Power Your Platform

Power Your Platform

By Kerry Ramsay, Story CoachBusinessMarketing
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Power Your Platform episodes

  • 144 - Tell Your Story Your Way: The Advocate's Way

    Welcome back to the Power Your Platform Podcast! I hope you’ve been enjoying our 6-part series entitled Tell Your Story Your Way which is all about letting your unique story sister archetype shine.

    In the past three episodes, we’ve done a deep dive on the first three Story Sister Archetypes, which are the Artist, the Architect and the Ambassador.

    Today, we’re going to get to know the Advocate, the storyteller who’s focused on making the world a better place.

    Advocates spend a lot of time reaching to inform and educate others about the key issues that are affecting the world, whether social, environmental or political.

    They have a knack for creating clarity around complex issues which makes them very convincing communicators. 

    Motivated deeply, often by a personal and emotional attachment to a cause or vision, Advocate Storytellers are great motivators and tend to be natural-born leaders. They exhibit deep empathy and are often highly respected by their peers. 

    To recap this episode, here are 6 key points we covered today to help Advocates tell their story their way:

     1.     Keep your messaging simple. One way to do this is to put a human face on a complex issue so people can grasp the human connection.

    2.     Take a grassroots approach to reaching your audience, including storytelling tools like direct mail campaigns, email newsletters and targeted social

    media ads.

    3.     Personalize your messaging wherever possible to cut through the clutter and get your audience's attention.

    4.     Harness the power of the human voice, whether through direct messaging, podcasting or YouTube channels.

    5.     Consider approaching traditional media outlets to help you share your message.

    6.     Engage your audience in a conversation to help them become a part of the solution.

     Thanks so much for tuning in to Part 4 of our 6-Part series on Telling Your Story Your Way. If you’re wondering which of the 6 Story Sister Archetypes best fits your brand voice and personality, click below to take our 60-second quiz.

     Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice. Because

    the world is waiting to hear YOUR story.


    EPISODE LINKS:

    Let’s Work Together- https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact

    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    60-Second Storytelling Archetype Quiz - https://www.powerherplatform.com/quiz

    Episode 131 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2s00O0KbySqWh95M2SpPCS

    13 min
  • 143 - Tell Your Story Your Way: The Ambassador's Way

    Welcome to Part 3 of our 6-part series called Tell Your Story Your Way. The purpose of this series is to help you identify which of the 6 Story Sister Archetypes best fits your brand voice and personality.


    In today’s episode, we’re going to take a closer look at the third Story Sister Archetype which is The Ambassador, and determine which brand storytelling strategies and techniques are ideally suited to that archetype’s unique personality.


    Here are the 7 key points from today's episode:


    1.     Look for live events being hosted in your area where you have the opportunity to share your expertise and your story – and remember, if

    you can’t find one, there’s always the option to create your own!

     

    2.     Consider the size of the events you choose to attend –and then decide how you will engage with the audience once you get there.

     

    3.     When planning your own event, strategize about the name, the theme and the type of audience you want to gather to make sure all three align

    with your main brand mission.

     

    4.     Consider attending online events to connect with potential clients and customers outside your own community or region.

     

    5.     Share the spotlight by profiling members of your audience on your purpose-driven platform.

     

    6.     Approach potential partners and collaborators whose mission and values dovetail with your own.

     

    7.     Make sure there’s a fair value exchange when entering into a new partnership. When you do, you’ll help ensure that everyone’s voice is valued.

     

    Thanks so much for tuning in to Part 3 of our 6-Part series on Telling Your Story Your Way. If you’re wondering which of the 6 Story Sister Archetypes best fits your brand voice and personality, take our 60-second quiz by clicking on the link below.


    Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice. Because the world is waiting to hear YOUR story.


    EPISODE LINKS:

    Let’s Work Together- ⁠https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact⁠

    PowerHER Platform Web Site - ⁠https://www.powerherplatform.com/⁠

    Story Fuel Newsletter - ⁠https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe⁠

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807⁠

    60-Second Storytelling Archetype Quiz - ⁠https://www.powerherplatform.com/quiz⁠

    16 min
  • 142 - Tell Your Story Your Way: The Architect's Way

    This month we’re diving into a brand new series called Tell Your Story Your Way. And it’s all about recognizing your unique Story Sister Archetype and playing to your strengths when it comes to your own brand storytelling.

     

    This week, we’re going to be taking a closer look at the second Story Sister Archetype which is The Architect. In this episode, we’ll uncovering the

    Architect’s unique superpowers – along with her kryptonite – as it relates to telling the story behind the brand or business she’s building.

     

    As we discussed back in Episode 131, Architects are analytical thinkers who use their ability to see problems through a lens of logic. They are naturally

    curious about the world around them and excellent problem solvers. They also tend to thrive in highly structured environments.


    If you identify as an Architect Storyteller then here’s what you need to know: there’s a way to tell your brand or business story that’s uniquely you, and that

    capitalizes on your innate strengths and skills.


    One way to do this is to recognize that as an Architect Storyteller, you need structure – and not only that, you tend to create stories using structure.


    This is why we see so many Architects using step-by-step action plans, frameworks and formulas as a part of their storytelling style. Not only does this logical flow to storytelling make the Architect feel right at home, it also helps her create clarity in her business, both for her clients and for herself.


    Architects crave structure and stability, so it’s no wonder that their superpower is organization and consistency.


    So where do Architects tend to go wrong when it comes to storytelling? In other words, what’s their kryptonite?


    In my experience, Architects are so often attached to their plan that they don’t release it, even when a great opportunity comes up. Now, I’m not a fan of getting distracted by a lot of pointless side projects – but I am an advocate of paying attention to the conversations that are happening all around us, and asking if there are synergies there that we could take advantage of.


    Structure and stability are deeply valued by Architects, so I’d suggest platforms like a regular newsletter or blog, LinkedIn articles, and even scripted podcasts. Since Architects are often fans of predictability, having a template they follow to communicate with their audience on a regular basis can also be a bonus.


    I encourage you to continue telling your story your way, while also exploring a few new paths from time to time.


    Because your story is the one element of your business that is unique from all others on the planet. No one can tell your story exactly the same way as you can. And that’s why its so worth telling.

    EPISODE LINKS:


    Let’s Work Together- https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact

    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    60-Second Storytelling Archetype Quiz - https://www.powerherplatform.com/quiz

    Episode 131 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2s00O0KbySqWh95M2SpPCS

    13 min
  • 141 - Tell Your Story Your Way: The Artist's Way

    This week, I’m launching a new series called Tell Your Story Your Way. And the purpose of this series is to help you identify which of the 6 Story Sister Archetypes best fits your brand voice and personality.


    In today’s episode, we’re going to take a closer look at the first Story Sister Archetype which is The Artist, and determine which brand storytelling strategies and techniques are ideally suited to that archetype’s unique personality.


    And keep in mind that even if you don’t identify with the Artist archetype, having an understanding of the way the Artist operates and how she thinks can help you reach this type of audience member with your own brand or business. So it’s definitely worth sticking around!


    Here are the 6 key points from toady’s episode which is designed to help Artists tell their story their way:


    1. Embrace unscripted storytelling since it will allow you to share your journey in the moment, rather than in a more structured way.

    2. Consider using storytelling platforms that allow for the free flow of ideas and messaging, including podcasts, YouTube channels, photography and microblogging when reaching out to your core audience.

    3. Joyfully pursue a number of side projects but be mindful of your BIG goals for the week or month and keep your eye on the prize.

    4. Explore the idea of attending an event or holding one of your one to connect with your supporters.

    5. Don’t follow the pack – get creative about where and when you meet your audience.

    6. Creativity is your superpower, but to move your business forward, you’re going to need message clarity and consistency over time.


    Thanks so much for tuning in to Part 1 of our 6-Part series on Telling Your Story Your Way. If you’re wondering which of the 6 Story Sister Archetypes best fits your brand voice and personality, take our 60-second quiz by clicking on the link below.


    Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice. Because the world is waiting to hear YOUR story.


    EPISODE LINKS:

    Let’s Work Together- https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact

    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    60-Second Storytelling Archetype Quiz - https://www.powerherplatform.com/quiz

    13 min
  • 140 - Season 3 Launch: It's Time to Tell Your Story Your Way!

    Welcome back to a fresh, new season of the Power Your Platform Podcast! Today I’m launching a new, six-part series called “Tell your Story Your Way”. And in this episode, I’ll explain the big AHA moment I had last season that led to this 6-part series.

    The aha moment that occurred to me last season actually came when I was working with one of my clients who definitely did not share the same storytelling archetype as me. And the way I was encouraging her to tell her story was like fitting a square peg into a round hole. And at first, I thought she just wasn’t ready to tell her story. And then the lightbulb came on – she WAS ready to tell her story, just not in the same way as I was telling  my story.

    So that realization led me to think about the different types of Story Sister Archetypes. Because each of us is mostly likely one of the six.

    In case you missed Episode 131, I'm including a link below. This is the episode where I introduced the Six Story Sister Archetypes which include: the Artist, the Architect, the Ambassador, the Advocate, the Activist and the Anarchist.

    Each of these story sister archetypes enjoys telling their story a different way.

    Over the next six weeks, I’m going to dedicate one full episode to one of the six story sister archetypes. I’m hoping this focused approach will help us all to get clear on the type of storyteller we are individually and how we can best create a storytelling strategy that dovetails with our preferred communication style.

    And remember, we can be a combination of more than one archetype, but the key is to recognize what lights you up when it comes to brand storytelling and how to create a marketing strategy that’s cheerful – not choreful – which is I word I just made up, but it seems to fit the situation. Because if you’re really going to get the most out of your marketing strategy, you’ve got to be excited about it. There’s just no way this is going to work on autopilot.

    As a brand builder or business owner you have GOT to be enthusiastic about yoru own story. After all, that’s what will sell your product or service.

    Someone told me recently that sales is simple the transfer of enthusiasm. And I really believe that.

    So if enthusiasm is a pre-requisite for sales, then I think it’s a good idea that we embrace our own story and start telling it in a way that resonates with our

    ideal audience and gets them excited about what we have to offer.  

    I can’t wait to dive in further starting next week, but for now, be sure to take our 60-second Storytelling Archetype quiz to find out which story Sister Archetype best fits YOUR personality (link below).

    EPISODE LINKS:

    Let’s Work Together- https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact

    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    The 6 Story Sister Archetypes Episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2s00O0KbySqWh95M2SpPCS

    60-Second Storytelling Archetype Quiz - https://www.powerherplatform.com/quiz

    12 min
  • SUMMER RECAST SERIES: Take the Story Sister Archetype Quiz: Which One Are You?

    Today’s Summer Recast Series is a replay for our Six Story Archetypes episode which was released earlier this year.

    This episode talks about the fact that one of the keys to creating a strong brand is knowing what makes your brand voice stand out from the crowd. And one of the ways you can do this is by understanding your Story Sister Archetype.

    Don’t forget to check out our NEW Story Sister Archetype Quiz by clicking on the episode links below.

    This new quiz will help you determine which Story Sister Archetype you fit: the Artist, the Architect, the Ambassador, the Advocate, the Activist or the Anarchist.

    And be sure to stay tuned NEXT week for the kick-off of Season 3 of the Power Your Platform Podcast. That’s when I’ll be building on what you hear in today’s episode, to really get to the heart of what it means to unlock the power of YOUR brand voice.


    EPISODE LINKS:

    Let’s Work Together- https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact

    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    60-Second Storytelling Archetype Quiz - https://www.powerherplatform.com/quiz

    23 min
  • SUMMER RECAST SERIES: 3 Ways to Own Your Story When Brand Building
    In today’s episode, I want to dive a bit deeper into a topic I’ve touched on many times before, but haven’t fully explored in this podcast until now. And that’s the idea of owning your story.
    Because at the heart of building a purpose-driven platform is this powerful idea. And today, we’re going to unpack what it means to “own our story” and what that looks like in practical terms.
    Brene Brown put it this way. She said, “You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”
    So today, I want to focus on what it means to OWN our story, and I want to break it down into three parts. Those three parts include: owning your privilege, owning your pain and owning your purpose.
    So let’s start with the idea of owning our privilege. For this part of your story journey, I want to challenge you to sit down and write out as many privileges as you can think of that you now have or have grown up with. Because really, privileges are kind of like invisible ink. They’re completely unnoticeable until we shine a light on them and really take the time to reflect.
    And the reason why it’s so important to own our privilege is that it makes us more empathetic storytellers. It prompts us to acknowledge the fact that members of our audience may not enjoy all of the privileges we have in life. And when we own our privilege, we can better recognize the systems of inequality in our culture, and work towards levelling the playing field for those around us.
    The second part of owning our story is about owning our pain. And we all have pain, don’t we? It’s a part of every human’s story, but often it’s the part we try to forget. Pain can come in many forms. It can be emotional pain, physical pain, spiritual pain, social pain or psychological pain. None of us make it through this life unscathed, that’s just a fact.
    But there’s power in pain when we own it as a part of our story. 
    When we own our pain and recognize the power of sharing our scars with others, it can be transformative. Because others see the humanity in us and we recognize the humanity in others. And this recognition connects us to each other. And that’s what storytelling is all about, whether on a personal or a professional level. It’s about finding ways to build bridges over the spaces that divide us so we feel more connected, and more whole.
    And that leads to the third and final step which is owning our purpose.
    Because without owning our privilege and owning our pain, we can’t really own our purpose. And I think this is why so many of us struggle to find our purpose in the first place.
    After all, our purpose often stems directly from those two parts of our identity: our privilege and our pain. The problem is that most of us don’t take the time to reflect on our privilege and pain long enough to recognize the purpose that lies inside them.
    So let me ask you this: what are the privileges you’ve enjoyed in your life? What about the pain? And when you think about it, how do the two work together to fuel your purpose?
    This is what’s meant by owning our story. It’s about owning our privilege, owning our pain and owning our purpose.
    Only then will we be truly positioned to make real impact in the world.
    EPISODE LINKS:
    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807
    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/
    Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe
    23 min
  • SUMMER RECAST SERIES: What's Inside Your Suitcase? 3 Powerful Reasons to Unpack Your Signature Story

    In today’s episode, we’re diving into the idea of Unpacking Your Signature Stories and I can’t wait to share with you the 3 reasons signature stories are so powerful and how you can begin unpacking yours.

    I think we can agree we all of us have stories that we carry with us through life. And these stories have the potential  to connect us to each other and make a huge impact.

    The problem is most of us don’t even know what our stories are. We sit on them, just as though we were sitting on a stack of old, dusty suitcases. We don’t peek inside or unpack what could be useful to us or to the other people in our lives.

    But remember, life’s a journey and as travelers we’re not meant to stay in one place forever. Those suitcases we’re sitting on? What’s inside is meant to equip us for what comes next, providing us with the tools and wisdom that will guide us through the next challenge we face.

    So what exactly is a signature story? And why do we need them when building a story brand?

    Your signature story is the message you’re best known for. Ideally it stems from your personal experience, expertise and insights. Not only should your signature story have a personal connection, however, but it should also have a universal application.

    So why are signature stories so powerful?

    First, they clarify why you do what you do. When we share our origin story, people understand what motivates us.

    Secondly, signature stories can also reveal the values behind the brand. This helps customers align with brands they can relate to on an emotional and moral

    level.

    Signature stories can also shape company culture. When you share the why behind your brand and what the values are that drive your business,

    then your employees will better understand how they should be operating day-to-day.

    If you’re interested in starting to unpack your own signature story, click on the link below. I’d love to connect!


    EPISODE LINKS:

    Let’s Work Together- https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact

    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

    Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

    12 min
  • SUMMER RECAST SERIES: Stretching Your Story Muscle: How to Create More Confidence + Better Content
    Today we’re exploring the topic of story stretching and how you can avoid getting stuck when comes to your own creative process.
    Have you ever suffered from a case of BPS? Blank Page Syndrome is a condition that can slow your progress and leave you feeling frustrated and alone.
    The truth is, there is a LOT of writing that’s involved when it comes to building a brand. Besides coming up with social media content and your ideal customer profile, there’s also the web site copy and emails and newsletters, not to mention your core platform content for your blog, podcast or YouTube channel.
    But slow down for a moment – and let’s take a breath. Because you can do this.
    What it comes down to is remaining mentally confident and flexible so we can respond to the needs of our business quickly and efficiently, with plenty of creativity to spare.
    Throughout my years as a writer, I’ve adopted three tried-and-proven story stretches to help me stay flexible when it comes to new content creation, while also giving me a boost of confidence when it’s needed.
    1 – Explore new paths.
    Get out of your rut and go for a walk or take a drive! Movement creates momentum…
    2 – Get back to play. Sometimes playing for the simple sake of playing is all that’s required sometimes. And when we lose ourselves in play, it helps unlock that creative part inside of us that so often gets lost as we become adults.
    3 – Embrace new collaborations.
    Collaboration is such a powerful tool, because it helps us get out of our own heads and see things from  a brand new perspective. I particularly enjoy working with women who don’t come from exactly the same type of background as me. As a creator and marketer, I pursue conversations with people
    in different types of fields, to see how they’re solving challenges within their own industry. When I do, I’m always introduced to new ways of solving
    problems, and it all helps me to stretch my own story muscle by causing me to look at the world through new eyes.
     
    I hope these simple tips help you stretch your creative story muscle and remind you of all of the amazing gifts, talents and abilities you have inside you.
    Let’s make Blank Page Syndrome a thing of the past. Good-bye writer’s block – hello, creativity!
    EPISODE LINKS:
    Let’s Work Together- https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact
    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/
    Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe
    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807
    13 min
  • SUMMER RECAST SERIES - How to Repurpose Your Main Platform to Save Yourself Time and Maximize Your Resources
    In this episode we're exploring the ways you can repurpose your platform by squeezing all the goodness out of each segment so you’re able to add delicious flavour to everything that you do.
    As I’ve said before on this podcast, I believe one of the keys to consistent communication with your audience is a purpose-driven platform. And I also believe there are 3 main platforms we should consider as a free and shareable public space to share our long-term content. Those three platforms are podcasts, blogs and YouTube channels.
    Remember, you don’t need all three platforms. You really only need to focus on one.
    Once you’ve decided on which platform will be your focus, that platform becomes the source of all the content you need for your visibility tools (social media, newsletter, etc.).
    The cool thing about podcasts, blogs and YouTube channels is that they’re already neatly divided into segments. For podcasts and YouTube channels
    those segments are called episodes and for blogs those segments are called posts.
    What’s really useful about thinking about your platform in segments is that it provides multiple opportunities per episode or post to repurpose the content for your visibility tools.
    The beauty of repurposing is that you’re taking the same original content that you produce one time, and you’re using it over and over for maximum reach and effect.
    And the way you do that is by finding the little bits and pieces you can peel away from your main segment and scattering those throughout your social media content to get the most out of your time and streamline your day.
     
    Thanks so much for listening in to today podcast episode! If you enjoyed it, then be sure to rate and review Power Your Platform on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – and thanks to every one of you who have been sharing this podcast with your friends and colleagues. I truly appreciate it.
    Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice – because the world is waiting to hear your story! 
    EPISODE LINKS:
    Let’s Work Together- https://www.powerherplatform.com/contact
    PowerHER Platform Web Site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/
    Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe
    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807
    Story Sister Archetypes Episode - https://tinyurl.com/mr28sjnc
    8 min

About Power Your Platform

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Power Your Platform, the podcast for women who are building bold story brands! Each week, we’ll explore big ideas about story building and shine a spotlight on courageous women just like YOU who are owning their story, following their purpose and changing the world.