The Story We Tell Ourselves About Our Work

Tell better biz stories

Candice is a masterful seamstress.

She can design or alter a garment, exquisitely, to custom fit your body. Short torso, wide hips, long arms, square shoulders, thick waist, flat rear — doesn’t matter.

Nothing is a challenge for this sewing wizard.

Whatever your body type or wardrobe issue, Candice’s exceptional talents are guaranteed to solve your problem and make you look and feel like you’re donning high-end designer apparel.

Yeah, she’s THAT good.

And speedy, to boot.

She can hem a fancy schmancy prom dress in record time! Seems she’s called upon for these last-minute [sewing] emergencies every year … and she pulls through with grace.

Same goes for brides and their wedding gown emergencies. Candice has been known to show up at the church, needle and thread in hand, ready to work her wizardry and save the day.

With all the tailor-made miracles Candice produces, she has one BIG problem — her story.

The story she tells herself about her work is borderline dismal and it shows in her marketing.

When you visit her website, her blog and About Page leave the impression she’s a plain Jane who just happens to know how to run a sewing machine. Too bad, cause she’s SO much more than that!

Sadly, she’s been telling herself her work isn’t anything special; just ordinary and uninteresting.

But you and I know that’s not true.

Do you see any part of yourself in Candice? Maybe your story isn’t painting a true picture of your gifts and your worth. Maybe you’re leaving your target audience with a skewed impression.

Would you love to learn how to tell better biz stories?

I’m talking about stories that enrapture your prospective clients or customers, speak straight to the heart of their challenges, and entice them to choose you over your competition.

If that sounds like something you, your biz, and your bottom line can benefit from …

My amazing friend and colleague, Tea Silvestre Godfrey of Story Bistro, is hosting her second annual Storytelling Soiree in Portland, OR, the weekend of August 8th and 9th and I’m nudging you to attend!

Here’s the thing:

If you can’t attend in person, Tea’s got you covered. You can grab a virtual ticket and attend from anywhere — poolside, your couch, home office, kitchen table, or even your bed.

And to make this event extra sweet:

Tea is offering you, my dear reader, 25% off the ticket price when you reserve your spot before July 1st. At checkout, just use the code, MELANIEPAL25, for your exclusive discount.

I’ll be a virtual attendant this year. I was super excited about making the trip to Portland when I got the surprising news of a new California grandbaby on the way. So I’ll have my bags packed here in Arizona and be “on call” for labor coaching duty (and a long drive).

Just hope the baby waits till the Storytelling Soiree is over. It’s a one-of-a-kind event created by a one-of-a-kind storytelling genius and I can’t wait!

Scope out the details today and don’t pass on the opportunity to tell better biz stories. Those stories begin with YOU and an understanding of your primary business story type.

  • SandyMcD

    Mel, this is just such a fantastic example of how to tell a story, give a lesson and gently point people in a direction where they can get to learn more. Put together in your inimitable style, it is a great read. So hope that Candice is signing up to Story Bistro.

  • Hi Melanie,

    Great example, and one that rings so true. I wonder if it comes down to our reticence of boasting about ourselves? Not boasting in a gratuitous way (and I have a post coming about that next week), but simply showing exactly who we are and what we can do? That could be stopping us from reaching our full potential, because the public story that results is far different from the one we could be telling.

    • You have a “boasting” post coming out, Danny? Super! I’m looking forward to putting my eyes on it because I know it’s going to be a valuable read. Will it land in my inbox next Sunday?

      You’re making a really good point and, yes, I think you’re on the right track. Tooting our own horns is a challenge sometimes and it can feel a bit icky and awkward. At least for me. I never want to come across as a braggart or make myself sound like I walk on water, know what I mean? BUT I do want folks to know what makes me tick and give them reasons to pick me as their copy editor of choice. So, in essence, it’s a balancing act of sorts.

      Thanks a million for sharing your thoughts! I always love to find you here. 🙂

      • Hi Melanie,

        Hah, unfortunately not – this week’s newsletter will be the last one. After that, I’m switching over to Postmatic for both email delivery as well as the current blog comments set-up I have now. You can find out more about that move, and what it means to my weekly newsletter subscribers, here (hope it’s OK to drop link, please remove if not!):

        http://dannybrown.me/2015/06/18/making-the-full-switch-to-postmatic-what-you-need-to-know/

        I think the tooting of horns thing can also come down to ego, and the pushback we give when we see people with too much of it. I saw someone tweet earlier that ego in itself is fine, as we need a certain amount to ever get things done, or convert people to our way of thinking (for want of a better description). But too much ego is where the issues start.

        So perhaps that ties into talking about ourselves too, and wondering of we’re crossing that ego line?

        • You can drop a link here anytime you wish, Danny. Thanks!

          “Too much ego” is a real problem. I guess the question then becomes “How much is too much?” Yes, we definitely need to win people over … but we sure don’t want to turn them off by acting like we’re full of ourselves. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for your upcoming post. I bet it’s going to create a lively conversation! 😉

  • Lisa

    Melanie I would love to attend! Tea is awesome. Unfortunately I’ll be traveling during that time. Thanks for spreading the word because it really is a great opportunity for folks to dig deep and think about their business in a new, exciting way!

    • Many thanks for chiming in, Lisa! And I agree with your sentiments, BIG TIME. Tea is a rarity, isn’t she? I swear everything she touches turns to gold … and well it should. I know this year’s Soiree is going to be awesome. 🙂

      Happy travels!