Story Based Marketing Can Make a Difference In Who You Reach
Finding the right thing to say, and when to say, it is truly an art form. Are you struggling to get your message and mission across to funders, donors, members, or customers? Tell a story.
In October 2020, the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Southern Vermont Economy Project (SVEP) hosted two workshops to help organizations do just that. The storytelling workshops were provided by Peter “Fish” Case. Case, or Fish as he is known to friends and enemies alike, is the local communications expert for Fishhook Communications and the General Manager of The Peak Radio Station. Case is also host of “Fables Storytelling at Next Stage Cafe” at Next Stage Arts in Putney, VT.
Michelle Hogan, Assistant Director of Development for Easterseals Vermont, who participated in one of the cohorts, said “Peter helped me organize a number of different story ideas and really work through them to put together a great message for our organization, Easterseals Vermont. I am looking forward to other opportunities to help my organization move forward.”
The small cohort workshop was split into two sessions. In the first, participants explored ideas and stories to focus on. In the second they tested a carefully crafted story on others in the cohort. The work didn’t end there! In addition to the two sessions, participants had pre-workshop homework and work to do between each session. Case was also available after the workshop ended to provide any additional support participants needed. This setup allowed everyone to receive peer feedback, and also work solo to carefully craft their stories.
View below, to hear some of their stories:
“Nobody wants to be talked at, they want to be talked to,” said Case who described why storytelling is key to all marketing. “In a world that keeps shortening the window you have to make a point, choosing how you do it is critical. Everyone loves a well told story, so my approach to marketing is conveying messages that are stories.” Case works with businesses and non-profits alike to pull out those messages that will resonate and gain traction with the people they are trying to reach.
Did you miss out? Lucky for you, we’re offering another workshop in the new year: New year, new stories! The workshop consists of two sessions, January 21st and 28th from 8:00-9:30 am, and includes pre-workshop homework and homework in between session 1 and session 2. After session 1 with the cohort, you’ll meet one-on-one with Case, who will check in on your progress. Your deliverable for session two is a fully-fledged story. Case will be available after session 2 if you want to make some more changes to your story.
“The workshop prompted me to work with Fishhook Communications and specifically Peter Case to get the word out about my organization. I am extremely pleased with the product,” exclaimed Dr. Steven E. Berry of the 1786 Rupert Meetinghouse Project.
If you are interested in being extremely pleased, sign up for our upcoming cohort for Story Based Marketing with Fish here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/story-based-marketing-workshop-with-fish-tickets-132085221453
For more information on upcoming Southern Vermont Economy Project workshops and trainings, visit www.brattleborodevelopment.com/svep/ or contact Sarah Lang, Project Manager, at slang@brattleborodevelopment.com
