Build Your Brand at the National Storytelling Conference!

Designed by Karen Chace

Every year the National Storytelling Conference brings together storytellers, educators, librarians and business entrepreneurs to network and learn from each other. There are pre-conference workshops in the healing arts, for those working with youth, producers and organizers, and Master Classes with some of the best and brightest, and that’s all before the main conference begins! This year, the conference will take place in Arizona and there is still time to register! Check out all of the amazing offerings at the link: http://storynet.org/conference/index.html .

I am delighted to be co-presenting a business workshop with Simon Brooks. Here is a brief description:

Branding, It Doesn’t Have to Hurt!  "Steer" the audience to you. It doesn't hurt to be branded; in fact, it might hurt your business if you’re not. Branding will help your image, professionalism and visibility. Build strength and trust with potential clients; define your personal and business persona. Discover how to subtly create awareness and recognition with your client base and become memorable! Laptops encouraged but not necessary.

For a taste of some of the topics we will cover, head over to our blog piece for the National Storytelling Network at the following link: http://blog.storynet.org/branding-it-doesnt-have-to-hurt .

We hope you can find time in your busy conference schedule to join us and brand your business! Friday afternoon, July 25 at 1:45. We promise, it won’t hurt a bit! Look for the star logo at the top of this blog on our workshop room door at the conference. We will be waiting with lots of information to get you started...and chocolates!

And while you’re in Phoenix/Mesa here are some wonderful sights to enjoy.

ATTRACTIONS

Arizona Guide – Historic places, national parks, events calendar, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/7bujxmy

Visit Mesa – Specific sections for the Active Family, Foodies, Explorers, Transportation, Sport Enthusiasts and Culture Seekers.

http://www.visitmesa.com/

Visit Phoenix – Information on restaurants, events, arts, nightlife and more. Make sure to check out the Hot Sheet Blog.
http://www.visitphoenix.com/index.aspx

Downtown Phoenix – Information on light rail, busses, shuttles and parking information. http://www.downtownphoenix.com/getting-around

RESTAURANTS

Additional information on local restaurants.

Open Table: Phoenix restaurants.

http://www.opentable.com/phoenix-restaurants

Open Table: Mesa restaurants.

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/

TRANSPORTATION

Downtown Phoenix – Information on transportation Light rail, busses, shuttles and parking information.
http://www.downtownphoenix.com/getting-around

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport – Information on taxis, shuttle services and limos.
http://skyharbor.com/transportationparking/limosandtaxis.html

 

MISCELLANESOUS

Groupon offers wonderful discounts on area attractions, restaurants, and more while you are in the Phoenix/Mesa area.

Groupon deals in Phoenix

http://www.groupon.com/local/phoenix

Groupon deals in Mesa
http://www.groupon.com/local/mesa

STORIES

Folktales specific to Arizona and also tales of animal and flowers indigenous to the state.

American Folklore – Arizona folklore at your fingertips.
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/united-states-folklore/arizona-folklore/

The Cat and the Fox – Russia
http://folklore.mashaholl.com/tales.php?page=catandfox

Coyote Spills the Stars – Native American
http://www.worldoftales.com/Native_American_folktales/Native_American_Folktale_7.html

Coyote Mythology – A number of Native American stories and information on the mythology of coyotes.
http://www.native-languages.org/legends-coyote.htm

The Legend of Lotus – West Java/Indonesia
http://indonesianfolklore.blogspot.com/2008/10/legend-of-lotus.html

How Raccoon Got His Coat – Native American
http://www.native-languages.org/legends-coyote.htm

Origin of the Saguaro and Palo Verde Cacti – Pima/Native American
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/OriginoftheSaguaroandPaloVerdeCacti-Pima.html

The Raccoon and the Blind Man – Native American

http://www.aaanativearts.com/native-american-legends-oral-stories/380-unidentified-legends/438-the-raccoon-and-the-blind-men.html#axzz35PLaigAc

Sister Fox and Brother Wolf – Russia
http://russian-crafts.com/russian-folk-tales/sister-fox-brother-wolf.html

 

Karen Chace 2014 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

 

 

Unlock the Possibilities: Enhance Your Online Presence!



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While preparing for a conference presentation, Enhance Your Online Presence, I sent a questionnaire to a large number of storytelling colleagues. I asked, “What is preventing you from writing a blog?” These are the top three answers I received:

1. No time

Indeed, blogging can be time consuming but that also depends on the subject and your writing style. Because most of my posts require research, I spend approximately four to six hours on each subject, but I have also written and published a post within an hour. The choice is up to you.

The marketing hat is the most difficult one to wear but it is a necessary evil. Experts now say that potential customers must see your information at least 12 times before they remember you. If you are serious about engaging and maintaining a dialog with your clients and colleagues, a blog remains the strongest and most ideal platform.

2. Fear of the technology

You have all the time you need to design your template, choose the font, your color palette, decide what layout to use, you can even write your first blog post. Nothing will be visible to anyone until you hit the publish button. You are in control!

3. Nothing worthwhile to say

After I recovered from the shock of storytellers believing they had nothing to say, I comprised a short list of blog topics:

• Share personal or professional experience
• Turn a press release into a blog article
• Ask and answer questions
• Conduct an interview
• Provide tutorials
• Publish a list of links on a topic
• Offer a list of ideas or trends

There are hundreds of ideas waiting to be selected.

“Blogging is good for your career. A well-executed blog sets
you apart as an expert in your field.”   - Penelope Trunk

Blogs will:

• sharpen your writing skills
• build community
• set you apart from the competition
• demonstrate commitment and passion for your work
• create your unique niche
• allow you to share your knowledge and expertise
• establish and manage your online reputation
• increase your search engine rankings

My readers come from all over the world: Russia, Malaysia, Greece, South Korea, Thailand, Slovenia, Australia, England, Italy, Poland, China, Ireland, Taiwan, and the Netherlands, to name just a few. It is remarkable to realize the vast audiences we can reach through social media. However, this didn’t happen overnight. It took time, persistence and offering practical information so my readers will return again and again.

 “A blog is in many ways, a continuing conversation.” – Andrew Sullivan

I have forged some wonderful relationships and alliances through my blog, most notably with Bill Lampton, president of Championship Communications. He has featured me on his business blog, interviewed me on his radio show and included my work in his honor roll of Pinnacle Seekers . I've been invited to write for other publications, both nationally and internationally, in fact, this post is based on an article I wrote for a UK Storytelling Magazine. You never know where one connection will take you or how it will enhance your reputation, and work.

Would you like to take your business to the next level in a fun and accessible environment?  I invite you to spend time with me this Saturday, March 29, in my workshop, Enhance Your Online Presence: Blog It Baby! at the LANES Northeast Storytelling Conference in Amherst, MA. Then stay for Sunday’s workshop, Branding: It Doesn’t Have to Hurt! with me and my co-presenter, the knowledgeable Simon Brooks. Not only do we will give you the immediate tools to get your started, there will be additional offerings to take home to continue the process. Plus, we have chocolate! Details on the entire conference can be found at www.lanes.org .

By blogging and branding wisely you have the ability to take your business to the next level. I am a firm believer in the mantra “A rising tide floats all boats.” Why not begin to chart your own course this weekend by spending spend time with us!

Karen Chace 2014 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.