Storytelling can become more productive when you start with a template. And it’s not easy to find templates for business stories. In this episode, we explore a surprising (and fun) story structure for service-based solopreneurs, adapted from a holiday classic and inspired by Ann Handley’s Everybody Writes.

This story template covers a lot of bases. It’s a variation of a success story. It focuses on the client, not the guide. It makes you think of your service as a problem-solving mechanism: What need do you fulfill?

You will learn…
…what makes this such a good template
…some differences between these fairy stories and business reality
…how this structure connects the client’s need with your service
…how to adapt this template for a service-based solopreneur

And, as usual, it’s short and to the point. No need to take notes: I've prepared a takeaway guide to your own version of this template.

RESOURCES:

Ann Handley’s book - Everybody Writes
Strategic Intensive - Solve that marketing problem.
The Ultimate Story Template- download your personal guide to this story

RELATED PODCASTS:

Interview with Jaquette Timmons - Stories of a Financial Coach. Click hereWhich do people admire: Talent or Hard Work. Click here.

NOTE: I mentioned a story that seems patterned on Rudolph: Danger the Dogyard Cat.

Danger the dogyard cat

I found it when I was living in Alaska and it’s still popular. The book was written by Libby Riddles, who was a real Alaska musher and the first woman to win the Iditerod, a grueling challenge for dogsled racing. In this children's book, ae feisty cat named Danger gets adopted from the pound. He has to confront all the sled dogs who initially don’t take him seriously. Then one day there’s a crisis and the team needs a leader to follow. I forget the exact details, but ultimately Danger the cat ends up leading the dogs and they win the race.
Click here to learn more.

If you’ve ever been asked, “How did you get started?” you know how often this question comes up in podcasts, interviews, networking events, and client meetings.

But instead of giving a throwaway answer to satisfy their curiosity, what if you could use that moment to attract your next best client?

In this episode, we explore how you can transform the most common origin story question into a powerful marketing tool. You'll learn how to frame your response to show your passion, uniqueness, and credibility—without sounding scripted or obnioxious.

You will discover:

• Why most people waste their origin story—and how not to toss yours away
• Two origin story strategies: Show your passion or highlight your unique difference
• What to do if your origin story doesn’t fit those categories
• A pro tip for “connecting the dots” between an unrelated past career and your current offer (so you increase your credibility)
• How to use your story as part of your website, podcast appearances, or live networking

Resources:

• Download the free guide: The 3 Essential Stories You Need for Your Next, Best Client. Click here for access.
  
  
• Want personalized help shaping your origin story to fit your strategy? Book a consultation by starting here.
  
  

If you find this episode helpful:
Please leave a review on Apple or Spotify. It helps others find the show—and helps you build a stronger storytelling strategy.

We usually talk about the stories we tell about ourselves. We use stories to showcase our marketable qualities. We explain and promote our offers.

In this episode, we flip the script. We focus on getting other people to tell their stories. Often their stories will be essential for our own marketing.

For example, when you interview a podcast guest, you want that guest to tell an exciting story that will be memorable to your audience.

When you ask for a testimonial, you want a story about how you helped the client.

When you conduct client research or an intake interview, you want the client's uncensored point of view.

Too many entrepreneurs rely on generic “why” questions and end up with boring, same-old answers. Besides your own storytelling, you want to find a way to get others to tell their stories.

On this episode, you’ll discover:

...Why “why” questions sabotage your interviews

...Questions to ask to spark meaningful, entertaining stories

...The four-part interview structure that produces the best stories

...Why you must avoid opinions and advice (and get good stories instead)

...How to understand why they might avoid hard-core truth in their stories

As always, please leave a review, preferably on Apple or Spotify. Let me know how you're using your client's stories in your marketing. What works? What doesn't?

Links & Resources:

• Video Course: The Client Advantage – Use your clients’ backstories to enter the conversation in their heads.

• 30 Prompts To Tell Your Business Story – $9

• FREE: The 3 Stories You Need Before Landing Your Next Client

• For a deep dive into research, positioning, and strorytelling: The Strategic Intensive

• My website is here.