Over the past few weeks I’ve been conducting a social media experiment. Having lost my mojo and gone through a phase of posting hardly anything for months, I re-engaged by setting the intention of finding and sharing stories on Facebook and Instagram rather than just posting pictures with short captions or random updates. My hope was that sharing stories that made a point would create more … [Read more...] about Does it really make a difference when you tell stories on social media?
Trailblazing Creatives
Stop hating self-promotion and start letting people fall in love with you
Self-promotion. What does it mean to you? To me it means anything that helps to raise my profile and reach the people I most want to work with. It’s about me but it’s not all about me, if that makes sense. So I was shocked when I Googled ‘self-promotion’ and at the top of the page was the following definition: “The action of promoting or publicising oneself or one’s activities, especially in a … [Read more...] about Stop hating self-promotion and start letting people fall in love with you
How to be as irresistible as Boy George
For the past couple of months, my Trailblazing Creatives partner Nicky Moran and I have been writing about clarity in all aspects of self-promotion (see links at the end of this blog). But now we’re moving on to the second of our ‘Six Cs’, which builds on that clarity – compelling content. Over the next couple of months Nicky and I will be exploring different aspects of this topic. I’ve been … [Read more...] about How to be as irresistible as Boy George
If you really want to stand out you’ll have to mind your language
As part of my work as a public speaking coach and trainer, I facilitate a workshop called Speak Like a TED Talker, which teaches participants how to express themselves authentically, from the heart, and with diamond-sharp clarity. In the morning we play a game called ‘TED or Dead’. I read out the titles of various speeches and ask the group to decide whether or not they are TED talks or dead … [Read more...] about If you really want to stand out you’ll have to mind your language
Why do you need clarity of purpose? Because people buy why…
Simon Sinek’s TED talk has been viewed more than 36 million times. It doesn’t have a particularly memorable title but what I'll always remember about it is a key phrase he uses all the way through – ‘People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.’ This has always made sense to me. When you are introduced to someone at a social or business event, they inevitably ask ‘What do you do?’ And … [Read more...] about Why do you need clarity of purpose? Because people buy why…
Take a dive into the pool of vulnerability
Today I am feeling vulnerable. I’m probably about four years old and in need of a hug. Tearful. Feeling sensitive. Wondering whether I should even be writing this. Far better to hide under a duvet with a cuddly duck. Or at least wait until I feel like a competent adult again. What has triggered this? Sharing the deepest purpose behind the work I do on my About Me page. And then being quizzed … [Read more...] about Take a dive into the pool of vulnerability