The Hidden Edge

This is probably hyperbole, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbole) but for those who have been following our Blog musings, this is the last month that the Blog Buddies will be encouraged to participate by the Blog Master.  It has been great fun, interacting with my Blog Buddies and discovering the what and the how; even if most of the technical activities were really above my head.

I wonder how many of us will be Blogging in another six months, and whether those who have fallen by the wayside will resume, when the time is right for them.  It does take time to get into it.  Like most things I suppose!  You need to devote time to master skills and you can’t expect people just to want to read your Blog because it is there.

Six months ago I was quite scared of adding to others’ Blogs for want of upsetting or indeed appearing a dim wit, but recently I have found the confidence to add my tuppance, and have had a response back to my own Blog.  I am invigorated and plan to add to a stranger’s Blog each week from now on.

What me (and me buddies) could do with, is for those, who regularly read but don’t usually comment, to let us know that you are there?  A smiley would do fine! ;0)

And to continue the hyperbole how about this …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edy-F5-2HME

Next week I promise to write about epitaths so if you would like to know what that’s all about then click on comment then click on RSS and you’ll automatically receive notification when it is published.

My Blog this week continues the story telling theme.  However, this is about shortening the story to a one liner that really gets the message across. The thought was kick started when Mark Pitcher, an associate reminded me of Victoria Beckham’s goal “I want to be more famous than Persil Automatic”. 

Then on Tuesday night VB in a self portrait piss take muttered the throw away comment – “It’s hard work being fabulous”.  I will be using that one – watch me! 

Subsequently, I found some interesting stuff on a recent Blog by Mike St. Pierre  http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/8-one-liners-that-stick.html  As I alluded in my comment on Mike’s blog, I think there is a lot more than that to the one-liner.  

A great one-liner I have used earlier this week to describe the effect of an eye ulcer was thanks to Robbie; “I look like Kiss but without the makeup!”  These are some other one-liners that I love:

Life is like a box of chocolates¨                

Listen is an anagram of silence¨                

How many do you want exactly?¨                

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t; you are right – Ford¨                

It’s not who you know; it’s whom you know!¨                

Half the people in the world are above (or below) average.¨                

Frustration is the flip side of passion¨                

I’m modest and proud of it!”

And of course for those who know me – I have many more of my own that I use incessantly that still get titters from those who haven’t heard them recently …  “You have ten minutes, ten minutes only; to have a wee, grab a coffee and someone else you fancee … talking to and take a new seat” 

Now it’s your turn to add to the list and while you think about it there’s a few pointers in this: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB_FK3q9Bi0

If, however, you don’t like sharing, yet love my Blogs, then click on comment and RSS to get an automatic update when I have posted something new

I have today found a great website by Tim Sheppard.  A name that has significant meaning for me from my past; I am feeling very reminiscent at the moment.  I guess, that is, having just turned 45; I am now, half way through my life. 

Tim was the name of my first ‘real’ boyfriend who was good friends with a guy called David Sheppard aka Dinky.  He married my friend Patsy, had two kids and lived happily ever after. 

I digress: back to Tim Sheppard’s great website.  It is a story tellers dream and it does come up top on a Google search for story telling.  In particular please do spend the time to read this insightful piece by the most famous American story teller of all; Mark Twain

…. http://www.timsheppard.co.uk/story/dir/twain.html  

And I pause …. Of course, when I am writing I can pause in any number of ways:  the colon as here, or the semi, a comma, or indeed a series of dots – what are they called?  Oh yes, and the dash!  The question that Twain now awakens is what punctuation depicts the right pause length?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHSlyyzUR78 

Please carry on telling me your great stories or indeed debate with me what Twain dictates.  If, however, you don’t like sharing, yet love my Blogs, then click on comment and RSS to get an automatic update when I have posted something new.

Over the last couple of weeks the benefit of telling stories (not untruths of course) has come up in various different guises.  The great thing about telling a story is that it tends to have a beginning, middle and end.  It usually has a purpose, some structure and is therefore more easily remembered by the listener.  The listener can use his/her imagination to relate to the story which then takes on its own uniqueness personal to them. 

·         It came up as a piece of advice I gave to someone wishing to get more referrals out of networking.  There is power when you can tell a story of how you have overcome a client’s problem with a proven solution.

·         It also came up as a good way for another client to get a particular message across in a webvert. A story conveys the somewhat boring uniqueness of his product by illustrating the benefits to one particular customer.

·         It was evident in Diana’s memorial concert.  The testimonials, in between the music, from those who had felt supported by her genuine empathy, moved even the most sceptical; I included.

·         And I have just reconnected with an old school friend via Friend Reunited.  The last time we saw each other was when we were 16.  In three emails a piece we are patching together the last 29 years in instalments.  It’s great fun!  As each piece of information comes out there are links to the past and the present that makes the story telling fun as well as memorable.  In his words “better than a TV soap… look forward to the next episode.”

·         Then of course there has been Live Earth this weekend …. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RshSnCfPlck  

I know that it might take a little thinking about but what stories you can tell me that have made a difference either to you or to your clients? 

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