professionalism doesn't have to be boring.
• Personable content can be engaging without oversharing.
• It's important to focus on your own journey, not competitors.
• Your vibe attracts your tribe; be true to yourself.
• Content should fit into a broader marketing strategy.
• Overcoming imposter syndrome is crucial for growth.
• Teaching others can create lasting value.
• Future goals should align with personal values and authenticity.

You can find out more about Gus and The M Guru here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

“How can I be more vulnerable and still stay professional?”

That’s one of the most common things I’m asked as a Story Coach and it’s a tricky balance. 

I think jewellery consultant Jessica Steele gets it bang on in terms of being open and honest, but not oversharing. Jessica has overcome some huge challenges in her business and has always been transparent about them, and I’m in awe of her storytelling ability.
In this episode we talk about Jessica’s approach to sharing her stories, the difficult challenges she's faced and how her business and brand has evolved.

Episode in detail:

00:00 Introduction to Storytelling in Jewelry

02:39 Jessica's Journey into Jewelry Making

05:15 The Importance of Personal Connection in Jewelry

07:46 The Divide Between Independent and Traditional Jewellers

10:32 The Role of Education and Transparency in Jewellery

13:20 The Evolution of Jessica's Craft and Learning

16:04 Redefining Failure and Success in Business

18:50 The Balance of Vulnerability in Business

21:36 Motherhood and Its Impact on Ambition

24:03 Values and Purpose in Jewellery Making

27:11 Building a Legacy Through Values

28:54 The Power of Personal Branding

32:06 Meaningful Client Relationships

34:37 Navigating Challenges in Business

40:34 The Importance of Autonomy and Flexibility

42:23 Vision and Scaling the Business

Find out more about Jessica and her jewellery brand - The Jewellery Consultant - on her website here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Personal Branding. Heard the buzz, but not sure if it's for you? 

Spoiler alert, it is (not just for shouty people). And if you don't build your personal brand, you're missing out. Whether you're an ambitious professional or business leader working inside an organisation or a founder building your own business, building your own personal brand is essential and will open up all kinds of opportunities for you.

If you don't put yourself forward and make yourself visible, how will people give you opportunities? And who's going to do it if you don't?

In this episode we chat about how personal brand isn't just for extroverts, how you can get started on your personal brand and why you're missing out if you don't.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Personal branding is essential for everyone, not just business owners.
• Understanding your personal brand can open up new opportunities.
• It's not about being loud; it's about being strategic.
• Building a personal brand helps you stand out in competitive markets.
• People connect with people, not just brands.
• Future-proofing your career requires a strong personal brand.
• Self-awareness is key to effective personal branding.
• Visibility is crucial for attracting opportunities.
• You have control over your personal brand story.
• Embrace discomfort as part of the growth process.

Find out how I can help you with your personal brand here.
 

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Laura Tye - a former soloist at the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Laura was with the prestigious ballet company for 20 years, leaving and returning twice to have children, something virtually unheard of in that industry. She even played a 14 year old girl, as a 38 year old woman!

Laura describes what it’s really like to be a ballerina at the top of your game, and how it feels to build a new business around your children.

We talk overcoming failure, the gruelling and perfectionistic world of ballet, having to prove yourself a second time around and building a new future on your terms.

Laura is now building a successful business of her own - running a dance, aerial yoga and pilates studio in Solihull, West Midlands.

As a little girl that dreamed of a dance career myself, I loved this sneak behind the scenes. Enjoy.

You can find out more about Laura and her studio, Pointe and Flow, here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Katie Martin, a hostage negotiator with the Metropolitan Police. Katie shares her unique journey into policing, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the importance of listening and self-disclosure in her role. We delve into the emotional toll of dealing with trauma, the power of storytelling in training, and the significance of acknowledging the inner stories we tell ourselves. 

Katie's experiences highlight the rewarding yet challenging nature of her work, and she reflects on her career milestones, including a moment she'll never forget, featuring Nelson Mandela, King Charles and a boa constrictor. She also talks about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her demanding career. She emphasises the importance of understanding personal values and how they shape behavior, as well as the need for empathy and active listening in communication. 

Takeaways:

• Listening is a crucial skill that is often overlooked.
• Self-disclosure can enhance empathy in negotiations.
• Being a woman in policing can be both challenging and empowering.
• The inner stories we tell ourselves can impact our self-perception.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool in training and learning.
• Policing involves dealing with trauma and emotional challenges.
• The importance of teamwork in high-stress situations.
• Gratitude plays a significant role in coping with challenges.
• Physicality can be a barrier for women in policing roles.
• Katie's journey reflects resilience and determination in her career. Nelson Mandela's visit to Brixton was a chaotic yet iconic moment.
• Different perspectives can provide deeper insights into shared experiences.
• Meeting her husband in a crack house was an unexpected twist in her life.
• Understanding personal values is crucial for self-awareness and behavior.
• Balancing motherhood with a demanding career can lead to feelings of guilt.
• Empathy and curiosity are essential in negotiations and communication.
• The iceberg analogy helps illustrate the depth of personal values.
• Mental health discussions should be normalized in society.
• Active listening can transform communication and relationships.
• Connecting with others outside of one's profession can be enriching.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Angela Lyons, the graphic designer behind Lyons Creative and a wonderfully kind human being.

On our chat Angela talked about her journey to overcome her fear of public speaking, the importance of community and kindness, and what it was like growing up as a black, female creative, with so few role models out there to look up to.

We chat about the importance of storytelling, community support, and the influence of key individuals in Ange's life. They explore the struggles of visibility, the significance of representation in the creative industry, and the values that guide Ange's work. 

The conversation also touches on the impact of awards, the power of vision boards, and the ongoing battle against self-doubt. 

Takeaways:

• Ange's journey reflects the importance of following one's passion despite societal expectations.
• Key individuals who played a significant role in shaping Ange's career path.
• Community support is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Visibility and self-promotion are ongoing challenges for freelancers.
• Representation in the creative industry is essential for inspiring future generations.
• Awards can provide recognition but do not define one's worth or success.
• Vision boards can be a powerful tool for goal setting and motivation.
• Overcoming self-doubt is a common struggle for many creatives.
• Networking can lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations.
• The importance of giving back to the community.

Find out more about how to work with Angela here.

And look out for her upcoming podcast, 'Creatives Like Us,' aimed at amplifying the voices of people of colour in the creative field.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

There's huge power in sharing your Origin Story, but so many businesses don't use them to their full potential.

In this episode of Story Slurp podcast, you'll find out why you're missing out if you're not sharing your Origin Story, why it can feel so hard and how to find and share yours.

Find out how other brands are using their Origin Stories to connect with their customers on a deeper level and how you can do the same.

And you can get your free copy of the Brand Story Canvas here (mentioned in the episode) to help you with your Origin Story.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Origin stories are powerful tools for connection.
• Authenticity in storytelling builds trust with customers.
• Your origin story is part of your overall brand story.
• Sharing your journey can inspire others and foster loyalty.
• Everyone has a unique story worth telling.
• Vulnerability can enhance customer relationships.
• Use storytelling to make your brand memorable.
• Seek external perspectives to uncover your story's value.
• The how and why of your story are crucial elements.
• Crafting your narrative requires clarity and intention.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

After getting so much out of mentoring herself, Chelsey Baker is now on a mission to show the world the power of mentoring - so much so that she created National Mentoring Day.

Mentoring is something I discovered when I trained as a coach, and can be so transformative for leaders as a mentor or mentee - hearing the stories of others who’ve been there before can make sure a difference. Storytelling is crucial in mentoring as it helps to build trust, connect with mentees, and inspire action. 

On this episode you’ll find out more about the benefits of mentorship and Chelsey’s experience in the communications industry. Consider this your own mini mentoring session. Enjoy!

Find out more about National Mentoring Day here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Are you sharing your authentic story? The story that's written on your heart? Or are you getting caught in the 'shoulds' of someone else's story?

Mark Shayler is  a sustainability expert - but he’s so much more than that. A brilliant speaker, it’s his purpose to give people and the planet a voice to be heard. Mark’s someone whose sheer authenticity draws you in, and you can’t help but be inspired by him. I first came across him when he started free Qigong sessions online and I loved his honesty.

On this episode of Story Slurp podcast we talked about his own journey, how he came to be good at storytelling, and how you can do the same.

You can find out more about Mark and what he does here.

And check out his Qi Gong sessions on Instagram here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Lockdown was a life-changer for Michele Ferron.  After losing most of her marketing clients during the pandemic, she decided to upskill her design skills. Then after an experiment involving calendars for the downstairs loo, she accidentally ended up starting her dream stationery business.  Good Tuesday (formerly Once Upon a Tuesday) is now going from strength to strength as a brand, with a whole team behind it and even an endorsement from Hollywood star, Drew Barrymore!

Michele Ferron's proof that we should all pay more attention to going for our dreams...because who knows what might happen?

I loved chatting with her to find out about her journey and the stepping stones in her life, which led to Good Tuesday becoming a success.

Enjoy.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

All change... after 63 successful episodes of Creative Slurp, it was time for a new focus.

In this new episode, find out about the journey I went on to uncover my own thread - storytelling - how you can find your own thread, and what you can expect from the new episodes of Story Slurp.

I want to inspire you to share your story and Story Slurp is designed to help you with every aspect of that - from hearing other people's stories, to listening to story experts.

We are hardwired to respond to stories, which is why learning about story is such a powerful tool for business owners.

If you want to uncover the power of storytelling, you're in the right place - enjoy.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

You DON'T have to be on social media for your business.

Yup, I said it. I’m a marketing coach, but I don’t believe posting on social media should be a foregone conclusion for a business.

How did that make you feel?

I see so many small business owners bogged down by the obligation of making content for social media - totally burnt out by the amount of content they need to create, and then it’s not actually making a difference to the bottom line.  And the reality is there are so many other ways of finding customers - many of them better - yet people still stay stuck in a kind of self-imposed social media jail without actually thinking of whether it’s adding value to their business.

The job of social media is to attract new customers to your business, to help them get to know you better and to keep you front of mind…is it doing that for you? if not, there will probably be other marketing channels and tactics that can do that better. Be open to new ways of working and give something else a go.

In my latest episode of Creative Slurp Podcast I give my views on social media:

• I explain why it’s not the be-all and end-all
• I talk about the big businesses that have already gone social free
• I show you how you can still get the benefits of social media without even having an account
• I spill the beans on two other methods of attracting customers and building your brand that I consider to be better
• I empower you to make the choice about social media that’s right for your business.

I'm not ‘anti-social media’ and yes, I do have social media accounts. But I also want to help business owners be intentional about making the best decision they can around their marketing strategy and where they spend their time.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Sue Pryke - an award-winning ceramicist at the top of her game, with more than 20 years of ceramics design under her belt.

Sue still has so much passion and excitement about her craft and business - which is a joy and an inspiration to see.

in this episode we talked about Sue’s story, the importance of teaching creativity to kids, collaborating with chefs, what it’s like to see your face in Ikea, and the power of the Great British Pottery throwdown (on which Sue was actually a judge).

Enjoy!

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Roșie Greener, the founder of Good Daze jewellery - an independent brand that celebrates love, humour and positivity.  

Rosie started her jewellery brand several years ago after becoming disillusioned with her job designing for a corporate company. She’s now living the dream and running her brand full-time.

in this episode of Creative Slurp podcast, she talks about her journey, the importance of market research, feeling like an imposter in business and how she made her dream collaborations happen. Rosie’s mantra is not to take things personally in business, and I think that’s brilliant advice.

I really loved her honest and practical advice around building your business, and I think it's great reassurance that there is no shortcut to success in business, you just have to keep going, and good things will follow.

I hope this episode inspires you as much as it did me, enjoy :-)

You can find out more about Rosie and her jewellery brand on her website here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Want to transform and improve your life, your business and EVERYTHING?

Then self-awareness is a game changer.

Since I started to learn more about myself, I found I was better equipped to create a life that I love, a life that was truly aligned with me. If you don’t truly know yourself, how can you hope to create a life and business that’s fulfilling and suited to you?

So, in this episode, I take you through three amazing tools that can help you find out more about yourself, the way you view the world, your values, your beliefs and preferences.

They are:

1. Personality profiling tools/self-awareness tools
2. Journalling - especially free writing
3. Coaching

From my experience, I’ve found that these tools are mind-glowingly effective at really helping you to know yourself better and see past the blind spots that we all have.

Find more information about these tools and how they can help you in the episode.

Some useful links from the episode:

🧃16 personalities questionnaire

🧃Values questionnaire

🧃Exploratory writing book by Alison Jones

🧃 My coaching services

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Introducing the amazing Luke Tonge - graphic designer and co-founder of Birmingham Design. Luke’s a self-confessed introvert, yet he’s managed to co-create a festival that’s helping to change the perception of a city - which is no mean feat. 

In this episode we chat about the importance of community, defining yourself and how to be braver in your business. Enjoy!

You can find out more about Luke here.

Find out about Birmingham Design here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Catherine Erdly. She's a retail expert, with years of experience working with big brands and working out the secret to make them more profitable. Now, Catherine works with small businesses to share what she's learned through her Resilient Retail Club and her book, "Tame your Tiger'. In today’s episode, we talk about the practical things you can do to improve the profitability of your business, when you should (and shouldn’t) offer discounts and so much more.  

If you have a small product business, you need to listen to this episode!

Find out more about Catherine here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Ever wondered what it takes to make your dream creative business your full-time gig? Illustrator, Liz Harry has done it.

In her own words, she carved a career out for herself, doing the things she loves - creating products she designs herself, making fun props and taking part in some dream collaborations with iconic brands.  If you’ve seen Liz’s work, you’ll know she’s passionate about mental health - a theme that runs throughout her brilliant work.  

In this episode of Creative Slurp Podcast she talks about her creative journey, her obsession with creating and how she uses creativity as a tool to help with her mental health, following burnout. I loved chatting with Liz, who was so generous with her stories and advice, and I hope her story inspires you as much as it did me. Enjoy.

Check out Liz's online shop here.

Or find her on Instagram here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Feeling stuck? If you keep getting the same results in your business or life and are sick of it, it can be hard to know how to shake things up and feel like you're heading in a positive direction again.  I've been there too!

Here are three tools/easy ways of climbing out of that annoying rut and help to feel some momentum again - without feeling overwhelmed:

• Create mini-rituals  - like SUPER mini! Think 2 sun salutations or doing a 30-second doodle kind of 'mini'. This will just take you out of your head and shake things up a bit. Experiment with what works well for you.
• Build your community - it's a cliche - but it really does take a village.  We need people to bounce ideas off, stay accountable to, to look up and learn from and help to feel good about ourselves and progress in our business.  And building a community can be so much easier than you think. Join networking groups, join up with online course cohorts, make friends with other parents - whatever you feel comfortable doing.  If you need some ideas - Enterprise Nation holds virtual meetups all over the UK and in Ireland and they're free to join.  Check them out here. (I host the Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire event every month, and you're more than welcome to come along, whether you live in the area, or not). Or check out the Creative Slurp Accountability Club - a monthly meeting for small business owners to review and reflect on what's working in their business and set goals, alongside other awesome business owners. Click here to find out more.
• Get down and messy - Again, another cliche, but to make an omelette ( or a batch of buckwheat crepes - my current pancake fave), you've got to break eggs! Anything you create, whether it's artwork or business, will have a lot of failed attempts, and all-round messiness behind it. If you're stuck waiting for perfect idea, the perfect product or the perfect moment.. you won't get anywhere and you'll be in that rut forever. You need to be prepared to get your hands dirty and break a few eggs to get some clarity. Get going, and you'll quickly get a lot clearer on what you need to do. Stay in procrastination-ville, and you'll still be in that rut by next year.

Give those ideas a whirl, and let me know how you get on.  My email is victoria@thevictoriabrown.com and I'd love to hear how you get on! 

Find out more about Creative Slurp and what I offer small business owners here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

When the going gets tough do you a) Curl up in a ball under the duvet or b) Put yourself out there even more?

In this episode of Creative Slurp Podcast meet Rosie Davies-Smith - founder of PR Dispatch - she believes that to survive a recession we should all be making our businesses even more visible, using the power of PR.

Find out about Rosie’s business journey from budding textile designer to PR guru and how she overcame problems with postnatal insomnia. Plus fill your glasses with some juicy PR tips you can use in your business. Enjoy!

Find out more about PR Dispatch and what they do here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Ever felt your product photos might be holding you back? Upping the quality of your product photos can be a game changer. In this episode of Creative Slurp Podcast, top product photographer, Holly Booth gives oodles of top practical tips on how to create great product shots.   She also tells us the story of her own creative business - find out how listening to customers, being part of communities and not being afraid to innovate has helped her succeed in business.  This episode is a masterclass in discovering your own niche and how to serve your customers in your own way.

Find out more about Holly and what she does here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Have you ever felt you’re going around in circles, and not learning from your mistakes?

Do you feel stuck, and you know you’re not getting anywhere?

Reflective learning could be the answer - a proven way to dig deep, to learn in a deeper way and find solutions to your trickiest problems.  

Find out how in this week's episode of Creative Slurp Podcast.

In case you need a reminder, here are the reflective journal prompts mentioned in the episode:

• What did I learn from today?
• Did it add or reinforce what I already know?
• What did I gain from this activity / event?
• How might that help me in the future?
• What might I do differently in the future?

To get help starting your reflective practice, why not join our monthly Accountability Club? I'll walk you through the process of reflection every month, alongside other like-minded business owners, and if it's not for you, you can cancel at any time.

Find out more and join the club here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Have you ever wondered how to make your business stand out from the crowd, but still do what you love?

You’ll love this episode’s guest.  Lucie Sheridan created her business, Rubbish portraits because she wanted to create some consistent income from being an artist. So she created a ‘portrait booth’, from where she draws guests in just three minutes at events.

As well as giving people a fun and easy way to pay for her artwork, it's also has worked as a brilliant marketing tool - creating a memorable brand around her.

In this episode, find out Lucie’s top tips for making it as an artist, and why she’d never give up her mundane admin job! Enjoy :-)

Find out more about Lucie and Rubbish Portraits here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Can a pen and a scrap of paper change your life?

Alison Jones thinks so.  Over 30 years in the publishing industry she’s helped hundreds of authors to publish their books and knows a bit about getting your story down on paper.  And she’s also just published her own book - which shows you how to use the power of writing to help you solve problems and transform your life.  

She believes exploratory writing is a simple but much-overlooked tool that could get you extraordinary results in the areas of self-mastery, creativity, focus, solution finding and collaboration. 

Alison is the founder of Practical Inspiration Publishing and to find out more you can check out her publishing website here or buy her book here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

If you're serious about making 2023 your best year ever, you need to get savvy and find a way of becoming as productive as you can.  Learning some great productivity techniques (as well as about yourself) will help you achieve more and stress less in the coming year.  

In this episode, I take you through 12 proven productivity techniques that will spur you into action and have helped me achieve so much over the last few years.  This isn't about being perfect, it's about being a bit better and using the tools in a way that fits you.  I hope you find one or two useful tools that you can use to help move the needle in your business.

If you want to learn more about productivity, and how to get more done in your business, you can get my Creative's Productivity Toolbox here.

Or you can join my new Accountability Club - just drop me an email here to ask for the details.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Poppy Treffry is an award-winning Cornish textile designer that started her business in an attic with a 1930’s sewing machine and car boot sale fabric in 2003 and now has a well-established business employing an army of sewers across rural cornwall.  When she started using freehand machine embroidery, it wasn't even a thing, and now you see it everywhere - so she really was a trailblazer! 

I really enjoyed our chat and Poppy’s obvious passion, not just for craft, but also business. I can’t wait to share her story with you, as well as tell you how her customers came to the rescue during the pandemic.  This is a lesson in following your gut and going for it - enjoy!

You can find out more about Poppy here: https://poppytreffry.co.uk/

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Social media can be so overwhelming when you start a business - which channels to use? What to post? How to actually get results? Should you use paid ads? And what's actually the blinkin' point anyway?

So, in this podcast I've put together my top 7 golden rules of social media, to make sure you get the benefits of socials, without it sucking the life out of you.  These rules will teach you to understand the role of social media in your overall marketing plan and get the most out of it, whatever you sell.

I've also created a handy-andy FREE downloadable checklist and guide, to make it super easy to implement these golden rules - just go along to thevictoriabrown.com/social to grab your copy.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Krystle McGilvery - Chartered Accountant and Fine Artist - she’s passionate about helping people overcome the  mindset blocks they have about managing their money and giving business owners the financial tools they need to survive and thrive.  

In this conversation, we talk about practical and simple ways business owners can make managing their finances easier and Krystle’s experience of being diagnosed with both ADHD and Dyslexia late in life. This is such a great listen if you’ve ever struggled with money in life or business, and Krystle is living proof that you can be good at both finance and art! Enjoy.

Find out more about Krystle on her website here. 

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Introducing the wondrous Lisa Stickley - a creative who's wonderfully authentic and true to herself. She’s an illustrator who delightfully describes herself as a professional colourer-inner.  She’s had so much business success - being stocked in household names like Harrods, Liberty, Paul Smith and Burberry, amongst others.  She’s so generous in sharing her experience of when it all went wrong and she walked away from her business and name.  She also talks about how she was affected by her dyslexia diagnosis as an adult and losing her Mum during lockdown.

We talk about imposter syndrome, the importance of tenacity in business andbeing true to yourself. And she also talks about her love for lidos! I just loved her honesty and humour despite everything that has happened and think you’re going to love listening to this…enjoy!

Find out more about Lisa and sign up for her Doodle classes at her website: https://lisastickleystudio.com/

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Do you feel stuck in a rut? When was the last time you did something a bit out of your comfort zone?

It may be that you just need to make a few bold moves in business, and in life to try to change things up a bit.

I recently realised I was playing too safe, and decided to be braver. 

Here are three ways I became braver and how it transformed by business and personal life.  It could transform yours too.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Are you REALLY satisfied in your Creative career?
Are you doing the thing you always really wanted to do, or are you compromising somehow?

Kerry Lyons is a Creative Business Coach - her goal is to help everyone find their 'true creative calling' - because in her experience, many creatives end up in other creative roles that aren’t quite the perfect fit for them. 

In this episode, she tells her story and gives tips on how to get back on the right creative track if you’re finding yourself unfulfilled. 

As a creative myself, I found this whole topic fascinating and I hope you do too...

To find out more about Kerry, check out her website here.

And if you want to book onto a Pick and Mix Workshop with Victoria Brown, you can find out more here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Ever felt so frustrated with your website that you want to jack it all in and start again?

If you’re getting no visitors and your SEO seems broken, then it can be frustrating, but don’t give up just yet.

According to my guest today - the amazing Aime Cox-Tennant from Studio Cotton, there ARE things you can do to make your website better - even if you do want to chuck your laptop out of the window.

In this week’s episode, Aime talks about her lovely business journey, gives loads of great website tips and talks about the power of storytelling in your business.

You can find out more about Aime and Studio Cotton here.

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 And if you want to book onto a Pick and Mix Workshop with Victoria Brown, you can find out more here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Have you ever been told to use 'storytelling' and 'stories' in your marketing, but no one's actually told you HOW?

This episode demystifies the art of storytelling in social media, emails and websites, to show you the three different types of stories you should be telling to help you sell more in your business.  Three types of stories you should be using:

• Desirability stories - stories that show why your product is so individual and incredible.
• Connection stories - stories that help show you as a real person and build a connection with your audience
• Authority stories - stories that show you as an authority/expert and that build trust.

Enjoy! To find out more about storytelling, check out my PIck and Mix 'Stories that Sell' Workshop, on Weds 12 October.

Click here to browse workshops.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Don't just leave it to chance! Did you know there are things you could be doing RIGHT NOW, to help boost your sales this Christmas?

In this short episode, I go through the 3 key things you should be thinking about to have a bumper Christmas period, and how to put them into action:

• Step up your email campaign
• Have a strategy for fairs you attend
• Make sure you are offering the right products (and have enough stock!)

Enjoy and happy festive greetings!  If you want help with any of this, then I offer power hours on these subjects, where we can create a personalised plan just for you.  Just drop me a line here for more details.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Caroline Rowland - editor of the amazing independent and award-winning 91 magazine - a gorgeous publication focused on interiors and creativity. Find out how Caroline ended up publishing her own magazine, after growing up in Northern Ireland and working as a picture editor for the Financial Times. We chat about having a career in publishing and how to make sure you have great images for your business. 

Caroline is completely passionate about the power of high quality imagery for your business, and has some amazing tips to help you up-level your images.

Find out more about 91 Magazine and order your copy here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Ever wondered what it's really like to be a freelance artist and illustrator?  Michelle Abrahall spills the beans and gives her top tips on avoiding imposter syndrome, keeping accountable as a creative and talks about how lockdown changed her business. 

Listen now for the real talk on what it's like to be a creative in such an unpredictable world.

Find out more about Michelle and see her amazing website here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Have you ever wondered whether you should mentor someone else? Maybe you don't think you have the time to help someone right now, and maybe you don't realise all the wonderful benefits you can get yourself, as a mentor.

In this episode of Creative Slurp I talk about my journey as a mentor - from sceptic to supporter, the five BIG benefits to becoming a mentor for you and your business and the common myths around mentorship.

And for a limited time, Enterprise Nation, in association with the UK Government and The Association of Business Mentors are offering FREE mentor training as part of their Help to Grow Management Scheme. Click here to apply.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Have you ever wondered how a pineapple grows? Or why most watering cans are really boring? Artist and Surface Designer, Julie-Anne Pugh has! Now known for her colourful hand-painted watering cans, in this episode we chat about the importance of curiosity, human connection and joy.  And she tells me all about her amazing art installations, giving away eggs during lockdown and painting her doorstep with uplifting messages. Learn more about Julie-Anne (including why she wants to be on Blue Peter, in this episode!

You can find out more about Julie-Anne at her Instagram account here.

Or her website here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Have you ever suffered from imposter syndrome? Did it stop you doing something you really wanted to do, but were too scared/didn't think you were good enough to try?

Hands up - I have! And so many times. But now I'm so much more aware of it than I used to be, I've come up with different ways to deal with it, so that it doesn't stop me from progressing my business and my dreams.

Here are my 5 steps to overcoming imposter syndrome so you can walk the path of your wildest dreams...

1. Awareness - firstly you need to be aware of any limiting beliefs you tell yourself - pay attention to what you're telling yourself and journal regularly to try to access those beliefs more easily.
2. Negate those limiting beliefs with logic and understanding. Those beliefs are there for a reason, they're there to keep you safe.  But if you can help that part of you understand that those beliefs are actually not needed and are not that helpful, you can start to overcome them.
3. Harness the power of community - Everyone has imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs holding them back. Join a community of like-minded people to share your thoughts and you'll start to realise it's nothing to do with your abilities - it's down to the stories we all tell ourselves.
4. Carry out visualisation meditations regularly - when we start regularly visualising our goals and dreams, they become normal. So when you come across these situations in real life, the whole thing feels less scary.
5. Take action.  The most effective way to overcome imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs is to take action. When you actually do the things your mind is telling you you can't, it's impossible to still hold onto those limiting beliefs. And you realise you actually can do them, as you've already experienced them.

These are all things that have really helped me every time I come up against imposter syndrome or my limiting beliefs flare up, and I hope they'll help you too.  As the only way we can ever grow is to experience new things and challenge ourselves.  Good luck, you can do it.  Let me know how you get on with these techniques.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Can you imagine moving to a completely different country with hardly any money, not speaking the language and needing to find work?

That's what happened to Vania Soucy. She arrived in New York, from Brazil, without being able to speak English that well and not knowing what she would do for work. With a background in sewing, she realised she could buy bags of second-hand clothes cheaply and upcycle them to sell on.  

Before long she got really good at it and created a successful business. Now she's teaching others to do the same, and help save the planet by recycling clothes with her online sewing school - Wardrobe School.  Listen to this episode of Creative Slurp to find out what kept her going and how she did it.

You can find out more about Vania and her mission on her Instagram account here. 

And her website here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

If you're a regular listener to this show, you'll know that at the end of June I set myself a challenge - to draw or paint for 30 days.

Now, if you're an artist (or even if you're not) you may think this is no big deal. But...for me, it was.

Even as a creative I had been telling myself for 25 years that I couldn't draw or paint, and would even feel like an imposter walking down the art aisle in the craft store.  I decided a few weeks ago that enough was enough. I needed to address this limiting belief that was slowly oozing its toxicity into my mind and normalise drawing and painting for myself.

In this episode find out what I learned about drawing and painting, but mostly what I learned about myself and why I love 30-day challenges so much for overturning limiting beliefs.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Ever wondered what it takes to build a brand from your kitchen table? Emma Tucker, Co-Founder of Modo Creative does.  She and her husband, Andrew, set up their business around 15 years ago (at the same time as a complete lifestyle change, as they moved from London to Yorkshire).  They are now regularly featured in the media, a staple of Not On The High Street, and are sold in major High Street shops like John Lewis (winning awards along the way). 

Find out Emma's top tips on how to build a  creative brand with longevity and how they survived tough times during the pandemic.

Follow Modo Creative on Instagram here.

Check out their website here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Do you miss that 'fresh new book' time at the start of September, now you're no longer at school?

Why not create your own summer reset? Use the quiet time over the summer holidays to look back at your business to see what's worked, and remind yourself of those amazing business dreams that drifted off somewhere!

1. You need to download - everything that worked, and everything that didn't. Think about both the successes for your businesses in terms of numbers, but also how things made you feel.

2. Spend some time on dreaming.  Not enough of us do this, and it's so easy to forget in the rush of life, but spending just a bit of time intentionally dreaming will help you remember why you started your business in the first place and realign you with your passion.

3. Think about how you can be intentional about bringing creativity into your life every day - we all know that time for yourself gets brushed under the carpet when you're busy.  So spend some time over the summer, when it's quiet, to work out how you can carve out some of that all-important creative time to feed your creative juices - and how you can make it easy to stick to.

So that's my summer reset -  You can find more ideas on how to implement this and get recharged for the 'new year' if you listen to this episode.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Fuel bills are going up, grocery bills are rocketing, inflation is high. Whether or not we're heading for a recession, times are tricky for us all right now - and they're even more tricky for a business owner, when you're being squeezed on both sides.  

So what can you do?

In this episode, I go through my 3-step G E T  plan to follow when times are tough and you don't know what to do.

Here's a summary:

G - Gather information about which products are selling well and what your customers actually want.

E - Engage - with your customers - keep the conversation going with them, even when you don't feel like it.

T - Take action - create a mini-action plan centred around the information you found out when you 'gathered it' earlier.  Chuck out the stuff that's not been working for you, launch things that you know will.  And declutter. Lots.

Tough times and recessions are great times to take a look back at your business to see what's no longer working and what might work even better.

You can do this!

A huge good luck - and if you want to hear more about the GET plan - drop me a line and let me know, as I can create more resources around it.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

How often do you stop and really think about the small stories that make up the fabric of your life? We're all so busy these days, it's so easy to forget! Laura Pashby (@circleofpine) is on a mission to help people rediscover the lost art of telling small stories - we chat about how to create a storytelling practice, how it can benefit your other artistic disciplines, the best way to deal with Instagram changes and being true to yourself. Enjoy!

You can find Laura on Instagram here.

And find out more about her inspiring book here.

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to take part in a TV show, like The Great British Sewing Bee?  This week we talk to Lauren Guthrie - one of the first-ever contestants.  She's now taken her love of sewing to new heights by creating a successful sewing and haberdashery business! She tells us why she believes more of us should try new things and talks about the tricky balance between home life and business.

Find out more about Lauren at: https://guthrie-ghani.co.uk/

Or follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/guthrieghani/

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

So you've heard about how brilliant blogs can be, but how do you start one?  Here are my top tips for getting started on creating a brilliant blog - which will grow your audience and your business.

Here's a reminder of what I go through on the podcast (and some handy links):

1. Get clear on your mission

2. Set up a platform - use your existing platform if you already have a website.  If you haven't got a website yet, then I recommend setting up a Wordpress blog.  You'll need 3 things - a domain (you can buy these at GoDaddy.com), download your site software for free at Wordpress.org here.  And you'll also need a site host - I use SiteGround, which is amazing.  Dr Andy Williams' book: 'Wordpress for beginners'  is brilliant! You can get it here (he releases a new edition every year).

3. Commit to when you're going to post

4. Brainstorm ideas beforehand - try and think about what your customers already ask you, or what they might need/like to know.

5. Batch and schedule. Blogging takes less time if you write as many posts as you can when you're in the mood and then schedule them to go out regularly.  For example, even if you blog weekly, you only need to spend one day a month writing blog posts and then you can schedule them in for the whole month.  Giving you headspace for other things!

Enjoy starting your blog, and if you need any help, drop me a line at victoria@thevictoriabrown.com 

Story Slurp is hosted and produced by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.