Me too. I know what you mean. I’m not alone.
Have you ever read a story that made you think something like one of these phrases? I know I certainly have. And those stories, those are my favorite stories. Those are what I consider to be the best stories. Storytelling is a deeply human need. We humans have been telling each other stories since far before we had any way of recording the stories we told. If you can figure out how to tell your story in a way that truly connects with others, then you will very likely be much more successful at whatever it is you are trying to do in life than if you don’t master this skill.
Have a product or service that you are trying to sell? Don’t just tell people bullet pointed features and benefits, tell them the story of the product, or the story of your journey of creating the product or service. Of even better, tell them the story of your life that relates to where they are in their life before using your product or service. Tell a story that engages emotions. That makes people say, yeah, me too. Or I know what you mean. Or that makes them feel, I am not alone.
Today one of the best ways to get a very intimate connection between you and the people hearing your story is to tell it on podcasts. I love podcasts. I started out listening to them at the gym and when I walk my dogs. I listen to them when I’m driving in the car (well, when my kids either aren’t in the car or when I can convince them to let me have a turn in control of the stereo). But the thing I love most is when I have my headphones in and am walking my dogs out through some beautifully treed terrain, and it basically feels almost like I’m on a phone call with a single person who is telling me something that touches me deeply and makes me feel connected. They are right there in the same headphones I use when I talk to my best friend on the phone.
Some people think that they only need to stick to the facts, list out a bunch of actionable tips and communicate the value of the product or service. But honestly, there is a lot of competition for podcast time these days. If all that happens on a show is basically an advertisement for someone or something, I tend to click off and try something else. What I want are the stories. The behind the scenes. The tales of the WHY behind it all.
I recently had the chance to talk with Steve Olsher from the Reinvention Podcast about why podcasts are so popular and powerful right now. Steve was on the front edge of podcasts back in the day. He actually started out with radio and then repurposed his radio recordings on his podcast when he first started it back in 2009. Since that time he has reinvented his business and show several times in several ways, but if anyone knows a lot about podcasting, it is him. Right now Steve is gearing up for The New Media Summit that he is hosting in San Diego September 22–24th. This is a truly unique event that brings together over 40 successful podcasters and has a ratio for participants of less than 4 to every podcast presenter. They did this purposely to make sure that every participant gets the chance to connect one on one with several successful podcasters in their niche and that every person who attends leaves with bookings on several podcasts that they would not have been able to reach without the event.
If whether you are a seasoned podcaster, a product creator or service provider, or someone just starting out with their own podcast, this even just might be perfect for you. If you are interested, learn more and find out how to apply for one of the 150 spots here.