March 31, 2024
AI images versus stock photos – what’s best?
AI images is an innovative way to enhance my clients’ brands. It's one of the things I’m really big on. Push aside your negative opinions on AI images for a moment (if you have them)…
Story Marketing Blog
Steve Ballantyne writes a great marketing blog that helps CEOs and their executive teams align around a high-level narrative that clarifies strategy and powers success, in sales, marketing, fundraising, web design, product development and recruitment. Our team is led by Steve Ballantyne. and his talented team of strategists, writers and designers help companies connect with the heart and soul of their brand, or what we call the “moral of your story”. Bigger than any tagline or campaign idea, it’s a core truth that can’t be disputed because it’s based on beliefs we all share. With a free strategy consultation you will learn how to connect with the heart and soul of your brand, what we call the moral of your story. Bigger than any tagline or campaign idea, it’s a core truth that can’t be disputed because it’s based on beliefs we all share. Many small businesses struggle with knowing how to communicate their messaging effectively so customers pay attention. We walk businesses through a storytelling framework to help get their brand message right, so their customers are driven to listen, and their businesses start growing.
Story Marketing Blog
Watch out for an inspiring new story every week.
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January 15, 2024
Text-to-image AI technology and the renaissance of imagination
Text-to-image AI technology is a revolution that's brewing, powered by the wizardry of artificial intelligence. This text-to-image AI technology is like a cosmic big bang. It feels like the birthing of a universe where words…
November 30, 2023
AI imagery – 5 brands that are using it effectively
If big brands are using AI imagery in innovative ways, why aren’t you? AI imagery is taking social media by storm. Sure, Kate Middleton’s Photoshop efforts were a bit of a fail (and yes, she’s…
October 31, 2023
The greatest story ever worn campaign
One of my all-time favourite campaign lines has to be Levi's "The Greatest Story Ever Worn," which captured the essence of the brand's iconic 501 jean in a truly captivating way. I know, I’m always preaching…
September 30, 2023
Storytelling lessons from the world’s greatest band
If you love storytelling and are a U2 fan like me, hopefully they’ve managed to capture your imagination like they have mine, with the stories they tell in their music. Their songs pick you up and…
May 23, 2023
Why business storytelling is crucial
A great product or service is not enough to stand out in today's global marketplace. To succeed, you need to create a genuine connection with your audience – one that goes beyond the reasons why you…
March 31, 2023
Brand vs marketing strategy: What’s the difference?
As a business owner or marketer, it's essential to understand the difference between brand strategy and marketing strategy. While both are critical components of your overall business plan, they each serve a unique purpose and require…
February 3, 2023
A great brand strategy is a good investment
A well-crafted brand strategy can provide a number of benefits for a company. Here are a few examples: Clarity A brand strategy can help a company clarify its mission, values, and messaging. This can make it…
February 3, 2023
The 3 frames of powerful persuasion
The art of persuasion is a crucial skill to have in any field, whether you're a business owner trying to sell a product, a politician campaigning for office, or a teacher trying to convince students of…
February 3, 2023
What could a brand review reveal?
A good brand review can reveal a lot about your business. With a new year upon us, maybe it’s time to take stock of where your brand is at with an in-depth assessment of its strengths…
January 24, 2023
How strong is your Narrative IQ?
In the world of business, stories are woven into the fabric of our everyday interactions, yet we often fail to see them for what they truly are. They're hidden in the data we collect, in the…
January 24, 2023
Your Brand Story: Is everyone on the same page?
Bringing your entire business on board with a brand story is like conducting a symphony. Each department is a different instrument, and each employee is a musician playing their part in harmony. To make sure everyone…
January 24, 2023
Storytelling and marketing are the new power couple
Meet the newest power couple in town: storytelling and marketing. Yes, you heard that right. These two have been quietly making waves in the industry, but now they're taking centre stage and showing the world just…
December 7, 2022
How to structure your story
"Using stories sounds great, but I don't know where to start." If you don't know how to structure your story, your big idea isn't going anywhere. Stories are all around you. We tell stories to each…
November 27, 2022
Why you need storytelling training
I recently heard a podcast about a new book called “The Bezos Blueprint.” Author Carmine Gallo said that Amazon’s success is fueled by Bezos’ commitment to elevating “the way Amazonians write, collaborate, innovate, pitch, and present.”…
November 7, 2022
How to make a winning pitch
While I was watching Shark Tank the other day, it occurred to me that you can tell right away when the “sharks” engage with a pitch by their reactions - smiles, aahs, nods. Their focus is…
November 3, 2022
Struggle to connect in a virtual world?
Body language, a handshake - these are social cues we have long relied on but are lost in a virtual world. Plus tightly timed schedules usually mean getting right to the point and taking care of…
November 1, 2022
Why stories sell better than facts
When I mention storytelling in sales, some people instantly shut off. Stories are too fluffy, they say. Cold hard facts are what sell. Data shows you have the best product, the most efficient service, the lowest…
October 23, 2022
Three ways my wife inspires me
My wife doesn't have a background in marketing, but here's three ways she inspires me to be a better marketer. 1. She’s helped me to understand people better. My wife Ilona was born in Latvia and…
October 12, 2022
The price placebo effect
The price placebo effect is a marketing take on the classic placebo effect. One of the most surprising things about our brains is how easily we can be tricked into believing something that isn't true. The…
October 12, 2022
8 leadership lessons from The Queen
Leadership is one of the most remarkable qualities Queen Elizabeth II possessed. Like most of us, I’ve been reflecting on the Queen’s life since her death. She truly was an amazing human being and I think…
October 8, 2022
In marketing, ego is the enemy
We live in an ego-centric world. Pushed to build personal brands, stand out, and be known. To create a perception that is bigger than reality. I recently read Ryan Holiday’s book “Ego is the Enemy.” It…
October 4, 2022
How to “aloha” your brand
I’ve just returned from a family holiday in Hawaii (The Aloha State) and I have to say, to be able to travel after a couple years of Covid home detention was even more liberating than ever.…
September 30, 2022
Why stories stick in our heads
Storytelling is a powerful tool for making ideas stick. Here’s why stories stick: 1. Neuroscience has proven that stories are over 20 times more memorable than facts. That’s because more areas of the brain are actively…
September 25, 2022
Six narrative strategies for leaders
If you lead your staff using proven narrative strategies, you’ll get results. Microsoft does it. Nike does it. Saatchi & Saatchi and the World Bank do it. Proctor & Gamble has hired movie directors to teach…
June 10, 2022
Be a thought leader, not a force feeder
Being a thought leader is simply learning and sharing. Before the internet, B2B marketing was all about forcing your message upon an audience, through your sales team and collateral. The internet caused a paradigm shift and…
June 10, 2022
7 branding blindspots you shouldn’t ignore
As you undertake your branding journey, there are a few common mistakes that many small businesses make. Here are 7 of the most common branding blind spots that we see in marketing strategies. Listening only to…
June 3, 2022
My ten laws of branding
There's branding laws and there's "commandments" of global branding (you know, all the P-words - people, positioning, place, product, price etc). I prefer my own set of branding laws. There's only ten, but they're potent and…
June 3, 2022
The Great B2B Buyer Delusion
The B2B buyer world is suffering from a delusion, and it’s this: that the B2B buyer always acts in a rational, logical, and economic way. That’s why most B2B marketing efforts are focussed on pushing product…
June 3, 2022
The B2B Buyer and the art of seduction
Emotions drive the B2B buyer on their buying journey. We all know that, right? But what are the emotional drivers that make the B2B buyer tick? How can you use them to your advantage? The B2B…
June 2, 2022
Want rapid growth? It’s time to think like camels.
Rapid business growth isn’t as realistic as it once was. This article in Harvard Business Review back in October of 2020 explains why in their article “Start-ups. It’s time to think like camels instead of unicorns”.…
June 2, 2022
Obvious and non-obvious content
According to the gurus at "The Category Pirates", there are two types of content: Obvious and Non-Obvious. Each type of content is consumed in different states of mind, which we call “reflexive” and “reflective.” Reflexive readers…
May 9, 2022
The B2B Likeability Gap is real
B2B brands have a problem: they're not as likeable as B2C brands. There are many reasons for this. The way that B2B companies are structured, the nature of their product and service offerings, and the fact…
February 24, 2022
Better persuasion with the ELP formula
In the last 8 years or so, seemingly every marketing agency and consultant has been banging on about storytelling. But very few tell you how to do it. That’s why so many small businesses struggle with…
September 7, 2021
How to create a brand strategy
Brand strategy is key to survival for any brand. The problem is many organisations fail to take the time and put in the effort to develop their brand strategy. Or they don’t understand what a brand…
September 1, 2021
How a brand purpose defines you
Everyone thinks their brand is special, one-of-a-kind, but without a brand purpose, your customers don’t see that and connect with it. So, what’s the point? The good news is, you can create meaningful connections, gain loyal…
August 28, 2021
What colour is right for your brand?
The brand colour you choose for your business says something about your identity. It conveys a message to your potential customers before they know anything else about you. Between 62% and 90% of a person’s initial…
August 21, 2021
The #1 way to build your brand
Capturing and keeping your customers’ attention is critical in order to build your brand. It seems everyone is looking for the magic answer, the latest way to make an impression that lasts. Is it through direct…
August 14, 2021
6 ways to get your brand positioning back on track
Do you feel as though your brand positioning is missing the mark? Are your marketing tactics stale – the same old ones you’ve been using for the last 5 years? Does your brand positioning feel…
