The Everyday Storyteller

Running a business with a partner is a unique journey filled with shared aspirations, hurdles, and accomplishments. Unlike the conventional image of a solo founder, women in partnerships have unique narratives to share. Your founder story is a powerful tool for shaping your brand, connecting with your audience, and inspiring others.

If you're in a business partnership, here are my tips for crafting your shared story:

Your founder story isn't just about your business; it's also a means to connect with your audience personally. Share anecdotes and experiences that reveal your passion and commitment to your business, allowing your audience to glimpse the real people behind the brand.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Aida. Is it a tragic Italian opera or a hack for crafting compelling stories?

I'm talking about AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action—the key to stories that get your customers to act.

Start with Attention: Grab your audience with a captivating hook—a question, fact, or anecdote. If it's an email, the subject line can be your hook.

Interest: Build it with context—characters, setting, and conflict. Make the audience care. In business stories, your customer is the hero.

Desire: Create a desire by showing how your story aligns with their needs and the value it offers.

Action: Call them to action—buy, book, support, sign up. Clearly state the action.

By applying the AIDA framework to your storytelling, you'll create narratives that not only captivate but also drive desired outcomes. Happy storytelling!

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

When you view your website or social media profile, does it feel like looking at a stranger rather than a familiar face?

Life changes, priorities shift, and customers evolve. It's natural. And when they do, make sure you revisit your core story, like your purpose, vision, and values, and other stories like product success or customer stories. If they don't align with who you are or who your customers are anymore, make changes. Your customers will thank you, as it helps them connect with your true value.

Signs it's time for a change:

To update your story, focus on your current audience—those who've bought from you in the last year. Clarify the key message you want to convey, centred around the problem you solve and the feeling of resolution. Highlight why you're the best choice to help. Incorporate these thoughts into your story.

Need more guidance? Download my ebook, "How to Tell a Business Story.” 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Have you ever sat in a Pret a Manger in Paddington and cried? I have. It wasn't pleasant, but it taught me a crucial lesson. Over four years ago, I consciously uncoupled from the marketing agency I co-owned. Things hadn't been working for a while. It was a mutual "It's not you, it's me" situation.

As hard as it was to leave a lucrative business and a team I helped grow, it was the right choice. The lesson? If you don't take control of your story, you become part of someone else’s.

So, today, assess where you are and what you do. What do you love? What would you change? Are you telling the story you want or letting others dictate it? If you need help shaping your story, book a call with me.

Own your story. You deserve it.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

They say don't mix business and family. Seeking their opinions can limit your growth. Loved ones, with the best intentions, may emotionally invest in your well-being, leading to phrases like, "Shouldn't you just find a proper job?" that can knock your confidence.

Through the work I do, I’ve seen many of my clients struggle to share their real stories. They grow when confidently sharing their truths with me, only to have family or close friends question and water down their narratives out of love. Red pen edits and a diluted version of their truth often result.

My experience has taught me to handle this delicately. But honestly, it's often best not to go there, unless family members understand your goals.

Today, seek diverse perspectives beyond family and friends. Connect with mentors, collaborators, or even customers for a fresh viewpoint. For an unbiased perspective to help you express your truth, I'm here for you. 

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Anxiety creeps in, haunted by past worries or criticism. Self-doubt is very normal but what if those stories persist, and your inner critic won't quiet down? For many women, it can hinder our true potential.

So, how do we silence those nagging voices? I like to face them head-on. List your self-limiting stories: "I'm not good enough," "I failed last time I tried something new," "I'll just prove everyone right." Then, call them out.

Write down the actual reality for each story. Challenge your negative thoughts and seek evidence to counter them. You might find that these stories aren't rooted in reality.

Next, make a list of your achievements, even those moments that initially didn't go well but led to personal growth. Keep this list close by and refer to it when those self-doubt stories resurface.

Remember, it takes practice, and those stories may not disappear entirely but we just need to keep reminding ourselves of our true capabilities.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Let's get real – back-to-school photos. We all know you're proud of your little one dressed in their finest, but does anyone else care? Do you even care? Or is it just a case of "everyone else is doing it, so I must too”?

I have to admit, I'm guilty of it too. When my daughter started primary school, there I was, snapping away and posting it on Facebook with #proudmummy. So I'm not one to judge. But there's a business point here, and it goes like this:

Your ideal clients don't come to you for the same old, same old. If they're giving you their precious time and attention, especially if you want them to take action like buying from you, you need to make it worth their while. Your clients crave new, fresh, and, most importantly, relevant stories. They want something that tells them a little about you but a lot more about them.

So, if you're selling unique interiors or providing financial services to small business owners, little Doris or Donald in their school outfits won't add much value to your audience. However, if you've created an innovative gadget for labelling school clothes or you're a family photographer offering to capture special memories, clever back-to-school content could be a game-changer.

Bottom line: Share stories and content that are informative, relevant, and valuable to your audience. It can be personal, sure, but not just because you find it interesting or cute, and certainly not because everyone else is doing it.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

This summer I spent an unforgettable week on Croatia's Kolocep island at the incredible Kalmota Beach Hotel. The perfect blend of privacy and attentive staff left us with smiles and endless stories to share.

In business, we all aim for those memorable moments that leave customers raving and spreading the word. Word-of-mouth marketing is priceless, stronger than any sales copy.

So, how do you transform your customers into your marketing team?

Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover the show and empower their voices.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Picture this: over beers, my friend and I discovered we used the same supplier, drawn in by their values-driven promise. But reality didn't match the story we were sold, leading to disappointment. We vented our frustrations, not the brand's desired outcome, right?

I'm not naming names, but I'm sharing this tale to highlight the consequences of saying one thing and doing another in business.

Storytelling builds trust, but it can crumble if the customer experience doesn't align. So, here are my tips for consistency:

Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover the show and empower their voices.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing

Let's talk about overcoming fear. Like wearing shorts in summer, using your voice can be scary. But it shouldn't hold you back.

Both require vulnerability and overcoming the fear of judgment. Using your voice leads to empowerment and growth, just like wearing what you want brings liberation.

Overcome the fear, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace vulnerability. Express yourself freely and connect authentically. Don't let fear hold you back. Trust me, no one is judging you as much as you think.

Take action today: Tell that story you've been holding in. It's a much better place to be.

Want to continue the conversation or get some extra support with telling your story? 

Find me:

On Instagram: @22storiesandme

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilarysalzman

Online: www.22-stories.com

This podcast is produced by the brilliant Suzi @story_publishing