Comments on: Can You Illustrate a Simple Truth?

By: Beztar Johnson

Beztar Johnson — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:55:30 +0000

That is a good story but how did you fit 12 people into a station wagon? lol.

By: Melissa Nery

Melissa Nery — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:10:06 +0000

Your story idea would also go best with incorporating a company’s mission statement. It a great way for employees to relate to the company and have a sense of connection and meaning. Thanks!

By: SEO Software

SEO Software — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:36:49 +0000

Great advice John. I really need to get more of a story integrated into our marketing messaging. Great way to connect with people and not sound so “salesy”.

By: Kevin Dubrosky

Kevin Dubrosky — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:49:28 +0000

I’m also sad that the window cleaner link doesn’t work, as I am a niche expert on window cleaning marketing. You’re dead on about the story thing, though. Solid post. I try to tell a story as often as possible, it helps people learn, its easier to remember, and it captures attention. Thx for the reminders.

By: John Jantsch

John Jantsch — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:54:58 +0000

Testing out Facebook Connect

By: John Jantsch

John Jantsch — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:05:18 +0000

@eamon – I would agree Branson is a tremendous example of a story teller creating a brand.

By: Eamon

Eamon — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:26:26 +0000

Interesting article.

For me one of the best story tellers (or rather main protagonist in the story) is Richard Branson.

- Left school aged 16 to start up his own business.
- Founded Virgin Atlantic after being stranded on an island in the Caribbean (problems with the airline) by chartering own plane and then charging people to fly on it.
- Ballooning across the world.
- Taking on British Airways in David versus Goliath clash.

And so on.

And his brand story has helped to communicate the sort of brand values that Virgin represents: new, refreshing, vibrant and so on.

By: Katie Langston

Katie Langston — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:50:32 +0000

Okay, I love this. I used to study folklore in college and have always been deeply intrigued by the power of story. Truth is, story is perhaps our most fundamental method of connecting with each other–and when you can engage someone in your story, your life experience, you form a bond with that person that really can’t happen any other way.

When you’re selling stuff, that connection is so crucial. You want to remind your prospects that you’re a human being, show them they can trust you, like you–and get value out of giving you their money. Thanks for this awesome post.