Episode 30 - Melanie Deziel, Compelling Storyteller

Melanie Deziel is the Co-Founder and VP of Marketing at The Convoy and author of the best-selling marketing and business communications books "The Content Fuel Framework: How to Generate Unlimited Story ideas.", and more recently" Prove It: Exactly How Modern Marketers Earn Trust" She is an international keynote speaker, skilled virtual presenter, and is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in native advertising and branded content.

A far cry from ice cream sampler, although she does indulge in the frozen dairy delights, just not in a professional manner; Melanie has always loved how words could compel people – to listen, to buy, or to believe. She found early on that she had a knack for doing just that, as did others. From the NYT's recruiting her as its first editor of branded content, where she wrote the native ads that won the Best Native Advertising Execution OMMA Award, to co-founding Story Fuel and becoming a speaker with a global audience - people are compelled by what Melanie has to say.

With an adventurous nature and an openness to letting the universe guide her, Melanie, early on, let things come to her; later, she started to pursue what she wanted. From the Huntington Post to the New York Times and Time In. – she learned a lot but yearned for more control. From there came her own business, a book, speaking career, and she has ridden that wave ever since.

Melanie credits her successes and fulfillment to hard work, a willingness to take risks, and the stars aligning on multiple fronts. She notes that great opportunities sometimes come from unfavorable situations. She'd had a slow burn fueling an internal fire to do more when her dad got sick. Taking time away from work to help care for him gave her clarity. She realized that she didn't miss work; conversely, they weren't missing her. It was time to branch out on her own.

That was challenging. Culturally there was, and still is, shame about not wanting to climb the ladder and get to the C-suite. Luckily for her and her extensive client and follower list, she didn't care what others thought. The passion and fun she has working with companies that share her values make getting up each morning a new adventure.

Admittedly, as much as she loves her gig, she is a bit jealous of what is available to kids today in terms of choice – both in education and careers. Impressed with how the generation coming into their career phase is embracing technology and innovation, the chances they are taking, and the resulting fruition. Melanie is also impressed with how women are stepping up, bringing their voices and whole being to the table, and asking for what they want and the attention their ideas deserve. She admittedly struggled with this early in her career and didn't have many female role models to look to, which is one of the reasons why she is so willing to help others reach their goals.

Twitter: @mdeziel

Instagram: Instagram.com/meldeziel

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melaniedeziel

Contact: https://www.storyfuel.co/contact