Are you old enough to remember those ancient railway carriages that had compartments? You know, the ones with bench seats that, if you were travelling on the last train home, you would avoid like the plague in case a weirdo sat next to you? Well, I do. I got stuck in one once and couldn’t get out – but that’s another story. Compartments. You get stuck in them and can’t get out. So why oh … [Read more...] about Don’t get stuck in a compartment (with a weirdo) – celebrate your whole self
Storytelling
Why storytelling helps you to show up rather than show off
A few years ago, when I was training to become a public speaker, I came up against a barrier. Whenever I did an exercise that required me (an introvert) to ‘go bigger’, I resisted. My worry was that people would think I was showing off. It was only after receiving consistent feedback that I wasn’t being annoying or over the top that I accepted that what felt like showing off to me was having a … [Read more...] about Why storytelling helps you to show up rather than show off
What a drag queen taught me about the power of sharing your story
I’m a big fan of Netflix. I’m always looking for TV series to get stuck into and, a couple of weeks ago, on a whim I decided to start watching RuPaul’s Drag Race. I was soon hooked on the format – The Apprentice for drag queens – and found myself in awe of the transformation these guys went through and what a high art drag is when it’s done to this level of perfection. But more than that, I was … [Read more...] about What a drag queen taught me about the power of sharing your story
How a photograph can hold the key to compelling content
'You go down, down past the Talk of the Town....' My heart is pumping. I'm excited but nervous. I'm going to watch the hottest band in London film their new video... in front of an invited audience – including me! You know that feeling you get when you know you're in THE place to be? That's how I'm feeling right now... 'You go down Greek Street then it's underground...' I know there are … [Read more...] about How a photograph can hold the key to compelling content
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
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…