Fresh Angles Are Key to New Blog Content

Probably the number one reason people say they don’t want to blog is because they think they have nothing to write about. And we all know the key to a successful blog is to have consistently updated content. I myself sometimes find it hard to come up with an interesting topic, and I’m only responsible for writing one blog a week! So while I was struggling to come up with a topic for this week’s post, I found myself wondering, “If I could write the most awesome blog ever what would it look like?”

My mind immediately went to a book I just finished reading, one that was truly inspiring in a very unexpected way. When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris is a “realish” (Sedaris is quoted as referring to it as “97% true”) compilation of essays Sedaris wrote about his own life. The essays are witty, clever and sometimes a little inappropriate, but what really caught my attention was how Sedaris was able to turn the mundane, everyday events of his life into this fantastic work of literature.

Somehow he creates an entire chapter on his attempt to make coffee while the water is shut off, another about having a lozenge fall from his mouth into the lap of a fellow plane passenger, and yet another about how his short legs prevent him from keeping up with his partner when touring foreign cities causing him to be perpetually lost - all the while bringing a new understanding of love, fear and relationships to the reader.

Now I by no means consider myself an exciting person, so this book really inspired me to take a different look at my everyday life. Going to the grocery store, dinner with friends, a regular day at the office – all have the potential to teach a lesson on life, work and relationships, if only I could come up with the proper segue. If I could do that, just think of all the blog posts I would have ready to go!

So this is my challenge to you and to myself – instead of taking everyday events at face value, try to figure out how many different ways you could tell the story of your day. Look for a different angle, pretend you are telling it to a different audience, and try to tell it in a humorous manner and then a serious one. Who knows, you may begin to see your average day as the inspiration for your next blog post (or best selling book, fingers crossed).

And if you are still looking for a little more inspiration, I recommend any of Sedaris’s books!

http://literati.net/Sedaris/david-sedaris-books.htm

Tags: Blog, Blog Ideas, Blogging, David Sedaris, storyteller, StoryTeller Media & Communications

Creative Video With Flip Cameras

It’s interesting.  I had a meeting today with what I hope will become a future StoryTeller client.  The subject: online video.  It seems to be the topic most gravitated to in our meetings with business’ and organizations today.  It appears to be what’s on everyone’s mind.  YouTube…specifically.  There was a revelation that I had during this meeting.  I initially met this future client about (5) months ago, and the discussion albeit very similar (defining what makes a solid video strategy) the method of implementing the strategy was completely different!

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Tags: Flip video camera, fundraising videos, non-profits, online, StoryTeller Media & Communications, Video Production, WCCO-TV, Web Video

Exceptional Customer Service: Overdeliver

When I look back at my 20 years of selling in various industries, there are some things that I have just taken for granted that corporate America has taught me.  I take for granted that to win clients and even more importantly to retain clients, there is nothing that matters more than Customer Service. I mean exceptional customer service.  I assume that everyone understands this key principle, but more and more I am realizing that this is not something that everyone assigns the same value of importance.

To simply deliver what is expected is not customer service.  That is the privilege of collecting a paycheck. What I expect and what you can expect from all of us at StoryTeller is to over-deliver, to consistently exceed expectations and most importantly to be one step ahead of our clients expectations.  It’s the reason our clients come back to us again and again and why we continue to earn their business.

Some principles that are part of our fabric of doing business:

• Respond quickly with enthusiasm, energy and creativity
• Stay in front; offer ideas and solutions before our clients think of them
• Provide relentless attention to detail
• Add unexpected value
• Allow no surprises
• Commit to our clients success
• Demonstrate a total can-do attitude
• Deliver MORE than is expected

Now, more than ever, with all of the Social Media outlets today, customer service has never been more important.  Both good and negative experiences are shared exponentially.  As the saying goes,  ”if you don’t take care of your customer… someone else will”.

Tags: Good Business

Foursquare Code of Ethics

So what’s fair when it comes to Foursquare? Should there be an unwritten rule that says you have to actually be at a location to check in? …not check in shortly before or just after leaving even if you’re close enough for Foursquare to think you’re still at that location?

To be fair, I’m guilty of checking in at certain locations from my home, because they’re only a handful of blocks away. For example, I’m currently locked in an epic battle with @xMikemx for the mayorship of Minnehaha Park. We’ve gone back and forth as mayor of the park over the past few weeks, often checking in multiple times daily. Now, I do walk or bike through that park on a near daily basis, sometimes more than once a day. The problem is, I don’t always remember to check in while I’m there. Thankfully, my home’s proximity to the park allows me to check in at the park while my feet are resting on the ottoman with my dog Tupper sitting comfortably on my lap. I’m not lying. I was in the park …just not right at that very moment.

So the question is, does this fit under the Foursquare code of ethics? Is it about telling people where you just were or where you are? Should you be letting people know where to find you or just updating them on where you’ve been or where you’re going? Am I thinking WAY too much about this and should I find better things to do with my time? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Tags: Foursquare rules minnehaha minneapolis minnesota social media storyteller

Video Blog with Heidi Ruen and Chad Whisnant

Another video blog is up via Chad and Heidi. Lots going on again in the past week. The highlight includes a litter of some seriously adorable golden retriever puppies. Watch our vlog to see just how cute they are and why they made their on camera debut.

Tags: Blog, Helping Paws, March Goodness Campaign, Razoo, storyteller, Twins Ballpark Target Field, Uponor, Video blog, Vlog, Web Video

Social Media Promotes Good Business Practices

There is an inherit danger with social media.

From "Social Schmoozing" with Derek Showerman

Platforms and tools like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube all bring with it one thing that PR pros of old didn’t have to leverage; automatic and immediate transparency. Yep, we can officially (and I think quite happily) throw that old phrase “spin doctor” out with yesterday’s trash, because in today’s world, spin often gets unspun pretty quickly in the self-policing world of social media where everybody, everywhere is a journalist.

So what does that mean for us PR pros? It means working with clients who bring integrity to the table on a daily basis. For example, at StoryTeller we have MindWare Toys. MindWare is “the nation’s best resource for toys that engage and entertain.” With a focus on creating and selling children’s toys that don’t just entertain but teach, MindWare’s mission is more than just making money …they’re also focused on making the world a better place.

Another client, Helping Paws, is a non-profit that trains service dogs to help those with physical disabilities. Yet another, the Minnesota Section PGA has a goal of growing the game of golf and will soon be offering tips and tricks to anyone who’s interested via their YouTube channel in the near future (stay tuned).

All are great organizations that simply don’t have a need for old PR tricks of deceit and slight of hand.

So beware all you organizations out there that have a lot to hide, social media is ready to make life very difficult for you. Thankfully, I get to work with a lot of clients who don’t have that concern.

Tags: Facebook, Helping Paws, MindWare Toys, Minnesota PGA, PR, spin, storyteller, transparency, Twitter