This episode is the final part of my special Brand Story Masterclass dedicated to getting your brand story written once and for all and giving you the confidence and know-how to get out there and tell it.

If you get your brand story straight, you'll have a whole heap of content ready to go. It's perfect for your website - a refreshing change to an About Me page. Check out Lucy and Yak for a great - and highly creative - example.

Your values also hold exciting content to show others what the experience of working with you or buying your products would look and feel like them. Bring this to live on your website or social media. Oatly is bloomin' brilliant at this.

But beyond just your website or social media bio, where else can you use your story?

• Introducing yourself at a networking group. No more scrabbling around for the right words to say; your brand story drips effortlessly off your tongue.
• Entering your brilliant self for an award or pitching yourself to journalists or investors? Your brand story makes for a much more interesting that'll catch their eye and make you more memorable.
• Sharing real-life stories of when you went above and beyond to help someone. Or when you responded to a social, political or environmental issue that's part of your story that highlights your values.
• Bringing your vision to life creatively by painting a picture with words of your future-inspired world.
• Sharing your journey and how you ended up doing what you're doing now. Don't forget to include what you learned along the way (good and bad) and how this helps you now solve your customer's problems.

If you'd like more ideas, grab a copy of my workbook - How to tell Business Stories, which includes ten story templates you can customise and make your own.

Do you want to continue the conversation or get extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

The brilliant Suzi @story_publishing produces this podcast.

Ok, this is simple. We, as people, look to work with others or buy from brands that share the same values. If you don't talk about your values, how will we ever know what you stand for? It sounds like a lost opportunity to me…

As a brand, your values are the principles that guide you in everything you do. And, if you have people working for you or plan to bring them on board in the future, they also suggest what you expect from others.

Here are my top tips for thinking about your values.

1. Be true to yourself. Don't say what you think others want to or expect to hear.
2. Don't discuss a value, like sustainability or diversity, just because you see everyone else doing it. It will trip you up in the future.
3. Dig deeper beyond the obvious. Being honest, transparent, fun or working with integrity are all fine, but what do those words mean to you personally?
4. Think about how you can say what you mean with different, more creative words in line with your brand style. You can have fun with it too.
5. Don't forget to tell your audience what these values mean to do them. How do they impact the experience of working with you, and how do they 'add value' (excuse the pun) to their sense of right and wrong?

Do you want to continue the conversation or get extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

The brilliant Suzi @story_publishing produces this podcast.

Being a female business owner, you can sometimes feel like you’re a square peg in a round hole. But when you find others just like you, that changes everything. Suddenly, you're not alone in your journey; you're part of a collective force, each with your own unique experiences and stories.

So, how do you spot when a group of people are right for you? Here are 5 green flags to look out for:

1. You feel energised, not drained, after spending time with them
2. There’s a genuine exchange of support and ideas
3. They celebrate your victories as much as you do
4. You can be vulnerable without judgement
5. They inspire you to grow and evolve

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5-Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

I work on a lot of brand stories for small and independent brands. You would be surprised how many business owners realise, when prodded a little by me, that their ideal customer is actually themselves. Perfect - you’ve got the ideal insight into what your customers are struggling with, how they see the world etc, because it’s you (word of warning - do test your views once in a while, they may be similar but assumption is never a good thing)

But what happens when you’re selling to an audience unlike yourself?

Even if we can’t truthfully identify with our audience, maybe you sell predominately to a different gender, different ages or people who come from a very different culture to you, we can take the time to understand them by inviting them to share their stories and more importantly, by listening to them. 

Because you never know where you will find the connections, things in common, similar world views, value or ethics. And once you do, these are the areas you can use to build stronger, more trusted relationships based on shared experiences, fears, hopes and dreams. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Welcome to this special Everyday Storyteller Masterclass series, 5 short episodes designed to help you take the theory of storytelling and put it into action by writing your own stories. 

In this episode, I share a few of the big storytelling mistakes I've made so you don't have and give you a load of tips for telling a brilliant story.

To help you even further, I’ve also created a FREE workbook to accompany the series which you can download here: 

Want to get some extra 1:1 support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Welcome to this special Everyday Storyteller Masterclass series, 5 short episodes designed to help you take the theory of storytelling and put it into action by writing your own stories. 

When it comes to storytelling, structure really is your best friend. In this episode, I take you through a standardised structure (the exact one I use) and how to make it your own when writing and telling your business stories.

To help you even further, I’ve also created a FREE workbook to accompany the series which you can download here: 

Want to get some extra 1:1 support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Welcome to this special Everyday Storyteller Masterclass series, 5 short episodes designed to help you take the theory of storytelling and put it into action by writing your own stories. 

Are words really all that are needed to turn a dull story into a compelling one? In this episode, we'll take the bare bones of your story and explore different techniques for making your words sparkle and shine, like adding drama and emotion.

To help you even further, I’ve also created a FREE workbook to accompany the series which you can download here: 

Want to get some extra 1:1 support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Welcome to this special Everyday Storyteller Masterclass series, 5 short episodes designed to help you take the theory of storytelling and put it into action by writing your own stories. 

Good storytelling is always about substance over style. In this episode, we'll walk through the different questions you need to ask yourself about the story you're writing to make sure it's packed full of all the interesting things your audience will want to hear most about.

To help you even further, I’ve also created a FREE workbook to accompany the series which you can download here: 

Want some extra 1:1 support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Welcome to this special Everyday Storyteller Masterclass designed to help you take the theory of storytelling and put it into action by writing your own stories. 

Over this, and the next four episodes, I will be showing you what makes up a compelling story and how to structure one in a way that works for you and your business. 

To help you even further, I’ve also created a FREE workbook to accompany the series which you can download here: 

Want to get some extra 1:1 support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Ok, for many of you this might be the thing of nightmares (it is for me!) but imagine for a moment that you’re stood up in front of the Dragon’s trying to persuade Deborah, Steven or Peter to invest in your business idea. All eyes are on you, beads of sweat drip down your face and you just know you’re blushing. What do you do? Baffle them with loads of numbers in the hope it’ll make you sound clever. Or do you tell them a story and win over their hearts and minds? 

In this episode we explore how to use emotion when pitching your ideas and the different stories 

you could you tell to fire up the heart winning chemicals in your ideal client’s brain. 

Want to get ready for next week's masterclass - How To Write Your Story? Download your FREE workbook now and tune in to the next 5 episodes. https://mailchi.mp/22-stories/everydaystorytellermasterclass

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

If every story you tell, about your experiences, the experiences of your customers, the things you care most about is positive and all you ever do is paint a rosy picture, before long people will stop believing you. Why? Because we know that’s not the reality. And it’s fine. We can take it. 

We know that not everything is perfect because we experience this in our own lives every day. So stop kidding us that there is some state of nirvana just waiting out there for us if only we did the thing or bought the widget. We want to buy from real people telling real stories that fit with the way we see the world. 

In this episode I invite you to think about your own vulnerability and how sharing a little bit of it may just be the thing you need to build solid, trusted relationships with your customers. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

Recently I was invited to be a guest on another podcast. I thought it was a joke at first. Maybe the host was drunk. After all, he’d had Simon Sinek (Story of Why) on his show, why on earth would he want little old me? 

But he did. And I learnt something pretty major as a result - that being an expert at something isn’t about how big your audience is. How many YouTube hits you’ve got. How many best selling novels with your name on it are in Waterstones. For me, and maybe you, it’s enough to know that being an expert is about making a difference to the one person who, in that moment, needs it the most.

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Welcome to Season 2 - and the 100th episode of The Everyday Storyteller!

Cor blimey, I’ve only gone and published 100 episodes!!

Since launching this show in November 2022, I’ve had lots of people asking me what it’s like to run a podcast. In particular what it’s like to run a daily show. 

In this episode I share the highs and lows and why just ‘doing the thing’ was the best move I made. 

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

How many times how you found yourself stuck to the same script in your business? Saying the things you think you should instead of sharing your unique story. 

I get it. We stick to the script because it feels safe but what if there’s more power in breaking free? Instead of same old, same old, consider this: your story is your strength. Break free and share what makes you, your journey and your business special. 

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5-Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is am I allowed to tell my story?

Ok, so obviously, there are no laws in place around who can tell their story. Yet, there does seem to be something unwritten which dictates, in your mind, whether or not you can tell your story.

Today I delve into the barriers we all create for ourselves when it comes to sharing our personal story.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how they can make sure their voice matters too. So please, don’t forget to leave one.

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Don't be afraid of your voice. It is one of your greatest gifts, so don't squander it pretending to be someone you are not. If people don't like what they hear – go and seek out those that do – they are your people.

For some of you, speaking with clarity and confidence in your voice may come naturally (and massive high fives if it does), but I know from experience that it's not always easy. So where do you start when it comes to developing your voice?

Begin by asking yourself why you do what you do. Every business has a story, and by turning the context of what your company stands for into marketing messaging - you can connect more closely with your customers by engaging with their own emotional needs, wants and world views.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

The average human attention span is now allegedly, just 8 seconds. That’s less than a goldfish…

We live in an incredible noisy world which, if you’re trying to be heard, leaves you in a bit of a quandary. Telling stories help you cut through the chatter to make others listen, and remember, what you have to say.

In this episode I share three ideas of how to use your story.

1. Start with what you know; your story. Why you do what you do and what this means to the people you are trying to engage with
2. Use the words of others to tell your success stories and help show people why they simply cannot afford not to work with you
3. Use stories to share your values, your vision and your purpose so your audience can see how well you align to their own ethos, helping them make a more informed choice.

Keep it short. Keep it simple. Make your stories about your audience. And have some fun

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Where do you find the best stories to tell? A great place to start is asking those you’ve helped.

In this episode I look at ways in which you can get other people, like your customers, colleagues or collaborators to tell you story for you.

Here are 5 things to consider when doing this:

1. A simple quote goes a long way - don't be afraid to ask for a testimonial or use a quick online survey to make it super simple for customers. You’re not asking for War and Peace.
2. Share any mention they make of you on your own social feeds and thank them for it. For a great example of someone who does this brilliantly, check out Lucy and Yak on Instagram.
3. Ask them if they would mind recording a short video and send them a treat for doing so! It's good publicity for them too!
4. If it's a real success story you're proud of, spend the time to write it up into a case study story you can share on your website or as part of your pitch deck
5. One final thing - social media is a great platform for collaboration - why not invite a happy customer to do a joint LIVE on Instagram or get them to drop into a webinar or course you're running to share their experiences.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

If you’re a business owner, it won’t come as a surprise that crafting your brand story can really help you focus and grow, connecting your customers to who you are and what you stand for. But what if you work for someone else? It’s easy to assume you don’t need a brand story.

I’m here, in this episode, to try and persuade you otherwise.

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how they can make sure their voice matters too. So please, don’t forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

I’m all for demystifying storytelling. Changing the narrative, if you excuse the pun, and making learning to tell your story much more accessible and a lot less daunting. It’s one of the reasons why I started this podcast and what motivates me to keep going. So strap yourself in, as I tackle one of the biggest misconceptions about storytelling.

1. Storytelling can only be used when being really creative or “fun”.  It’s not for corporate marketing or serious issues.

Wrong. Storytelling is a way to get your message not only heard but embedded in the hearts and minds of your audience. Charities such a Mind and Crisis are great examples of organisations that have really mastered this.

2. A story has to start with ‘once upon a time’ and end with ‘and then they lived happily ever after.’

Not all stories are fairy tales. Stories are a great way to start serious conversations and can humanise subjects that are other wise hard to talk about. Check out Humans of New York or Humans of Covid 19 for incredible examples of this.

3.  Storytelling can only be used for nice ‘lifestyle-type’ products.

Codswallop. Just take a look at the Maersk instagram account if you want to see a real-life example of this; compelling storytelling about shipping containers, who’d have thunk it?

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

We all have our individual strengths and weaknesses and not everyone is a naturally talented writer. But we DO all have storytelling in us.

In this episode, I show you different ways to tell your story is writing really isn’t your thing - think photos, infographics, hand drawn doodles. Or, just go back to basics and talk to the camera.

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how they can make sure their voice matters too. So please, don’t forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

The most compelling stories swing between negative and positive emotions. This helps create a sense of conflict, excitement, satisfaction and resolution and prevents your audience from nodding off half way through.

In this episode I explore how using the ups and downs of life help you create more emotionally powerful stories that not only hook in your audience but keep their interest right to the end.

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how they can make sure their voice matters too. So please, don’t forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

It’s all in the mind. If you think about storytelling as the icing on your cake, it will feel less of an uphill struggle and more of a gentle meander to a place you really want to visit. Here are 3 tips to help you sprinkle a few stories here and there: Talk directly to your audience and the needs you know they have. This will make them feel seen and heard. If you don’t know who your audience are or what they need - do this, quick stat. Use a really simple storytelling structure - like once upon a time - or even re-write a popular story like a fairy tale or a movie you’ve watched at the weekend as if you’re customer was the main character…and you were a Yoda-type character guiding them on their journey. Think about the words you use and trying adding in some more emotional or sensory words, describe how things feel, taste, sound, smell as well as just the obvious descriptors to help your audience create a mental picture. For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time. 5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how they can make sure their voice matters too. So please, don’t forget to leave one. Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? Find me: On Instagram: @22storiesandme On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman Online: www.22-stories.com This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

You ARE already a storyteller - you just need to find the stories. Plot spoiler. They’re everywhere.

• They’re in your personal journey, how you set up your business, and the mission you’re on now.
• They’re in the experiences of your customers working with you and how you’ve impacted their life.
• They’re in the people you work with, your teams, those you collaborate with, your community or tribe.
• And they’re in the world around us; the things you see and feel, your sense of purpose, your desire to change and make a difference, the causes you follow and the beliefs you hold.

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how they can make sure their voice matters too. So please, don’t forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

If you’ve ever felt a little stuck when it comes to storytelling for your business, today I’ve got a game changer for you - customer success stories. 

Every time you share a story talking about how you’ve helped a customer, you’re achieving three incredible things:

1. You’re building unbeatable credibility
2. You’re reinforcing your relationship with your customers
3. You’re reducing the fear factor for potential customers by showing them what it’s like working with you / buying your product. 

And when you do all this in story form, you’re not just informative, your memorable and impactful too. What more could you want when building your business? 

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5-Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

You know that warm squishy feeling you get when you're doing something you know is really right for you? Or you make a decision and your heart literally skips with joy? All of that comes from a part of your brain called the Limbic system.

In this episode, I’m going to show you how you can tap into your customer’s Limbic brain with your storytelling by thinking about what you actually need your story to do for you.

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how they can make sure their voice matters too. So please, don’t forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

How do you know what stories your audience want or need to hear? It’s time to dig deep and understand what’s really going on with them.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself about your audience - each answer is a potential story to tell.

• What makes them happy?
• What keeps them awake at night?
• What is their greatest fear?
• What problem do they need to solve and what will their life look and feel like once they’ve done that?
• What do they hope to gain from seeking a solution and what barriers might they have to doing this?
• What are their goals?
• What experience excites them the most?

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Sharing successes, getting creative with what you offer, providing a sneak peek into why you’re so damn into what you do, there are so many ways in which stories can help connect you to your audience and get them to act in the way you need them do. But how do you take content and make it sizzle in a way that others will sit up and listen?

Here’s five ways to turn the blah to brilliant:

1. Use an instantly recognisable story structure to tell your audience they’re in for something exciting. 
2. Get emosh. Use descriptive language to talk about how something makes you, your customers, your community feel, to inspire others that they could feel the same. 
3. Use WOW words. Grab attention with words others wouldn’t expect. Let your personality shine through your choice of language. But make it authentic.
4. Sharing is caring. Pepper your content with real-life experiences; positive and negative and what you’ve learned from the to build respect and credibility
5. Bring your audience into the action; weave their experiences into your content, capture their stories and share on social - it’s ready made authentic story content!

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how they can make sure their voice matters too. So please, don’t forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

When was the last time you shared the ‘you’ of your brand in a social media post, presentation or even an informal chat? Struggling to remember? Shuddering at the thought of it? 

Take a listen to this episode and we’ll see if we can change that.

Stuck for ideas for your content? How about trying these?

1. Sharing something you love and something you hate 
2. Talking about your first ever job and inviting others to share their stories
3. The most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you and how you dealt with it
4. A hobby or passion that’s outside your work; focus on why you do it and how it makes you feel

It doesn’t have to be your darkest secrets by the way - just a little insight to show the world who you really are.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Just starting out in business and got no customer stories or testimonials to share? Fret not, I’ve got a plan for you.

In this episode I show you how to get creative with storytelling to craft fictional scenarios that show off what you do in the best light possible - even when you haven’t sold a thing.

Here’s how:

1. Create a fictional customer - the ideal person you would like to work with
2. Think about the problem they have (that you solve)
3. Work up a short imaginary scenario where that person is thriving as a result of working with you
4. Write / tell it in 1st person - like you’re speaking directly to that one ideal customer

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Today, I thought would take a step back and go over a few of the basics to help anyone that’s new to storytelling or looking for inspiration around how you can brand yourself better on - and offline.  And for anyone that’s being doing it a while, these are a great reminder and a time to check in. 

Number 1 - Get to know your audience. 

It sounds obvious but you’d be amazed how many small brands (and quite a few large ones too) miss this. Talking to your audience, exploring what’s going on in their world helps you understand better what they need rather than making assumptions which can often turn out to be wrong, meaning you waste time, money and effort talking about or even selling things your ideal clients don’t need or aren’t interested in. 

Number 2 - Invest the time to get your story straight.

Define your vision mission and values - using your insight from above to connect your story to the needs/wants/desires of your different personas. And look for the golden threat that connects them all.

For more guidance on writing your brand story, check out episodes 54-59 for a full blown masterclass you can tackle, as always, one day at a time. 

Number 3 - Get visible

Try and show up regularly wherever your audience hang out - both on social media and in real life is possible, like events, networking groups etc. Get creative, for example using video in your newsletter or running a podcast. Share your success stories and invite others to do the same. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Right now there are people trying to dictate our country’s narrative. What can and can’t be said, in the ‘public interest’ whilst the same voices turn a blind eye to corruption happening right in front of them, their inflammatory words fuelling a fire we never thought would burn again in this country. It’s fundamentally wrong. And it sucks. 

Today I am dedicating this episode to freedom of speech and our right to speak out when we see something that’s so very very wrong.

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

We consume over 100,000 words a day. Every which way we look, someone or something is vying for our attention. So how do you cut through all the clutter and get the people you want to listen to what you have to say.?

Here are my top tips for grabbing attention in your content, including emails and social media captionsP

1. Use emotional content to increase effectiveness. Even adding emojis make a difference with some brands reporting up to 56% increase in email open rates when they’ve used them.

2. Ask leading questions, posing an intriguing hypothesis or promising something so audacious are all great ways to get people to read on. But, don’t forget to provide the pay off in the first sentence or so or else your audience might not stay hooked.

3. Create urgency or FOMO (fear of missing out) with time bound offers, last chances and exclusivity. Nobody wants to be the one that doesn’t get picked for the team.

4. Offer something in return for your audience’s attention. And don’t be afraid to use the word FREE as in get my free storytelling guide (no really, you can,  click )

5. Use stories to connect with your audience and create actions - like opening your email or clicking on a link. Keep it simple but personal, for example Mary created awesome email newsletters using a very clever storyteller’s top tips and here’s how she did it…..

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Just because you’re maybe not the world’s greatest writer, doesn’t mean you can’t tell your business stories with prowess.

In fact, you’re probably telling great stories all the time when you speak with customers and chat to your friends and family. But I know that when it comes to stopping to think about your stories and write them down, it can be quite the different experience. 

So how do you get over the curse of writers block?

I share how I approach this with a ‘crappy first draft’ and give ideas for how this can help you too. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Take the time to recognise your own strengths and the power that owning your story gives you to create a life that’s right for you.  But also to inspire and give hope to other women that, no matter what you’ve been told or made to feel in the past, your story is unique to you and you have every right to tell it. Your way, your voice, your story. 

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

A lesson in getting the basics right when launching your website. 

All too often I have business owners coming to me because they’re struggling to write their website copy. So what, I hear you say, that’s not particularly unusual. I guess not, but what if I was to tell you that a high proportion of them are struggling because they don’t actually know what their business is?

So before you tie yourself up in knots trying to write your website, take a moment to breath and run through the following questions. 

1. Who are your target audience? What do they look like, what do they value, what problem do they need solving and why do they need it solving right now?

1. What is your proposition? How does what you sell or produce help your target audience solve their problem, how do you do it better than your competitors and what will life look and feel like for them as a result?

1. What is your brand story and how does this relate to your audience? Why do you do what you do, what are you trying to achieve in the long run, how are you doing this day-to-day, what do you value and why does this all make a difference to your customers?

1. What are you actually selling? Is it a physical good or service or what that actually does or makes someone feel? For example do you make children’s games or bring joy and fun into the lives of children and adults alike?

1. And finally what do you want your website to do. Is it just somewhere for prospective clients to come to and validate you are who you say you are or do you need it to generate sales for you? If the latter, how will it do that? What are your call to actions? Will you offer a free download? Can people buy directly from the site or do they need to set up a call with you. If so, can they do this via the site?

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

I used to be so fearful of getting emotional when I spoke in meetings that for years, I simply kept quiet. I would hide my true feelings - because that’s what you did in the corporate world right? Well, not any more. 

Being emotional doesn’t make me unprofessional. All the evidence of my work, the experience my customers get, the results I deliver for them, that’s enough for others to see how professional I am. Being emotional, well that just shows how much I care. That I have a heart. And that’s what I know my customers want to see. 

Today’s episode is time for you to think about how you present yourself and how you can use your emotional side to create relatable, human-focussed content that’s great for developing deep bonds with your audience. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Business storytelling is a powerful tool to engage your audience, create connections and motivate them to take action. Which, funnily enough, is exactly what your website should be doing for you. But all too often the only story I see on website is on the About Me page. 

I share 5 tips for using storytelling techniques across every page (or through any of your marketing content)

1. Stories are always about transformation. Make your customer the hero and use your website copy  to show them what that journey could look like for them, with you as their guide.
2. Be really clear and obvious who your audience are. Talk directly to them starting with your headlines message. This will help make them feel seen and heard so they will be more likely to engage with your content. 
3. Hook in your audience in with a strong headline message. Use intrigue to perk their interest and don’t leave the best message to last. It doesn’t make people want to read on!
4. Show rather than tell. Avoid listing out your benefits - use real stories to show your audience what they can do with your products and services and how they could feel as a result.
5. Get creative. Tell the stories of your products or services from giving them names, personalities and voices.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

In episode 88 I shared my secret sauce questions that you can ask your customers to get all the really juicy feedback from them.

Now with all that info in hand, it’s time to turn it into a story you can use on your website, your social media and in your presentations and proposals with my repeatable template based on Donald Millar’s StoryBrand.

• Who is your main character? What were they trying to achieve and why?
• What obstacles did they face?
• What happened when they met you?
• What did you do together to solve their problem?
• What might have happened had they not sought out your help or product?
• What did success look for them in the end?

Now, stick it all together and bosh - there’s your customer story. Try summarising the story in 1-2 lines with the outcome as the perfect hook. And don’t forget the call to action. What do you want your audience to do as a result of reading this story?

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

I share my secret sauce questions you can ask your customers to ensure you get the content you need for a GREAT testimonial.

• What triggered you to buy from me? What was life like for you before buying from me and what did you need to change?
• What was your biggest challenge and how was it impacting you? What did you fear most?
• What helped you make the decision to buy from me? What did you hope you would be able to do after working with me/ buying my product that you hadn’t t been able to do before?
• What did you enjoy most about working with me or using my products? How would you describe the experience?
• How specifically did I help you find the answers and support you needed to make a positive change?
• How has this impacted your life? What do you think/feel/do differently as a result?
• What would you tell someone else experiencing the same problems as you?

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

We are not perfect people. I am not a perfect person. We are all works in progress.

Sure you can tell a story that makes you sound like the elixir to all our problems in life (buy my course and make a million pounds in a week just like - sound familiar?) But it isn’t going to do a lot if your customer’s can’t see themselves in it.

In this episode I show you how to write a story that shows your customers you really get what’s going on with them, messy bits and all. And how you can use your experiences to demonstrate empathy not just with what they’re trying to achieve but also why it’s hard for them to get there.

If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard, I’d love it if you left a 5 star rating or review. It makes me feel loved and more importantly increases the visibility of my show so more women like you can benefit from it.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Teresa.

Today’s episode invites you to think about how you can use your voice to help lift someone up, help them feel you support and show them what type of person you are. What better way to use your voice for good?

If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard, I’d love it if you left a 5 star rating or review. It makes me feel loved and more importantly increases the visibility of my show so more women like you can benefit from it.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Unlike all the Hollywood hopefuls, my chances of winning an Oscar are pretty slim but it doesn’t stop me fantasising about what I would say if I did….

This is such a fun way to talk about your journey so far, giving a nod to those that have helped (or hindered) along the way as you’ve developed your business - and yourself.

It’s the perfect way to inject storytelling into your content and name check those that have made a difference to your story. It’s also an opportunity to share some of your less glamorous moments, all of which have made you the person you are now. The person your customers are dying to get to know more.

Hear my acceptance speech and be inspired to write your own.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Can you tell a story about something dull? The answer is definitely yes (and I’ve written plenty of them in my time!)

Whatever you’re selling - sexy or sensible, you’ll be solving a problem for someone - a real life human. And that’s where the interesting story lies.

If you’re still unconvinced, take a listen to this episode to be inspired for telling a good story about what you do (even if it is a little …hmmm… boring)

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

There is no wrong or right answer to the question of outsourcing storytelling and copywriting but one thing I am certain of, we are not super heroes. We cannot be good at everything, all of the time. There is no weakness in asking for help. In fact, it can be such a smart business move, it’s quite the opposite.

If you’re unsure about investing in someone to help you (storytelling or otherwise) here are a few questions for you to consider:

• What would it cost you to do it yourself? Your immediate thought might be ‘well nothing, it’s just me.” So break it down.
• What would it cost you in time? And what is it taking you away from?
• And what about the cost to your sanity? The stress of doing something that isn’t your main strength and isn’t the reason you got into business may actually prevent you ever launching that new course, pressing go-live on your website or starting the community group that you feel so passionate about.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

This year's International Women’s Day is all about embracing equity, wrapping our arms around a collective narrative and taking action to drive change to create an inclusive world for all - where all voices matter. 

Yes this fight needs to be more than something we just write about - but our words do matter and hold weight when used correctly. 

On this most important day, I share my ideas on how you can use your words to drive action: 

1. Celebrate the achievements of women you care about and who inspire you

2. Use your voice to share your own experiences and what these have taught you about being part of the solution, not the problem

3. Tell your story about what IWD and embracing equity means to you and what you're doing in your own sphere of influence

4. Use your stories to raise awareness of groups or movements you are part of; shared experiences unite people and shine a light onto communities that others might not be aware of

5. Speak out when you see something you know isn't right. Use your words and call it. And invite others to standard with you. We're all in this together. 

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Creatively do we ever reach a point when we’ve said it all? Maybe, maybe not. But as long as we’re experiencing things, meeting people, growing our businesses, living our lives, surely there is always a story to tell?

In this episode I challenge you to pick 5 pieces of content you’ve shared over the last year and see if you can make relevant again by applying to it something going on right now or a new experience you or maybe your customer has had. 

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5-Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

From spooky goings on in my house to our eternal quest for meaning, I explore why we love ghost stories so much and how we can apply it to our own storytelling.

And I take you through an exercise to explore what shared experiences you have with your ideal clients and what questions they are seeking answers to - the answers to which will help you tell stories that really resonate.

For women with something to say, The Everyday Storyteller is a podcast about making your voice matter, one day at a time.

5 Star ratings and reviews help other women discover the show and learn how to ensure their voice matters too. So please, don't forget to leave one.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Imagine being able to unblock whatever is holding you back from sharing your customer success stories?

If the idea of sharing case studies, testimonials and success story fills you with dread, even though you know you probably - no definitely - should be doing more of it. Or if asking your customers for a review brings on a hot sweat even though you know their really happy with what you’ve helped them with. Rest assured you’re not alone.

I take you through an exercise to switch your mindset about customer testimonials and understand all the magical things they can do for you and your business.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Don't waste your time, money and effort creating a brilliant brand story to tick a box and then doing sweet FA with it.

Here are five ways to stop your brand story from gathering dust and ensure all the hard work you put into crafting it converts into lovely new relationships and sales.

1. On your website. If you don't use your story to update your about me, you're missing a trick (it's ready-made content)
2. On your social media - take the headlines - your purpose or vision and turn them into your bio to help people understand the value of working with you at first glance.
3. When you're creating marketing content, use each element (purpose, vision, mission and values) as content pillars and create stories to bring each bit to life - don't forget to make your customer the hero, though, not you and your business!
4. When you're introducing yourself at a networking group or online event =- it's far more interesting than Hello, I'm Hilary, and I run a business teaching people to tell their story.
5. When you're entering an award or pitching yourself for PR, your brand story is a great way to differentiate yourself and create something that will get others to think and make them remember you too.

If you haven't yet started work on your brand story - or indeed, if you're not sure where or how to get started, check back for my Brand Story Masterclass - a week's worth of episodes plus a bonus extended show dedicated to showing you how to define your story and where to use it.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story?

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing