Starting a business has been a learning experience to say the least. There are many things to think about in the beginning stages of business planning such as business formations, mission statements, brand positioning, market research, financial planning and so many other elements to consider. Even with all of this, I believe one of the first things to think about when planning a new business is one’s ability to be a storyteller. I suggest taking some time to think about one’s own story. Where have you been? What are you doing now? What do you want to do in the future (i.e., your new business)? In so doing this, I believe that this will help clear up some confusion when you dig into business plan writing and marketing planning.
My first “building a business” lesson:
Be a good storyteller. Empathize with your audience.
It is important to understand what your audience needs (or wants). If all stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end, how can you translate this information into a well-rounded story that resonates with your audience?
Some tips to think about before preparing your story. Consider practicing your storytelling skills outloud and imagine a particular audience. Is your audience a potential client or a networking buddy?
- Think about a good starting point that each person in the audience can relate to. How does each person in the group know each other and what are some commonalities of the group?
- Think about a good ending point that each person in the audience can relate to. Why are you here today?
- Make eye contact and watch body language to read interest (or lack of interest) while speaking.
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