Strategic Storytelling

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
Strategic Storytelling

Strategic Storytelling blends together the magic of storytelling with practical strategies for copywriting and marketing, especially creating content, branding, and planning. Forget about movies, bedtime stories, and fairy tales: Cathy Goodwin, an online strategist and published author, show you how business storytelling will directly impact your bottom line. No fairy godmothers allowed!

  1. 7 NOV

    163 Is your story a literary production, a good business story, or both?

    https://www.marketingwords.com/blog/write-copy-future-pacing/?ref=cathy_goodwin I recently came across a workshop on writing creative nonfiction. And that made me ask the question: What is the difference between creative writing and business writing?  What about a course in film script writing?  ? Of course the more writing you do, the better you get. And you'll get better a storytelling.  But sometimes we're tempted to share a story works as a creative story but doesn't work as a business story. Boundaries are blurred for big companies. They tell stories that could qualify as purely creative. Think of the Budweiser puppies or the Christmas story of an old man dining alone.  Solopreneurs do not use stories like these...and they shouldn't.  So I want to set the record straight on business vs creative...a business vs a literary story. And let's remember that memoir is more like fiction than business. This episode discusses... ...3 differences between literary fiction and business stories. ...the hidden plot in memoir  ...how the purpose of the book influences the way people read it (and specifically, the differences in reading business books vs. creative books RESOURCES: Do you want to take a creative story and translate it to business? Sign up for the Strategic Intensive and I'll help you. We can also cover marketing and storytelling topics that are holding you back.  Brand your business by telling stories - a DIY course

    18 min
  2. 31 OCT

    162 Using Personal Stories to Build An Empire: Interview with Connie Ragen Green

    Can you become an extremely successful online marketer by telling stories? Connie Ragen Green has several best-selling books and courses, as well as an international practice in business coaching. She's accomplished this goal with strong, consistent marketing and an abundance of content creation. Connie has used stories extensively, especially personal stories. She has entire books where the subject is business, but the stories are directly from her personal life. However, she doesn’t just spill her guts or (heaven forbid) share her “mess.”  Connie is extremely strategic in her use of stories and she has been extremely successful.  In this episode, I interview Connie (who I've known for a long time) to get a behind-the-scenes view of how she really makes this happen. In an informal conversation, we talked about: How Connie made the career change from teaching elementary school to entrepreneurship   How Connie used her teaching experience to incorporate stories into her marketing A funny story about one of the downsides of being a Role Model archetype Stories that Connie avoids that are just too personal   Her advice on when to censor yourself when telling stories (this is really good) Stories taken the wrong way The story behind Connie’s road trip to see customers (and her “can do” spirit) How Connie incorporated a shift to lifestyle subjects A story that could be Connie’s branding story How the world of work has changed and how these changes create incredible opportunities for ordinary people.  We do all this in just under half an hour!  Learn more about Connie: connieragengreen.com @Conniegreen on X (formerly twitter) Connie Ragen Green on Amazon to get all her books  Resources:  Cathy's website: https://CathyGoodwin.com Cathy's consulting program:  Click here to learn how to tell your own stories.

    28 min
  3. 24 OCT

    161 Does your story show the prospect's state of awareness?

    What is the stage of your client’s awareness? You may think it’s not important—but a customer stage can be like a specific niche. You target that stage of awareness. If you target the wrong stage, you lose the customer…maybe forever.   For example, when I was looking for a software company, I narrowed down my search to three companies. I knew a lot about the functions of marketing. I knew why I needed software. I just wanted a test drive. I was not just solution aware: I was product aware.   To my astonishment, the company refused to give me a test drive! They wanted to talk to me on the phone. I didn’t want to talk to anybody. I’d already got my questions answered. I just wanted to finalize my decision. That company lost me forever.    In this podcast, I illustrate with a detailed example of a resume service for career changers. When is the prospective client even aware she has a problem? When does she realize she’s got a problem with her resume, not some other aspect of a job search?    When you listen to the prospective client’s story, be sensitive to stages. Are you targeting clients who are aware they have a pain, but not aware that solutions are available? Are you targeting clients who have done all their research and are down to the wire?   That’s what this podcast explains with the detailed examples. Once you understand your prospect’s level of awareness, you can fine-tune your copy to meet the challenge.   RELATED RESOURCES:   FREE: What is your client’s story? What baggage do they bring with them? Click here for your download.      DIY VIDEO COURSE: How to nail your prospect’s story so well they think you’ve read their mind! Learn what makes a good story and how to research one. Click here to learn more.

    11 min
  4. 3 OCT

    158 Add stories to your course design: Interview with Lisa Yoder

    Want to improve your learners' experience of your course? Get them to remember your course content? Teach complex concepts in a framework that makes sense to them? When learners have a good experience, they return for more. As a marketer, that's what you're hoping for!  Course designer Lisa Yoder shows us why and how to incorporate stories into course design. Even if (like me) you already have successful courses out there, she shows us surprising ways to build your course with stories.  This episode goes a little longer than most episodes in this podcast -- and it's packed with information. I was busy taking notes myself.  You will learn: ...How university courses differ from entrepreneurial online courses ...How some courses are done better online vs. in person ...What Is course design (especially backwards design)  ...3 ways you can use stories in course design ...A surprising way to use “non-examples” to figure out a pattern ...Why it’s important to Identify your “why” as a course creator  ...Putting together the why, how, and what ...How “running analogies” can pull your course together in a meaningful way (Lisa illustrates with examples of hiking) ...A sneaky but effective way to tap into an audience's world to introduce them to a new concept (this comes after 24:00, so keep listening!) ...The role of chunking in the way we learn Books mentioned by Lisa: Understanding by Design book Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe Brain Rules (Updated): 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina  Where you can fnd Lisa: Website: https://connectedcoursedesigns.com/ Register for the free Summit-First Framework Course at: https://connectedcoursedesigns.com/summit_first_framework_free/ Email: Lisa@ConnectedCourseDesigns.com   Cathy’s course on course design: 5 steps to a profitable course Cathy's website: https://CathyGoodwin.com

    36 min

About

Strategic Storytelling blends together the magic of storytelling with practical strategies for copywriting and marketing, especially creating content, branding, and planning. Forget about movies, bedtime stories, and fairy tales: Cathy Goodwin, an online strategist and published author, show you how business storytelling will directly impact your bottom line. No fairy godmothers allowed!

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