edited by: paul_h,
Richmond Editor
I was highly entertained this week by the news that Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO)> has eaten up - literally - Emeril Lagasse.
No, she didn't go at him with a knife and fork. She did, however, buy his brand and image, adding a second personality - and story [...]
When you're speaking to a group - of two or two hundred - can you hold their attention? With the average adult attention span at 5 to 7 minutes (and falling), this is a challenge.
Personally, I blame the microwave oven - until we stood in front of a countdown clock, waiting for food, who realized [...]
This post is not about stand-up comedy. I know this is a huge disappointment to those of you who know I spent over five years doing stand-up. Sorry, folks - this is about standing up and telling your story.
The particular storytelling opportunities I'm talking about here are networking events and [...]
We're deep into the silly season - also known as the race for the White House - and the number of candidates has reduced itself from the two rugby teams of January to the ping-pong match vs. the old soldier of today.
What kind of stories are they telling? First and [...]
David and Goliath - the little guy vs. the behemoth. Every small electronics retailer looks at Best Buy and wishes for a good slingshot. Wal-Mart opens down the street, and even Food Lion can start to feel like a small player.
You're a small business owner. Definitely a David. You believe [...]
For those of you who have been paying attention, you know I got breast cancer for Christmas. I had my first chemo treatment on Monday, 2/11 (in keeping with that holiday theme - Happy Valentines Day, early!), and so far the after-effects have been weird, but manageable. I keep thinking of cartoons [...]
For those of you who have been paying attention, you know I got breast cancer for Christmas. I had my first chemo treatment on Monday, 2/11 (in keeping with that holiday theme - Happy Valentines Day, early!), and so far the after-effects have been weird, but manageable. I keep thinking of cartoons [...]
You've got a phenomenal product or service. You're passionate about what you do. You want to start selling the bejabbers out of what you've got.
You study sales. You learn that you need to communicate the features & benefits of your stuff. You develop a nice list of features, and a [...]
You've got a phenomenal product or service. You're passionate about what you do. You want to start selling the bejabbers out of what you've got.
You study sales. You learn that you need to communicate the features & benefits of your stuff. You develop a nice list of features, and a [...]
I am often asked why I call myself a storyteller. It's a good question, especially considering the number of people who also call themselves storytellers and operate in a vastly different arena than I do.
My preferred operating area, the place where I most want to communicate the value, the necessity, [...]
I am often asked why I call myself a storyteller. It's a good question, especially considering the number of people who also call themselves storytellers and operate in a vastly different arena than I do.
My preferred operating area, the place where I most want to communicate the value, the necessity, [...]
It's been a while, so let's catch up: got cancer for Christmas (whoopee!), and then a New Year lumpectomy, followed by Valentine's Day chemo. Coming up later this year - Fourth of July radiation, in which I'll get beamed up by the mother-ship.
Enough of that. Back to another story already [...]
It's been a while, so let's catch up: got cancer for Christmas (whoopee!), and then a New Year lumpectomy, followed by Valentine's Day chemo. Coming up later this year - Fourth of July radiation, in which I'll get beamed up by the mother-ship.
Enough of that. Back to another story already [...]
Remember that old song, All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth? A sincere cry, albeit with a lack-of-dentition lisp, for a physical transformation. Just in time for Christmas.
Ive had occasion to recall that song in the last few days, as well as one of my favorite Jules [...]
Remember that old song, All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth? A sincere cry, albeit with a lack-of-dentition lisp, for a physical transformation. Just in time for Christmas.
Ive had occasion to recall that song in the last few days, as well as one of my favorite Jules [...]
I found myself listening to a pretty powerful group of people talk yesterday about the economic trends in my hometown, Richmond VA. Jim Bacon, Jeff Cooke, Michael Sesnowitz, and Greg Wingfield all sat around - well, on stage - and talked about whether or not events [...]
I found myself listening to a pretty powerful group of people talk yesterday about the economic trends in my hometown, Richmond VA. Jim Bacon, Jeff Cooke, Michael Sesnowitz, and Greg Wingfield all sat around - well, on stage - and talked about whether or not events [...]
Comcast has gotten itself into some deep kimchee - $4000 worth, to be exact - with the FCC over a video news release (VNR) it aired in September 2006 as a news piece on CN8's "All About You" segment. CN8 is Comcast's "news" station, and is a good example [...]
Comcast has gotten itself into some deep kimchee - $4000 worth, to be exact - with the FCC over a video news release (VNR) it aired in September 2006 as a news piece on CN8's "All About You" segment. CN8 is Comcast's "news" station, and is a good example [...]
I haven't weighed in on this before because...well, because I was utterly sick of hearing about it.
No, I'm not talking about Paris Hilton, or Lindsay Lohan. I'm talking about Michael Vick and his alleged dog-fighting operation in Surry County, VA, which led to Mr. Vick being indicted on federal conspiracy [...]
This is the text from a press release the Greater Richmond Technology Council sent out today about their monthly breakfast this coming Friday - if you're in the Richmond area, come hear what Shawn Boyer and Wei Wang have to say.
Richmond, VA. Aug. 6, 2007 - Eight years ago, [...]
I haven't weighed in on this before because...well, because I was utterly sick of hearing about it.
No, I'm not talking about Paris Hilton, or Lindsay Lohan. I'm talking about Michael Vick and his alleged dog-fighting operation in Surry County, VA, which led to Mr. Vick being indicted on federal conspiracy [...]
Here's an example of what I mean when I say "tell a story" - this is a press release I wrote last week in advance of an event that took place this morning. Please notice that at no time during this release is anyone "pleased to announce" - that phrase [...]
Here's an example of what I mean when I say "tell a story" - this is a press release I wrote last week in advance of an event that took place this morning. Please notice that at no time during this release is anyone "pleased to announce" - that phrase [...]
In this week's New York Magazine cover article - the one that has Katie Couric on the cover saying, "Some days I'm like, oh my God, what did I do?" - the core of the issue, the a-ha, that's why they've got a problem revelation, was right there at the [...]
The panhandler and the compulsory car-wash guy are both interruption marketers. They spring out at you as you pass by, simply because you’re in their [...]
Do you talk to panhandlers? How about the compulsory car-wash - you know, the guys at the corner who swarm your car at red lights and wash (actually, smear) your windshield?
The panhandler and the compulsory car-wash guy are both
interruption marketers. They spring out
at you as you pass by, simply [...]
I read a lot of press
releases. I also write a fair number of them. Most of the ones I read - the
ones I didn't write, at least - lead me to wonder what the purpose of the
exercise was.
Dateline: Anywhere, USA, Today
XYZ, Inc. is pleased [...]
I read a lot of press
releases. I also write a fair number of them. Most of the ones I read - the
ones I didn't write, at least - lead me to wonder what the purpose of the
exercise was.
Dateline: Anywhere, USA, Today
XYZ, Inc. is pleased [...]
One of the most anticipated events in recent television history, the final episode of The Sopranos on HBO, apparently left legions of fans (including this one) staring at their television sets in dumb wonder at 10:05pm on June 10.
An anguished outcry ensued (including Nikki Finke's whining screed, with side [...]
One of the most anticipated events in recent television history, the final episode of The Sopranos on HBO, apparently left legions of fans (including this one) staring at their television sets in dumb wonder at 10:05pm on June 10.
An anguished outcry ensued (including Nikki Finke's whining screed, with side [...]
Jim Cramer, Mister "Booyah" himself, is bloody brilliant.
In an effort to clear up the tottering piles of print magazines that are always accumulating in this writer's garret, I was going through said piles and tossing any that didn't grab me with their cover. (Magazine 101 - gotta grab 'em with [...]
Jim Cramer, Mister "Booyah" himself, is bloody brilliant.
In an effort to clear up the tottering piles of print magazines that are always accumulating in this writer's garret, I was going through said piles and tossing any that didn't grab me with their cover. (Magazine 101 - gotta grab 'em with [...]
No, I'm not asking if you pass the Windows Genuine Advantage test.
What I'm asking is...do you fake it?
No, I'm not referring to the famous "I'll have what she's having" corned-beef-gasm that Meg Ryan made famous in When Harry Met Sally.
What I'm asking is...are you authentic?
It's [...]
No, I'm not asking if you pass the Windows Genuine Advantage test.
What I'm asking is...do you fake it?
No, I'm not referring to the famous "I'll have what she's having" corned-beef-gasm that Meg Ryan made famous in When Harry Met Sally.
What I'm asking is...are you authentic?
It's [...]
I'm speaking, of course, of what looks to be a long, deadly slog over the next FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE DAYS (oy...) as we struggle to choose our next Commander in Chief.
The three recent fashion shows, one Democrat and two Rebublican, can't really be called debates. Too many [...]
I haven't weighed in on this before because...well, frankly, the blogosphere and the freakin' airwaves are blanketed with babbling about Monday's unspeakable horror at VA Tech.
But here goes.
I've been listening to what seems like a building chant of "Where were the cops?" "Where was the university administration?" "How [...]
Kurt Vonnegut, 1922-2007. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, with Billy Pilgrim on backup.
Often hilarious and occasionally either brilliant or impenetrable, Vonnegut's novels were and are talismans for my generation. His best work? Slaugherhouse-Five. His weirdest and most hopeful? God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater.
