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This blog will illustrate how you can use story telling in your marketing materials, blog posts and talks to help other people understand what your product or service does.  

If you are in the business of promoting your products or services (who isn’t), you must have heard the phrase ‘Facts Tell – Stories Sell’.

Unfortunately, many people in business shy away from using stories to convey their message – because they assume that telling stories is a bit err childish, amateurish or unprofessional. 

I agree that hearing the word story probably conjures up the wrong image.  Initialy you might say  ”Telling a story has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with my Business Metrics Measuring Tool”.

That’s a really short-sighted attitude.  Because if you are struggling to get customers to understand what your product or service does – the best way to get them to understand is by telling a story.

What’s this got to do with a hairdryer…?

I was only 21 and one of 5 daughters.  And if you’ve got daughters or sisters you will know that at that age girls spend an awful lot of time washing their hair, and doing their nails and putting on make-up.  A lot of time.  My problem was that I was the only one who had a decent hairdryer.  But at that particular time I was the only one with a functioning hairdryer. Not fun when all of us were getting ready for a party, or fighting for the hairdryer before going to work. 

So I entered a competition to win a hairdryer.   I told a story from the hairdryer’s perspective.  Now I must admit, that this was a long time ago and my writing style was a bit immature, but whatever it was I did, it worked! 

So why are stories so powerful?

OK look at this another way.  How desperate are you for people to understand you, or try your stuff?  These days it’s not enough to bang on about how great you are or focus on features.  When you focus on features alone there are two reasons why that might fail:-

1. You might assume that everyone is as familiar with your business as you are.   And there’s no point in getting a bit huffy when people ask for more information.
2. A feature only focuses on the product itself, and not what it can do for other people to make a meaningful impact on their lives. 

This wil leave a yawning chasm between you. 

How does telling a story work in action?

OK let’s consider Google…

How many times have you searched for a solution to a problem using Google, only to land on a  page that’s crammed with boring facts, and industry specific key words and jargon?  How long did you hang around to find out more?  3 seconds perhaps?   

I despair at the sheer volume of tedious, boring and un-user friendly sites out there.  You want a simple answer but nobody bothers to deliver it in a straightforward way!   If that isn’t your experience – then please comment below. 

So, to conclude.  If you want to get some traction on your website and to help people (whilst at the same time promoting yourself in a relaxed and friendly way) – package the information into a neat little story to illustrate how it works in a very simple way. 

Compare what you do to something common place for instance, or relate a personal experience or kids story.  Talk about the plot of a film,  or ancient legend to illustrates your point.

We all remember fairy stories don’t we.  So your challenge is to look at your content.  If some of it goes way over the heads of the majority of your potential clients, think about simplifying it by telling a story.

I am now into my 3rd year running my own business and I feel quite lucky that the internet and social media revolution has come about in time for my business to take advantage. If a sure if I was in my early twenties or thirties I’d be even more pleased. These 5 videos give a great broad flavour of what Social Media is and the impact it is having on our lives…

Is Social Media a Fad?

This video has over 1.5 million visits, and tells it how it is. It is already happening and it is impossible for anybody NOT to be effected by this movement. When watching this video, with the music, it gives you inspiration to find out more and not be left behind. WATCH IT NOW!

Social Media Experts

If you take Malcolm Gladwell’s definition of an expert (Outliers: The Story of Success) it is someone who has had 10,000 hours on the area they claim to be an expert in. He sites that Bill Gates had been programming nonstop for over 7 years BEFORE he started he own software company, Microsoft. For us mere mortals if you were to work 8 hours a day 5 days a week every week on something it would take you 4 years and 10 months to become an expert, and this is the bottom figure. Social Media, in the form most of us know it, has only been around for 3/4 years. Twitter is only 4 years old. So how many social media experts are there out these? This video by Chris Pirillo gives a fun and thought provoking look at Social Media.

Seth Godin on Social Media

Seth Godwin’s idea on all things marketing and permission marketing is legendary. Here he gives his take on email marketing and social media. In a very simple way he explains complex marketing techniques in everyday language that we all can understand.

Social Media and ROI

So social media is here to stay. SO WHAT!!! Will it make me any money? Is it about just feeding each other’s egos or hoping somebody is listening when we tell them what we are having for breakfast? This video by Socialnomics gives some great examples of companies who have invested in social media and showing some serious money. My take on social media as I mentioned in this blog is that it is a vehicle for communication, conversation and social interaction. What you say is up to you.

Barack OBAMA on Social Media

If you still need convincing the power of social media, then if this endorsement doesn’t do it, nothing will. Here Barack Obama talks about the role social media had to play, on him winning the Presidential election in the USA.

There are many more I could have chosen, however I hope these five give you a flavour of what social media is, and can give your business.

Social Media is an incredibly hot topic at the moment …

and many small businesses are keen to jump on the Social Media bandwagon.  But it’s relatively new.  So there is a danger that many small business owners could be adopting this strategy without really knowing what they are doing.  They could think that it’s the ‘magic bullet’ that could miraculously rescue their ailing marketing campaigns, or think that it requires very little effort in order to succeed at it.  This is a mistake…

So before you leap in feet first here are my 10 Top Tips:

1. Before you do anything with Social Media, recognise that unless you have the resources available to outsource the whole thing, it will require effort, commitment and consistency on your part.  It doesn’t happen on its own.  However, if you are organised, have a plan and are prepared to schedule your time sensibly, there is no reason why it cannot replace at least one networking event per week in terms of time spent. 
2. Write compelling, well optimised blog posts that get people talking. Invite discussion and be relevant.  This will help drive people to your website to find out more about you and your service.   
3. There’s nothing more powerful than an endorsement of your work in the form of a Video testimonial from happy clients or customers, who are happy to share their experiences of working with you.  The videos only need to be a couple of minutes long.  These can be quickly uploaded onto You Tube and embedded into your website. 
4. Join Groups on Linked In and start showing up, connecting, sharing or posting useful advice.  Word of caution – you need to be in the right ‘fish tank’ of course – so go where your customers/clients are more likely to be swimming!
5. Optimise your articles and blogs with your keywords, so these are searchable on Google.  Then ensure they are ‘pinged’, i.e. circulated onto social bookmarking sites like Digg, and Technorati, and other profiles where you have a presence, i.e. Facebook and Twitter and Linked In.
6. Encourage people you meet at networking/trainings/seminars to link up with you online as well.  Build the relationship.  Remember – don’t spam them with your stuff when you’ve only just met – that’s the kiss of death! So give it time.
7. Remember, these days people would rather connect to a real person and not a Faceless Corporate Entity.  So being personable, genuine and transparent helps to gain other people’s trust, and is the essential ingredient to building your credibility and likeability.  One way to do this is to reveal something about you that others might find interesting.  For instance, do you Skydive in your spare time, or are keen on Ball Room Dancing or hate Marmite?  Why not let people know about it?
8. Demonstrate your expertise by making it easy for potential clients to gain access to some of your useful resources and material. It might sound counter-intuitive, but the more you share – the more your name gets out there! – this blog post has recently been published in the NABO Newsletter for instance!
9. Go for quality rather than quantity – i.e. you don’t need to be hooked up to the whole world and be on a mission to get thousands of followers on Twitter. Develop relevant connections and find friendly advocates who can talk about you to other people – then build from there.
10. Utilise Social Plugins/Widgets/Buttons (e.g. the Facebook Like Button) and place these on your blog or Website.  This leverages Social Proof (e.g. people look around to see what everyone else is doing before they make their choice).  Rather than listening to marketing messages alone, consumers rely on that old favourite – the opinions of other people before making a choice. 

When you think of the word legend or leader (particularly in a business context) you might conjure up a picture of a bold and perhaps slightly aggressive looking individual in a sharp suit, or perhaps a perfectly groomed women who’s never seen a bad hair day in her life.  But what about the aspiring leader who doesn’t fit the stereotype?  You could feel intimidated – leading you to shy away from the limelight, assuming that you probably aren’t legend material.  But let’s consider this…

Some of the wealthiest and most successful businesses are run and founded by geeks; unlikely heroes who have emerged from the Bloggersphere.  There they were just doing their thang on the Internet, building some fantastic invention in their spare bedroom, or starting out as wannabe  Internet marketers.  However, with an uncanny knack of knowing their way around the technology, and an ability to persuade and network, they got known fairly quickly.  And all without appearing to do a lot, except just show up, and talk eloquently and enthusiastically about their special field of interest.

Some of them are so laid back that they aren’t even bothered about what they look like either.  Because to become an influencer on the Internet requires a different approach than that which is accepted in the corporate world.   Many legends inspire huge followings, enhanced with entertaining videos.  Some are completely unconcerned that they recorded it in their kitchen standing next to that box of Kellogg’s cornflakes, whilst the cat sits nearby eating their cereal.   In fact, the more unassuming they are, the more appeal they seem to have.   But has the Internet really opened up the field so that anyone can achieve legend status? 

What is their secret and could we all borrow a few ideas to become a legend?

Being a legend is all about leading and teaching

Look, lets just forget about you for a minute and concentrate on those people who need you.  If all you are concerned about is you, you are missing the point. You could be sitting in front of a video camera wearing an outrageous cardigan with seriously naff hair, and still become a legend.  Why?  Because if you’re delivering seriously useful stuff to people, they will come back in droves and be your biggest fans.  You only have to think of the legendary Patrick Moore and his effervescent childlike enthusiasm for Astronomy – and you’ll know just what I mean.  He didn’t have the best dress sense, definitely needed a haircut – but memorable just the same.

Pick your subject and become an expert at it

Following on from the item above, sharing all your best stuff may sound counter-intuitive, but offering people valuable material in a non-threatening way actually helps to attract people to you like bees to honey! 

Share your enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is infectious. Because when you’re blazing a trail and talking with total conviction about your subject matter (even wearing said naff jumper mentioned above) – people will be helplessly drawn towards you in droves. Let’s consider Dan Bradbury for instance.  Sometimes he talks with so much enthusiasm I honestly think he will spontaneously combust!  Now granted he’s probably not quite that effusive over a cup of tea and a cream cake, and wouldn’t consider himself a nerd or a geek but he does know how to win the crowd! 

Show up

You have to be there.  It won’t happen without some kind of input from you.   However that means showing up in front of the right audience.  Let’s face it  – you may be a legend in one arena but a total unknown somewhere else, but you need to put in the hours and be prepared to show your face and walk the talk, over and over and over.

Engage and be helpful

The best leaders on the Internet are also really good at engaging with people, networking and building their own tribe.  This might actually go against the perceived view of most geeks – e.g. that they have absolutely zero people skills and aren’t really that interested in meeting and engaging with anyone except perhaps their cat or the cleaning lady.  But you’d be wrong.  Look – you don’t necessarily have to be a laugh a minute – Darren Rouse actually considers himself an introvert and is happier propping up the fridge at parties. 

Be unique and original

And the thing about this is – it sometimes takes courage and masses of self belief to dare to do something that might be seen as a little out of the ordinary.  Forget about conformity.  For example, ‘The Fear Master’ or ‘The Juice master’ are really strong brands with a unique and compelling message.

Take risks and be prepared to be criticised

They say that the minute you start getting people sending stroppy messages or complaining – this is actually the very sign  which indicates you are actually making an impact and on the right lines.  So don’t be put off or feel that nobody loves you any more if you’ve been attacked – it means you’re actually getting noticed, and becoming a leader.  You have to be able to take the flack, deal with it and not break your stride.  One leadership coach I know has a brilliant way of handling people who chose to offer feedback on his presentations - he just says that his job is to turn up on time, give his talk, get paid and go home.  Nothing more.  

Always be learning and growing

Even those at the top of the tree are continually learning and growing and actually invest large sums of money in their own personal and business development.  When you’re striving for excellence and learning from those who may be just a couple of steps ahead of you – this can only benefit those people who admire and learn from you. 

Be a human being who others can relate to

In fact, the more completely down to earth you are and unconcerned with conformity, or ‘fitting in’  the more compelling and charismatic you become. Be a three dimensional person.  For instance if you just happen to play the accordian in your local pub every Thursday, doesn’t that make you slightly intriguing and somebody worth knowing? Somebody who has a life?

Tell stories to illustrate and entertain

I’ve come across some seriously good story tellers out there in the bloggersphere.  They can weave very clever little metaphors into their material which helps bridge the gap and build rapport with their audience.  When you tell stories you bypass other people’s natural skepticism.  I used to feel incredibly self conscious about talking about ‘me’ and some of my life experiences until I heard a memory expert talk about his harrowing childhood.  You could feel the audience warming to him as he spoke. 

So, do you consider yourself on the way to becoming a legend?  Perhaps you’re a geek who wants to become a legend. Or perhaps you have a different definition of your own…  Leave your comments here and let me know.

If you run a small business you need to know…

About the imminent arrival of the  Social Media Armada .  But unlike the Spanish Armada, you won’t need to walk the plank or talk like a pirate!  

Social Media Armada contains something to benefit every small business owner, who’s looking to generate more business using Social Media, but who currently finds the whole thing stressful, confusing or hasn’t got the time to learn it all.   

I am releasing 20 short Videos on Social Media.

The official launch date is Tuesday 14th September.  

The Social Media Armada is a flotilla of small bite sized videos packed with a ton of Social Media hints and tips.  If you are looking for some straightforward information to put you well on the path to understanding why you need Social Media, how to apply the principles, AND get to grips with the basics, whilst incorporating this within your marketing activities, then watch your inbox on the 14th September for the opportunity to view them. Each video is just 5 minutes long – but just long enough for you to absorb enough information to apply in your business immediately, but not too long that it’s too overwhelming.

Now, the best part of this is – all these videos are completely free!!

I’ve spent weeks drawing up the blueprints and creating these videos – so I will only make them available for 7 days before they are gone forever.  If you’d like to see them you need to register. 

To find out more and to register for immediate access to them at the launch, go here.  http://www.resolutioncoaching.co.uk/the-social-media-armada-is-coming/

By: Art Basmajian

Using social media is an excellent way to promote business for free; and you, the serious entrepreneur who have been doing online marketing for quite some time, are probably learning this.

And that’s because you’ve now been branded as a SPAMMER!One of the blessings of Web 2.0 is online social networking. A lot of people use these to remain in constant communication with friends, to meet new acquaintances, and develop connections that are work-related; however, people are always looking abuse this wonderful service. And this is especially true with social networking online.An Internet property is simply a web page; and any web page that allows social interaction is considered social media. Web 2.0 is another name for sites that allow people to contribute material to it.

A blog is web 2.0 (for the blogger), Facebook and MySpace are web 2.0, Flickr and Twitter are web 2.0, and social bookmarking sites are all web 2.0.

As internet marketing evolved, people figured out that they were able to promote their businesses for free using all these types of properties and thought, “WowFree Cool!”

Problem is that it’s not cool!

Social media, loosely defined, allows you to use a piece of Internet property for yourself and to advertise your business – to a certain extent. Etiquette, of course, should tell you when to stop, especially when you’re already pissing off certain kinds of people that have a lot of power online. If you cross this line, you’re jeopardizing your reputation as a serious and reputable Internet entrepreneur.

Take a look at it this way:

It’s the weekend – time to forget about work, catch up with old friends, make some new friends possibly. So you go to a party. You’re having a great time. Then someone comes up to you, introduces himself, and immediately tries selling you on some business opportunity.

Isn’t that such a big turn-off? This scenario actually happens when people start using social media sites in the wrong way.

To be a really serious businessman, you need to understand that social media is for making friends and not money. Like conducting businesses face to face, this is how online marketing should be done. There is a specific place and time for business. Social networking is one way of making connections and learning something about your potential business contacts.

Nobody likes to be force-fed. Building lasting relationships takes time and requires a mutual respect, and so does building a loyal following for your business.

To get all the latest tips, tricks, and tactics about internet marketing, be sure to visit us at Serious Entrepreneurs.  http://www.articleblogdirectory.com/wp-content/uploads/ArtBasmajian27.jpg]

Article Courtesy of Article Directory

Do you know what…with all the marketing techniques available to every small business owner, all the training, all the books and all the Gurus out there telling us what to do (and what not to do) to market our businesses; there is just one tiny problem. All the resources in the world, won’t overcome the fear of being in the limelight.

It’s the one thing that I think actually prevents small business men and women, really get to grips with sales and marketing. They know what they should be doing, they understand the strategy, they recognise that they need to market themselves and logically that its really important.  

But what do they do instead?  They tip-toe around the edges, spend loads of  time fine tuning certain aspects of their marketing (like their website, and their brochure or are obssessed with their business cards)…until it’s too late.  I know one person who spent 3 years on their website before launching it!!

But I am convinced that if you’ve never been in sales before, have never had to sell yourself before – that it doesn’t matter how many resources are thrown at you, how many manuals, books or CD’s or MP3 downloads you have. The fear of stepping up, stepping out and putting yourself, your products and your reputation on the line (with no safety net of a big corporate to clean up after you by the way) – can be a massive hurdle to overcome for some people.

Why is this?

I was listening to a superb teleclass given by Steve Chandler of Club Fearless.  He was answering a question sent in by a small business owner who wasn’t making any sales. They had a fabulous product, they loved what they did – but the fear of ‘getting out there’ was stalling their progress. They wanted to be successful – but it was such a big leap from being an inspired creative person – to turn themselves into a invincible, dynamic and fearless marketer who was prepared to throw themselves into the lions den to promote themselves, (and risk others saying that they hate their stuff).

So the answer to that challenge has to be in your own mind surely? I began to ask myself the question – what is the one thing that you need, to stand on the stage/sales platform with confidence (even if that platform is the phone,  the seminar, or the networking lunch meeting)?  

Isn’t sales like learning to swim, playing your first recorder solo at school, or reciting a poem in class? Some of us never ever get over that initial terror of being the one that everyone is looking at when it’s show time - Some people never have the guts to go for it. Whereas others just do it anyway, regardless of how scary it is. Some just keep having a go, until it gets easier, and easier and easier.  They are prepared to make an arse of themselves in the process. 

So, if that’s you and you’re sitting there with the realisation that “nobody’s coming” to rescue you and do your sales for you – what are your options? And when you think again “nobody’s going to even tell me the answer to that statement” – what do you do next?

Wait – you do have actually some options….what if you

• Took one small action today to move yourself forward
• Did something big today to move yourself forward
• Found a friendly audience

I remember turning up to give a talk to find a tiny audience waiting for me  - but then I thought “hey cool! I can practise  for the really big gig, with this little audience – it all helps!”.  Or the time when only one person turned up to my new networking group.  I thought to myself “Hey – cool – I get to make all the mistakes tonight and only one person will know. Fantastic!”.

So – if you’re thinking “It’s just me. Nobody’s coming”. Get over it and find the courage, borrow the strength, copy someone else’s strategy, pretend. Just find it from somewhere before it’s too late.

Tell me your experiences of getting over the fear of selling yourself.

You may (or may not) have come across the term “Social Proof” recently.  If you run a business you may already be into Social Media, and have done some study to learn a bit more. You will therefore be very familiar with the incredible power of Social Proof.  Because it can help to persuade more people to show interest in your products. 

Here’s a very simple way to describe what Social Proof is.

You’re sitting in a cafe about to order your lunch.  You can’t make up your mind what to have… ”shall I have the omelette, or shall I have the pasta??”.  You’re thinking of asking the person you are having lunch with, what they’re having.   Now, the process leading up to making the final choice can sometimes go on for ages.  This is because people don’t like to make a mistake. So we sometimes wait for others to make a choice before we make our own.  Or we might ask questions like “have you had the pasta here before?” – this serves to reassure ourselves that we’ve made the right decision.  

Anyway, you’re busy sitting there fretting over what to order when all of a sudden…

Now, what are your views on Social Proof ?  Share them here, it would be great to know! Thank You.
 

Want To Know More About The Social Media Surgery ?

Lesley Morrissey (Expert in Readability from www.lesleywriter.com) was our guest speaker at last week’s Social Media Surgery .  A very enthusiastic audience were treated to a content rich talk on how to make a website stick – e.g. which is interesting and engaging enough for visitors to stick around and find out more.  A few volunteers submitted their websites for Lesley to evaluate in detail, which produced a lively discussion and lots of ideas.

Here Is A Short Summary

• Make it easy for visitors to navigate around your website.  Whether you use a horizontal or vertical navigation bar -  group your pages under familiar titles, rather than making them wade through a huge list
• Before you write any copy, put yourself in your customers shoes – and find out what their pains, challenges and desires are
• Go for good copy – rather than a huge picture on your home page.  Google likes copy which will make your page more easily searchable.
• Don’t try and be too clever with your copy – i.e. with long sentences full of jargon, technical stuff or long words.  Don’t make visitors think to hard or your will lose them in seconds
• Don’t give your page titles weird names – use familiar terms that people routinely understand (i.e. Home, Contact Us, About Us, Events)
• Frequent use of CAPITAL LETTERS throughout your copy isn’t generally a good idea, as this makes it hard going for people reading it
• Good websites should be viewable in different browsers, smaller screens and even iphones
• Be careful with using the word ‘we’.  As Lesley put’s it “Don’t ‘we’ all over your copy” make liberal use of the word ‘you’ instead.
• If your web designer loves using Flash and has an urge to over design your site - this could turn people off
• For examples of websites that don’t work visit www.webpagesthatsuck.com
• Videos should be in the control of the person watching them and shouldn’t automatically load.  For instance, if you’re viewing a video at work and it automatically loads – it could cause embarrassment and attract unwanted attention.  This won’t make you flavour of the month
• Reassure visitors who provide personal information,  that you take their privacy seriously and aren’t about to randomly spam them at every opportunity.  Include a strong statement to this effect…e.g. “We hate spam as much as you do…”

More information can be found by downloading Lesley’s Comprehensive Report “Website Usability and Readability” Visit her website here www.lesleywriter.com

If you’ve not been to The Social Media Surgery – you are welcome to come along and see for yourself what we get up to!  Its an informal networking event where you get to meet other business owners AND learn something new each month about Social Media and the Technology that goes with it.

And…it’s free! (And we’ve got chocolate biscuits…!). 

Register here

Warmest regards

Wendy

How can you turn yourself from a virtual unknown into a great and powerful presence online? 

In this blog I am going to show you how you can borrow a strategy from horrible history, which will help you if you aspire to lead your own tribe, or followers in your particular industry.

A lot of people are fascinated by the darker side of history.  But although much of it is as far removed from modern life as it’s possible to get, it occurred to me the other day that Ancient Rome can teach us one key ingredient to becoming successful in any arena – particularly running a business, big or small.   

And this one crucial element  is so powerful that, once ignited, almost nothing will stand in its way. We’re talking about…

The power of Influence

When the famous Gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius, stepped into the arena for the very last time – he had one thing on his side.  On his quest for revenge, ‘The Spaniard’ was very clear on his vision,  and despite having the odds stacked against him he used his contacts and ultimately his influence to achieve iconic status.

Massive crowds would be drawn to the Colosseum to watch the Gladiators clash in a fight to the death.  It was public entertainment on a bloody and visceral scale, and an accepted part of Roman culture.

There was a collective gruesome voyeurism about it (much like public executions in Britain) which temporarily welded people together, in such a way that normal folk forgot their own problems.  Because basically someone else was ‘for the chop’. 

Now, the point to all this is that men are no longer thrown to the lions, however human behaviour is basically pretty much exactly the same as it was back then.  So if you can influence the crowd you have a huge advantage – particularly in the Social Media arena.  

Our Gladiator was given probably the best piece of advice he would ever receive from his mentor…”Win the crowd – and you win your freedom”.  Yes I know it was just a film – but the story holds true…for all of us who yearn for success and the freedom to be their own person, on their own terms.  But few have the courage or the wits to achieve it.

Win the crowd and you win your freedom

Because once the crowd gets to  know you, they started to like you and then  follow you.  Then they will begin talking about you.  If you can create what Seth Godin calls a ‘Tribe’  = when what you say touches and connects with people – you have influence.

There’s nothing more compelling than a crowd of people seeing, hearing and experiencing something powerful together.  Which is the secret ingredient in being successful in most things, including Social Media.   And it’s how you build The Triangle of Trust, which, once formed, is very hard to break. 

So how can you bring a little bit ancient Rome into play here, and influence more people?

How can  you generate the same crowd surge to get people interested in your business for instance? 

• People love to gossip.  People love a spectacle.  This could be for several reasons, e.g. possibly to reassure themselves that it’s not them suffering any pain, or to relieve the tedium of their lives, or to look for inspiration and leadership in others.
• Human Beings are tribal.  Because people like to feel that they belong,they look to each other to see what their peers are doing and what choices they are making before they make their own choices.  With Social Media (with the use of the Facebook Like Button for instance) – it’s easy to see what choices others are making and what decisions they’ve made. 
• The majority of people want to be led and to look up to, and admire, their leaders.  So if you aspire to lead and be known by leveraging Social Media for instance,  start talking with conviction - stand up for what you believe in and bravely share your vision with the world. 
• You don’t have to be the CEO of General Motors to be a great role model.  So even if you come from Devon and make Ice Cream in your kitchen or knit cardigans  – everyone has a unique and compelling story to tell
• Today’s iconic leaders are unique, transparent and talk from a place of authenticity
• Share your story,your opinions and your unique take on the world on Twitter, Facebook and Linked In
• Find the hungry crowd online who wants what you’re promoting – put yourself in the right arena 
• Create a spectacle, an event, a ‘something’ that either makes individuals feel that they are in on something special or part of something innovative and unique.

For example the recent launch of the new iPad and iPhone is a really good example. 

So my question to you is – do you know who your hungry crowd is, where to find them and how you can begin to engage with them?  Tell us what you’re doing by leaving a comment below.