How Service Professionals Can Market Themselves Effectively Through Storytelling
December 22, 2009 by Dr. Letitia Wright
Filed under Featured Articles, Wright Ideas
Online business owners increasingly realize the power of storytelling for website content, blogs and even teleseminars. Storytelling for business has become a hot topic.
Independent professionals increasingly use stories to promote their services. They realize that readers relate to narratives rather than straightforward essay type content because
– stories create suspense, compelling readers’ attention
– when readers pay attention and hang on for the “what next,” they’re not multitasking
– readers and listeners remember stories far longer than they remember abstract ideas.
Stories are particularly helpful for professional services such as coaching, where marketers face challenges simply explaining what the service offers. Clients often have no idea what to expect and don’t realize the value of hiring coaches, massage therapists, healers, or even certain types of psychotherapists and lawyers.
So lots of people are jumping on the story bandwagon. But that’s not enough: you need to understand how to tell your story most effectively to motivate readers to consider hiring you. For example, here is one story told my a professional (all details disguised):
“When Jane called me, her home office was a disaster. She was spending lots of time filing papers but she couldn’t find anything. After we talked, she realized that filing papers was not a good use of her time. Or maybe if she really had to file, she needed a way to make that filing become a revenue-generating opportunity.”
What’s wrong with this story?
This story is what I call a client success story. It’s got some of the ingredients, but is missing a few key pieces. How about this:
“When Jane called me, her business was stalled. As we reviewed Jane’s schedule, we realized her day disappeared around 9 AM when she took up the task she dreaded most: filing.
“I talked to Jane about her goals for the business. We discovered that Jane was overwhelmed by paper, including some papers she didn’t need to create, let alone store. I showed Jane my unique 5-step system for handling paper.
“Jane told me she felt like she gained two hours each day. We identified other tasks she could be doing that would lead more directly to revenue generation. After six months, Jane reported, her sales increased and she had three new clients.”
Business storytelling calls for an understanding of business as well as the storytelling process. Get instant access to information about using stories for your own business, with detailed examples. Download an audio file and learning guide at Story Telling For Profits. From Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., the Website Makeover Coach MakeWebsiteProfits.com.
How Service Professionals Can Market Themselves Effectively Through Storytelling
December 22, 2009 by Dr. Letitia Wright
Filed under Featured Articles, Wright Ideas
Customer Service by Shay
December 12, 2009 by Dr. Letitia Wright
Filed under Featured Articles, Wright Ideas
Because I can not be a guest or at this time send a recorded voice bite. I would like to send my advice for the blogtalk show December 3, 2009. I chose this advice because lately I been hearing and seeing Bad Customer Service in many businesses. Why, Not Sure because Customer Service is the Life Blood of any business. Last week I called to discuss a concern on one of my account. You would think, that the person would greet you with some Telephone Etiquette, WRONG! This young lady was in a bad mood from the beginning and I said to myself Shay Do your thing and show her what you Know!
First and Foremost I always wait until they pull up my account before I begin talking, this way we both are on the same page. Oh, before I call I always have my information in front of me and that way I know exact what I’m talking about. As you get older your mind does wonder…LOL
Now to make a long story short I use some of my best Telephone Business Etiquette and in hopes she would catch a hint! I think she did, because by the time I finish we were laughing and leaving with a greeting Have A nice Day!
OK Here are a few Telephone Etiquette I would like to advise for the year 2010!
1. Use proper manner when speaking with someone: The act of using the telephone and speaking someone through the phone line is so common, such that most people fail to practice proper manner when doing this familiar act.
2. Prepare yourself before the call: During your preparation, you have to specifically focus on what you need to say to avoid missing out on any information. This is specially true when making business phone calls, avoid speaking without thinking about what you are about to say.
3. Start the Conversation with the right words: You can use variety of polite greetings and introduction that will impress the person you are speaking to. But most importantly, you have to do this genuinely, Your ability to showcase a positive attitude during a phone call is first and foremost evident in your choice of language to use. Thus, choose those words correctly.
4. Speaking Clearly: Your ability to speak clearly and get your message across is important to ensure a successful communication system. Despite the advancements in communication technology, your ability to speak clearly is the most focal point in being fully understood.
5. Establishing Rapport: The more they feel comfortable speaking to you, the more interested they’d be with what you have to say. Voice toning is a nonverbal factor that reflects your personality to the person you are speaking with on the phone, as well as affect your ability to communicate effectively.
6. Listen Attentively: One of the most unethical practices one could exhibit during a phone call is failure to listen to what the other is saying on the phone line. After all, you would not want it for them to not listen to you while you are speaking.
The six practical tips I have listed above concerning the proper etiquette when speaking on the telephone, it all boils down to the golden rule. Try to treat others via phone the way you would want them to treat you. Putting forth the need to establish respect and dignity is even more important if you are making phone calls for business reasons.
I hope my six tips can help make your 2010 a Great One!
Peace & LuV,
Shay
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