Brainstorming

Aah, that mysterious word that conjures up so many visions. Mostly, visions of your writer doing a whole lot of nothing. Except maybe, daydreaming. Yes, sitting around looking at pictures, reading, staring off into space, doodling on notepads, and making countless cups of coffee are part of brainstorming. But realize we're not just idly wasting time. There is a method to our madness. The actual writing is last step of process. First, we need time to digest all that new information we've just crammed into our heads. Then comes concepting, sketching and arranging until finally it all gets typed into computer and becomes masterpiece that is your hard hitting, engaging sales copy.

Return on Investment

After first project, your writer will have a pretty sound knowledge of your business. As you continue working together, they will become expert. The benefits of sticking with same writer are obvious. Because they have invested research time on first project, you can simply call them up, explain job and rely on them to create copy that clearly speaks with 'voice' of your company. Not only that, but they will know how to present your features and benefits in most appealing way to your audience. And most importantly, they will free up your time so you can get back to doing what you do best. The end result? More money for everyone. Happiness. And peace of mind.

Creating something in moment is a skill to cultivate if one wants to use art of storytelling effectively. As a child I remember that at camp we used to sit in a circle and counselor would start a story. In middle of story (sometimes in mid-sentence) she would stop and person beside her would continue story. Each person in circle would add to story until last person got to end story. I haven’t done that in years but what a great exercise to flex storytelling muscle!

Recently I listened to a wonderful interview between Dovid Grossman (www.DovidGrossman.com) and Jack Canfield (www.JackCanfield.com). Both men had stories to share and conversation went back and forth very much like a dance. One way to learn to tell a good story is to listen to great storytellers.

I’m planning to hone my storytelling skills by participating in a teleclass called The Hero’s Journey for Parents with Dovid Grossman, a rabbi, youth leader and father of nine children and Christopher Vogler, author of The Writer’s Journey. What child doesn’t like to hear stories about his/her growing up years! My grandchildren at 2 and 5 already love to hear about what they did as babies. For more information on program go to www.HerosJourneyForParents.com.

Whether you are a business leader, a parent, or a student, connecting with others and learning through a powerful story can be rewarding and fun. Learning art of storytelling is a skill we all will need to develop in 21st century.

About Alvah Parker Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Parker’s Value Program© enables her clients to find their own way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are managers, business owners, sole practioners, attorneys and people in transition. Alvah is found on web at www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.