The Value and How-to of Business Storytelling - Katherine Kotaw #7

The Superheroes of Marketing Podcast | Content Marketing | Lead Generation | Social Media Marketing

Storyteller, published author and CEO of Kotaw Content Marketing. Lover of polka-dots, Dr. Seuss, and all things furry.

I apologize in advance for the audio issues in the first minute or two. We are getting a new microphone - and what Katherine shares is more than worth a listen!!

Right click here to download the mp3 file to your desktop

Why Businesses Should Use Storytelling - Will it Impact Your Bottom Line?

People’s brains are chemically formed to think of businesses as people – and we are predisposed to think of them as unlikable. Storytelling makes you likable, someone we can relate to.

There is almost nothing completely unique anymore. If nothing else distinguishes you, you can compete on price, or you can have a story. Katherine has seen the latter work beautifully and quickly!! Listen for the details.

Storytelling and Engaging on Twitter – Exactly How to Do It

You can make a connection on Twitter faster than pretty much anywhere else. Try using social media outreach to find people who will be interested in your content and your products or services. We got Katherine to spill all the details about how she found people to talk to and even what kinds of tweets she sent to start making friends for the brand and take sales from $0 to $10K just from Twitter in just 30 days.

Why People Hesitate to Tell Their Stories

“That’s not very corporate!” Yeah, exactly. People don’t love corporations – they love a business with a personality. Be memorable. Trust us – there is something about you that makes you special.

30Rock references were made.

Oh, and if someone respects you less because you let your human side show (appropriately, of course), you probably don’t want to work with them!

Does Every Company Have a Story?

I thought for sure she would say yes. Well, sometimes they don’t – and that’s because they have no passion – and those businesses won’t last. There is so much duplication of everything, you MUST have a passion.

Katherine reveals why she decided to work with a MLM client.

Get to the core of your “why.” Katherine can help with that. Get excited about your story and learn how to tell it in your own voice.

Why Dr. Seuss?

Dr. Seuss is one of Katherine’s loves. We wondered why. Her explanation will have you reaching for the tissues. AND it will help you see how something so small but so meaningful can be part of a truly compelling brand story.

Where Should You Tell Your Story?

Well, since 80% of buying decisions are made before any kind of person-to-person conversation, put it out there on your website first. If you can tell your story in person, that’s great, but don’t count on always having that opportunity.

Learning to Be a Storyteller

Katherine always comes home with a story? Can you try to find the story in your day? You don’t have to be James Bond to have fantastic stories. It’s how you approach things. Find something interesting.

Storytelling and Pinterest

Pinterest gives Katherine and Kotaw Content Marketing more traffic than anything else. She doesn’t get a lot of repins, but people repin and click.

She thinks the secret is the gorgeous images her daughter creates and the way they tease the viewer to click to get the rest of the story.

They started using Pinterest as a showcase to brand the company visually. An online portfolio of sorts. You might want to follow her!

Visit Katherine // KOTAW Content Marketing's profile on Pinterest.

Counting Conversations – Not Tweets

Sometimes business owners will say, “If I could only get people in the room, I could sell them.” Well, guess what? With social media, they ARE in the room. So, talk!

No one cares what you are broadcasting if you don’t care about people and you don’t talk to them, share their content, or answer them. So, don’t ask her how many tweets a day she’s going to send out for you. If you’re not in the mood to be social, go away. If you’re just flying your flag – get off!

When you see how quickly a conversation can turn into something meaningful, you’ll be amazed at this new, glorious way to reach out to people. Katherine reminds us that you wouldn’t be amazed if you saw her doing this in a room full of people. It’s just a new medium!

When you make a person feel special or look smarter, they will remember you.

Listener Question: How Can I Tell My Story Without Boring People?

If you can’t tell your story in 30 seconds or less, you don’t know your story. With that kind of limit, your mind picks out the good stuff.