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!



Created with Tagxedo

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.

Slow and Steady: Stor e Telling July August 2010

Tortoise and Hare
from Childhood Favorites
and Fairy Tales
1909

I have penned the Stor E Telling column since January of 2002 and the articles from 2002-2006 are the publications page of my website found here http://tinyurl.com/llnn47y . I will be adding the columns from 2007 to 2012 to that page as well. However, I am in the process of checking what link URL's have changed or are now defunct. It is a time consuming process so I am taking the “slow and steady” approach via Aesop and will post the individual columns on my blog for now.

I will not be adding current columns until the following year, so if you want immediate access to the newest websites, consider becoming a member of the National Storytelling Network.

Please feel free to comment on the blog and let me know if you find this useful.

JULY AUGUST 2010

Mother Nature is in full bloom so I offer you some stories to brighten your summer days!

Among the Meadow People by Clara Dillingham Pierson, 1901.
http://tinyurl.com/yyzcgbk

The Stories Mother Nature Told Her Children, by Jane Andrews, 1888.
http://tinyurl.com/y8bof2z

 

August 3 is National Watermelon Day so let’s finish off the summer in style with some ripe and juicy watermelon tales!

The Golden Watermelon – Uzbek

http://tinyurl.com/yc2ntkx 

Never Mind Them Watermelons – Alabama, United States

http://tinyurl.com/y8wr3np

Tony Beaver and the Watermelon Party – West Virginia, USA
http://tinyurl.com/y9kyzjj

Story-Lovers.com - As always, Jackie serves up a plate full of tales perfect for the season. Dive in!  http://tinyurl.com/ya9topl

The Story of Watermelon Island - Vietnam

http://tinyurl.com/y9vaja7

Watermelon Magic - Vietnam

http://tinyurl.com/ybx2how

July 14 is Bastille Day so I offer some stories to celebrate the beautiful country of France.

The Fairy Tales of Marie-Catherine d´Aulony
Marie-Catherine lived in France during the time of Charles Perrault but her tales were shared in a more conversational style and usually featured a female protagonist. Many of her works were collected by Andrew Lang in his Fairy Books.
http://tinyurl.com/ydh2hfe

The Enormous Nose

http://tinyurl.com/y3mrnle

Quackling – French folktale adapted by Aaron Shepard

http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/042.html

Since this issue is on Marketing and Technology I offer some blog posts I have shared through 2008 through 2010. I hope you will find them useful.

Tales, Technology and Techniques – Ancient Tradition Meets the 21^st Century
In 2008 I was invited to take part in a panel discussion at the National Storytelling Conference in Tennessee. This is the handout I prepared for the attendees, which is still relevant today. You will find information on:

• Blogs
• Digital Storytelling
• Forums
• Listservs
• Podcasts
• Social Networks
• Telecourses
• Teleconferencing
• YouTube
• Webmarketing

http://tinyurl.com/y9fawd7

Branding: It Doesn’t Need to Hurt!

If you are new to the business of storytelling or revamping your image, here are some sites to help you brand yourself with style.
http://tinyurl.com/yg7go8f  

The Business Side of Storytelling

Running your own business can be liberating but it can also resemble running through a maze, constantly trying to catch up, find your way, peek over the next obstacle...in short, being your own boss can be exhausting.
http://tinyurl.com/y9o3vxj

Grow Your Business in 2010

"It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn." - B.C. Forbes
http://tinyurl.com/yhl4t5a

Put Some Pizazz in Your Presentations

Many storytellers also present workshops at conferences and schools around the country. While our presentations are interactive, there are times when we should take the opportunity to use available technology; it may further define our message and make the information easier for your audience to digest.
http://tinyurl.com/ykpb27l

Weaving Storytelling and Business with an Authentic Voice

Storytelling is the ancient art of Oral Tradition and now business executives are discovering what the revered seanchaí and griots have known for centuries; there is power in story. They are applying the premise to connect with their customer base in commercials and public relations, sometimes with poor results.
http://tinyurl.com/yfzkheo

And if you missed any of the previous “Slow and Steady…” blog posts here are the links to the series so far.

2007

January February 2007
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/06/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html
March April 2007
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/06/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_30.html
May June 2007
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/07/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html
July August 2007
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/07/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_15.html
September October 2007
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/07/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_20.html
November December 2007
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/07/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_29.html

2008

January February 2008
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html
March April 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_11.html
May June 2008
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-may-june-2008.html
Summer 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_25.html
Fall 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html

2009

January February 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_10.html
May June 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_14.html
July August 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_21.html
September October 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_29.html
November December 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/10/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html

2010

January February 2010
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/10/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_13.html

April May 2010

http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/10/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_28.html

 

Karen Chace 2013 ©

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.

 

Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Stor e Telling July August 2009

Tortoise and Hare
by
Jean Grandville, 19th Century
 

I have penned the Stor e Telling column since January of 2002 and the articles from 2002-2006 are the publications page of my website found here http://www.storybug.net/stor-e-telling.html. I will be adding the columns from 2007 to 2012 to that page as well. However, I am in the process of checking what link URL's have changed or are now defunct. It is a time consuming process so I am taking the “slow and steady” approach via Aesop and will post the individual columns on my blog for now.

I will not be adding current columns until the following year, so if you want immediate access to the newest websites, consider becoming a member of the National Storytelling Network.

Please feel free to comment on the blog and let me know if you find this useful.

JULY AUGUST 2009

Since the theme of this issue is ‘Branding’ I offer you some websites to get you on the name game trail!

What is Branding and How Important is it to Your Marketing Strategy?
This article will help you “understand that branding is not about getting your target market to choose you over the competition, but getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their problem.”

http://tinyurl.com/aowt4l

A Practical Guide to Branding - From Businessweek – “Define your brand identity—your product's "personality"—before you spend a dime on advertising or marketing.”
http://tinyurl.com/55r9hd

Developing Your Brand Strategy
A step-by-step guide including:

• What is Branding?
• How To Define Your Brand
• Determining Your Brand's Objectives
• Focusing on Your Target Audience
• Discovering and Crushing Your Brand Barriers
• Brand Packaging and Identity

http://tinyurl.com/c2cfr5

Five No Cost Marketing Tips - Everyone is taking a second look at how we are spending our time and money, particularly during these difficult economic times. Here are tips to help you stay above the fray. http://tinyurl.com/7t8zfb

The Fundamentals of Branding - Does branding apply to us? Read on to learn how “the concept of branding applies to any individual, organization, product, or service, as long as there is a transaction between human beings.”
http://tinyurl.com/desav9

What is Branding? Are you sure you know? - Understanding branding is as ‘easy as pie’ with this visual.
http://tinyurl.com/c8knqg

The Non-Profit Tagline Report - An In Depth Survey and Analysis: Building Your Brand in Eight Words or Less

http://tinyurl.com/dyj69s

On July 16, 2009 the Talk Story Conference, part of the National Storytelling Year of the Regions, will begin in Honolulu. To help you get in the mood to say “Aloha” and “Mahalo” I offer these sites, which share the history, legends and folklore of the beautiful people of Hawaii.

Hawaii and Its People – The Land of Rainbow and Palms
Learn about the history, land, and the people who lived in “Paradise of the Pacific” from this book published in 1890.

http://tinyurl.com/ck92xu

Hawaiian Folktales - An anthology of Hawaiian folklore including many articles originally published in difficult to obtain journals and now-rare books written in the late 19th or early 20th century. Most are based on first-hand oral traditions.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/hft/index.htm

The Legends and Myths of Hawaii - Learn about Hina, the Helen of Hawaii, Kaala, The Flower of Lanai and much more in this1887 book by David Kalakaua.

http://tinyurl.com/d3r6wo

There are many interesting days to celebrate throughout the year and August 7 is Sea Serpent Day.  Here is a site to help you dive into the day!

Mermaids on the Web - I shared this site in 2006. Listen to their call; this site offers you more than 1,720 resources about mermaids, selkies and sirens.

http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/mermaids/index.html

Summer is here and so is vacation time. Some tips to help you travel economically while relaxing in style.

Way to Go Guide - From the Washington Post, articles, tools and travel tips for finding discounted hotel rooms, booking flights tourism, and more.
http://tinyurl.com/yrg28q

And if you missed any of the previous “Slow and Steady…” blog posts here are the links to the series so far.

2007

January February 2007
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/06/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html
March April 2007
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/06/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_30.html
May June 2007
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/07/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html
July August 2007
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/07/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_15.html
September October 2007
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/07/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_20.html
November December 2007
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/07/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_29.html

2008

January February 2008

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html
March April 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_11.html
May June 2008
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-may-june-2008.html
Summer 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_25.html
Fall 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html

2009

January February 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_10.html
May June 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_14.html
 

Karen Chace 2013 ©

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.

 

Rising Above the Crowd

In this economy business growth is difficult for many, especially for those of us who are self-employed. We continually look for professional, yet cost effective tools to make our business rise above the crowd.

How do we keep up with up changing business strategies, keep our head above water, stand out from the crowd and do it all on a budget? Luckily, the Internet offers thousands of articles written by leaders in the industry, including my friend Bill Lampton, and they are just a click away.

Here are some articles I offered in the Business Buzz section this year in my newsletters. I have compiled them below to make it easier for you to find. You may also sign up for the free bi-monthly newsletter and access the archives as well at http://storybugnewsletter.blogspot.com/ . At the bottom of this post you will also find three links to previous blog posts I have shared with additional business resources. Come on, get clicking and start raising your game!

6 Low-Cost Marketing Strategies by Sharron Senter http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/affordmark.htm

7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers by Scott Ginsberg

http://tinyurl.com/3x92f8z

10 for '010 - 10 Smart Leadership Questions for 2010 by Gayle Lantz.

http://tinyurl.com/yzr5fxb

10 Ways to Differentiate Your Customer Service & Make Your Clients Actually Feel Valued by Sara LaForest and Tony Kubica

http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/differentiatecs.htm 
17 Lost Cost Ways to Get Newsletter Subscribers by Janet Attard

http://tinyurl.com/6kzdxj6

Business Conferences: A Chance to Breathe New Life into Your Business by Brad Egeland
http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/businessconference.htm 
 
Differentiate and Dominate: 10 Ways to Make Your Business Stand Out by John Jantsch 

http://tinyurl.com/3zfh49y

Email Newsletter Design Guide by Hostway

http://tinyurl.com/ygv7589  

Five Tips to Organize Your Home Office by Kirsten M. Lagatree

http://tinyurl.com/ktkvnb

Getting Organized: 5 Secrets to Help Get You Started by Marcia Gracia 

http://tinyurl.com/yd275nn 

Hallmarks of a Good Podcast by Sharon Housley

http://www.businessknowhow.com/internet/podcast.htm 

How Branding Can Lead to Your Business's Success or Failure by Michele Pariza Wacek

http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/businessbrand.htm 
How To Make A Strong First Impression by Bill Lampton
http://tinyurl.com/n6pxss
How to Target a Local Audience Online by Hostway
http://tinyurl.com/34ndrkb


Staying Positive About Business Success in a World Full of Negativity by Stacy Karacostas. http://tinyurl.com/372pc24
Storytelling When Creating a Press Release by Kate Engler 

http://tinyurl.com/38m55mm

Ten Tips to Ignore When Starting a Business by Cathy Goodwin 

http://tinyurl.com/3xx2mqp

Three Secret Weapons for Entrepreneurs by Renee and Don Martin 

http://tinyurl.com/6bd7cej 

Top 10 Network Marketing Newbie Mistakes by Laura Paulson
http://tinyurl.com/33289ff

Top 10 Things Customers Don't Want to Hear, And What You Should Say Instead by Bill Lampton, Ph.D. http://tinyurl.com/3aeqedl
What to Do when Someone Copies Your Web Site by Hostway

http://tinyurl.com/5rjd2e2

Storybug.net – You will find more business resources on three previous blogs posts:
Hitting the Business Bulls-eye at http://tinyurl.com/3tpqku2
Grow Your Business in 2010 at http://tinyurl.com/2ep3j42
The Business of Storytelling at http://tinyurl.com/37bvamh    

This blog post was painstakingly 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 newsletter via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.