Content Champion: Recent Episodes
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I never really knew my grandfather on my father’s side, he died when I was a young boy when he was in his early seventies.
My dad never really talked about him much and I’ve only seen a few blurry pictures of him and a great old cine film that my aunt transferred to DVD.
Of course, I do have some memories and was surprised when I saw him in that film recently that he didn’t look like the mad professor from the Back To The Future movies – because with his shock of white hair that’s how I remembered him.
Either that or Einstein.
The truth is although I never really knew him, I wish I had – because there’s something I always wanted to ask him…
From Aircraft Mechanic To UnemployedMy dad told me a few years ago that granddad was a highly skilled aircraft mechanic during the Second World War, working mostly on Hurricane fighters and occasionally Spitfires.
That’s why my dad is able to strip down almost any type of car engine to this day, because his father taught him everything he knows.
After the war, my grandfather moved into servicing commercial aircraft – and worked for a couple of companies until the fateful day when he was asked by one commercial airline to trade in his much-worn old overalls for their new, officially branded company ones.
He refused.
He said he’d been successfully servicing aircraft all through the war wearing his old overalls – so why should he change now?
To him, it seemed like a needless, annoying, and irrelevant request – whilst to his new employers he simply appeared to be a stubborn man who refused to toe the line (for no good reason).
Anyway, the upshot of all this is that he was politely asked to leave.
This story irritates my dad tremendously to this day – as he can’t for the life of him understand why his father never just sucked it up and wore the new branded overalls.
I guess my grandfather saw it as selling out, whilst most people would merely see it as part of the job.
However, I think it’s also got something to do with change, and my grandfather’s inability to deal with it.
So what’s all this got to do with writing online?
Online Writers Must Learn To Handle ChangeI think most of us at some point in our lives can’t handle change because we’re afraid of what will happen if we try something new, or go off in another direction that takes us out of our comfort zone.
Well, it seems to me that as a content creator, the ability to embrace change, rise above your fears, and continually try new things are the essential elements needed for success.
I’ve found this repeatedly in over two decades of writing.
If we just go through the motions, (never changing our overalls), and stay within our comfort zone – we’ll never improve as writers and grow our online business.
That’s why I’d like to go back and ask my grandfather what his reasons were for making the decision he did.
Was he afraid of change, frightened of a new challenge, or simply too set in his ways to step in line with the differing expectations of his new employers?
Whatever my grandfather’s reasoning, I agree with my dad that it was a real shame he didn’t just put on that new uniform when he was asked.
He was an incredibly skilled aircraft mechanic and changing what he wore to work would never have made any difference to that.
Who knows what greater things he could have achieved in his career if he’d just overcome his reservations and tried something different?
But I don’t want to be too hard on him, because when do any of us really try something new – something that makes our heart beat that little bit faster?
Always Try To Challenge YourselfIn this context, if you’re trying to build a business by writing online, what have you tried today to set yourself apart or challenge yourself?
What have you done differently to build a unique online presence amidst this sea of sameness?
If the answer is nothing, then perhaps you should step outside of your comfort zone and try that one new thing you’ve been putting off.
Like getting up at 5 am to write before work, challenging preconceptions with that contrarian viewpoint you’ve been dying to write about – or simply committing to just turning up to write every day when others don’t.
Shake the snow dome and find out.
If you’re a blogger you can’t rely on Google anymore, and social media platforms could change their rules at any time and decide to shut you down – so you can’t afford to ever rest on your laurels.
The most successful online writers need to adapt and constantly keep learning.
After all, you’ll never know what great things can be achieved until you change your old overalls…
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
Your past doesn’t own you.
Sure, you can learn from it, but it needn’t have a hold over you.
Like Fitzgerald’s iconic protagonist Jay Gatsby who was never accepted by the establishment he sought to join, imposter syndrome founded on past experience can also plague writers and content creators.
Myself included.
And while what doesn’t kill you (literally in Gatsby’s case), will surely make you stronger – you have to change your mindset to succeed.
To put a positive spin on the traditional investment advice of The Great Gatsby’s 1920’s America, ‘past bad performance is no impediment to future success.’
So it’s time to invest in yourself – or you’ll regret it later.
I should know.
Years ago when still running my podcast, I was invited to be an expert on a podcast panel at a big event in London.
My inner voice and fixed mindset said ‘That’s not the sort of thing a person like you would do, you don’t have enough experience’ – so I politely declined.
I’ve regretted it ever since and will never pass up such opportunities again.
The event organizers saw an accomplished podcaster who had hosted nearly 100 shows, and all I saw was self-doubt.
What a shame.
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome can become baked into a fixed mindset, which cripples you with limiting beliefs leading to a vicious cycle of poor performance.
Other people then pick up on this and put you in a box. A box where the lack of confidence you project negatively influences what they think you can do.
So your limiting beliefs feed their limiting beliefs of you, and the cycle continues.
That’s why you need to become a resident of West Egg…
West Egg Vs East EggIn Fitzgerald’s literary classic, the inhabitants of East Egg are the old money rich of roaring 20’s America, with huge houses and seemingly endless wealth (and the snobbery that goes with it).
Across the bay in West Egg live the new money entrepreneurs, the less wealthy but up-and-coming rich like Jay Gatsby (formerly James Gatz) who has literally scrapped his way to the top – and a lot else worse besides.
However, there’s a problem, (which provides a lesson for all of us who want to write and create for a living).
The snobbish old rich of East Egg won’t accept the brash and vulgar new money residents of West Egg, no matter how hard the latter try to ingratiate themselves with establishment high society.
This is especially the case with relationships between the two sides, with traditionalists frowning upon Gatsby’s previous romance with old money golden girl Daisy Buchanan.
So when Jay Gatsby looks out across the bay from his new West Egg mansion, seeking a glimpse of his former lover’s house in East Egg, narrator Nick Carraway notes “Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock.”
Gatsby is still desperately seeking acceptance from a group of people who will never let him in, and never let him grow – due primarily to his past and the inferior current status this bestows upon him.
In this sense – and in the context of personal growth – we can view East Egg as an old, staid, fixed mindset, and West Egg as a new, expansive growth mindset.
So like your own limiting beliefs, and those of others imposed upon you, Gatsby’s own past and the residents of East Egg would never let him become the person he wanted to be – with fatal consequences.
The point is that none of us want to become casualties of our own limiting beliefs and feelings of imposter syndrome.
That’s why if you want to succeed as a writer and content creator, you must always keep searching for the green light…
Follow The Green Light & Become a Lighthouse of LearningIt’s hard to look at yourself in the mirror and be prepared to change your mindset so you can grow as a writer and person.
Yet it’s essential if you want to create better work and make more money from your craft.
That’s why the hope of a better self represented by Gatsby’s search for the green light across the bay, should become a clarion call for all of us who hope to acknowledge the past but open our minds to a future of learning, looking for new experiences, meeting new people, and consuming more ideas and worldviews from multiple different sources.
And all of this requires a growth mindset.
If you always scan the horizon for that green light of self-improvement – not only will you overcome your limiting past beliefs but you’ll also become a beacon of light for others who become inspired to do the same.
Unlike the negative cycle of a limiting mindset, your new growth mindset will then effectively make you a lighthouse of learning – helping both yourself and others to grow in a new and virtuous cycle.
So in practical terms, how can you change your mindset in order to grow as both a writer and person?
Firstly, let’s understand what a growth mindset is, and then we can cover some practical ways to start developing one…
What Is a Growth Mindset?In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck outlines the two types of mindset: fixed and growth.
Her research has found that with a fixed mindset intelligence is static, whereas it can be developed with a growth mindset.
In other words, limiting beliefs literally stop you from learning, and a host of other negative outcomes.
Let’s compare the two mindsets according to Dweck’s research:
Fixed Mindset* Avoids challenges * Has static intelligence * Wants to appear clever * Sees making an effort as pointless * Ignores constructive negative feedback * Feels threatened by the success of others * Gives up easily when faced with obstacles
Growth Mindset* Embraces challenges * Wants to learn from criticism * Sees effort as a way of improving * Persists when faced with obstacles * Gets inspired by the success of others * Believes intelligence can be developed
To summarise the difference between the two mindsets, Dweck says that with a fixed mindset you’re, “always trying to convince yourself and others that you have a royal flush when you’re secretly worried it’s a pair of tens. In this mindset, the hand you’re dealt is just the starting point for development. (Whereas a) growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts.”
Dweck concludes, “Why hide deficiencies instead of overcoming them? Why look for friends or partners who will just shore up your self-esteem instead of ones who will also challenge you to grow? And why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you?”
So how do we take this advice onboard and start to develop a growth mindset? (Instead of being swept back to our past limiting beliefs).
Let’s look at some action steps…
How To Develop a Growth Mindset (In 7 Steps)To develop a growth mindset you need to challenge your existing fixed way of thinking about key aspects of your life, work, and relationships.
This can be achieved in several key ways:
- Audit Your MindsetThink honestly about how to react in certain circumstances, and to different people and challenges. What do you notice about yourself in those situations?
Compare your reactions to the fixed and growth mindset definitions above and ask yourself what past experience has made you behave or think in that way.
Takeaway: it’s only by being honest with yourself and first identifying any traits of a fixed mindset, that you can start to build a foundation for change.
Often the negative reactions associated with a fixed mindset come when you are out of your comfort zone, so you’ll often feel uncomfortable when challenging this status quo. Take this discomfort as a sign to ask yourself some searching questions.
- Set Higher StandardsOur fixed beliefs and past experiences largely govern how we think we’ll perform when presented with any given challenge. In short, we can often underestimate our own limits.
In a study, participants were asked to cycle 4000m as fast as they could, then in a second study keep pace with the previous time trial.
What they didn’t know was that in the second trial, the pace was actually faster, yet all participants managed to keep up and ride further despite thinking they had previously maximized their effort.
Takeaway: think about what you’d normally do when faced with a specific challenge, then push yourself to go that little bit further than you believe you ever could before.
3. Value EffortStudies with children have found that when you focus on the act of making an effort in itself and not the results achieved, the tasks undertaken are always carried out more successfully.
Praising effort was also found to be a great way of developing a growth mindset, as it gave participants in the study a process template by which to succeed again in future tasks.
Takeaway: increase your effort in specific tasks and try to gain satisfaction from the process of doing the task itself, rather than just focusing on the results of completing it. This means you can also learn to not fear failure.
4. Cultivate PersistenceWhen faced with obstacles, people with fixed mindsets can often self-sabotage themselves and give up easily without trying.
Research into Olympic gold medal winners showed that developing a persistent mindset and an ability to overcome setbacks was a key part of their success.
Takeaway: the report concluded that “adversity-related experiences offer potential developmental opportunities if they are carefully and purposely harnessed.”
In short, don’t shy away from getting out of your comfort zone by seeking difficult challenges that test your resolve, then persist in completing them even if you face adversity.
- Embrace LearningAs mentioned previously, become a lighthouse of learning and delight in the pleasure of discovering new stories, books, videos, podcasts, and people – then inspire others to do the same.
Adopt a growth mindset that embraces lifelong learning and your future enlightened self with thank you.
Takeaway: Keep an open mind so you not only remain constantly open to learning new things but actively encourage others to do the same. Commit to learning something new every day by constantly reading, listening, watching, and discussing.
- Seek FeedbackIn line with the constant learning outlined above, it’s important to seek constructive negative feedback as part of developing a growth mindset.
People with fixed mindsets and self-limiting beliefs are often not good at receiving negative feedback and will take it personally and choose to ignore it. They would rather seek positive reinforcement from people who never challenge their existing beliefs, which can often go hand in hand with personalities who are threatened by other people’s success.
Takeaway: Learn to welcome constructive negative criticism and view it as a way to improve. Try to never take it personally, but choose to embrace it as a necessary part of the learning process.
7: Associate With Growth Minded PeopleUnlike Jay Gatsby and the fixed mindset snobs at East Egg, if you seek out and surround yourself with growth-minded people, then their positive attitude to life, work, and learning will rub off on you.
Takeaway: now you know how to identify the traits of a growth-minded personality, try to notice these characteristics in other people and actively get to know them.
Equally, if existing friends or family members have put you in a box of their own self-limiting beliefs – then perhaps you should spend more time with your new West Egg buddies.
Embrace The Promise of Something Better In Your Writing & LifeThere’s a real-world version of Gatsby’s green light burning brightly right now in New York. It used to be brown but the copper turned bright green over the years.
The Statue of Liberty holds aloft a blazing green torch of freedom and the promise of a better future that we can all aspire to and be inspired by – on both a personal and societal level.
It’s a potent symbol of hope for people all over the world – and can definitely inspire creators like us.
At the end of The Great Gatsby, narrator Nick Carraway reflects on Gatsby’s demise, and says our hero always “believed in the green light” that “eluded” him, and that “tomorrow we will run faster (and) stretch out our arms farther.”
It’s only after this and in the final lines of the book that Carraway – and Fitzgerald – then succumb to the more sobering assessment of what being trapped by your past can mean:
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
There’s truth in that, but almost no hope.
From a literary and real-life perspective, I’ve always resented what happened to Jay Gatsby as a result of his past and the limiting beliefs of others.
So in terms of my own personal growth as both a writer and a person, one thing is clear…
I will never stop looking for that green light.
Storyselling: A Literary Perspective“Story isn’t a flight from reality but a vehicle that carries us on our search for reality.” Robert McKee. [1]
When trying to sell your brand, products, and services, it’s all too easy to present your pitch as a series of lifeless, feature-based pronouncements. Nearly everyone does it. Bland, ineffectual content is everywhere — and business owners and marketers wonder why it doesn’t sell anything.
Of course, most marketers worth their salt know that using stories is the key to successful sales content — Claude Hopkins has been advising marketers to ‘tell your full story’ since 1923 [2]. But not just any old stories; important, vital, engaging stories that are interwoven with you, your business, and the very heart of what you do.
As Seth Godin puts it: “Marketing is storytelling. The story of your product, built into your product. The ad might be part of it, the copy might be part of it, but mostly, your product and your service and your people are all part of the story. Tell it on purpose.” [3]
I know what you’re thinking. Easier said than done. If we were all able to write such compelling stories we would all be millionaires. But here’s the thing. If we all tried to tell even just slightly more compelling stories, we may not become rich — but we would certainly become richer.
Don’t believe me? Consider the power of product placement in films, where sales are made purely on the basis of association with a lifestyle aspiration.
The classic example is the 1986 Tom Cruise film Top Gun. “Navy recruiting shot up between 20 percent and 30 percent following the release of Top Gun,” [4] said Ogden Naval Reserve Recruiting Chief Bob Whiteley at the time — leading Ben Settle at Copyblogger to label the film “an extremely profitable sales letter.” [5] Settle went on to note the film’s other major marketing boon; sales of “Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses (the kind Tom Cruise’s character “Maverick” wore) jumped 40%” as well.
There are countless other examples from the corporate world too: “At Nike, senior executives are called ‘corporate storytellers’. The 3M company banned bullet points and replaced them with writing ‘strategic narratives’. Procter & Gamble hired Hollywood directors to teach their executives storytelling techniques. Business schools have storytelling courses in their curriculums.” [6]
Image creditCreating Irresistible ContentSo how do we even start thinking about trying to create this irresistible content that engages our target audience?
It all begins with the right mindset, an understanding and acknowledgment that our story — the story of our brand, product or service, can create an essential truth within the psyche of our target audience — helping them to literally buy into what we’re selling. Not because we force them, but because they very much want to. They don’t just want to buy our stuff, they believe in it.
In this context, the narrative of our brand and the success stories of our happy clients, (even though true to us), will at first always be fictions to our prospects.
Yet through the engagement of high-quality market research and equally top-standard content, our stories should quickly create a new ‘truth’ in the minds of our potential customers. A truth in which they walk with us as protagonists in a shared journey, visualising themselves experiencing the same emotions, coming to the same conclusions and taking the same actions as our existing clients — ultimately leading to more sales.
Sounds impressive doesn’t it? But I’m not just making this stuff up. Amongst others, we have Samuel Taylor Coleridge to thank for explaining this interaction, with his ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ — where an audience readily accepts the emotive engagement of stories on a deep personal level, creating what Coleridge called ‘poetic faith’. [7]
Best-selling author Christopher Booker adds to this notion of shared experience, explaining the universality of significance bestowed upon us all by good storytelling: “The real significance of our ability to tell stories is twofold. Firstly, it provides a uniquely revealing mirror to the inner dynamics of human nature.
But secondly, by laying bare the unconscious foundations that underlie so much of the way we view the world, this can in turn cast an extraordinarily revealing light on history, politics, religion, philosophy and almost every aspect of human thought and behaviour” [8] — including sales and marketing.
Because on a subconscious, primordial level we all want to listen to stories, we want to believe them as a form of universalized ‘truth’. We cannot help devouring new stories, old stories, any stories — we need them in order to make sense of the world around us.
We instinctively need to buy into aspirations, inspirations, desires, visions, hopes, fears, loves and lives through the power of stories — but only through the evocation of our own insight. It must be through choice.
In marketing terms, we all hate being sold to — but if we can hold our prospects’ hands on a journey they voluntarily take ownership of with their own emotive imagination — once they really believe in the personal manifestation of the universal truth at first set before them as fiction, but then made real — you would then find it hard, if not impossible, to convince them NOT to buy what you’re offering.
In short, the literary history of storyselling tells us stories really are that powerful to the marketer. If we create a compelling brand story, we engage our audience on an emotional and empathetic level so potently — they themselves create a certain veracity, a certain truth from our ‘fiction’. This in turn takes away the last layer of resistance — the final emotional objection before making a sale.
However, perhaps a word of warning: ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ (as I think Obi Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker in Star Wars). We can’t abuse this level of trust the reader’s empathy bestows upon us.
What the hell does that mean Loz?! It means we must always offer great value. Be honest and use your stories to sell stuff you’d be happy to sell to your own mother. Respect your audience and respect your customer.
Image creditStoryselling: A Scientific PerspectiveThe science and psychology behind creating empathy in the subject through storytelling is well documented. Researchers have found that fiction simulates real life events and as such has an all too real effect on the reader.
“Often when someone reads a fictional story, identification with the characters and emotional involvement in the story causes the reader to sympathize with the characters, and perhaps even experience the events in the story as if the reader experiences the events him/herself. Consequently, the reader practices being empathic while reading a fictional story.” [9]
So when we empathize with the themes, narratives and characters of a story, we are in a sense anchoring our real self in the actions and events of fictional people in order to make sense of our own reality.
“The simulation of real-world experiences in fiction might be associated with processes that people use in daily life to comprehend what happens in the world. Consequently, through this sensemaking process, people gain a better understanding of the world and how they should interact with other people.” [10]
It is also argued by psychologists “that fiction experiences enhance imaginative thinking,” [11] meaning we can use empathy and imagination to literally put ourselves in the shoes of the story’s protagonist — suspending disbelief through ‘poetic faith’ to almost completely ‘live’ the events we are reading about, hearing or watching.
Research also shows the effects of commercialized non-fiction messages simply wear off over time — but audiences being influenced by fictional stories react and behave in a very different way.
In this regard, “a fictional narrative is more likely to be read with a willing construction of disbelief: the reader accepts assertions from a fictional narrative unless they are highly motivated to reject the assertion based on available knowledge. Hence, the possible effects of stories on empathy are expected to be greater for fiction readers than for non-fiction readers.” [12]
Further to this, psychologists have also documented three specific emotions that help stories evoke such empathy in readers. These are “identification, sympathy and autobiographical memory.” [13]
These processes act in combination to create the powerful feelings of empathy that can often cause real-life behavioural changes in the reader or viewer — such as joining the US Air Force after watching Top Gun.
So what does all this mean for the sales process? In short, studies have reinforced that when readers or viewers “become transported into a narrative, personal change is more likely to occur.” [14] This psychological process of ‘transportation’ is therefore at the heart of what gets your prospects to buy when utilizing storyselling techniques.
As touched upon, there is also evidence that the effect of fictional stories lasts much longer than non-fiction narratives such as newspaper reports, because of the way our brain stores and organizes fictional information.
This ‘sleeper effect’ [15] means our prospects may act on the stories we tell them days or weeks after they first empathize with the story — making the effect even more powerful and full of potential for the marketer.
However, there is one cautionary note. Research also shows that for an audience to experience such strong empathetic effects, they must totally buy into the story we are telling. If they are only transported half-heartedly, then studies highlight that levels of empathy actually decrease. [16]
This means as marketers we must completely understand our target audience and conduct thorough market research before writing our sales stories — otherwise as with other forms of advertising they will simply miss the mark.
Image creditStoryselling: A Business Perspective“The proliferation of information in late Capitalism leads not to a ‘decline of the value of experience (but rather) to a massive process of turning information into experience, of signifiers into signifieds, through the medium of stories.” [17] Such organisational use of stories to sell brands, ways of working, lifestyles, products and services — is now commonplace amongst successful marketers.
As business expert Phil Johnson comments on Forbes.com, “the hottest trend in marketing today just might be the ancient art of storytelling.” He continues, “I’d make the case that there’s a direct link between the Internet, social networks, content marketing, and storytelling” — and Johnson concludes: “In an environment where you don’t stand a chance to win anybody’s attention without some magic, a good story might save you and your brand from oblivion. [18]
Yet, if not to save ourselves from oblivion, how do we go about actually using stories more effectively to connect with our prospects and make more sales?
A great starting point for your overall approach comes from marketing expert Alexander Jutkowitz: “A content marketer has to think like a journalist about crafting a narrative and providing either a thought-provoking idea or accurate, timely information that helps people to better navigate the world.
But like a public relations professional, he or she has to think strategically about the organization’s larger goals and the audience it wants to reach. Like an advertiser, the successful content marketer has to know how to tell these stories visually and tap an emotional vein.” [19]
More specifically, Phil Johnson gives us a great set of guidelines for creating compelling stories about our brand, products and services:
- “If your story does not reveal something personal and unknown about the person or brand, it’s going to be boring.
- If your story does not tap into a specific emotion — whether it be fear, desire, anger, or happiness — it will not move people to action.
- If your story does not take people on a journey where there is a transformation between the beginning, middle, and the end, it’s not a story.” [20]
Further to this, Brandon Yanofsky at Copyblogger recommends a “protagonist, antagonist, plot and moral’ [21] led approach to crafting your sales stories, while going back to Ben Settle at the same site, we see a case made for “personal, historical and ‘meet the guru’” [22] type stories.
All of these approaches can be highly effective, as can the “positive, empowered, hero-in-the-waiting” [23] approach highlighted by marketer Laurie Bennett in The Guardian.
Yet when it comes to writing stories for your own brand, you do really have to work harder than just creating archetypes.
It all comes down to performing detailed market research, constructing an ideal avatar to communicate with, and crafting a personalised story about your company, products and services that really resonates with the people who are precisely positioned to buy into them.
This then becomes a question of transparency, as Joanna Lord writes on Entreprenuer.com: “In a lot of ways, people don’t buy products anymore — they buy your business’s story.
One of the best things a company can do is be transparent about why it is doing what it does. My favourite model to help brands push past the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of their story and find their ‘why’ is Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle Theory [24]. This theory focuses on ‘Why do you wake up in the morning?’ and ‘Why are you so passionate about this?’ [25]
If you’re not sure how to find the ‘why’ of your business, Lord suggests reaching out to your customers and employees for feedback, or engaging with online communities (by Googling yourself), such as forums and social media sites where real people are discussing your brand.
Furthermore, Lord also recommends extending the transparency of your brand story to your prime online real estate platforms such as your homepage, social media profiles and company blog. [26] It seems that one paragraph on the ‘About us’ page simply won’t cut it anymore.
Another great strategy to help you articulate your brand story more effectively is simply to look at how other people are doing it. This fantastic infographic I found on Content Bridge shows how to use storytelling techniques in creating your content:
Infographic courtesy of: Content BridgeStoryselling: In ConclusionIf the Charity Water example above doesn’t get your creative juices flowing on how to use stories to sell a brand whilst simultaneously respecting your audience — then perhaps you’re in the wrong business
Storyselling is not about using fiction to pull the wool over the eyes of your audience, it’s about creating powerful empathetic realities that help open the eyes of your audience.
So if you’re not making enough sales or connecting effectively with your customers, take a step back and ask yourself ‘why am I so passionate about my business or brand?’ If you can’t answer the question, or worse still, don’t believe in your brand enough to completely buy into it — then how can you expect anyone else to?
Your brand story doesn’t have to be long, complicated or delivered through technologically advanced media — it merely has to be transparent and honest about what you’re trying to deliver to all your stakeholders, including management, staff and customers.
If you take time to craft your story from the beginning, through the middle and right to the end — you’ll find that storyselling can transform your not only your writing, but your business and personal branding too.
Now that’s got to be worth writing a story about.
SourcesSources
[1] Robert McKee, Story, p12, Methuen, 1999 (Paperback)
[2] Claude Hopkins, Scientific Advertising, p37, MortonGregory.com (PDF)
[3] Seth Godin: All Marketers Are Liars
[4] Deseret News, Dec 8–9, 1986
[5] Copyblogger: Marketing With Stories
[6] Forbes: Dan Schawbel
[7] Samuel Taylor Coleridge
[8] Christopher Booker, The Seven Basic Plots, p 571, Continuum, 2004 (Paperback)
[9–12] Storytelling in Organizations: Facts, Fictions, and Fantasies: By Yiannis Gabriel
[13] Keith Oatley, Why Fiction May Be Twice as True As Fact: Fiction as Cognitive and Emotional Simulation, p 114. University of Toronto 1999 (PDF)
[14–17] Storytelling in Organizations: Facts, Fictions, and Fantasies: By Yiannis Gabriel
[18] Forbes: Phil Johnson
[19] Ad Age: Alexander Jutkowitz
[20] Forbes: Phil Johnson
[21] Copyblogger: Storytelling Marketing
[22] Copyblogger: Marketing With Stories
[23] The Guardian: Laurie Bennett
[24] Simon Sinek: The Golden Circle
[25 & 26] Entrepreneur: Joanna Lord
[27] Bernadette Jiwa: The Story of Telling
Some time ago I ran a half marathon in Cambridge, UK — a beautiful, historic city with some amazing old college buildings that date back centuries.
It was great fun, but there’s quite a story behind it…
I like to think I’m fairly fit, and had trained for six months on my fancy new running machine beforehand — and even ran the whole 13.1 mile distance during a training run.
My time was pretty slow but it didn’t worry me, and I convinced myself I was bound to do it faster on the big day.
The big day came around very fast, and after buying some new trainers and running kit to look the part — I found myself lining up on the start line with my brother-in-law, sister, and a few friends.
“Let’s stick together until at least halfway if we can,” said my brother-in-law. “OK!” I replied enthusiastically.
On Your Marks, Get Set…Bang! The starter’s gun sounded and we were off!
That was the last I saw of my brother-in-law, my sister, and all my friends for that matter.
And as they disappeared into the distance, I settled into the familiar pace of my training runs.
“Oh crap!” I admitted to myself, “I’m not as fast as I thought I was!”
By the 10K mark, my feet were burning, and by 15K it felt as though my knees might give way.
As I ran along a cobbled street past one of the old Cambridge University college buildings, the pain shot up my legs like needles — but I carried on trudging forward.
“How long d’you reckon we’ve got left, mate?” I panted to another struggling guy next to me.
He looked me in the eye and said convincingly, “Not long mate, just a couple of miles — you can do it!”
As he too ran off into the distance and I was overtaken by a sprightly man in his seventies, I began to think this may not have been such a great idea after all.
Especially with painful arthritis.
Why Was I Even Doing This?I was diagnosed in my thirties, and despite being otherwise fit and healthy, my arthritis is a constant unwanted companion in my life — and flares up badly when you least expect it.
Anyway, it was doing its best to flare up on this particular day, and it felt like someone had stuck nails in the soles of my feet — and in my knees — and set fire to each joint for good measure 🙂
Yet as I jogged from the shadow of the old college building back into the hazy sunshine, I never once considered giving up.
Because I remembered who I was doing this for — my baby daughter Maryann.
My wife Anna and I have three lovely children, two boys Ewan and Callum, and our little girl.
Both boys came into the world with no problems at all — but with Maryann it was different.
There were serious complications at her birth that meant she stopped breathing for nearly 10 minutes.
It was the most vividly shocking day of my life.
Yet the amazing work of the hospital medical team brought her back to us, and for that, we are extremely lucky and eternally grateful.
She’s since made a full recovery, for which we feel blessed.
So that’s why I was running, to raise money for the intensive care unit where Maryann was cared for in the days after her birth.
And that’s why the whole way around the half marathon, despite the pain, it never occurred to me to give up.
It meant so much to cross that finishing line that I kept going right to end, and finished with a flourish amongst the tail-enders — my arms held high like Rocky running up those steps in the film.
I couldn’t walk for a week but that’s another matter 🙂
So what’s all this got to do with writing online?
Online Writing = PersistenceWell, it seems to me that persistence, hard work, and carrying on when you can’t even see the finishing line, are all great traits to carry over into your life as a writer.
These characteristics are especially analogous to the process of keeping up with a writing habit — such as blogging, writing a newsletter, or writing here on Medium.
Persistence is not a flashy character trait but it’s definitely your friend.
Sometimes just keeping an eye on the big picture and putting one foot in front of the other is all you need to ultimately succeed.
In the context of your online writing, it’s important to appreciate that you aren’t going to see results overnight, so you must keep learning to get better — and that means you must keep writing.
This is a long-term game.
You’ll have to come up with ideas, research and outline each article, write each draft, then edit, source images, and publish — over and over again.
And if all that sounds like hard work — it is.
Name one thing in life worth achieving that isn’t?
However, if you stick at it and ‘run the race’ with your online writing efforts, the rewards for you and your business can be great — and will certainly help you overtake those who don’t even try.
The sense of achievement I felt crossing the finishing line in that half marathon was fantastic, because despite everything I didn’t give up, and successfully reached my goal at the end.
You can do the same thing for your online writing — you just need to keep your eye on the overall prize and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Are you ready to commit? Let’s do it…
On your marks, get set, go!
In this article we consider what blogging frequency is most effective for small business websites based on some high profile examples, and consider the best course of action based on your specific circumstances.
To identify your ideal buyer, you’ll want to create a customer avatar or persona, which is a fictional, composite character that reflects the key attributes of your audience. You’ll do this with the help of market research including surveys, data and interviews.
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In this show I'm discussing the ‘Coffee Cup Close’ 5 step sales process with entrepreneur, software creator & agency owner Zach Anderson...
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On the show this time I’m delighted to be talking SEO predictions and trends for 2020 with world renowned SEO, blogger, speaker and online entrepreneur, Matt Diggity.
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In our latest Content Champion interview, we were lucky enough to catch up with Gonzalo Gil, the CEO of market leading eCommerce software 3dcart...
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When it comes to growing your ecommerce business, have you considered Instagram Stories? Not only can they help generate traffic and sales, but they also build engagement and customer loyalty too...
In this episode of the podcast we're considering how to create videos with confidence for your online business, with video marketing expert Lindsey Hazel...
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With 3.397 billion active social media users, we’ve all heard about the insane marketing potential that social media can have. But how do you take your social community and make it profitable?
eCommerce copywriting is not like standard writing. It may sound simplistic, but you need to write in a way that appeals to shoppers who literally have their credit cards out and are ready to buy from you.
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In episode 78 of the Content Champion Podcast, renowned entrepreneur Neil Patel tells us how to use his free SEO tool Ubersuggest to help our content marketing...
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The mobile revolution is upon us with Google launching its mobile-first index in 2018, so now is the time for your business to design its website for the mobile experience.
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In this article, I’ll take you through the process of Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) and why it’s so important for eCommerce...
This regularly updated list of my favourite marketing websites will help you grow your online business with original and unique marketing advice...
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If you're an interior designer looking for marketing strategies to help set you apart online - then you could learn a lot from the philosophy and approach of Jerry Jacobs.
Does content marketing work anymore? Is content marketing dead? These are just some of the questions I hear all the time - and that I hope to answer in this edition of the Content Champion podcast.
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Hello and welcome to episode 76 of the Content Champion Podcast. On the show this time, I’m delighted to be talking with the founder of the Content Marketing Academy - Chris Marr.
If you’re just starting out as a podcaster, or you’re trying to manage a podcast on a budget, you’re probably wondering how to get up and running with podcasting resources that won't break the bank. We know – we’ve been there. However, you’ll be pleased to hear there’s a lot of guidance and services out there to […]
Business owners spend a lot of time and money creating visually appealing websites and in-depth content to promote themselves online. While these are key features in generating leads, you also need to understand on-page SEO essentials if you want your site to rank properly in the search engines and be found by potential clients. Since many […]
Welcome to another episode in the SEO Essentials series of the Content Champion podcast, where we discuss the foundational aspects of SEO you need to get right before rolling out a successful SEO campaign - or employing an agency. This time I'm joined again by our Head of SEO, Tom Peary, to look into the subject […]
As we continue our SEO Essentials series, we’re discussing how the speed of your website plays a crucial role in your conversion rates, so much so that this one issue alone can make or break your online business. Our Head of SEO at Content Champion, Tom Peary, joins me again on this episode to explain […]
Welcome back to another show in the SEO Essentials series of the Content Champion podcast. A common issue with many of our new client websites is duplicate content. Duplicate content can play a significant role in your site’s ability to rank well on search engines such as Google. Content Champion’s Head of SEO, Tom Peary, joins […]
Welcome back to the SEO Essentials Series of the Content Champion Podcast. In this episode, I'm discussing canonicalization with highly experienced SEO, Tom Peary. Yes we know, don't let your eyes glaze over quite yet - as getting this right could save your organic traffic. Tom is the Head of SEO here at Content Champion, and […]
In this 'housekeeping' episode of The Content Champion Podcast, I set the scene for our new series of shows called 'SEO Essentials', where we discuss the prerequisite on-page SEO steps you must take to maximise your long term success with both SEO and content marketing. So if you're considering outsourcing your SEO or embarking upon a […]
On today’s show it is my complete honour to be discussing podcast monetization with one of the very first people I ever started following online - the Internet marketing expert, online entrepreneur, coach, blogger and podcaster, Yaro Starak - author of the Blog Profits Blueprint and founder of the superb blog Entrepreneurs-Journey.com. Yaro began blogging over […]
On the show this time I'm talking with niche site entrepreneur and expert affiliate marketer, Dom Wells of Human Proof Designs. Dom created Human Proof Designs for two reasons: to teach others about affiliate marketing, and to give you ready-made niche sites that are worth buying.
Welcome to the 67th edition of the Content Champion Podcast. On the show this time, I’m delighted to be speaking with SEO and productivity expert, Doug Cunnington, of Niche Site Project - about how to get traffic to your niche sites without building backlinks. With Amazon recently slashing affiliate payouts in certain product categories, how much […]
On today’s show, I’m delighted to welcome Nick Disabato, the writer, designer and A/B testing expert - and author of The A/B Testing Manual. A/B testing is the scientific method applied to making conversion changes on your website, and Nick’s 'Draft' Design Consultancy has a proven track record of using research driven A/B testing to […]
Welcome to the 65th edition of the Content Champion Podcast - on the show this time, I’m delighted to be speaking with SEO and content marketing expert, Andrew Holland, founder of UK based Zoogly media.I first encountered Andrew in the Facebook group for Brian Dean’s excellent course SEO That Works – and was instantly struck […]
If you want to learn a content and SEO strategy that can help you improve your website UX, create authority content and build better backlinks - you'll love the SEO Spider's Web, the simple but highly effective content marketing technique created by experienced online marketer Will Blunt of Blogger Sidekick. Listen To Will's Show Will's […]
The well-known saying, ‘content is king’ is only half true. If you want to have the type of website that consistently gets hundreds then thousands of daily readers – simply because people love to read the content you publish – then you need to create truly great content and actively promote it – for only […]
In episode 63 of the Content Champion podcast, it's my pleasure to host award-winning journalist Christian Toto on the show, to discuss content marketing for news focused websites and the unique challenges that this presents.Christian is the founder of Hollywood in Toto (HiT), a discerning and high quality film review and interviews site that looks […]
In this episode of The Content Champion Podcast, I'm delighted to host sales funnel and email marketing automation expert Greg Hickman - founder and CEO of System.ly. A certified Infusionsoft partner and with years of experience using many other marketing automation systems, Greg and his team have created sales funnels that convert for bluechip clients […]
If you want to learn how to add 1,000's of subscribers to your email list using easy to setup giveaways, then stay tuned, because my guest Robbie Richards has done just that and shares his exact strategy in this edition of The Content Champion Podcast. Robbie is an expert digital marketer and professional SEO - […]
If you're interested in goal setting for your content marketing - and how to take a refined, strategic approach to your work - then episode 58 of The Content Champion Podcast with content marketing expert Robert Gibb of MaxCDN will be required listening.A highly skilled copywriter and content strategist, Robert focuses on helping tech startups […]
Welcome to show 57 of the Content Champion Podcast, in this episode I’m bringing you something special and a little bit different. I recently took part in a world record breaking 36 six hour podcast hosted by Mike and Izabela Russell - founders of New Media Europe and the UK Podcasters community. I was one […]
My guest on episode 56 of the Content Champion Podcast is experienced online marketer Rob Cornish of Gain Higher Ground. A prolific entrepreneur and product creator, Rob has authored an excellent new report that outlines how we can use powerful psychological triggers called 'pattern interrupts' in our content marketing. Listen To Rob's ShowRob's BackstoryAfter spending a decade […]
My guest on this episode of the Content Champion Podcast is innovative online entrepreneur and accomplished content marketer, Tom Hunt. Among his many achievements, Tom is a successful podcaster, a TEDx speaker and also the founder of Virtual Valley, a virtual assistant outsourcing agency. You may also know Tom from his appearance on BBC TV's […]
Content marketing expert, Michael Karp, is my guest on the 54th episode of the Content Champion podcast. Michael is the owner of the brilliant site Copytactics - that helps people grow their online businesses through content marketing. In fact, Michael's articles are literally buzzing with in-depth ideas on how you can use content marketing techniques […]
My guest on episode 53 of the Content Champion Podcast is experienced marketing professional Simon Dunant. Owner of digital marketing consultancy New Rise Digital and presenter of the Podcast Power Marketing Podcast – Simon is also an author, conference speaker and course creator. And it's his latest course, the 'Podcast Power Blueprint' that we're discussing in […]
It's fair to say Matt Wolfe of Multiply Authority excels in all areas of running his content based business. An experienced online marketer, entrepreneur, affiliate marketer, podcaster and blogger - not to mention product builder, content marketer and teacher - this is definitely a man of many talents. So I was delighted when he agreed […]
In show 51 of the Content Champion podcast, I'm delighted to be talking with Will Hoekenga, the experienced professional copywriter behind Copygrad - one of my favourite writing blogs and amongst the top resources of its type online. Will has developed a 'copy hierarchy of needs' to ensure our copywriting always meets our prospects' requirements […]
I'm excited to announce that this is the 50th episode of The Content Champion Podcast. So to celebrate this milestone, I'm discussing strategic writing that attracts more traffic, subscribers and sales with special guest Tim Soulo.
In episode 49 of the Content Champion podcast, I'm thrilled to be talking about the SEO and link building landscape in 2016 with experienced digital marketing consultant, Ryan Stewart - founder of the massively successful online marketing agency Webris. Listen To Ryan's ShowWith a boatload of advice already available (just 3 weeks into the new […]
This is a guest post by Tom Hunt. Tom is the founder of SaaS Marketer and bCast (B2B podcast hosting for high growth businesses). He lives and works in Hackney, London with his delightful partner Rebecca and little dog called Bear. OK, so you've decided you need to grow your business and have just finished […]
In episode 48 of the Content Champion podcast, I’m excited to be speaking with Facebook retargeting expert and long time friend of the show, Daniel Daines-Hutt, about how his Facebook Fishing Formula can literally skyrocket your conversions. Listen to Daniel’s podcast An accomplished and internationally recognised digital marketer, marketing consultant and public speaker, Daniel is […]
In show number 47 of the Content Champion podcast, I’m thrilled to be speaking with Californian traveler and entrepreneur, Danny Flood, about how to use email outreach techniques to grow your business and brand whilst living a ‘laptop lifestyle’.Listen To Danny’s PodcastDanny Flood has fought in Thai boxing matches in Bangkok (respect), rafted down the […]
In episode 46 of the Content Champion podcast, I discuss email list segmentation and behavioural dynamic marketing with Rob Woodgate, creator of AWtomator – the amazing new marketing automation software for AWeber that I’ve been testing. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] It’s fair to say that keen sailor, former cognitive therapist and successful online entrepreneur, […]
In show 45 of the Content Champion podcast, I chat with SEO professional Nick Eubanks of the superb blog ‘SEO Nick’ – about how he generated over 100,000 monthly visitors to a new site in just 9 months, (yes you did read that correctly). Listen to the podcast [powerpress] Nick Eubanks is one of those […]
Welcome to episode 44 of the Content Champion podcast, and boy do I have something special for you this time, as my guest is none other than high profile online entrepreneur and founder of my favourite web host, Terry Kyle of WPX Hosting (formerly Traffic Planet Hosting). Listen to the podcast[powerpress] Creator of a number […]
It’s no secret, blogging helps to attract and build an audience. Whether you run a business blog, a niche or personal site, it can help establish your authority and position you as an influencer. But if your writing fails to achieve any of this, it may mean that your posts don’t communicate your authority well […]
I’ve got a confession to make. Sometimes – quite often actually – I absolutely hate writing. I know this sounds weird coming from a professional copywriter and content marketer – but I’m afraid it’s true. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I love writing – most of the time luckily. In […]
In-between recording audio for my new content marketing course, I’ve managed to put together an excellent new episode of the Content Champion podcast – and it’s an entertaining show with Zac Johnson on how to make good money blogging in 2015. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] We’re learning from the master here folks, because Zac […]
In this post I want to talk about a technique that I call social stacking. Now everyone knows social media is an absolutely fantastic way to drive traffic to your website, once you've built up your profiles and follower numbers - yet it isn't simply 'plug and play' as some people would have you suggest. Often, the […]
Welcome to show 42 of the Content Champion podcast. In this episode, it’s my honour to be speaking with ‘the’ Rand Fishkin of Moz.com and Inbound.org fame – about how to measure the success of our content marketing campaigns. Trust me, this is one show you don’t want to miss… Listen to the podcast [powerpress] […]
Hello and welcome to episode 41 of the Content Champion podcast. On the show this time round, I’m delighted to be speaking with experienced entrepreneur and marketing professional Claire Mitchell of The Girls Mean Business. With over 15 years’ industry experience, Claire is buzzing with practical, down-to-earth advice on how to market your business online […]
I can’t believe we’re already up to episode number 40 of the Content Champion podcast, it’s been an amazing journey already. This time, I’m thrilled my guest is the ‘Social Media Bloke’ himself, Andrew McCauley of Autopilot Your Business. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] A highly skilled digital marketer and social media expert, Andrew is […]
Let’s face it. Being productive with content creation can be hard. We’ve all been there – a superb idea for a new blog post, free report or guest article pops into your head, and we can’t wait to get started. Excitedly we find ourselves in front of the computer screen – a blank Word document […]
I’m thrilled my guest on show 39 of the Content Champion podcast is Mark Schaefer, the globally renowned marketing and business consultant, best selling author, educator and speaker. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] In 2014, Mark coined the term ‘content shock’ to describe the saturation point in content production that was being reached as content […]
My guest on episode 38 of the Content Champion podcast is SEO expert Casie Gillette of KoMarketing Associates, who explains how SEO and content marketing work together in creating the connections to enhance your online visibility. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] A great deal has changed in the SEO landscape over the last few years, […]
It’s time for episode 37 of the Content Champion podcast, and I’m thrilled my guest on the show is experienced copywriter, blogger and speaker, Rachel Foster of Fresh Perspective Copywriting. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] If like me you’ve not really scratched beneath the surface with LinkedIn – apart from sharing a few posts here […]
Five months ago I published a huge content marketing glossary on this site that generated some interesting results, and paved the way for a new content creation strategy that everyone can benefit from. I first heard about the power of ‘glossary marketing’ – creating a huge A-Z glossary of industry terms – from SEO expert […]
Welcome to show number 36 of the Content Champion podcast, thank you for listening. This time round I’m delighted to be speaking with experienced social media marketing professional, Bernie Borges. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] If you’ve been struggling with your social media strategy, then this podcast is required listening. Not only does Bernie shed […]
There’s been a great deal written about the theory of using Twitter to get more traffic to your blog, website or online store – but very little in terms of actionable, proven strategies. I hope to change that with this case study, and what I call the ‘Triple Twitter Traffic Technique’ (if you can say […]
If you’ve always dreamed of finding your freedom by running an online business or blog, perhaps even from an exotic location, then you’ll love my latest podcast with Ryan Biddulph of Blogging From Paradise. He can help you turn that dream into your new reality. Ryan lives an incredible island hopping lifestyle – all paid for […]
I’m thrilled to announce my special guest on episode 34 of the Content Champion podcast, is none other than the ‘Virtual CEO’ himself, Chris Ducker. In this entertaining half hour show, I chat with Chris about the benefits of using virtual assistants (VA’s) to outsource some elements of content marketing. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] […]
In episode 33 of the Content Champion podcast, I’m delighted to be chatting with digital strategy professional Kavi Guppta, on the subject of how master chef Jamie Oliver excels at content marketing. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] Kavi has a decade of experience in the advertising industry, and is the founder of communications studio, We […]
I’m always fascinated by the various ways people all over the world are using content marketing to promote themselves and their businesses. It’s interesting to see what works – and equally what challenges they have to face and overcome. In this case study, I focus on the content marketing journey of Stefano Raffo, co-owner and […]
It’s time for show number 32 of the Content Champion podcast, and in this episode I’m delighted to be chatting about content marketing strategy planning with Matt Heinz of Heinz Marketing. Listen to the podcast [powerpress] Matt has over 15 years’ experience in marketing, sales and business development – and his company excels at driving […]
The bandwagon that is the Content Champion podcast rolls onwards to its 31st edition, and this time I’m happy to invite digital and communication strategist Steve Seager onto the show to talk about storylining – the best-kept secret of successful content marketing that most brands overlook. Listen to Steve’s storylining podcast With over 20 years’ […]
In this fascinating content marketing case study, I reveal how asset-based loan provider Zillidy increased their online visitors by 1,200% and their sales leads by 1,500% in just two years. If you think content marketing can’t work in your business, stop what you’re doing and read this. I still receive a lot of emails from […]
I can't believe we're already up to episode 30 of the Content Champion podcast. On the show this time I'm revisiting the subject of building authority sites with Gael Breton of Authority Hacker.
Welcome to show number 29 of the Content Champion podcast, thanks as ever for listening. This time, I'm delighted to be chatting about brand storytelling with Michael Brenner, Head of Strategy at content marketing software firm NewsCred.
In show number 28 of the Content Champion podcast, I'm thrilled to be talking small business in bound marekting with Steve Sheinkopf, CEO of Yale Appliance in Boston.
If you want your website visitors to have a superb experience viewing the content on your site – and you want to give them every chance to join your list, sign up for your offers, and buy your stuff – then hosting your website on a super fast host is a no brainer.
Hello again, welcome to episode number 27 of the Content Champion podcast. I'm excited to announce that my guest this time is globally renowned marketing strategist, author and speaker, David Meerman Scott.
Hi folks, welcome to show number 26 of the Content Champion podcast. This time round, I'm delighted to be speaking with authority blogger, social media expert and content marketing professional Kristi Hines.
Welcome to episode 25 of the Content Champion podcast. On the show this time it's my pleasure to be discussing automated content marketing software with Robbie Allen, Founder and CEO of Automated Insights and creator of Wordsmith software.
I'm very pleased to announce that Jeff Bullas is my guest on the 24th session of the Content Champion podcast. Jeff is a highly accomplished blogger, speaker, author and social media strategist, and has recently been ranked at number eight on the Forbes list entitled “The World’s Top 40 Social Marketing Talent”.
It's time for session 23 of the Content Champion podcast, and this time round I'm speaking with Stan Smith of Pushing Social. Stan is a renowned business growth strategist, social media expert and content marketing coach, and uses his experience to help a host of high profile clients grow their online brands.
You can imagine my delight when I happened across this post by Kevan Lee on the Buffer blog, which outlined the perfect length for maximum engagement of various content types according to scientific research. We liked it so much we made an infographic out of it.
Hello again, it's time for session 22 of the Content Champion podcast. In this show, I'm excited to be speaking with digital marketing specialist Jay Baer, founder of Convince and Convert and author of Youtility.
Welcome to show 21 of the Content Champion podcast. In this episode, I'm discussing content syndication with expert marketer Brian Rice of Business2Community.
Hello again everyone, it's hard to believe we've already reached episode 20 of the Content Champion podcast. On the show this time around, it's my great pleasure to be speaking with the inspirational blogging expert Jon Morrow.
Let's look at the four key stages that any business can deploy to implement a successful content marketing strategy based around your company blog.
On the show this time, I'm delighted to be talking with local business entrepreneur and marketing consultant Bella Vasta. Since leaving college, Bella has grown her house and pet sitting firm into an award winning local business - using innovative content marketing techniques to increase her customer base.
Here are 11 ways you can attract more readers to your blog, prepare them for future posts and push your content aggressively once it goes online.
Hi guys, I'm excited to welcome bestselling author and popular blogger, Jeff Goins, as my guest on the 18th Content Champion podcast.
Hi folks, welcome to the 17th session of the Content Champion podcast. On the show this time I'm delighted to be speaking with Joe Pulizzi, founder of the Content Marketing Institute, best selling author and industry thought leader.
Hello again, it's time for episode 16 of the Content Champion podcast. On the show this time I'm speaking with part time online business builder and freelance marketing expert John Banks.
Hi guys, welcome to session 15 of the Content Champion Podcast. This time I'm delighted to be talking with social media expert Jim Tobin of Ignite Social Media, about his new book 'Earn It. Don't Buy It'.
I thought it would be fascinating to find out what books have most inspired some of the world's most prominent SEO professionals and content marketing experts.
welcome to the 14th session of the Content Champion Podcast. This time round I'm talking small business content marketing with inbound and content marketing professional Marcus Sheridan of The Sales Lion.
Hi guys, it's time for the 13th session of the Content Champion Podcast. On the show this time round is Steve Scott, the best selling author on the Amazon Kindle platform.
OK folks, it's time for edition 12 of The Content Champion Podcast. In this show, I'm delighted to introduce professional SEO and super affiliate Jacob King.
Welcome to the 11th session of The Content Champion Podcast. This time round, I had a fascinating and entertaining chat with Richard Marriott, the creative SEO and online entrepreneur behind the great new blog Clambr.com.
For the tenth session of the Content Champion Podcast, I was lucky enough to speak for an hour with Brian Dean, the SEO expert behind Backlinko.com - my new favourite blog.
Hi folks, I've got a real treat for you in the ninth edition of The Content Champion Podcast, Rob Cornish of Gain Higher Ground gives you everything you need to know to set up and run a sustainable online business.
“Story isn’t a flight from reality but a vehicle that carries us on our search for reality.” Robert McKee.
Hi guys, I can't believe we're already on to the 8th session of the Content Champion Podcast. This time I'm delighted to be chatting with Steve Kamb of Nerd Fitness.
In this article I'm going to share my proven template for writing affiliate product reviews for Amazon review sites. Once you've been through this post you'll have all the information you need to write engaging reviews that convert into sales.
Hi folks, welcome to the 7th session of the Content Champion Podcast. In this edition I'm very happy to be talking with Lisa Parmley, online entrepreneur and renowned SEO expert.
Hi Guys, welcome to the 6th session of the Content Champion Podcast. This time I'm thrilled to be joined by Corbett Barr, founder of Fizzle and expert on how to build a thriving and profitable online audience.
Welcome to the 5th edition of the Content Champion Podcast. For this session I'm delighted to be joined by traffic and conversion expert Peep Laja to chat about content creation, traffic generation and conversion optimization.
I'm delighted to be chatting with experienced marketing consultant Liz Lockard in the fourth session of the Content Champion Podcast. Liz helps small business owners to reach out more effectively to their target audience on the Web.
I'm thrilled to be talking with Shane Melaugh in the third session of the Content Champion Podcast. Shane is the creator of some excellent software products – including Thrive Themes, Thrive Architect and Thrive Leads (all of which I own).
I'm delighted to welcome you to the second Content Champion Podcast! This time I'm speaking with serial entrepreneur Neil Patel of QuickSprout fame.
I'm very excited to welcome you to the very first Content Champion Podcast! To mark this event I've lined up an inspiring interview with John Lee Dumas of EOFire & The Freedom Journal.